Here are the latest rugby evening headlines for Monday, May 16.
Dragons desperate for home win
The Dragons have just one last shot at avoiding going through the entire season without a home win and back row star Ollie Griffiths says they will be pulling out all the stops to give the Rodney Parade faithful that elusive victory.
They came agonisingly close to breaking their duck against Cardiff last Friday night, only for the visitors to take the spoils 19-18 amid a nail-biting ending. Now they have one final opportunity when the Lions from Johannesburg rock up at Newport on Saturday afternoon.
Welsh international Griffiths, a try scorer versus Cardiff, said: “We will be looking to finish strong and on a positive. We’ve got one last game in what has been a difficult season, there is no shying away from that.
“The fans are itching for us to get a home win. I just want to let them know we are doing everything we possibly can. All we can do is try our hardest and fingers crossed we can get the win for them.
“The Dragons fans have stuck by us even though we have had some tough seasons through the years. Their support is appreciated and hopefully we give them plenty to cheer about.”
WRU strikes new multi-million-pound deal
The Welsh Rugby Union and Gullivers Sports Travel have signed a new long-term multi-million-pound agreement which will run through until 2031.
It’s a continuation of a partnership with the multi-sport tour operator which was first launched in 2014 and then renewed in 2019. In tandem with the new arrangement, Events International has extended its agreement to provide official WRU off-site hospitality for the same period.
WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said: “We are delighted with the new deal and the opportunity for Welsh rugby to benefit in this vibrant and thriving business is one which will pay significant dividends for the game over the next nine years.
“Our new partnership means rugby fans will be able to access enhanced, unique and exclusive WRU packages delivered with the established expertise of Gullivers Sports Travel.
“Starting in South Africa, where Wales tour this summer, and moving to our Autumn Nations Series matches, to next year’s Guinness Six Nations and into the Rugby World Cup in France, Gullivers Sports Travel will be on hand to service every need of the travelling Wales supporter and to offer the very best of matchday experiences whether at home in Cardiff or for away matches.”
Cardiff to ring changes
Cardiff boss Dai Young says he will be making changes for their final game of the season away to Benetton on Friday evening amid a number of injuries in camp.
They will be looking for a second successive win on the road, having claimed their first of the campaign with a hard-fought 19-18 victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade on the weekend.
“We’ll be making a few changes because a lot of boys limped to the start line in Newport. We’ve had 12 games on the bounce, going from no games at all. If we can get another away win then happy days," said Young.
Cardiff came close to losing to the Dragons, with 20-year-old home fly-half Will Reed narrowly missing a late penalty.
Director of rugby Young said: “There wasn’t much in the game and you’ve got to feel for the youngster with a kick like that. We got ourselves, with 10 minutes to go, four points up and you’ve got to win those games. But we did our best to throw it away at the end.
“There were a lot of mistakes at the end from both teams. It’s not an easy place to go and win but we still need to be better in a lot of areas.”
Key Leinster coach to leave
Champions Cup finalists Leinster have revealed that assistant coach Felipe Contepomi will leave the Irish province at the end of the season to join Argentina as assistant to Michael Cheika.
Pumas great Contepomi joined the Leinster coaching team in 2018 and has been a key figure in the three PRO14 titles won in that time. Before that, he made 116 appearances for the province as a midfield playmaker, winning the Celtic League in 2008 and the Heineken Cup a year later.
Head coach Leo Cullen said: “It’s been a privilege for everyone at Leinster to have had the opportunity to work with Felipe over the last four seasons. He is a great character to have around and has made a huge contribution to so many areas of the club.
“He is a great tactician, and I am sure he will go on to enjoy an outstanding coaching career. Of course, we will miss Felipe but everyone understands the opportunity to return to Argentina to take up an exciting new role, plus the draw of being closer to family. This day was always likely to come but for me, the memories are only good ones as we celebrate the successes we have shared. Hopefully, we can add to those by finishing this season as strongly as possible."
