Here are your rugby evening headlines for Friday, May 29.
Six Nations star undergoes heart surgery
France international Gaël Dréan will undergo heart surgery and is expected to be sidelined for several months, Toulon head coach Pierre Mignoni has confirmed.
The 25-year-old wing, who earned his first France cap during this year’s Six Nations, has been diagnosed with a genetic condition which requires an operation.
Speaking on Friday, Mignoni insisted there were no concerns over the player’s long-term future despite admitting the situation was “a little scary”.
“He will have to undergo heart surgery,” said Mignoni. “The word is always frightening but it doesn’t change his future with us in any way. Nothing is in doubt.”
Dréan will miss Toulon’s final two Top 14 matches of the season, along with France’s upcoming summer Nations Championship campaign.
The flyer had been pushing for selection for France’s summer tour, which includes matches in New Zealand, Australia and Japan, after impressing during a breakthrough campaign. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer
“It’s not a routine procedure… it’s a little scary, but he’s receiving excellent care and he’ll be back quite soon,” Mignoni added. “In terms of recovery, we’re looking at a return in November.
“Heart surgery is always a serious matter, but it’s so that he’s better when he returns and in his future life. He’ll come back stronger.”
Mignoni revealed Toulon had been monitoring the condition since Dréan joined the club four years ago.
“When he signed four years ago, we knew he had a minor genetic anomaly,” he said.
“We had to monitor him, which is what we did and now it’s best to perform a minor procedure so he’ll be better off later on, both as a player and as a person in his daily life.”
Dréan has been one of Toulon’s standout performers this season, scoring 19 tries in 23 appearances.
Toulon currently sit ninth in the Top 14 table and face European champions Bordeaux-Bègles this weekend before concluding their season against Castres.
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Scarlets favourite agrees new deal
Scarlets have secured the future of fan favourite Sam Lousi after the experienced lock signed a new contract to remain in west Wales.
The Tonga international has become one of the region’s most influential figures since arriving at Parc y Scarlets in 2019, making 112 appearances and establishing himself as a key leader within the squad.
Known for his physicality, carrying power and athleticism, the 34-year-old has played a major role in some of Scarlets’ biggest performances in recent seasons and recently brought up his century of appearances against Pau in the Investec Champions Cup.
Lousi says both he and his family are delighted to be extending their stay in west Wales.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my past seven years with this great club and my family are very happy to be staying in West Wales in a region they call home,” he said.
“This club means a huge amount to me and my family and I still feel I have a lot to give.
“I love representing the Scarlets and running out in front of the supporters here. The connection I’ve had with the fans since I arrived has always meant a lot to me. We are a strong, close-knit community here at the Scarlets.”
Lousi also spoke of the growing competition within the squad ahead of next season.
“There is real competition building within the squad, good players coming in and a lot of hunger within the group to improve and push forward next season,” he added.
“I’m excited to be part of that and can’t wait to get back out there.”
Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies described retaining Lousi as an important piece of business for the region.
“Keeping Sam at our club was important for us because of the qualities he brings to the team and the experience he has within our environment,” said Davies.
“Sam Lousi fit and performing at his best, is one of the most impactful second rows in the league. He brings physicality, aggression, gain-line presence and a real edge to the team.
“What people can sometimes overlook is his rugby intelligence and skillset. For a big man, his understanding of space and his ability to free his hands and create opportunities for people around him are outstanding qualities.”
Davies also highlighted the importance of competition within the second-row department as Scarlets continue reshaping their squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
Lousi began his professional career in rugby league with NRL side New Zealand Warriors before switching to union, featuring in Super Rugby for the Waratahs and Hurricanes prior to his move to Llanelli.
Scarlets have already confirmed the arrivals of Corey Domachowski, Harvey Cuckson, John McKee and George Roberts ahead of next season, while a number of senior players have also committed their futures to the club in recent months.
Adams fires warning as Cardiff face daunting play-off showdown
Josh Adams says Cardiff must raise their levels again if they are to pull off another shock against the Stormers in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final in Cape Town.
Adams insists Cardiff are under no illusions about the challenge awaiting them at the DHL Stadium against a side with a formidable home record.
“We understand Stormers are very, very good at home,” said the Wales wing. “We’re under no illusion that probably last time we played them, they didn’t play to the best of their ability.
“The quality they have means we know they’ll be better this weekend, so we’re certainly going to have to be better as a team as well.”
Cardiff’s remarkable campaign has unfolded against the backdrop of continuing uncertainty in Welsh rugby, yet Corniel van Zyl’s side have emerged as one of the URC’s most consistent teams this season.
The Blue and Blacks remained inside the top eight throughout the regular campaign and lost just once at home all year, earning a deserved place in the knockouts rather than sneaking in late.
“We haven’t just crept into these play-offs either,” Adams said. “We finished sixth and I don’t think we dropped out of the top eight all season. We’ve grown from last year and the whole squad has bought into what we’re trying to do.”
The Stormers are expected to respond fiercely on home soil after their disappointing display in Cardiff, with director of rugby John Dobson admitting his side had been “really poor” in the defeat.
Adams expects a far more physical encounter in Cape Town.
“The physicality they bring at home, combined with the emotion of the occasion, really sets the tone,” he said.
“That’s something we’ve looked at a lot. And it takes a full squad effort to win out here – one to 23.”
Cardiff have been boosted by Adams’ return to fitness after the concussion he suffered against Glasgow, while the winger also revealed he has endured a frustrating spell with injuries following the Six Nations, including two concussions and a neck spasm.
Despite those setbacks, the 31-year-old says he feels physically in strong condition and believes modern rugby is placing greater demands than ever on players, particularly back-three stars.
“The game has changed massively, especially for back-three players,” he explained. “The distances you cover and the amount of high-speed running you do now is far greater than when I first started.”
Cardiff now face one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history knowing victory would send them into the URC semi-finals.
“It’s a tough place to go and win,” Adams admitted. “But if we get our game right and implement the things we feel can make a difference, we’ll give ourselves a really good chance.”
Young Welsh prospect pens new Ospreys contract
Ospreys have secured the future of promising young tighthead prop Kian Hire after confirming the 21-year-old has signed a new contract with the region.
Hire, a product of the Ospreys pathway system, has already made nine appearances for the senior side and is regarded as one of the club’s brightest front-row prospects.
The powerful prop made his debut during the 2024/25 campaign against the Lions in South Africa, earning praise for his performance against formidable opposition.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on his new deal, Hire said he was determined to continue developing and establish himself as a regular first-team player.
“This club means a lot to me so I’m really happy to continue my career here,” he said.
“The Ospreys have produced so many international front rowers and to wear the same jersey as some of those great names has always been an honour.
“I’ve improved a lot since I made my debut thanks to the coaches and the other tightheads around me. The next step for me is to keep pushing on and challenging for a more regular place in the team.”
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones believes Hire has a big future ahead of him and says the youngster has already made significant strides in his development.
“We have extremely high hopes for Kian in an Ospreys jersey,” said Jones. “He’s progressed well under the guidance of Dunc (Duncan Jones) and I’m sure he will build from that platform.
“I’ve already seen him come on leaps and bounds since I joined the Ospreys and if he can continue in that vein going forward, he will become an important player on both the club and international scene.”