These are your headlines on the evening of Monday, April 27
Warburton blown away by Caluori
Sam Warburton says Noah Caluori is already one of the best rugby players in the world in the aerial game and has likened his impact on the sport to a young George North.
Caluori, 19, has caught the eye on a number of occasions for Saracens – notably scoring 10 tries against Sale in just two outings – and he was once again to the fore in the narrow win over Leicester at the weekend.
He scored a lovely try in the first half, chipping the ball ahead at full speed while pinned to the touchline before plucking the ball from the air to touch down.
His name has already been mentioned in terms of an England call-up and Warburton sees a bit of North in him, another who broke onto the scene at a tender age and looked right at home.
“Not many people play the game at this age and can make such an impact,” he said post-match on TNT Sports.
“And I’ve got to think back to players like maybe George North as a teenager.
“Aerially I haven’t seen anyone as good. Maybe (Israel) Folau was similar, but already at this age, aerially one of the best guys in the world. You know, already, I think people are scared to say that. We’re not saying he’s a complete player just yet, but in the air, there’s not many better than him.
“And for just turned 19 years of age, it’s pretty impressive.”
French Rugby Federation charged with manslaughter
The French Rugby Federation is facing involuntary manslaughter charges following the disappearance of teenage rugby player Medhi Narjissi in 2024.
Narjissi was taking part in a tournament in South Africa and while participating in a recovery session on a Cape Town beach he was swept out to sea.
The youngster, son of former Morocco men’s captain Jalil Narjissi, was never found, despite search attempts.
President of the sport’s governing body, Florian Gill, has been notified that the association has now been formally charged.
“My son was under the federation’s responsibility. They weren’t the ones who put my son in the water, but they contributed to the disaster. There were twelve adults in the delegation and nine on the beach. None of them objected to the swimming,” explained Narjissi.
“The proceedings and supervision of the sessions seem to have been poorly managed,” the FFR said in a statement after finishing its original investigation following the incident.
“Notably down to the lack of clear instructions from supervisors given to members of the coaching staff and players. Once on site, the warning signs about the danger of the site were not considered, which seems to be particularly questionable considering the dramatic consequences.”
FFR now have been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter.
“This marks an initial, procedural step which does not in any way constitute any sign of guilt,” said lawyer Mathias Chichportich, who is representing the French rugby federation.
“The decision to organise a recovery swim in a location dangerous for bathing is a serious mistake, but it is in no way attributable to the Federation. It is all the more incomprehensible as it was neither planned, nor authorised, nor validated.
“While it is understandable that the suffering of the Narjissi family leads them to direct their anger at the (FFR), the criminal liability of the FFR cannot be engaged. This decision is therefore open to legal challenge.”
Talent on England radar
Gloucester head coach Georg Skivington says rising star Afo Fasogbon is on the radar of England.
The 21-year-old was given a standing ovation when he left the field late on in their win over rivals Exeter Chiefs on Saturday after putting in an immense shift around the park.
He has previously been capped at A team level and has been included in training camps under Steve Borthwick but Skivington reckons he’s making a case for full selection.
“I thought he was great,” Gloucester boss Skivington said. “Seventy-seven-minute shift for a tighthead, and to dominate the scrum, is big. He was one of the standout guys this week. I felt he was well-prepared for this game, actually.
“He has sort of shot out the blocks (in his career), and has felt the effect of playing week-in and week-out in the PREM, but I actually think his form in the last period when the team hasn’t been going so well has been really strong.
“I’m seeing Steve (Borthwick) in the next 10 days,” he added. “I’m sure he’ll be part of that conversation. He’s on their radar.
“He knows what they need to see from him to push through, and today wouldn’t have done any harm.”
Baxter frustrated by defeat
By Press Association Sport staff
Exeter boss Rob Baxter admitted the Chiefs “rolled one error into another” after their Gallagher Prem play-off hopes were dented by Gloucester.
Gloucester shredded the league formbook with a 34-31 victory at Kingsholm, and while Exeter still hold fourth spot courtesy of two losing bonus-points, they are just one above fifth-placed Bristol.
And to compound a frustrating afternoon for the Chiefs, flanker Ethan Roots received a 20-minute red card after an off-the-ball incident in the game’s final play.
Exeter fought their way back into the game after trailing by 14 points at the interval, but it was not enough as Gloucester boosted their hopes of securing Investec Champions Cup qualification for next season.
“To come back after looking so off in the first half, mostly physically, we just didn’t turn up in those areas and Gloucester certainly did,” rugby director Baxter said.
“They ran harder than we did and tackled harder than we did. That’s the frustrating part.
“We are still in the top four, but the gap in the first period between where Gloucester were and where we were was pretty big, and that’s a little bit of a concern. Yes, we did make numerous changes from last week, but that’s because we are fighting on two fronts (Prem and EPCR Challenge Cup).
“Our collective, emotionally and physically, in the first half wasn’t good enough. Second half, we still didn’t feel it was good enough, but we did enough to win the half and get the points, which is going to be important for us.
“We did some rash things in attack instead of trying to get through phases. When it’s not going well and doesn’t feel good, let’s not accelerate the process and make it worse.
“Sometimes, you have just got to get through things, but we kind of rolled one error into another error today.”
Gloucester secured a bonus-point success courtesy of try doubles from Max Llewellyn and Will Trenholm, plus a Tomos Williams try, while George Barton kicked three conversions and a penalty.
Exeter finished second-best in the physicality stakes, but tries for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau and Henry Slade, in addition to a couple of Slade conversions plus a penalty try, kept them in contention throughout the closing stages of a gripping contest.
Gloucester rugby director George Skivington said: “The boys wanted to put it out there today. It was more about intent than anything tactical.
“We set the markers out at the start of the week – it was not a tactical or technical week – it was about how much you care, and I beat that drum a fair bit.
“That is the team we know we are, the Gloucester team we would like to put on the pitch all year, but haven’t. It was important we did that today.”
Skivington also praised skipper Williams, who delivered a dynamic display, adding: “He is a world-class player. If you want to play attacking rugby, Tommy’s your man.
“Everyone feeds off that, and he can find little holes even if there is a stagnant moment or your plays go wrong. Tommy is the sort of bloke who can find that hole and make something happen.”
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