by Here are your rugby headlines for Thursday evening, May 9.
The Wales captain returns
Ospreys and Wales star Jac Morgan is finally set to return from his long-term injury lay-off.
The 24-year-old winger injured his knee at the end of 2023, and needed surgery over the Christmas period to fix the issue. But Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has confirmed that after five months out, Morgan will be back in contention for selection ahead of the region’s trip to Leinster on Saturday.
“Long-term injuries are hard to deal with emotionally,” Booth explained. “It looks like we have long-term injuries or no injuries.
“It’s great to have Jac back and there’s a different energy to that session we’ve just had because of the quality of the whole group and not just the starting team, you can’t replace strength in depth. energy, motivation and the high standards We are happy about that.”
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Morgan missed the entire 2024 Six Nations and will now be hoping for a place in the Wales squad for the summer tour of Australia. His return is a boost for Wales and the Ospreys’ Warren Gatland, with team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams excited to welcome him back into the team.
“It’s good,” said Morgan-Williams, “To be fair, he’s been waiting for the last few months anyway! But it’s nice to get him back into the mix and training. Everyone knows how good Jac is.
“It’s great to have him on the pitch, he adds that extra competitiveness in training. All the boys are driving those standards but he’s definitely one of the best.”
Farrell’s international comeback has come to an end
Owen Farrell’s return to international rugby has been canceled after the star-studded game he was due to take part in this summer was cancelled.
The former England captain – who retired from the Test game last year to prioritize the mental health of his family and loved ones – was due to return to action for the World XV against France on June 22.
However, the game in Bilbao – which also featured the likes of Semi Radrada, Camille Lopez and Billy and Mako Vunipola – was abandoned due to “reasons related to the organization of the game”, according to promoters Live Rugby.
Midi Olympique reports that a press release from the organizers issued on Thursday reads: “The promoter is making every effort to find a new date in the international calendar for the organization of this match. Tickets already purchased will be fully refunded through the dedicated website .”
Farrell will join Racing 92 at the end of the season, and Fabien Galthie’s side face Argentina in a doubleheader, as well as Uruguay, in July.
Hollis started the game for the Dragons
Ex-Stormers fly Chris Hollis will face his former team in his Dragons debut at Rodney Parade on Friday.
The 25-year-old joined the Welsh region on trial at the end of last month, after being released by the South African side. It is one of five changes made by head coach Dai Flanagan for the final home game of the season.
George Nott replaces the suspended Ben Carter in the second row, while leader Harri Keddie also comes into the side. Will Reed and Dane Blacker form a new half-back partnership while striker Morgan Lloyd could also make his debut after being named on the bench for the clash.
Cai Evans has been ruled out after breaking a bone in his shin, while Angus O’Brien is set to come off the substitutes’ bench to make his 100th URC appearance.
“We’ve got to be on it and I’m sure it’s going to be a great show for everyone who comes to Rodney Parade. The Stormers transfer game is the best I’ve seen,” said Flanagan. “When the game gets loose, they light up. If there’s a loose kick then look out, if there’s a turnover then look, if there’s an opportunity to go behind the posts then they’re going.
“I explained to the players this week that the transfer could be our greatest friend or our greatest enemy. With players like Rio Dyer, Jordan Williams and Chris Hollis, we also enjoy transition play,” he said.
Dragons: Jordan Williams; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (captain), Aneurin Owen, Chris Hollis; Will Reed, Dane Blacker; Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Sean Lonsdale, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dmitri Arhip, James Benjamin, Taine Basham, Morgan Lloyd, Angus O’Brien, Sio Tomkinson.
Stormers: Warrick Gelant; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Angelo Davids; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Ruben van Heerden, Willie Engelbrecht, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos.
Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Hacjivah Dayimani, Stefan Ungerer, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Russell boost for Bath
At PA Sports Team
Finn Russell has returned from injury to boost the final stages of Bath’s Gallagher Premiership title challenge.
The Scotland midfielder limped off early on European duty against Exeter on April 6 with groin damage described by his club as “significant”, raising the prospect that he could miss the rest of the season. But he has been returned to Bath’s starting line-up for their Premiership trip to Newcastle on Friday and will partner Ben Spencer at half-back.
Russell’s availability comes at a crucial time for the club as they aim for a play-off spot in one of the most competitive seasons in league history. Bath are third in the table but are just one point clear of fifth-placed Harlequins with two rounds of the competition remaining.
Russell’s creative brilliance has been instrumental in their rise from the doldrums to become serious contenders for the Saracens crown, and his return to Scotland is also encouraging ahead of their summer tour of North and South America.
