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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, July 17.
Former Welsh rugby captain returns home
Former Scarlets captain Steff Hughes has returned to the Llanelli club as their interim defence coach for the start of next season.
The ex-centre, who played 104 times for his hometown club across nine seasons, before heading to the United States with Major League Rugby Old Glory DC. The 32-year-old has moved into coaching while in America, going from player-coach to the MLR side’s attack and backs coach.
The former Wales U20s centre will now return to Parc y Scarlets on a temporary basis – looking after their defence as new coach Eamon O’Carroll finishes up his duties with Super League side St Helens.
“It’s been great to be back at the Parc,” said Hughes. “This club has always meant a huge amount to me and it’s a privilege to return in a coaching role.
“I’ve really enjoyed my coaching journey so far, from working within the Scarlets and Wales age-grade programmes to the opportunity I had with Old Glory DC in America. Every experience has helped me grow, and I’m excited to bring that back into this environment.
“We’ve got an ambitious group of players and staff, and I’m looking forward to supporting Nigel, Dwayne and the rest of the coaches, helping implement Eamon’s defensive programme and contributing in any way I can as we prepare for the season ahead.”
Speaking about the temporary addition to the Scarlets’ coaching staff, director of rugby Nigel Davies said: “We’re delighted to welcome Steff back to the Scarlets. As a player he understood exactly what representing this club meant, and it’s been equally pleasing to watch the way he’s embraced coaching and continued to develop over the last few years.
“He returns having gained valuable experience in different coaching environments and has already made a positive impact in our pre-season programme since coming back in Parc y Scarlets. He has excellent relationships with the players, communicates really well and brings real energy, intelligence and detail to his work.
“This is an important period for us as we continue to build our coaching programme. Steff’s understanding of the Scarlets, combined with the experience he’s gained away from the club, means he’s ideally placed to support that process and help ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.
“We’re committed to developing coaches in exactly the same way we develop players. We want talented people to come into our environment, continue learning and add value to the programme, and Steff is another excellent example of that approach.”
Test match moved amid safety fears
This weekend’s World Rugby Nations Cup clash between Chile and Georgia has been moved behind closed doors on safety grounds.
The match was due to be played in La Serena in northern Chile on Saturday, but the fixture has now been relocated after a red weather alert was put in place due to an approaching storm.
It will now be held at at CARR Mahuida in the Chilean capital, Santiago, at 1pm on Saturday, with World Rugby confirming in a statement that the clash will no longer take place in front of a crowd.
“Following a thorough assessment of the evolving weather situation and in consultation with relevant authorities, Chile Rugby has confirmed that the match will be played at CARR Mahuida in Santiago, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 local time,” the statement read.
“The safety and wellbeing of players, team staff, match officials, workforce and fans remains the highest priority. Given the forecast weather conditions expected across the region, the match will be played without spectators.
“While we appreciate this will be disappointing for supporters who had planned to attend, organisers are exploring options to make the match available to viewers via Disney+ in Chile, local domestic broadcasters in selected markets and RugbyPass TV in other territories, subject to technical and operational feasibility.
“World Rugby and Chile Rugby will continue to monitor conditions closely in coordination with local authorities, with all operational decisions guided by the safety of everyone involved.”
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Six Nations coach’s ban halved as private apology emerges
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his two-match ban halved, just 24 hours after becoming the first coach to be suspended under World Rugby’s new policy against abusing referees.
The Italy boss was given a two-match ban on Thursday, after making comments about French referee Luc Ramos on-air following their defeat to New Zealand last weekend. The Argentine had labelled Ramos’ performance as “super poor” as he took aim at the French official’s decision-making.
That saw him handed an automatic two match ban under World Rugby’s new match official abuse sanction process – although he had the right to appeal the ban.
According to World Rugby, Quesada opted to formally refer the matter to an independent committee for a full misconduct hearing.
After hearing submissions from Quesada and World Rugby, the committee – comprised of Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), Wang Shao-Ing (Singapore), and Valeriu Toma (Romania) – determined that the threshold for misconduct had been met.
However, having considered Quesada’s acceptance that his actions fell short of the standard expected, as well as a private written apology directly to Ramos, the ban was reduced to one match.
The Italy coach was also given a formal warning as to future conduct. He will miss this weekend’s match against Australia.
