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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Saturday, January 17.
URC side bid to land Scarlets prop
Edinburgh have reportedly renewed their bid to sign Scotland prop Alec Hepburn from Scarlets this summer.
The 32-year-old loosehead, who also won six caps for England before switching international allegiance, arrived at Parc y Scarlets in 2024 in somewhat of a transfer coup and has since made 30 appearances for Dwayne Peel’s side.
Hepburn was also the subject of interest from Edinburgh last summer, but the former Exeter Chiefs man has remained with the Welsh region into this season.
Now, however, the Scarlets’ URC rivals have reportedly moved to finally land the international front rower when his contract in Llanelli expires at the end of the current campaign, according to RugbyPass.
Australian-born Hepburn qualifies for Scotland through his father and made his second international debut against Wales two years ago, having won all six of his England caps in 2018.
His first season with the Scarlets saw him rewarded with a call-up to Gregor Townsend’s squad for their summer tour last year and he became the 260th player to represent the Welsh region on the international stage.
‘Pocket rocket’ All Black dies
Former All Blacks star Grant Batty has died at the age of 74.
Dubbed a ‘pocket rocket’ due to his 5ft 5in, 70kg frame, the dimunitive wing played 56 times for New Zealand, including 15 Tests, and scored 45 tries.
Perhaps his most memorable moment on the international stage was also his last, as he scored an intercept try against the British & Irish Lions during the 1977 series.
Batty also made 58 appearances for Wellington and represented Bay of Plenty, as well as New Zealand Universities, New Zealand U21s, North Island and others.
However, his career was ended at the age of just 25 due to a knee injury, and he later moved to Australia where he remained in rugby as a coach and manager.
Paying tribute, New Zealand Rugby’s acting chief executive Steve Lancaster said: “Grant was a highly skilled player of his era, with explosive speed and a dangerous ability to find space.
“He could energise a crowd, many of whom loved his bravery in not shirking away from larger opponents, and often coming away on top. He loved the game and representing his country, and his contribution will forever be part of the All Blacks’ legacy.”
Tony Giles, chief executive of Wellington Rugby, added: “This is tremendously sad news.
“Grant was a massive part of the fabric of Wellington Rugby for a long time, creating many memories for fans with how he punched above his weight on his way to becoming a world-class athlete.
“He made so many Wellingtonians proud, and we know that the Marist St Pats community will particularly feel his loss.”
Wales U20s beat Cardiff
Wales U20s recorded a 21-14 victory over Cardiff RFC in an entertaining U20s Six Nations warm-up match at Cardiff Arms Park.
In a game that saw Richard Whiffin give more than 30 players one final opportunity to put their hands up for selection for the upcoming tournament, his side scored three tries and conceded no points in an impressive first half performance.
U20s wing Dylan Scott opened the scoring in the 12th minute and played a big part in the second try quarter of an hour later as he was tackled off the ball by Joe Goodchild, resulting in a penalty try for Wales and a yellow card for the Cardiff man.
Less than 10 minutes later, Scott came close to crossing again but was stopped just short of the line, only for hooker Oscar Thomas to power over from close range.
After heading into the break with a commanding 21-0 lead, Wales made wholesale changes and the second half was a more even contest, remaining scoreless for nearly half an hour.
Cardiff finally got some points on the board as replacement Gruff John-Morris crossed on 69 minutes, before Ioan Leyshon went over out wide with a minute remaining.
Whiffin’s side will return to Cardiff Arms Park next month to host France and Scotland in their Six Nations home ties, before closing their campaign against Italy at Rodney Parade.
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