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Here are your rugby evening headlines for Friday, June 26.
England skipper calls out club team-mate
Jamie George has branded the behaviour of Saracens academy player Totoa Auvaa “unacceptable” following the nightclub incident that resulted in England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped from the second Test against New Zealand.
Stokes and Atkinson were stood down while investigations took place into events at London’s Rex Rooms nightclub on June 8, where Auvaa threw a punch at Atkinson that missed and instead struck an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard.
The guard required stitches following the incident but chose not to report the matter to police.
Auvaa escaped formal sanctions, with Saracens describing the events as “regrettable for all parties involved” while insisting they remained supportive of the young back-row forward.
Now England rugby international George has spoken publicly about the incident, admitting Auvaa’s actions were wrong while urging people to remember the 21-year-old’s background.
Speaking to The Times and The Telegraph, George said: “He’s a young kid who has only left Samoa once.
“He is immature. He is a rabbit in the headlights in London. He’s a good kid, but he’s got it wrong. There’s no disputing that. But we need to make sure that we establish that sort of behaviour is unacceptable.
“There’s also a bit of me that thinks we’ve got to look after him because he doesn’t know right from wrong at the minute.
“We’ll look after him. We will make sure that he’s got role models around him.”
The fallout from the incident saw England captain Stokes and fast bowler Atkinson omitted from the second Test while an investigation was carried out into an alleged breach of team protocols.
However, both players were later cleared to return after an independent Cricket Regulator investigation found there was “insufficient evidence” against either player.
A separate ECB investigation also cleared Stokes and Atkinson of wrongdoing, although both received written conduct warnings for breaching specific contractual obligations. They subsequently returned to England’s squad for the ongoing third Test against New Zealand.
Wales star ready for return after ‘tough’ absence
Wales second-row Teddy Williams is raring to go after a “tough” nine-month absence with injury.
The 25-year-old lock has not played since suffering a serious foot injury while playing for Cardiff back in October. Despite a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Williams has been named in the starting XV to play the Barbarians on the weekend.
“I’m chuffed to be back,” said Williams ahead of his first Wales appearance since the victory over Japan in Kobe last July. “It’s been a while.
“I was absolutely thrilled when I got called into the squad and then to be playing this week is special for me. I’m chuffed to be given the opportunity and I’m just really looking forward to getting back out there.
“It was tough. Obviously, it was a very long time. It’s probably the first time I’ve experienced this sort of unexpected injury for such a long period of time.
“I think you’ve just got to use the time to try and grow as a person and physically. I’ve used the time to come back stronger and hopefully we’ll see tomorrow that I’m ready to go again.
“I don’t think it’s about necessarily saying I need to get back to where I was. I think you come back different. You’ve just got to use the time to try and grow yourself in in various aspects to be honest.
“I think it gives you a different outlook on how to approach the day-to-day life and how to approach our profession as rugby players, really. I’m really excited to get back out there and hopefully I can put my best foot forward on Saturday.”
Former Ireland and Scotland coach dies aged 61
Philip Doyle, the former Ireland Women’s head coach who led the side to their historic Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013, has died aged 61.
Doyle enjoyed two separate spells in charge of the national team, first taking over in 2003 as Kevin West’s successor and remaining in the role for three years before returning for a second stint in 2010.
It was during that return that he oversaw the most successful period in Ireland Women’s rugby history, guiding the team to their first-ever Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013. He also led Ireland to a landmark victory over New Zealand and a fourth-place finish at the 2014 Rugby World Cup before stepping down after the tournament.
He later went on to coach Scotland Women in 2019, although he left the role a year later amid the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Doyle also held coaching positions with Blackrock College Women and Ulster Rugby’s women’s programme during his career.
Tributes have poured in following his death, with Blackrock College describing a “profound sadness” at the news and hailing Doyle, affectionately known as ‘Goose’, as “the most influential coach in the history of women’s rugby”.
The club added: “At Blackrock, Goose was far more than a list of achievements. He was a mentor, a friend, a storyteller, and a constant source of encouragement.
“He cared deeply about the people he coached. He gave players confidence, challenged them to be better, and reminded everyone around him why rugby is such a special game.”
Fiji keep door open for former England and France stars
Fiji are keeping the door open for former England and France internationals Nathan Hughes and Virimi Vakatawa.
Both were named in a wider training squad by Fiji earlier this summer – but neither made the 32-man squad for the Nations Championship.
Both Hughes and Vakatawa will feature for the Barbarians against Wales this weekend – with interim Fiji head coach Senirusi Seruvakula saying they could yet force their way into the national team after switching allegiances.
“We put in the best 50 but there are other players outside that 50 who we are still monitoring and know that they are available,” said Seruvakula.
“That is why I’m making all the connections with all these players, talking to them regularly, telling them the expectations and how we are going to do these three matches in the Nations Championships.
“It’s a big year this year, we got these three games then the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan and then the remaining Nations Championships games in November.
“So, anything can happen and we want to start with the foundations, get the 32 in and after the first three Nations Championships matches, they might have to return to their clubs or get injured, so the door is always open.”
Wales star aiming for more silverware
Wales second-row Adam Beard will be looking to pick up a second piece of silverware before he joins up with Steve Tandy’s squad.
The former Ospreys lock has already played his part in Montpellier’s Challenge Cup victory during his first season in France. However, claiming a Top 14 title on Saturday night would be a remarkable achievement against favourites Toulouse.
The record 24-time champions are looking for their fourth straight title – with Antoine Dupont’s outfit having dominated the season, sealing their place in the final with a 71-17 semi-final victory over Racing 92.
Montpellier head coach Joan Caudullo wants his side to “prepare for war” as they look to cause an upset.
“We’re going to prepare for war,” Caudullo told reporters on Monday. “We’ll see if it works or not.
“I don’t want us looking like idiots.”
Regardless of whether they win or not, a run to the Top 14 final caps a successful first season in France for Beard – even if the second-row has already been linked with a move to Lyon.
This weekend’s Top 14 final has been overshadowed a little by off-field legal troubles, according to reports in France.
AFP reported earlier this week that Montpellier president and owner Mohed Altrad is being investigated over tax fraud. The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office confirmed on Monday that a preliminary investigation for tax fraud had been started on Altrad group, which specialises in the production and distribution of building materials.
They also sponsor both Montpellier and the France national team’s kits.
According to AFP, searches were conducted “at various locations in France”, including the group’s headquarters in Montpellier. “The individuals involved were questioned under the free hearing procedure. Therefore, no one was taken into custody,” the PNF added.
L’Equipe report that the tax authorities are reportedly demanding €331 million from the 78-year-old Altrad.
World Cup winners sets Wales target
Two-time World Cup winner Vincent Koch is targeting a rare feat against Wales this weekend – knocking over a conversion.
The Springboks prop has been showing off his kicking skill from the tee in training with the Barbarians this week ahead of the clash with Steve Tandy’s side at Allianz Stadium.
The Baa-Baas have posted a video of the 36-year-old tighthead slotting over a kick earlier in the week.
And the prop has claimed that Barbarians coach Scott Robertson has given him the green light to have a shot at goal on Saturday.
“He (Robertson) actually said if I score a try I can convert the try, so we need to get another move so I can at least score the try,” said Koch to media this week.
Wales youngster opens up on ‘hectic year’ ahead of debut
Teenage scrum-half Lily Hawkins has opened up on her “hectic year” as she prepares to make senior debut for Wales on Saturday.
Having been named on the bench to face the Barbarians in London, a cameo would mark an incredible rise through the pathway – with the 18-year-old having progressed through college rugby, age-grade and the Celtic Challenge this season.
She has also had to balance sitting her A Level exams ahead of joining Wales camp.
“It’s been a bit of a hectic year,” said Hawkins. “I’ve gone from college to PDC (player development centre) to the U18s, to Gwalia Lightning, to U21s, to seniors now, but I’ve loved it all.
“It’s been a great opportunity and coming into this environment, getting to train with the older girls and senior members of the team, it’s been great.
“There’s quite a few youngsters coming through into this environment now and I think it’s just been a great opportunity for us all.
“I think we’re all enjoying it as well, getting with the seniors and this next level up now is a good test for us all.”
Six Nations venue eager to host NFL match
Scottish Rugby bosses are “very open” to hosting an NFL match at Murrayfield.
Their interest in hosting an American football fixture at their Edinburgh ground comes after the Scottish Football Association admitted they would like to the same at Hampden Park. Such has been the impact made by Scottish football fans stateside during the football World Cup, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has proposed an NFL match in Scotland.
Several matches have previously been played in London, while the Stade de France in Paris and the Melbourne Cricket Ground – both venues with experience of hosting rugby matches – will be featured in the 2026 NFL season.
“Scottish Rugby is very open to discussions with the NFL,” Olaf Gueldner, chief customer officer at Scottish Rugby, told Scotland Rugby News.
“We have significant ambitions to develop Scottish Gas Murrayfield into a year-round destination for world-class sport and entertainment in Scotland.
“We have the capacity, expertise and energy to showcase the very best that NFL brings to sport.”
Murrayfield previously played host to NFL Europe outfit Scottish Claymores between 1995 and 2000, while the ground has hosted Manchester United pre-season friendlies in recent years.
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