The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, April 7.
Henry Pollock issued warning
England star Henry Pollock has received words of warning from legendary former hooker Brian Moore, with the young British & Irish Lions tourist told he could suffer a “brutal fall” in fortune if he stops delivering on the rugby field.
The 21-year-old Northampton Saints back-row has enjoyed a sensational rise over the last couple of years, becoming one of the most talked-about players in rugby with his impressive performances on the pitch matched by his confident and often provocative persona.
He has now signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, with the boxing promoter vowing to make the England international “the biggest star in rugby” as well as a mainstream celebrity.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
Moore has now had his say on the signing and, while admitting that the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Anthony Joshua and Luke Littler have profited hugely from working with Hearn, there is a “crucial difference” between them and Pollock, with “stars in a [rugby] team not getting there or staying there on their own”.
Warning Matchroom to take that factor into account while managing Pollock, Moore wrote in his column for The Telegraph: “Intra-team dynamics are subtle and varied and team members do not always act logically.
“As others have found out in rugby, cricket and football, if you are labelled, promoted and accept the mantle of superstar, you can be the target of jealousy from team members who know that they have contributed to your success but have not been recognised.
“You might posit that such feelings are the problem of the individuals who hold them and, intellectually, you might be correct, but that is not always how the world of team sport works.
“Pollock needs to be diligent in maintaining his relationships with his colleagues and to be generous with his acknowledgement of his team-mates’ assistance,” he continued. “As Danny Cipriani found out, once there is a feeling of separation in a dressing room, it can be hard to recover, even if you are only one part of the problem.”
Moore added that while Pollock shows plenty of promise, he “cannot show a résumé that backs up extravagant claims of superstardom”, with the pundit and commentator arguing that he should be carefully introduced to the celebrity world.
As for what the youngster must do on the pitch, he continued: “If Pollock delivers and keeps delivering, the world is at his feet.
“Colleagues and fans will overlook most things if he produces for the cause. Slip below this and the fall will be brutal.
“Once you deliberately cross the hyper-exposure line you can forget about privacy and this, unfortunately, extends to your family and friends, however unfair this might be,” Moore added.
“I wish Pollock well, and rugby will only benefit if he succeeds, but I am also cognisant of what could go wrong for somebody who is still only 21 years old.”
England great set for shock move
Former England captain Courtney Lawes is reportedly set to join PREM Rugby side Sale Sharks after confirming his exit from French second-tier outfit Brive.
The 37-year-old flanker has spent the last two seasons playing in the Pro D2 but it was announced on Monday morning that he would leave the club at the end of the current campaign before returning to English rugby from next season.
Lawes had long been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers, but RugbyPass reports that he is instead set for a surprise switch to Sale, with Sharks boss Alex Sanderson keen to bring big names to the club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 105-cap international is set to join Wales stars Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis and Christ Tshiunza in Greater Manchester next season, with England duo Alex Lozowski and Joe Marchant among Sanderson’s other new signings.
Announcing his departure from Brive on Monday, Lawes said: ““I’m having an experience in Brive that I’ll never forget, both on and off the pitch.
“I’m going to give it my all until the end of the season to finish this adventure with CAB in the best possible way. My family and I have been very warmly welcomed in Corrèze and we will always have Brive at heart.”
Brive president Thierry Blandinières added: “We are very proud to say that Courtney Lawes will have been a Brive player for two seasons.
“He arrived here with humility and ambition and has shown the full extent of his talent since his first day in Brive. He gave everything for the club and he will continue to give everything until the end of his adventure in Black and White.”
Wales U18s side named
Wales U18s boss Richie Pugh has named his sideto face France in the second round of this year’s Six Nations Festival in Vichy.
Pugh’s side got their campaign off to a flying start last week as they recorded an impressive opening round win against Scotland, but now face a daunting task as they take on the tournament hosts at Stade Municipal Louis Darragon later today.
“The boys showed good game understanding when they came under a lot of pressure against Scotland,” said the U18s boss. “There was a good bit of grit shown in the second half when we were under a lot of pressure to stop Scotland from scoring, so it was pleasing they got the result they deserved.”
“Playing France in France, boys don’t get that many opportunities to do that across their career, so it is great to experience that. We know it is a strong dangerous French side, Georgia did cause them problems at times when they played the other day but the focus is on us.
“We’re making changes across the team to freshen up the group and we’re ready to go,” Pugh added. “They are quick turnarounds here.
“Our big focus is on us but being fully aware of what France are going to want to do and what fires them up in terms of their looseness and how they move the ball with their offload game. We’ve got to play our game and minimise the French threat.”
Wales U18: 15. Dylan Quin (Gower College, Ospreys), 14. Jac Williams (Llandrillo, RGC), 13. Harry Kinsey (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), 12. Will Adams (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), 11. Harvey Bryant (Cardiff & Vale/ Cardiff Rugby), 10. Madoc Evans (Preseli, Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets), 9. George Thomas (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby); 1. Logan Goodluck (St Davids, College, Llandrillo, RGC), 2. Cole Lacey (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets), 3. Sam Bryant (Hartpury College, Gloucester), 4. Harvey Thomas (Llandovery College, Scarlets), 5. William Carroll (Bridgend College, Ospreys), 6. Will Watkins (Y Pant, Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), 7. Jac Cloke (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets) (capt), 8. Mosese Tuliakiono (Radley College, Gloucester)
Replacements: 16. Tiaan Hall (Coleg Gwent, Dragons RFC), 17. Bryan Kamanga (Llandovery College, Cardiff Rugby), 18. Isaac Jones (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), 19. Harri Lewis (Llandovery College, Cardiff Rugby, 20. Alfie Prygodzicz (Ysgol Glantfaf, Cardiff Rugby), 21. Alfie Luger (Llandovery College, Scarlets), 22. Will Ford (St Cenydd, Dragons RFC), 23. Owen Lewis (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby), 24. Ryley Fussell (Coleg y Cymoedd, Dragons), 25. Sam Morgan (St Cenydd, Coleg Gwent, Dragons RFC), 26. Rhys Owen (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets)
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.


You must be logged in to post a comment Login