Here are the latest rugby evening headlines for Thursday, April 28.
New deal for Wales and Lions star
Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies has signed a new contract, committing his future to the Scarlets. The man known as ‘Foxy’ has made 180 appearances for the region in two spells, scoring 51 tries, and took over the captaincy from Ken Owens this season.
“There is a strong environment here at the moment, the competition for places is good, the standard of training is great and there is an ambition to be up there competing for trophies again. It is a good place to be,” said the 34-year-old who recently won his 100th Test cap.
Read more: Ross Moriarty staying in Wales with bid from French giants labelled 'fantasy rugby'
“Wearing the Scarlets jersey means a huge amount to me, I grew up here in the region, supported the club as a youngster, came through the Academy and it has been a privilege to captain the side. It has been a challenging season for a number of reasons, but we have two big games left and are still in the hunt for a play-off spot and to finish top for the Welsh Shield and qualify for the Champions Cup, which is always important to everyone here.
"We have a healthy crop of youngsters here who can put us in a good place moving forward and that competition is pushing everyone to raise standards across the board. I am looking forward to being part of that over the coming years.”
Davies becomes the latest Scarlets player to sign a new deal following Sam Lousi, Scott Williams, Rhys Patchell, Johnny McNicholl, Sam Costelow, Ryan Conbeer, Gareth Davies and Steff Thomas.
Rowlands injury update
Wales’ in-form forward Will Rowlands will miss the Dragons’ trip to Italy this weekend, with a shoulder injury ruling him out of Saturday’s clash with Zebre in Parma. The 18-cap lock, who had such a fine Six Nations, was forced off after taking a bang in last week’s re-match with the Scarlets.
Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan said: “He’s in significant discomfort with an AC joint. I think everyone has seen him across the season and for him to leave the field is significant.
“He picked it up the week before and we didn’t really think anything of it. But it’s like anything, if you’ve got something you are carrying, suddenly it’s pretty quick to get hit in game and he couldn’t continue, so he won’t be available this week.”
The hope is the 30-year-old former Wasps player will be back for the games against the Ospreys and Cardiff. “He’s very keen to play in all the derbies and to keep pushing here and also keep pushing in front of the Welsh selectors,” said Ryan. You can read more news from the Dragons camp here.
Late call to be made on Liam
The Scarlets hope to have Liam Williams back for Saturday’s huge derby clash with the Ospreys at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Wales and Lions Test star sat out last weekend’s victory away to the Dragons with a dead leg, but coach Dwayne Peel is optimistic he will be able to select him at full-back for a game which will be pivotal in deciding which of the two west Wales regions will qualify for next season’s Champions Cup.
“Liam had a bump against the Dragons at home, a hematoma, and it tightened his hamstring a bit last week, so he wasn’t quite right," said Peel. "He was close last week, he is training this week, so hopefully his leg will be better. We will see how it goes on that and make a late call.”
The 31-year-old Williams is coming towards the end of his second spell with the Scarlets ahead of a move to Cardiff. “We are hoping he is going to be right this week," Peel added. "I think it will be great for us and for him if he is good to take the field because it will be his last west Wales derby and he’s born basically on the Loughor Bridge so it’s an interesting one for him."
Cardiff team announced
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has been ruled out of Cardiff’s clash with Munster in Cork on Friday night due to a hand injury. He is replaced at No. 9 by Lloyd Williams, while Jarrod Evans takes over from Rhys Priestland at No. 10.
James Botham comes into the back row, having missed last weekend’s home defeat to the Ospreys through illness, while Kristian Dacey and Dillon Lewis step into the front row, as hooker Kirby Myhill returns on the bench.
Munster have the likes of Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and skipper Peter O'Mahony on duty for the Musgrave Park URC encounter (7.35pm kick-off).
Munster : Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Ben Healy, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Thomas Ahern; Peter O’Mahony (capt), Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Jason Jenkins, Jack Daly, Craig Casey, Joey Carbery, Shane Daly.
Cardiff: Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Theo Cabango; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Carré, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Josh Navidi (capt), James Ratti
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Keiron Assiratti, Matthew Screech, Ellis Jenkins, Jamie Hill, Rhys Priestland, Garyn Smith.
Three-year contract for Wales prop
Wales prop Gareth Thomas has signed a new three-year deal to stay with the Ospreys. It’s been something of a breakthrough season for the loosehead on the international front and now he has capped it by securing a lengthy contract extension. He has played 96 games for the region and made 10 Test appearances, ending the Six Nations as the starting No. 1.
“For the last two years, I have worked hard to improve my game and that has seen me develop as a player and got me to where I am now," the 28-year-old said. "The exciting bit for me is that I feel there is still more to come. The Ospreys is where I want to be and I am where I want to be in my career. I am just excited about the next few years. Competing for places with the international looseheads at the Ospreys over the last eight years has led to me becoming an international player myself."
Head coach Toby Booth said: “Seeing Gareth earn his Wales call-up is a real testament to his hard work and the programme we are running at the Ospreys. He has really bought into and flourished in the environment here. He is an example of a modern loosehead prop, demonstrated by his dominance at set piece and dynamic actions around the field."
New kit on the way
The Scarlets have announced a multi-year kit partnership with sportswear brand Castore. It will see the company supply the senior squad’s playing, training and travel wear, supporters’ leisure range, as well as kitting out the club’s academy and women’s teams.
Castore will also take over the Parc y Scarlets club shop and e-commerce operations, with the kit going on sale to supporters in late summer. Their list of sporting partners include Sir Andy Murray, Saracens, USA Rugby, Samoa Rugby, Rangers, Newcastle United, Wolves and McLaren F1.
To celebrate 150 years since Llanelli RFC was established, Castore have been working with the Scarlets to deliver a special anniversary edition jersey which will be worn during the 2022-23 URC and European season.
