Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Saturday, May 7.
PRB release statement on Oakwell report
The Welsh regions and WRU have moved to reassure supporters they will secure the right future for the game in a joint statement.
The Professional Rugby Board (PRB) says the recent Oakwell report, which recommended cutting the number of pro teams from four to three, will prove valuable in helping to formulate a strategy for the future of Welsh rugby. But the PRB has declined to comment on the specific proposal to axe a team.
The bombshell suggestion surfaced earlier this week, in what is the latest turbulent episode for the Welsh game. You can read the details of the plan here.
In joint statement, the PRB said: "We would like to reassure supporters, players, management and other staff, partners, sponsors, investors and all those with a vested and passionate interest in the professional game in Wales that the PRB is the right place to secure the future of the game in Wales.
"The game would not exist without the efforts and commitment of these people and the PRB’s members are all absolutely aware of their responsibilities to all of these individuals. Every member of the PRB remains committed to this process and delivering what is best for Welsh rugby. Discussions are ongoing and no conclusions have been reached at this time.
"It has proved beneficial since the inception of the PRB to seek outside opinions on a number of issues. These opinions, such as those contained in the Oakwell report as well as other external reports, bring the dual benefits of objectivity and fresh thinking to a wide range of PRB discussions.
"Ultimately, it is for the members of the PRB to formulate a strategy based on all available information and relevant, sourced and commissioned subject matter expertise. This strategy building is ongoing and the Oakwell report has been an informative part of that process.
"The PRB will present its strategy to the WRU Board in due course. A high level of interest in this subject is entirely understandable given the strength of feeling and passion that is fundamental to Welsh rugby. We are committed to sharing this strategy at the earliest appropriate opportunity but feel it would be counterproductive to discuss potential scenarios publicly at this time."
Young hails Cabango's 'rapid rise'
Dai Young says the rise of Theo Cabango shows there is a pathway for talented youngsters to progress in the capital, after watching his youthful side ease to comfortable win over Zebre Parma on Friday.
The Blue and Blacks returned to winning ways with an assured six-try victory at the Cardiff Arms Park, and ended the clash with a backline whose average age was just above 23. Cabango, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn and Ellis Bevan all featured, and Young clearly believes there's plenty of reason for optimism about what the next couple of years will bring. You can read the match report here.
“It was great to see the backline that finished. We had a really young backline and obviously they really enjoyed that experience,” he said after the game.
“That could be a sign of what could happen in the next two seasons with the boys coming through."
Speaking specifically about Cabango, who once again impressed, Young added: “‘Rapid rise’ is the right word for Theo isn’t it? Our pathways is there. These guys come out of age grade rugby, haven't played men's rugby and with the new Rags system it’s important that boys get senior rugby there.
“They can get experience of playing men’s rugby. That’s how they get more experience and get used to it. They come through and when they’re knocking on the door, ready to play, we’re more comfortable to play them.
“Theo showed what he could do with the Rags and and he's transferred that to the first team. There's others coming behind him, hopefully in the next six, twelve, eighteen months.”
Saracens blow Gloucester away
Owen Farrell kicked 19 points as Gloucester were handed a harsh lesson in knockout rugby by Saracens in a 44-15 European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat.
Gloucester, not helped by two yellow cards and a malfunctioning line-out, were out-gunned throughout as Saracens set up a clash with the winners of Sunday's game between Toulon and London Irish.
They outscored the home side by five tries to two, with Aled Davies, Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Duncan Taylor and Nick Tompkins all on the scoresheet. Farrell converted all five and added three penalties.
Tries from Jack Singleton and Louis Rees-Zammit, a conversion from Billy Twelvetrees and a penalty from Adam Hastings was Gloucester's response, but their inept performance must surely provide major concern ahead of their two concluding games in the Gallagher Premiership.
Next up for them is a trip to Harlequins at Twickenham, before Saracens return to Kingsholm for the final fixture on June 4.
Carter's struggles
Rugby legend Dan Carter he has found life after rugby difficult and is still trying to work out what he should now do with his life.
The All Blacks hero retired in February last year after a glittering career. He won the last of his 112 All Blacks caps with a man-of-the-match display in the 2015 World Cup final win over Australia, going on to play for French club Racing 92 and Japan's Kobelco Steelers before a brief return home with Auckland Blues in 2020.
'I'm still trying to figure out life after rugby,' he told News Corp.
'There's a temptation to feel like, I've finished playing, I need to be working. You get asked all the time, 'What are you doing now?' I'm still figuring it out, I didn't have an answer, I was mumbling my words and finding excuses.
'It's that word retirement, I just turned 40. I'm not supposed to hear that word retirement until I'm 65.
'You think, 'Gee, am I no longer of value to society because that's what people know me for?' I changed my mindset around that, not be defined as a rugby player.'
