Your rugby evening headlines for Monday, January 17.
Beard commits to Ospreys
Wales international Adam Beard has signed a fresh deal that will keep him at the Ospreys for the next three-and-a-half seasons.
The 26-year-old's current deal was due to expire this summer but he has signed on to remain part of Toby Booth's project for the foreseeable future.
It's a welcome boost for the region, keeping hold of the towering lock, whose influence in both Ospreys and Wales camps continues to grow.
Beard, who toured with the Lions last summer, has developed into a real leader in recent campaigns and calls the lineout for both region and country.
“We have a young family and it provides security for all of us and we love living in the area, so re-signing for the Ospreys was a no-brainer for me," said Beard.
“We have a really good squad developing at the Ospreys, with a mixture of young exciting talent and some really experienced players who have done it at the highest level.
“There is a really strong bond developing between the players and the coaching set-up is really putting its stamp on the squad and the culture. They have a clear vision of what we want to be and where we want to go.
“It’s thanks to the support of the players and coaches at the Ospreys that I was recalled for Wales and ultimately called up for the Lions and played in a Test match in South Africa.
“I still see myself as a young player and I am continuing to learn but I am relishing the new leadership role at the Ospreys and it’s helping me develop as a player and a person.”
Welsh clubs at odds over abandonment
National League One East teams Newbridge and Brynmawr have been at odds on social media after their match was abandoned after 20 minutes over the weekend.
The game was brought to a halt due to a frozen pitch, with hosts Newbridge refunding those who attended.
They posted: "We're sorry that the game v Brynmawr was abandoned. We confirm that all who presented a valid ticket were refunded after the game.
"Pitch was deemed playable beforehand by BOTH teams, otherwise it wouldn't start. Only Brynmawr can advise why it changed after 20 minutes."
In another post, Newbridge added: "The pitch was free to be inspected by everyone but it was deemed not an issue until 20 mins after kick off by Brynmawr."
In response, The Pirates said: "Our players' safety is paramount in every situation. For the first 15 minutes of the game, it didn’t enter the Newbridge 22 area.
"As agreed with the referee, if the area was identified before kick off, the game would NOT have gone ahead.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and look forward to the fixture being replayed."
Refs appointed for Six Nations
The referee appointments have been made for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
There are some interesting appointments, with Kiwi Ben O'Keeffe refereeing England for the first time since head coach Eddie Jones openly criticised his officiating of Wales' match at Twickenham two years ago when Manu Tuilagi was sent off.
Back then, Jones said England finished the match playing against 16 men after O'Keeffe red carded Manu Tuilagi for a high tackle on George North but the hosts won 33-30.
O'Keeffe will take charge of England's first game of the 2022 Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Jones had said: “At the end we were 13 against 16 and that’s hard. When you have got a three-man advantage, you are going to do some damage. That’s what happened. We had a numerical disadvantage, so it was tough.”
He was later reprimanded by the RFU for his comments.
This tournament will also be the first time Jaco Peyper has refereed France since he was photographed mimicking Sebastien Vahaamahina's elbow to Aaron Wainwright's chin after the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Earlier that day, Peyper had sent the Frenchman off and it proved to be a turning point in the match that saw Warren Gatland's side knock Les Bleus out of the competition.
The South African official will take charge of France's final game of the championship, against England. He will also be on the touchline for Wales v France.
Ireland v Wales: Jaco Peyper, Wales v Scotland: Nic Berry, England v Wales: Mike Adamson, Wales v France: Matthew Carley, Wales v Italy: Andrew Brace.
Wales Sevens squad announced
Wales return to the World Sevens circuit this weekend and have named their squad to take the field in Spain.
It's a blend of experience and talented young prospects from around Welsh rugby with Team GB members Luke Treharne, Morgan Williams and Tom Williams forming the core of the squad.
"Two weeks isn’t the longest of preps going into a World Series but it has been a really positive experience and I’m happy to have got selection done," said coach Richie Pugh.
"It’s brilliant to see a Wales side back on the World Series, it’s been a little strange watching it the last year and seeing GB represent us – to get the three feathers back on the series is great for the programme."
The first two legs of the World Sevens will be taking place in Malaga and Seville.
Wales Sevens: Lloyd Evans (Aberavon), Callum Carson (Ospreys), Frankie Souto (Dragons), Morgan MacRae (Scarlets), Tom Brown (Wales 7s), Luke Treharne (Wales 7s), Arthur Lennon (Speranza 7s), Tom Williams (Wales 7s), Morgan Williams (Wales 7s), Owen Jenkins (Dragons), Lloyd Lewis (Wales 7s / Pontypool), Ewan Rosser (Dragons), Cole Swannack (Speranza 7s).
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