The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, May 28.
Forgotten man backed for Wales recall
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl believes Ioan Lloyd’s ability to shine in several positions could boost his hopes of forcing his way back into the Wales squad.
Lloyd joined Cardiff from the Scarlets aiming to make the No.10 jersey his own, but with Callum Sheedy established as first-choice fly-half he has spent much of the season operating in the back three.
However, the 24-year-old produced a superb display in the win over the Stormers and is now expected to start at fly-half in Saturday’s URC quarter-final rematch in Cape Town due to an injury to Callum Sheedy.
“He’s blessed with many talents. He’s a very versatile player and I think at the moment that’s the biggest focus we have,” said van Zyl.
“He’s played on the wing, he’s played at full-back and he’s played at fly-half.
“I think the amount of time at fly-half was a little bit setback by his injury during the season and ultimately the form of some other players pushed them ahead of him.
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“I think he’s versatile and he can play a few positions so I don’t want to pinpoint him into one specific position.”
Lloyd has not figured for Wales since 2024 and van Zyl refutes the claim it is down to his inability to nail down one position.
“I wouldn’t say one position,” he said.
“Because he’s so versatile I don’t want to put a cap on one position.
“I think he’s a very good rugby player, I think he’s got amazing talent and I think he needs to be on the pitch as many times as possible.
“It doesn’t matter what jersey he wears. It’s an ongoing discussion with him and for him to try to understand it might be in a different position.”
Springboks dealt another injury blow
The Springboks’ lengthy injury list has grown further, with reports suggesting back-row Kwagga Smith is out for the remainder of 2026.
According to News24, Smith won’t play this year due to a knee injury he sustained while playing for Shizuoka BlueRevs in Japan earlier this month.
Smith has been crucial when it comes to South Africa using a 6-2, or even a 7-1, split on the bench in recent years – given his ability to cover not just the back-row, but positions in the backline too.
The two-time World Cup winner is seemingly the latest player unavailable to Rassie Erasmus ahead of this summer’s Nations Championship – with Wales taking on the Boks in July in Durban.
Currently, the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Ruan Venter, Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit are all sidelined – although Etzebeth, Kolisi and du Toit are expected back in the coming weeks.
Erasmus is also without a number of backs too, with Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg all currently injured.
In terms of a replacement for Smith, one of Cameron Hanekom, Evan Roos, Vincent Tshituka or Siba Mahashe could feasibly step up.
‘Absurd’ URC scenario slammed
Former Scotland captain John Barclay has slammed the “absurd” scenario that could see Glasgow Warriors have to play a potential United Rugby Championship final in Belfast.
Were the Scottish side to get through Friday’s quarter-final against Connacht and then a semi-final against the Bulls or Munster, they would be unable to play on home turf.
Their regular ground Scotstoun is being used for preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. While a semi-final could be played at Murrayfield, country music star Zach Bryan has a gig at the home of Scottish rugby the week before the final – making it unlikely it will be available.
Celtic Park and Ibrox are also either unavailable or unsuitable – with Belfast’s Affidea Stadium is the preferred option if Murrayfield isn’t free
“Unless I’m mistaken, the issue was with getting the rigging down and the stage down after a concert,” Barclay told Rugbypass. “If that is the reason, then I would imagine there are a couple of thousand Glasgow fans who would drive across and help.
“I think that would almost be unthinkable if it were a logistical thing rather than a cost issue. Home finals don’t happen very often, so you have to do whatever you can to make sure it happens. The thought of playing a home final in Belfast or wherever is absurd to me.”
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