The latest rugby stories from around the world of rugby
These are your morning headlines on Friday, November 28.
Ospreys wait on Morgan and Lake
The Ospreys are waiting patiently for Wales stars Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to make a decision on their long-term futures but have succeeded in tying a number of players down to new contracts.
Both Morgan and Lake are out of contract and have been heavily linked with a raft of Gallagher Prem clubs. Morgan is wanted by Saracens while Lake is has reportedly held talks with Gloucester and Leicester Tigers.
What complicates matters is neither player knows whether the Ospreys will exist in a couple of years’ time with the Welsh Rugby Union set to cut down to three professional teams with room for only one team in the west.
Jones has revealed the Ospreys have offered contracts to both players but they have not made a decision and won’t until some clarity is offered up. Unfortunately, if no consensus is found on cutting to three teams over the next few weeks a tender process will begin in January that will last at least six months and continue the uncertainty beyond the point they need to decide their futures.
“Jac and Dewi to be fair to those guys to be quite clear they are not going to be rushed into making decisions,” said Jones.
“They, like a lot of us, are waiting to hear what the plans are longer term and then they can make some more informed decisions.
“I fully respect that. We’ve made our stance clear on it. We are speaking to both of them.
“We have got offers in front of both of them but I fully respect they are going to focus on the international block as it is now.
“We need to respect as well they are focused on other things at the moment but as soon as we can get into deeper conversations with them we will be looking to do that.”
Despite the uncertainty the WRU says it will honour all existing contracts while the teams can offer new deals as long as those are ratified by the governing body.
As part of its new 10-year structure for the professional game, the WRU wants complete control over the rugby side of each professional club and wants to introduce central contracts.
This week the Ospreys announced Wales wing Keelan Giles has signed a new contract and there are more in the pipeline.
“There’s lots of other good news around signings we will be releasing over the coming weeks which is really positive,” said Jones.
“I think it’s a real sign of positivity towards our supporters in particular who are a little bit in the dark like a lot of us at the moment but our supporters more so because they are not sitting where I sit and hearing the conversations I hear.
“But for me as the rugby coach you just want your home grown talent and your influential players to be re-signing.
“Keelan is the first one in quite a few who are going to be announced over the next few weeks.”
van der Merwe close to leaving Wales for Munster
Scarlets‘ hooker Marnus van der Merwe appears to be on the verge of joining Irish club Munster.
WalesOnline reported last month that the west Wales club were fighting hard to keep the South African at Parc y Scarlets beyond next season.
The 28-year-old was attracting interest from some big-hitters, including Saracens, Munster, Clermont Auvergne, the Sharks and the Stormers.
And it appears Munster have emerged at van der Merwe’s strongest suitors, with RugbyPass reporting they have won the race for his signature.
WalesOnline understands a deal hasn’t been done yet but that the Irish province are closing in on his capture.
Dwayne Peel said last month: “You talk about overseas talent and I think he’s definitely one that has helped our squad last season.
“I think he’s abrasive, he’s a ball carrier for us and his performances have shown that in what he’s given us on the field.
“I know there’ll be interest in Marnus, there’s no doubt about that.
“We saw him quite early playing for the Cheetahs and we knew he had that intent in his game so hopefully things will work out and hopefully he will be able to stay longer.
“But who knows at this present stage. Conversations are going on in the background.
“At present it’s very difficult for anyone to make any commitments, that’s the truth of it.
“But conversations are going on in the background and if we have an opportunity to and it suits both parties. It’s not just Marnus, there are a lot of players we are speaking to at the minute as well.
“He’s just an example of that. I’m sure if the opportunity arises then hopefully we will be able to move on something.”
Tandy welcomes new Test window
By Phil Blanche, PA
Steve Tandy has welcomed next year’s bigger Test window with his Wales squad decimated for Saturday’s showdown with South Africa.
Wales’ final autumn fixture has been mired in controversy as it falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window and head coach Tandy has been forced to name a weakened side minus 13 players to take on the world champions.
Bristol wing Louis Rees-Zammit, Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams and Saracens prop Rhys Carre are among the England and France-based players missing for Wales in Cardiff.
South Africa will also be missing key personnel on a weekend when club rugby returns in both northern and southern hemispheres.
It is a situation that will not be repeated in 2026 following the launch of the biennial Nations Championship and a four-Test window next November.
“I think it’s easier,” Tandy said of the new international calendar. “The boys that were playing last weekend want to go again, so I think that bit of cohesion is massive.
“It would be very helpful for club teams as well, but also for our boys because those that are not here are pretty gutted they’re not undertaking South Africa.
“I know that’s part of playing outside of Wales, so I think that’ll be easier for everyone. It gives you clarity and certainty, which is much better.”
Tandy has had to select a side drawn from Wales’ four regions and it is one lacking in experience with 10 of the starting line-up having fewer than 20 caps.
The 61-times capped Dragons back-rower Aaron Wainwright, who returns after being a late withdrawal from the planned XV that lost to New Zealand last weekend because of a hip injury, is the only player with over 50 appearances.
There is also the issue of rustiness as several starters have not had any game-time for five or six weeks.
“In any walk of life, what are we going to focus on?” Tandy said. “Are we going to be downbeat on something?
“It’s an opportunity for these boys, and for us as coaches to coach against South Africa.
“We’ve got to find ways of how we build that as well, do things slightly differently.
“I can’t see how we go into it and be negative. I don’t believe in that anyway, I want to see the best in what we do.”
Wales have won only two of their 10 Test matches in 2025 – both against Japan – and face a daunting start to 2026 and the Six Nations Championship in February.
They travel to England on the opening weekend before hosting France in Cardiff and Tandy insists places are up for grabs for that tournament.
He said: “Ultimately, for us to grow, we want competition. So I believe these boys on the weekend will put their case forward.
“The more we have selection headaches in certain positions, going into Six Nations, that’s only going to be better.”
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