This post was originally published on this site.
Here’s your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Saturday May 9.
Wales duo spark injury concerns
Tomos Williams and Josh Adams both saw their respective club outings cut short on Friday night, in a development that could come as a concern to Steve Tandy.
Williams saw his night’s work for Gloucester ended early in the second half of Gloucester’s 21-15 win over Sale, with the 31-year-old coming off with a suspected shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Josh Adams saw his return for Cardiff similarly ended prematurely in the 40-17 defeat to Glasgow at Scotstoun.
Adams was seen being escorted off by medical at half-time after suffering a collision with Sione Tuipulotu.
He failed to return for the second half after failing an HIA.
The extent of both injuries isn’t yet known, but it may well come as a concern to Wales boss Steve Tandy, who names his squad for the summer Tests on Monday.
Elias out to spoil Ospreys’ big day
Ryan Elias says there’s ‘no bigger game’ than the derby with Ospreys this afternoon, and says the Scarlets will have to be aware of the emotions of the occasion.
Jac Morgan is set to bid farewell to the home fans on the day, which could add an interesting subplot to what already promises to be a feisty occasion between the two rivals at the Brewery Field.
The two rivals are set to meet this afternoon at Bridgend’s Brewery Field, and the Wales international hooker is expecting a particularly
“It is massive, we feel we owe ourselves and the fans a fair bit,” Elias said.
“There is no bigger game for me personally; it is special, it is bragging rights for players and auditions for Wales honours as well. There is a lot riding on it. We also understand how much it means to our supporters.
“It is obviously a big day for the Ospreys with the likes of Jac saying goodbye and we have touched on that and understand their motivations, but it is just as important to concentrate on ourselves and our gameplan. Prep has gone well.”
Ulster star claims South Africa ‘hate the Irish’
Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey believes South Africa’s introduction into the United Rugby Championship has increased the intensity of the rivalry between Ireland and the Springboks, and says they have even hatred towards the Irish.
The two nations have already seen a rivalry emerge on the international stage, while two of the four finals in the URC have been between Irish and South African teams.
Speaking on the For the Love of Rugby podcast recently, he said: “I think with them being in the URC now, you see a lot more of the South Africans and there probably is a lot more beef and grittiness there.
“I don’t know what it’s come out of. It seems like South Africans just hate the Irish. I don’t know if we hate them as much, but I think it’s pretty cordial. I think there’d be good crack between the fans. We’ve not got to fighting them yet.
“Obviously we were the top two teams in the world coming up to that World Cup and South Africa went down and did it. We came up short, but had beaten them in the group stages and that probably stoked it a bit more.”
