The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your latest rugby headlines on Thursday, January 8.
Scarlets star banned
Scarlets lock Max Douglas has been banned for two matches after receiving a red card in his side’s New Year’s Day derby defeat to the Dragons.
The 6ft 7in forward was initially shown a yellow card for a dangerous clearout on Dragons back row Harri Keddie just over a minute into the second half at Rodney Parade, and it was later upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
At a disciplinary hearing, Douglas accepted he had committed an act of foul play deserving of a red card, with the judicial officer finding that the offence met the threshold for a mid-range entry point of four weeks suspension.
Due to his good record and “exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process,” the 26-year-old received 50% mitigation, with his ban reduced to two weeks.
If he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, also known as ‘tackle school’, Douglas’ sanction will be reduced by a further week, meaning he will only miss the Scarlets’ Champions Cup clash with Pau this weekend.
A URC statement read: “The Disciplinary process related to Max Douglas Red Card in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9 game against Dragons RFC on Thursday, January 1 has resulted in a two game suspension.
“After an act of foul play by Scarlets player No 4 (Max Douglas), referee Ben Connor showed the Player a Red Card in the 40th minute of the game under Law 9.20b – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul. A Player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
“In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Ms. Rose Alice Murphy), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. Ms. Murphy found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting four weeks.
The statement continued: “The Player received two weeks (50%) mitigation due to his good record and exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process which results in a two game suspension. Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.”
Welsh talent ruled out in injury blow
Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam has issued a mixed injury update on his Welsh backline talents, with promising wing Aidan Boshoff set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his calf.
The 20-year-old, who has broken into the first team at Ashton Gate this season, was set to start on the wing in his side’s win over Sale but dropped out shortly before kick-off after injuring himself ahead of the warm-up, and was later seen wearing a moon boot.
At the full-time whistle, Lam admitted that the Wales U20s star looked set to spend some time out of action, and has now confirmed that he faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines.
“Boshoff did his calf in the warm-up, even before the team warm-up,” he said. “He did it running around before we even started the warm-up, which is a real shame for him, and I encouraged him and told him he had earned his place in the team.
“It is a bit of a recovery for him now, so he will be out for six to eight weeks. So now he needs to work hard and diligently to get back and be an option for us in the run-in.”
The setback means that Boshoff, who has scored four tries in his last five matches for Bristol, is set to miss most of Wales U20s’ Six Nations campaign, which gets underway against England on February 6.
However, Lam had better news about Wales international Louis Rees-Zammit, who was withdrawn from the Sale match following a blow to the head. While he passed an HIA, he felt too unwell to return to the field – but has now recovered and is set to feature in the Bears’ Champions Cup clash with the Bulls on Saturday.
“Rees looks good,” said the Bristol boss. “He is just finishing off the last few protocols, but he should be all clear to play, and he is pretty confident he will make it, so he should be there.”
Wales international lands new role
Wales Women back Jenny Hesketh has been elected as Vice Chair of the Rugby Players Association’s first ever Women’s Rugby Board.
In June last year, RPA members voted in favour of establishing separate rugby boards to deliver dedicated representation and wellbeing support that addresses the specific challenges and opportunities faced by those in the men’s and women’s games.
The first-ever representatives of the Women’s Rugby Board, which will represent players for the remainder of the current season, have now been named, with England Rugby World Cup winner Abi Burton elected as Chair.
Bristol Bears star Hesketh, who made her debut for Wales in 2024 having previously captained England at U20s level, has been named as Vice Chair and will support Burton throughout the rest of the campaign.
The other representatives are Exeter Chiefs’ Emily Tuttosi, Gloucester-Hartpury’s Sam Monaghan, Harlequins’ Lagi Tuima, Leicester Tigers’ Grace Deane, Loughborough Lightning’s Elis Martin, Sale Sharks’ Tysh Harper and Saracens’ Ella Wyrwas
After being elected as Chair, Burton said: “I’m really proud to have been elected Chair of the first Women’s Rugby Board. It’s an important opportunity to ensure players’ voices are heard, and I’m looking forward to working with the Board and the RPA to represent players across the women’s game.”
On being made Vice Chair, Hesketh said: “I’m really excited to take on the role of Vice Chair, supporting Abi and helping to bring together the voices of the Board as a collective.
“We want to create an open space for new conversations and ensure the Board represents the diversity of players and experiences across our clubs.”
Rachael Burford, RPA Head of Women’s Rugby, added: “I am truly thrilled to announce the establishment of our inaugural Women’s Rugby Board. This exceptional group embodies a remarkable diversity of backgrounds and experiences that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts and strengthen our commitment to the women’s game.
“Their unique perspectives will play a vital role in ensuring we represent and advocate for all players. I would also like to congratulate Abi Burton and Jenny Hesketh on their election as Chair and Vice Chair, and I look forward to working closely with them as the Board begins its work.”
France suffer Six Nations blow
France scrum-half Maxime Lucu is set to miss the start of the Six Nations after suffering a knee injury,
The 32-year-old Bordeaux star played the full 80 minutes of his side’s Top 14 victory over Racing 92 on Saturday but picked up a knee strain, according to his club coach Yannick Bru.
With the start of the Six Nations now less than a month away, Lucu is facing a race against time to make France’s curtain-raiser against Ireland in Paris, with Bru saying he faces four to six weeks on the sidelines.
“If he works hard, it will be four weeks,” the Bordeaux coach told AFP. “If not, it will be six.”
Lucu had been expected to start France’s opening match on the bench as a back-up to Antoine Dupont, with the talismanic scrum-half returning from a knee injury himself, having been sidelined from international duty since March last year.
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