This post was originally published on this site.
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, May 5.
Welsh coaching vacancies close
Wales will move a step closer towards a full coaching staff, as three vacancies within Steve Tandy’s ticket close today.
Jobs for a kicking coach, attacking skills coach and scrum coach were all recently posted – with the listing open until May 5.
The plan is then for the Welsh Rugby Union to interview candidates this month. The expectation is that the attacking skills and kicking coach interviews will take place later this week, while the scrum coach is likely to be towards the end of May.
It’s understood that candidates will have to conduct a presentation.
Wales VIP hospitality tickets from £330
Seat Unique offers VIP hospitality tickets for Wales’ autumn internationals including New Zealand and Australia
French channel denies TMO conspiracy
Bath will file an official complaint to European Professional Club Rugby over the lack of footage available to Welsh TMO Ben Whitehouse during Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat against Bordeaux.
Whitehouse missed three head collision incidents on Bath number eight Alfie Barbeary, with French broadcasters not showing any replays. It has been suggested that, unlike during the Six Nations, the TMO in European competitions only has access to what the host broadcasters show.
Bath will now take up the matter with bosses after head of rugby Johann van Graan expressed his dissatisfaction with what unfolded.
He said: “All that we as coaches, players, lovers of the game ask is that there’s consistency right through every single game that match officials have the opportunity to review footage and we as a group are very aligned that match officials are so important,” Van Graan said. “And I want to reiterate, I thought Nika [Amashukeli, the match referee] did a fantastic job, and I thought Ben the TMO did the best that he could with the angles available to him.
“However, for such an amazing contest, we need to make sure they’ve got the footage they need. And I certainly didn’t see the footage come through in terms of, let’s just call three incidents on clear head hits on our number eight. Let’s just say that the referee had the opportunity to review them, whatever his decision, that’s fine by me.”
The French television company which broadcast the match has denied concealing incidents during the match.
France Télévisions insist that Whitehouse was the sole decision-maker over what replays are shown.
“It is impossible to hide an image,” said France Télévisions on Monday following criticism from some corners of the English media.
“It is the video referee who dictates the images that are shown on the air,” said Cédric Beaudou, editor-in-chief in charge of rugby at France Télévisions, to Sud Ouest – with the interview originally in French.
“People, due to a lack of education, because they don’t necessarily know how the system works, get the impression that the director imposes images on the video referee who doesn’t choose them.
“In fact, not at all. The video referee is in control of what he wants to see, and today, he has access to all cameras, all angles. And as long as he hasn’t made his decision, we let him review what he wants to review.”
Irish stalwart to leave club
Denis Buckley has confirmed he will leave Connacht at the end of the season, bringing an end to a 17-year association with his home province.
The prop has played 275 times since making his debut in 2011, making him Connacht’s second most capped player behind John Muldoon. The 35-year-old was a part of the side that won the Pro12 in 2016, while he was twice named in the league’s team of the season.
It’s not yet clear where he will move next.
“After 17 incredible years, the time has come for me to move on from Connacht Rugby,” Buckley said in a statement. “It’s hard to put into words what this place has meant to me. From pulling on the jersey for my first cap against Treviso in 2011 or to reaching 275 caps and becoming the second most capped player in the club’s history, every moment has been a privilege.
“As for what’s next, I’m still exploring potential opportunities and I’ll make an announcement on my future in the coming weeks. Whatever happens, I’ll always look back on my time here with huge pride and gratitude.”
Head coach Stuart Lancaster paid tribute to the longevity of Buckley’s career.
“In the short time I have worked with Denis I have been very impressed by his enduring professionalism, and his qualities as a loosehead prop,” said Lancaster. “To play 275 times for your home province is an incredible achievement, and a rare quality in professional rugby these days. It speaks volumes of his character and commitment to rugby in the west of Ireland.”
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.
