Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, June 23.
Wales warning ahead of Junior World Cup
Wales under-20s have been given a big warning ahead of their Junior World Championship campaign after Georgia stunned the Junior All Blacks in an historic first victory over the rugby powerhouses.
Georgia, who face Wales in the tournament opener on Saturday, came from behind to win 22-19 at the Kharebi Arena in Rustavi. They had lost all four previous encounters against New Zealand.
Junior Lelos scored four tries against against the Baby Blacks, the last of which came in the final minute as they secured a famous win in perfect preparation for hosting the global tournament.
Wales open their campaign against the hosts on Saturday, before facing Uruguay and South Africa.
The talented Welsh team have hopes of performing well at the competition, having already proven they can compete with the likes of England and France in recent Six Nations competitions.
Sacked Scotland star returns to European rugby
Shamed Scotland international Rufus McLean has secured a return to European rugby, marking the latest chapter in a career that has remained under scrutiny since he was sacked by Scottish rugby bosses.
The 25-year-old winger was once regarded as one of Scottish rugby’s brightest young talents and earned three caps for his country after breaking through with Glasgow Warriors. However, his career was derailed in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to domestic abuse and subsequently left the club.
Following his exit from Scottish rugby, McLean sought opportunities overseas and has spent time rebuilding his career away from the spotlight. His performances in North America helped keep him in professional rugby while he looked to establish the next stage of his career.
Now, the former Scotland flyer has been handed a route back into the European game, with French giants Stade Francais confirming his arrival ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The move is likely to spark debate given the circumstances surrounding his departure from Glasgow Warriors. At the time, the Scottish club terminated his contract after his conviction, describing the matter as gross misconduct.
A court heard subjected his partner to a two-year ordeal where he tried to control her movements, what she wore and who she met with, the Daily Record reports. He demanded passwords to the victim’s social media accounts and that she kept a ‘tracker’ service running on her phone.
McLean left girlfriend Cara Haston with a burst lip and black eye after pushing her off him during one incident.
When she posted photos of herself in clothes to go clubbing with pals in Spain, McLean messaged to call her a “sl*g” and demand she change.
Barbarians name squad for Wales clash
The Barbarians have confirmed their squad for Saturday’s uncapped match against Steve Tandy’s Wales.
The Baa-Baas had already confirmed last week that Wales legend George North would take on his own country in his final match ever, while Wales hooker Elliot Dee played in their defeat to South Africa on the weekend.
On the weekend, double World Cup winners Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch were added to the squad along with Wallabies star Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The famous invitational club have now added more star power. France quartet Romain Taofifenua, Jordan Joseph, Tom Spring and Yoan Tanga have been added to Scott Robertson’s squad.
Former England No. 8 Nathan Hughes is also brought in, as is Bristol hooker Harry Thacker, Georgia’s Gia Kairasvili, USA international John Iscaro and Samoa prop Paul Alo-Emile
Forwards: Paul Alo-Emile, Lachlan Boshier, Elliot Dee, Nathan Hughes, John Iscaro, Jordan Joseph, Gia Kairasvili, Vincent Koch, Liam McConnell, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Romain Taofifénua, Yoan Tanga, Harry Thacker.
Backs: Santiago Arata, Faf de Klerk, Andrew Kellaway, Alex Nankivell, George North, Harry Plummer, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Tom Spring, Virimi Vakatawa, Jeremy Ward.
All Black winger considers cancelling Newcastle deal
Fehi Fineanganofo has cast doubt on his upcoming move to Newcastle Red Bulls following his first call-up by the All Blacks.
The uncapped wing, who enjoyed a breakthrough season by equalling the Super Rugby Pacific record with 17 tries, was named as one of four uncapped players in Dave Rennie’s first New Zealand squad for the upcoming Nations Championship.
The 23-year-old’s move to Newcastle for next season had already been cast into doubt following suggestions the player could buy himself out of the deal after his red-hot form for Super Rugby champions Hurricanes had moved into the reckoning for a place at next year’s World Cup.
New Zealand only pick domestic-based players for Test rugby, unless they are on an approved sabbatical stint at an overseas club – which the move to Newcastle is not.
Speaking to New Zealand media following his call-up, Fineanganofo was asked about his contractual situation with the English club.
“I actually don’t know,” he said. “I’m just leaving it with my agent and I’m still waiting for him to come back to me but I guess he’s doing something good so.”
He added he would prefer to remain in New Zealand, saying: “Possibly if I could but if not, I’ll go take my contract and honour it with Newcastle.
“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions. At the start of this year to choose between either the jersey or my family. I guess at the start of this I chose family and now things have changed and hopefully things can work out the best both ways.”
He added he hoped to have clarity on his future in the next few weeks.
Speaking about his long-term eligibility, Rennie added: “I think that’s the process that he’s going through, but what we know is he’s contracted here ’til November.
“His form has been irresistible, and we’re keen to name him. So, yeah, I guess he’ll work through that in time.”
Prem considers big change in future seasons
The Gallagher Prem play-offs are set to be played at a neutral venue from the 2029-30 season.
The current format of the top two teams in the league getting home advantage in the semi-finals has been in place since 2005. However, league bosses reportedly have a vision of both semi-finals being played in the same city on consecutive days.
According to BBC Sport, Liverpool and Brighton are two of the cities under consideration.
This year saw Northampton and Bath both host sold-out semi-finals at their home grounds. However, with both grounds only capable of holding around 15,000, Prem bosses believe there is an opportunity to move the games to bigger venues – like they do in France.
This year’s Top 14 semi-finals were played at the 67,000-seater Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
“The games that we have just had were awesome in terms of the rugby spectacle, and they’re sell-out games within their home crowds. But I think they would sell out larger venues and neutrals would go as well.” said Prem Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor.
Speaking at a Prem Rugby event with sports investors, he added: “This is about the long term. In the long term, it will be more valuable if you are playing in bigger stadia. They become main events and you have longer time to sell the games.”
Clubs could push back against the plans, given the financial benefits of hosting a semi-final at their own ground.
However, the chance to move games to parts of the country that wouldn’t usually see Prem matches could prove too tempting to resist for the league.