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The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond
These are your rugby headlines for the morning of Wednesday, May 6.
Rees-Zammit closing in on return
Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit is in contention for a return for Bristol Bears ahead of their crunch clash with Saracens this weekend.
The Bears welcome Mark McCall’s men to Ashton Gate in a match that could well have serious ramifications on the Prem play-off race.
Boss Pat Lam could well be boosted by the return of both Rees-Zammit and Argentina international Santi Grondona for the crucial contest.
Rees-Zammit has recovered from a training ground knee injury suffered last month, while Grondona has been working his way back from a calf strain.
Providing an update on the three players who suffered hamstring injuries at Newcastle, Lam said: “Rich Lane, he’s not too bad. Joe Batley and Noah Heward, those boys are back training but on modifications, so we’ll see what happens with those guys.
“At least it wasn’t as bad as we originally thought.
“Santiago Grondona’s back in training, and Louis Rees-Zammit’s back in training.”
Cardiff provide update on Fry
Cardiff RFC have announced that flanker Ben Fry is on the mend following his horror injury against Llandovery at the weekend.
The Super Rygbi Cymru semi-final between the two sides was halted for 10 minutes after Fry had stretched over the line to score his side’s second try of the afternoon.
The former Dragons man did brilliantly to overcome the challenges of three Llandovery defenders to touch down, but was hurt in the subsequent collision, with replays suggesting he was caught in the neck by a high arm from scrum-half Lee Rees.
The 27-year-old needed further attention and, after a lengthy stoppage, was carried off the field.
Cardiff released an update on Fry’s condition on Tuesday evening, stating: “Ben Fry is recovering at home following an injury on Saturday. He was conveyed to hospital and later released after a scan.”
Meanwhile, team-mate Nathan Hudd was also hospitalised and underwent an operation on his hand on Monday.
Springbok retires
Bulls star Jan Serfontein has announced his retirement at the age of 33.
The Springboks centre, who won 35 caps for his country, returned to the Bulls at the start of the season after bringing the curtain down on an eight-year stint at French side Montpellier.
However, his return this campaign has been dogged by injuries.
He suffered an MCL last month, which has effectively forced the decision to retire early.
“Jan has been the epitome of a true professional and a ‘Loftus man’ through and through,” said Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone.
“From the moment he first arrived as a world-class junior talent to his return as a veteran leader, his contribution to this jersey has been immense.
“While his final season was unfortunately cut short by injury, his impact on the culture of this team and his mentorship of the younger players remained invaluable. We wish Jan and his family nothing but the best for this next chapter; he will always have a home here at Loftus Versfeld.”
England hit by injury blow
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
England have been dealt another forward injury blow after number eight Alex Matthews was ruled out of the final two matches of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
The double World Cup winner is to undergo surgery this week on the shoulder damage sustained in the 33-12 victory over Ireland in round one, preventing her from facing Italy on Saturday or France in the likely title decider a week later.
Lilli Ives Campion and Sadia Kabeya are continuing their rehab in camp in the hope of being available for the visit to Bordeaux on May 17, while Hannah Botterman and Morwenna Talling are also in the treatment room.
Furthermore, Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies and Rosie Galligan are missing due to pregnancy.
The absences have not halted England’s charge through the tournament with their 62-24 victory over Wales in round three a 36th successive win.
Ellie Kildunne returns to the left wing against Italy in Parma with Emma Sing restored at full-back and Mia Venner appearing on the right wing for her fourth cap. Zoe Harrison replaces Holly Aitchison at fly-half.
Australian-born Haidee Head is set to make her debut after being named on the bench as back row cover, while rookie Bristol duo Delaney Burns and Demelza Short continue in the back row.
England women: E Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury); M Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury), M Jones (Trailfinders Women, capt), H Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), E Kildunne (Harlequins); Z Harrison (Saracens), L Packer (Harlequins); K Clifford (Saracens), A Cokayne (Sale Sharks), M Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), A Burton (Trailfinders Women), D Burns (Bristol Bears), D Short (Bristol Bears), M Packer (Saracens), M Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs).
Replacements: C Powell (Harlequins), M Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Bern (Bristol Bears), H Lutui (Loughborough Lightning), H Head (Trailfinders Women), F Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), H Aitchison (Sale Sharks), C Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs).
