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Cardiff Rugby and Welsh internationals Mason Grady and Evan Lloyd at the Penarth RFC clubhouse which was devastated by a recent fire(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news from Wales and around the worldCardiff Rugby and Welsh internationals Mason Grady and Evan Lloyd at the Penarth RFC clubhouse which was devastated by a recent fire(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)<\/p>\n
These are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, December 4.<\/p>\n
Wales star loses his international shirt in a blaze<\/p>\n
Wales international Evan Lloyd has spoken of his devastation after Penarth<\/a> RFC \u2014 the club where he grew up playing rugby \u2014 was gutted by a fire that destroyed priceless memorabilia, including his own Wales U20s shirt.<\/p>\n The 145-year-old community club was left in ruins after an electrical fault caused a blaze in the early hours of Monday morning<\/a>, wiping out decades of history. Among the irreplaceable items lost were historic jerseys dating back to the 1920s, a treasured Barbarians Springbok head from 1961 and youth caps from some of the club\u2019s most distinguished players.<\/p>\n Cardiff<\/a> Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union have stepped in to support Penarth through the crisis. Cardiff Arms Park will now host Penarth\u2019s Admiral National Leagues Division 1 Cup match against Lampeter on Saturday, with the WRU providing free buses for supporters travelling from Penarth. Cardiff have also waived all staging costs, while bucket collections will run during Cardiff RFC\u2019s Super Rygbi Cymru fixture against RGC 1404.<\/p>\n Lloyd \u2014 whose two brothers still play for the Vale of Glamorgan club \u2014 visited the site with fellow Wales international Mason Grady and WRU community director Geraint John.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was my club all through age-grade,\u201d said Lloyd. \u201cI grew up here, and it holds so many memories. When I first saw the videos I thought it was fake. Then it sank in, it was a massive shock.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gutted about what\u2019s been lost. My Wales U20s jersey was in there, my brother\u2019s too, and a mate\u2019s Malta shirt. The Barbarians stuff, the old Wales jerseys\u2026 you just can\u2019t replace things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Grady also urged supporters to rally behind the club, saying: \u201cWe\u2019re really proud Cardiff Rugby are hosting the Penarth game this weekend. It\u2019d be great to get as many people down there as possible to show their support.\u201d<\/p>\n A fundraiser has now been launched to help Penarth rebuild and recover.<\/p>\n You can support Penarth RFC by donating to their crowdfunder here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Etzebeth’s ex team-mate brands eye-gouge ‘horrible’<\/p>\n Former South Africa hooker Bismarck du Plessis has condemned Eben Etzebeth\u2019s eye-gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann, calling the act \u201chorrible\u201d as the Springbok lock awaits the outcome of his disciplinary hearing.<\/p>\n Etzebeth was sent off for the first time in his Test career during South Africa\u2019s win over Wales at the Principality Stadium, with replays showing his thumb make contact with Mann\u2019s eye in the 78th minute. Referee Luc Ramos issued a straight red card, and the 32-year-old faced a disciplinary panel on Tuesday night. A verdict on the length of his suspension is now expected on Sunday or Monday.<\/p>\n Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, du Plessis \u2013 renowned as one of the toughest front-rowers of his era \u2013 said he could not defend what happened.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no good you can say about that,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a horrible incident. I\u2019m lucky I don\u2019t have to sit through those meetings\u2026 I think he\u2019s in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Former England centre Mike Tindall also believes Etzebeth will receive a significant ban, arguing such cases are now so rare that the authorities will \u201cmake an example out of it\u201d.<\/p>\n Another ex-Bok team-mate, prop Steven Kitshoff, offered a similarly blunt assessment on the Game Time podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t defend him,\u201d Kitshoff said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a bad moment and incident\u2026 You don\u2019t f*** with a player\u2019s eyes in a rugby game. You don\u2019t do it in any sport.\u201d<\/p>\n Etzebeth\u2019s actions have caused widespread backlash, with Mann expected to provide evidence as part of the ongoing disciplinary process.<\/p>\n Jonathan Thomas flooded with support from rugby community<\/p>\n There has been an outpouring of support for former Wales international Jonathan Thomas after he stepped down from his role as head coach of Swansea RFC<\/a> due to ongoing medical issues linked to head trauma suffered during his playing career.<\/p>\n The 42-year-old, who won 67 caps for his country, had only taken charge ahead of the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru season.<\/p>\n Thomas, who was forced to retire from playing a decade ago because of head injuries, said recent symptoms had made it impossible to give the job the energy and focus it required. He admitted the decision was \u201cheartbreaking\u201d, but insisted he had to put his health and family first<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI was incredibly excited to take on this challenge and really proud of the progress the team has made,\u201d he said. \u201cBut long-standing issues linked to head trauma have caused concern and I need to prioritise my personal health and get the right support.\u201d<\/p>\n Swansea RFC managing director Keith Colclough said Thomas had \u201claid a strong foundation\u201d during his short time in charge and had been \u201cbrilliant\u201d in helping to drive improved performances this season. He stressed that the coach\u2019s health must come before rugby.<\/p>\n Colclough added: \u201cWe are sad to make this announcement, but we fully support Jonathan\u2019s decision. His wellbeing is the priority and we wish him and his family the very best. We look forward to welcoming him back in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n And the rugby community has banded together in solidarity with Thomas, sending their well wishes en masse upon hearing the news.<\/p>\n Broadcaster Phil Steele wrote: “Very best wishes to \u2018JT\u2019 I hope he gets his health under control very soon and is able to return to coaching as he has so much to offer the game.”<\/p>\n The official Ospreys<\/a> Supporters’ Club also issued their heartfelt best wishes, saying: “So sorry to see this about JT. Best wishes to him and hopefully this time will help him recover his health, which has to be the priority.”<\/p>\n While the Ospreys Eyrie Podcast said: “Sad news, best wishes to JT.”<\/p>\n