![\"Archer](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_JS390024494-1.jpg\")
Archer Holz of Scarlets leaves the field on a stretcher(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news from Wales and around the worldArcher Holz of Scarlets leaves the field on a stretcher(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)<\/p>\n
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, December 9.<\/p>\n
Scarlets issue update after worrying injury<\/p>\n
The Scarlets<\/a> have issued an update on Archer Holz after he suffered a nasty-looking injury against Bristol Bears at the weekend.<\/p>\n The prop prompted major concern when he was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace at Parc y Scarlets after a lengthy stoppage in the match, which the home side went on to lose narrowly to the English side in their Champions Cup clash.<\/p>\n However, the west Walian side have moved to allay fears, by releasing a statement on Monday evening.<\/p>\n “Archer Holz is recovering well from Saturday’s injury against Bristol Bears,” the Scarlets wrote on social media.<\/p>\n “He is expected back on the field this month.”<\/p>\n Monye: Etzebeth ‘played a blinder’ as Springboks benefit from 12-week ban<\/p>\n Former England international Ugo Monye says South Africa and Eben Etzebeth are the only beneficiaries of his 12-week suspension for eye-gouging Wales flanker Alex Mann, insisting the Springboks star will come out of the saga in better shape than before.<\/p>\n Speaking on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast<\/a>, Monye said he was \u201cnot bothered\u201d by the length of the sanction, arguing that the ban effectively hands South Africa\u2019s most-capped player a three-month conditioning block that will boost his prospects of reaching the next World Cup.<\/p>\n Etzebeth was sent off during South Africa\u2019s 73-0 victory in Cardiff<\/a> last month, with a Six Nations<\/a> disciplinary committee later ruling he made intentional contact with the eye and issuing a mid-range 18-week entry point. Mitigation reduced the ban to 12 weeks, all of which will apply to club fixtures for the Sharks.<\/p>\n But Monye believes the outcome suits the 34-year-old perfectly, saying \u201cI was staggered to have the most-capped Springbok\u2026 I don\u2019t care how he feels he was treated. To act in that way and to be so blatant. It was out of character for him,” he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it was 12, 18 or 52 weeks it actually doesn\u2019t matter. The only Union that benefits from this are South Africa. Giving Eben Etzebeth three months off \u2013 his chances of getting to the next World Cup have just gone through the roof.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is going to benefit from having three months off. His body will have been screaming for it. If it was six months, he would have been like, \u2018sweet\u2019.<\/p>\n Monye also highlighted Etzebeth\u2019s own evidence during the hearing, which included the lock saying Mann had not gouged him beforehand.<\/p>\n \u201cEben Etzebeth has played a blinder,\u201d Monye said. \u201cHe said Alex Mann didn\u2019t eye-gouge him. We can debate whether he did or not \u2013 still pictures often don\u2019t tell the full story.<\/p>\n “But Eben Etzebeth saying that helps his case because it means his act isn\u2019t out of revenge. If it was revenge, it puts him in a higher threshold.\u201d<\/p>\n Etzebeth will miss 12 matches for the Sharks, who sit 14th in the URC after a poor start to the season. He has played only twice for them this campaign.<\/p>\n Crucially, he will not miss any South Africa games. The Springboks\u2019 next Test is not until July 2026, when they face England in Johannesburg in the inaugural Nations Championship. Etzebeth is expected to return to action in April.<\/p>\n England star to quit Leicester for rivals<\/p>\n Leicester Tigers have confirmed England lock George Martin will leave the club after they made clear they tabled what they believe was a \u201ccompetitive deal\u201d to keep him.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old is reportedly set to join Premiership rivals Saracens, with the tone of head coach Geoff Parling\u2019s comments underlining Tigers\u2019 frustration at losing one of their home-grown stars.<\/p>\n Parling said: \u201cWe would have liked George to stay with the club as he\u2019s a top-quality player developed through our academy alongside many of the current team.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we offered George a competitive deal to remain with Tigers, he has chosen a different direction for the next stage of his career. We thank him for his time with us and wish him well.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin came through the Leicester pathway and made his senior debut in 2019, going on to make 73 appearances and score nine tries. He played a key role in their 2022 Premiership title triumph and has won 21 caps for England.<\/p>\n The lock is currently recovering from a shoulder injury but is targeting a return to action later this season.<\/p>\n Wales international leaves Gloucester to return home<\/p>\n Wales lock Gwen Crabb has ended her five-year spell with Gloucester Hartpury and returned home to play for Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old, who has 39 caps and appeared at two Women\u2019s Rugby World Cups, has committed her club future to Wales in a move she hopes will help inspire and develop the next generation of talent.<\/p>\n Crabb featured for Thunder in last season\u2019s Celtic Challenge as she chased game time before the Women\u2019s Six Nations, but is currently sidelined with a knee injury. She is expected to be fit again in the new year.<\/p>\n Announcing the news on Instagram, she said the opportunity to play and develop in Wales simply didn\u2019t exist when she was a young player.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a young Welsh player, I never saw an option to stay in Wales and develop to the best of my ability, but now that has changed, and that excites me so much,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cA huge part of my \u2018why\u2019 is about inspiring the next generation and being the person I needed when I was younger.<\/p>\n \u201cSo here\u2019s to the 25\/26 season at home with Brython Thunder \u2014 and to growing the game in Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n Crabb becomes only the second player to fully commit to the Celtic Challenge, following Wales international Kerin Lake\u2019s decision to sign exclusively with Gwalia Lightning. The move comes at a time when the WRU is placing increased emphasis on the competition as a key pillar of player development.<\/p>\n