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These are your latest rugby headlines on Saturday, April 2.
Boss admits Wales interest in emerging star
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has admitted he is aware of Wales’ interest in rising back-row talent Kane James — but insists he has not been informed of any firm international switch.
The 21-year-old, who has previously represented England at under-20 level, is understood to be in line for a Wales call-up this summer, having impressed during a breakout campaign in the Gallagher Premiership before injury struck.
However, Baxter says any developments regarding James’ international future have not been formally communicated to him.
“I haven’t been told that, so that’s kind of news to me,” Baxter told RugbyPass.
“I’m aware that Wales are interested in him, but I hadn’t had that conversation with Kane or his agent or Wales or England.”
The Haverfordwest-born forward had been a near ever-present for Exeter earlier this season, featuring in eight of their opening nine league matches as well as all four European fixtures, before suffering an ankle injury against Cardiff in January.
That setback ruled him out of Six Nations contention, despite Wales boss Steve Tandy previously confirming he had held discussions with the player and viewed him as “a player of interest”.
James is still working his way back to fitness, with any potential involvement for Wales this summer dependent on his return to action in the closing weeks of the domestic campaign.
His performances prior to injury had already marked him out as one of Exeter’s standout young players, with Baxter previously stressing he had earned his place on merit rather than as part of a development plan.
With Wales keen to bolster their options ahead of the new Nations Championship, James remains firmly on the radar — even if his club boss is yet to be brought fully into the loop.
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Popular Welsh referee dies
Tributes have been paid following the death of respected Welsh rugby referee Ken Brackston.
The news was confirmed by Welsh Rugby Union community director Geraint John, who led the messages of condolence on social media.
He wrote: “Sad to hear the news that Ken Brackston passed away today.
“He was such a great servant to Welsh match officials and supported me throughout and when I first started teaching at Barry.
“Condolences to all family and friends from myself and all at the Welsh Rugby Union. RIP.”
Others also paid tribute, with former referee Paul Turner describing him as a “real good bloke”, while Dave Newton added: “Sad news. RIP Ken.”
Brackston was a well-known figure within Welsh rugby circles, having officiated during the 1980s and 1990s and been closely associated with the Cardiff Referees Society. He took charge of high-level club matches during his career, including Welsh league fixtures.
Away from the pitch, he was also a schoolteacher and played a key role in mentoring the next generation of referees, earning widespread respect for his contribution to the game.
He remained connected to rugby in later years, continuing to share his knowledge and insight on officiating.
Thoughts have been expressed across the Welsh rugby community for his family and friends at this difficult time.
Wales youngster involved in huge clash
Louie Hennessey will start at outside centre for Bath this weekend in their highly anticipated Champions Cup semi-final clash with Bordeaux.
Last year’s Challenge Cup and Champions Cup winners will go head-to-head at the Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole on Sunday, in what proves to be a mouthwatering clash between two European heavyweights.
Hennessey, who made his Wales debut off the bench against Ireland during the Six Nations, has been handed the starting 13 jersey with centres Max Ojomoh and Cameron Redpath ruled out.
The 22-year-old, whose opposite number is France’s leading try-scorer Damien Penaud, will partner Ollie Lawrence in midfield, with the England international shifting to inside centre.
Elsewhere, head coach Johann van Graan has selected Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit in the front row, with hooker Tom Dunn making his 266th appearance, the most for Bath in the professional era.
Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels will partner each other in the second row, while Josh Bayliss, Guy Pepper and Alfie Barbeary complete the back row.
Scrum-half Ben Spencer captains the side, with Finn Russell his half-back partner, while Will Muir and Henry Arundell will line up on the wings with Santi Carreras at full-back.
Bath Rugby: 15. Santi Carreras, 14. Henry Arundell, 13. Louie Hennessey, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 11. Will Muir, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben Spencer (capt); 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn (266), 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Josh Bayliss (150), 7. Guy Pepper, 8. Alfie Barbeary
Replacements: 16. Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Vilikesa Sela, 19. Ted Hill, 20. Sam Underhill, 21. Tom Carr-Smith, 22. Tom de Glanville, 23. Miles Reid
Welsh duo start for Exeter
Wales star Dafydd Jenkins will captain Exeter Chiefs in their Challenge Cup semi-final against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday evening, with his international teammate Christ Tshiunza joining him in the starting line-up.
Head coach Rob Baxter has named a changed XV for the clash at the Affidea Stadium, with a place in the final in Bilbao at stake.
Jenkins will lead the side out as he returns to the second row alongside Andrea Zambonin, while Tshiunza comes in to start at openside flanker following Ethan Roots’ suspension and Greg Fisilau’s knee issue.
Max Norey earns a start at hooker, packing down between props Scott Sio and Bachuki Tchumbadze, while the backrow is completed by Tom Hooper and Ross Vintcent.
In the backs, Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner make up the half-back partnership, with Len Ikitau and Henry Slade in midfield and Ben Hammersley, Campbell Ridl and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso forming the back three.
“This weekend is going to be a pretty big challenge,” said Baxter. “At their stadium, I imagine with a good crowd in, and after they rested and rotated a lot last week to prepare for this game, we’re expecting a pretty full-blooded, tough game of rugby.
“That’s what it should be though. That’s why you want to qualify for these competitions and why you work hard to get to semi-finals and finals.”
“Ulster will certainly be expecting to set the physicality of the game early,” the Exeter boss added.
“They will think they can boss large areas of the game but my expectation is that we will turn up and set a different level of intensity at the start of the game to make it a very competitive encounter.”
Exeter Chiefs: 15. Ben Hammsersley, 14. Campbell Rid, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Len Ikitau, 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Scott Sio, 2. Max Norey, 3. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (capt), 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Christ Tshiunza, 8. Ross Vintcent
Replacements: 16. Joseph Dweba, 17. Ethan Burger, 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Finn Worley Brady, 21. Tom Cairns, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Nick Lilley
Grayson joins Edinburgh
By Anthony Brown, Press Association
Former Northampton stand-off James Grayson has agreed a one-year deal with Edinburgh for next season.
The 27-year-old, whose father Paul won the World Cup with England in 2023, will move to the Scottish capital in the summer from Japanese side Mitsubishi Dynaboars.
Grayson, who made close to 100 appearances for Saints before moving to the Far East in 2023, told Edinburgh’s website: “After three years overseas, the time feels right to return closer to home, and the opportunity to play in the URC was a big factor in my decision.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Former England Under-20 international Grayson is the fifth new signing to be announced by Edinburgh, with backs Louie Chapman, Riley Higgins and Geordie Gwynn and prop Alec Hepburn all having committed for next season.
Head coach Sean Everitt said: “We’re really pleased to add James to the group. He’s an impressive player – someone who reads the game well and brings a real quality with the boot, both from hand and at goal.
“He’s played a huge amount of rugby at a high level, first with Northampton in the Premiership and then across three seasons in Japan, and we think that experience will allow him to hit the ground running when he arrives.
“He’ll come in and challenge for the 10 jersey and that competition for places will be good for the squad.”
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