The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Wednesday, December 3.
Eben Etzebeth defence case emerges
Springboks enforcer Eben Etzebeth has claimed he did not mean to gouge Alex Mann as he gave evidence during his disciplinary hearing.
The giant lock is said to have pleaded his actions were reckless but “not intentional” during a five-hour hearing on Tuesday night that ran until almost midnight, according to South African outlet Netwerk24.
It is unclear whether he has also claimed he was provoked in any way by Wales flanker Mann as another source of mitigation, although Mann has not been cited for any offence despite South African fans and legend Bryan Habana using questionable footage and screen grabs on social media to demand a review.
Such was Etzebeth’s defence argument, the independent disciplinary panel were unable to reach agreement on the length of punishment and made the unusual request for more time to consider their punishment.
It is reported a verdict could now come as late as Sunday – over a week after the incident which sickened the Principality Stadium. The decision on whether Etzebeth’s action was deliberate or just reckless and unintentional is crucial in terms of the length of sanction.
World Rugby guidelines state the low-end entry point for “intentional contact with eye(s)” is 12 weeks. A top-end sanction is upwards of 24 weeks, while bans for the most serious gouging offences can even be up to four years. An unintentional act would bring a much shorter punishment.
Cardiff and WRU help devastated club
Cardiff Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union have both come to the aid of Penarth RFC after their clubhouse was devastated by fire.
The blaze, caused by an electrical fault in the early hours of Monday morning, destroyed much of the 145-year-old club’s premises and priceless memorabilia.
Both Cardiff Rugby and the WRU have independently been in touch with the club to offer their support and the Arms Park will now host their Admiral National Leagues Division 1 Cup clash with Lampeter on Saturday.
The WRU are providing free supporter buses from Penarth and Cardiff have waived all costs associated with staging a game at the iconic Arms Park. Bucket collections will also be held throughout Cardiff RFC’s Super Rygbi Cymru clash with RGC 1404, which kicks off at 2:30pm.
Cardiff Rugby interim Managing Director, Jamie Muir said: “As soon as we saw the devastating footage from Monday morning, we got in touch with Penarth to offer our support.
“They are a real hub of the community, who are great supporters of Cardiff Rugby and many of us have our own personal links with the club.
“Staging Saturday’s cup game at the Arms Park is the least we could do and we are continuing dialogue around further support we can offer in the weeks and months ahead.”
Penarth secretary Dan Mears said: “It’s devastating. The community outpouring of emotion has taken me by surprise if I’m honest, it’s been a tough couple of days.
“Cardiff helping with our first team fixture on Saturday has taken such a huge weight off our shoulders. To get that short-term fix in place so quickly and with so little resistance has been phenomenal. Cardiff doing that is just massive.
“On Saturday we’re looking to meet at the club to have some drinks, a lot of people will reminisce about some times in the clubhouse and then buses from the WRU will take us in to watch the first team play their cup game on the Arms Park.
“It’s a huge thank you to everyone for what they’re doing. We’re just absolutely overwhelmed and looking forward to the next stage which is to continue making it safe and building for the future, making sure we’re back stronger.”
WRU’s Community Director Geraint John, who visited the club today, said: “Penarth is an historic rugby club like so many others around Wales, sitting at the heart of its community and you can feel the sense of shock and sadness when you visit after this devastating fire.
“We will be doing all we can to help the club heal and rebuild and hosting the clash with Lampeter at Cardiff Arms Park is a first step.
“The WRU will supply buses for locals to attend the match and we are also appealing for people around Cardiff to come along and show their support.”
Itoje: We want different outcome to 2015 RWC loss to Wales
England captain Maro Itoje says his side must be braced for a major World Cup test after being drawn alongside Wales for the 2027 tournament in Australia.
The old rivals will meet in Pool F of the expanded 24-team competition, renewing one of world rugby’s most intense fixtures on the global stage. Tonga and Zimbabwe complete the group.
Itoje still remembers watching Wales’ dramatic 28-25 victory over England at Twickenham during the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, a result that helped send the hosts crashing out.
He was part of England’s wider training squad at the time but missed out on the final selection.
“I was supporting England at the time and Wales obviously won the game, so it wasn’t the best day from an England point of view but hopefully this time round it’ll be a little different,” he said.
“Our ambition is to do very well and win this tournament. That’s our objective.
“But to do that we know we have to make sure we get our preparation right, and the next two years leading to the World Cup is massive.
“We need to build throughout the time and make sure we’re tracking in the right direction.”
Townsend wants Scotland to beat Ireland before World Cup showdown
By Anthony Brown, PA
Gregor Townsend has challenged Scotland to banish their Ireland hoodoo before their showdown at the 2027 World Cup.
Wednesday’s draw in Australia pitted the two sides together in the pool stages of the global showpiece for the third time in succession.
Scotland have lost their last 11 meetings with the Irish, with their last win coming in the 2017 Six Nations, a few months before Townsend took charge.
The winners of Pool D – which also includes the minnows of Uruguay and Portugal – are likely to avoid a formidable round-of-16 clash with France, so the Scotland head coach is aware of the importance of ensuring his team get to a level whereby they feel equipped to get the better of Ireland when they meet Down Under.
“It’s an easier road to the quarter-finals and semi-finals if you can win your pool,” said Townsend, reflecting on the draw at a press conference in Edinburgh.
“We’ll respect all the three teams that we’ll have to face, but obviously Ireland are a team that has beaten us pretty regularly the last few years, so we’ll have to be better to beat them.
“We have two occasions, one in Dublin, one at Murrayfield before the World Cup. The goal every year is to try and beat Ireland – and the other teams in the Six Nations – but it’s even more important now.
“It would help massively if we got on the right side of the results for a change. We know how tough it’ll be.
“Dublin in the last game of the (Six Nations) Championship will be a very difficult game, but we played really well last time we were out there (in 2024) and we’ll be doing all we can to win that game.
“It’ll be more difficult in the World Cup if we haven’t managed to beat Ireland in the next two seasons.”
Townsend recently signed a contract extension taking him up to the end of the World Cup. The 52-year-old won the last of his 82 caps as a player at the 2003 World Cup in Australia.
“That was my last games for Scotland and it was a fantastic tournament,” said Townsend. “I remember we played a game on a Monday evening against USA in Brisbane and it was a sell-out crowd.
“All the games were well supported, they can run a tournament whether it’s Olympics, a Lions Tour or a Rugby World Cup.
“They’re a sports-mad country, the stadiums will be fantastic, they’ve got Olympics (Brisbane, 2032) coming, the weather will be good. It’s great for players but really good for supporters too.”
