The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, May 14.
Halfpenny set for farewell
Welsh rugby legend Leigh Halfpenny is set to make his final appearance in Wales after being named in Cardiff’s squad for their crucial United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers on Friday.
The 37-year-old full-back announced earlier this month that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season, but is set to for one final showing off the bench at Cardiff Arms Park as he looks to help his side qualify for the play-offs.
A victory against their South African visitors will guarantee Corniel van Zyl’s side a play-off spot, with the region heading into the final weekend in seventh place, but just one point ahead of Connacht in ninth.
With the race for the top eight going down to the wire, van Zyl has been hit with injuries to key men, but will be able to call on the experience of the likes of Halfpenny, who has been named among the replacements after Wales duo Callum Sheedy (hamstring) and Josh Adams (head) were both ruled out through injury.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news, analysis and much more
Josh McNally is another absentee for the visit of the Stormers, with the lock forced to miss the crucial fixture due to his commitments with the Royal Air Force.
George Nott comes in for McNally as one of five changes, with Ioan Lloyd and Rory Jennings coming in for Sheedy and Adams. In the front row, Danny Southworth and Javan Sebastian have been named as the starting props, with Rhys Barratt and Keiron Assiratti moving to the bench.
“We’ve been forced to make a few changes,” said van Zyl. “But we have named a strong team and we are fully focussed on putting the best version of ourselves on the Arms Park come Friday night.
“It is in our hands and a win would guarantee our place in the play-offs. That would be a great reward for the group and growth we have enjoyed this season but we know it’s a big challenge ahead.
“It’s going to be a brilliant night in the capital,” the Cardiff head coach added. “We will fight for everything in front of our home fans and we are hoping for a big turn out to get behind us.”
Rees-Zammit returns
Louis Rees-Zammit has returned to the Bristol Bears’ starting line-up as they push for a place in the PREM Rugby play-offs, with director of rugby Pat Lam choosing to start the Welshman on the wing against Northampton Saints on Friday.
The Welshman has been out of action since spraining his knee in training last month, but has made a welcome return for the showdown at Franklin’s Garden, moving from full-back onto the wing to replace the injured Gabriel Ibitoye.
Lam confirmed on Thursday that Ibitoye has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his hamstring against Saracens, with the 28-year-old facing up to four months on the sidelines.
It follows recent long-term injuries to hooker Gabriel Oghre, back row Benjamin Grondona, lock Pedro Rubiolo and number eight Viliame Mata.
However, Rees-Zammit – who has six tries in 13 games for the Bears this season – has recovered from his own injury setback to join the returning Rich Lane and Kalaveti Ravouvou in the back three.
Welsh-qualified centre James Williams also returns to Lam’s starting side, partnering Benhard Janse van Rensburg in one of four changes to the backline, with Harry Randall also starting at scrum-half.
Jake Woolmore, who has been named among the replacements, is set to become Bristol’s most-capped PREM player as he prepares to make his 142nd top-flight appearance for the Bears.
Bristol Bears: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. George Kloska, 4. James Dun, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Joe Owen, 7. Fitz Harding (capt), 8. Santiago Grondona
Replacements: 16. Tomas Gwilliam, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. George Taylor, 20. Luka Ivanishvili, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Matias Moroni, 23. Noah Heward
England boosted for Grand Slam decided
By Duncan Bech, Press Assocation
England have been reinforced by the return of three forwards from injury for Sunday’s Grand Slam decider against France at Bordeaux’s Stade Atlantique on Sunday.
Second row Lilli Ives Campion, flanker Sadia Kabeya and number eight Maddie Feaunati return to the pack after missing the 61-33 victory over Italy in round four. Kabeya’s return at openside means former Red Roses skipper Marlie Packer drops to the bench despite scoring four tries in Parma.
Head coach John Mitchell has made a total of seven personnel changes to the side that triumphed against Italy including the return of Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald on the wings. Ellie Kildunne switches to her usual position of full-back, while Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern take over at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively.
England are targeting the 38th successive victory that will deliver a fifth consecutive Grand Slam.
“France are a quality side, and we’ve got a huge amount of respect for what they bring and the way they play the game,” Mitchell said.
“To face them in Bordeaux – in the heart of the south-west, a region so passionate about rugby with a vocal home crowd behind them – is exactly the sort of challenge the girls relish, embrace and walk towards.
“This tournament has demanded adaptability and the ability to learn quickly from us throughout. The girls have stayed connected, composed and continued to grow within our new attacking identity.
“I’m proud of the way the players have competed for positions, pushed one another every day and earned the right to contest for the Championship.”
England: 15. Ellie Kildunne; 14. Jess Breach, 13. Megan Jones (c), 12. Helena Rowland, 11. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald; 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Lucy Packer; 1. Mackenzie Carson, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Lilli Ives Campion, 5. Delaney Burns, 6. Abi Burton, 7. Sadia Kabeya, 8. Maddie Feaunati
Replacements: 16. Connie Powell, 17, Liz Crake, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Demelza Short, 20. Marlie Packer, 21. Flo Robinson, 22. Holly Aitchison, 23. Emma Sing.
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.