Here is your round-up of the latest rugby news for Wednesday, April 6.
Eddie in fresh England row
England boss Eddie Jones is facing a new rumpus amid fresh newspaper reports over his involvement with Suntory Sungoliath in a consultancy role.
Star Australia centre Samu Kerevi says he has been pumping Jones for England’s secrets ahead of the three-Test summer showdown between the sides. The Telegraph say the revelation will 'further embarrass the Rugby Football Union' who gave Jones 'unequivocal backing' after their second Six Nations flop in a row.
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Kerevi, who plays for the Japanese side and is likely to be a key figure for the Wallabies against Jones' men in June, said: “I’m actually trying to get the England secrets away from him, so I’m just asking him a few questions about the way they play and how the centres’ movements are.
“He’s improved my physical side. He’s been helping me in those areas, and with my work ethic off the ball. He spoke about last year, trying to get more touches in my hands, and spoken about Manu Tuilagi a lot and how he’s progressed his game."
The paper say Kerevi’s comments "are likely to raise further questions about whether Jones’ outside commitments constitute a conflict of interest." Jones is among the highest paid coaches in the world, on an estimated £750,000 a year, but the RFU have backed his involvement in Japan.
"Once again, it is England’s rivals who are directly benefiting from Jones’ coaching in the form of Kerevi, who is central to the Wallabies’ attacking game," say the Telegraph.
Kervei confirmed: "He’s been great for me. Positive reinforcement from a guy like him is awesome. Hopefully that can help if I get selected for the Wallabies."
Suntory head coach Milton Haig insisted: "I saw the kerfuffle that went on in the press over there – they probably won’t like that he’s talking to Samu Kerevi and Damian McKenzie at the moment. It’s a storm in a teacup – he’s just a rugby man and is really keen to talk to rugby people and see what he can learn off them.”
O'Driscoll says world at Basham's feet
Rugby great Brian O'Driscoll has named Wales breakthrough star Taine Basham as one of the top five young talents in European rugby.
The Lions captain was asked to choose the young guns in the world game who really excite him and opted for northern hemisphere players, with Basham number three on his list.
O'Driscoll says Basham will shine for Wales for the best part of a decade after the Dragons man impressed in the back-row despite the team having a woeful run of results under Wayne Pivac.
"He's a very good player. I think he's going to be one for Wales for the next 8, 9, 10 years. In a disappointing Wales team for the Six Nations he showed well," O'Driscoll told Sports Joe in compiling his list.
He ranked France 10 Romain Ntamack at number one, explaining: "There's something really special about the time that he has on his hands - how he is able to pull the trigger, make good decisions and find himself in the right places. He looks cool as a cucumber. So unfazed by everything that goes on around him."
England fly-half rival Marcus Smith is next on O'Driscoll's list, followed by Basham, Italy wonder Ange Capuozzo and then Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan.
Jones reveals Shane message after Scotland win
Hannah Jones has revealed she received a message of congratulations from Shane Williams after Wales Women secured their second victory of the Six Nations campaign at the weekend.
After securing an emotional win over Ireland in Dublin in their opening game, Wales beat Scotland 24-19 in Cardiff to maintain their 100 per cent start to this year's tournament. It's the first campaign since the WRU handed out professional contracts to 12 players back in January, plus 12 semi-professional deals.
Jones has played an integral part in the bonus-point wins, including a solo try against the Irish. She will likely be one of the players Wales look to this weekend, with world number one side England awaiting them in Gloucester.
Jones admits the reaction from the Welsh public to their early success has been roundly welcomed.
"It's been brilliant," she told the BBC. "Getting the two wins means we could not have asked for much a better outcome.
"It takes a little bit longer walking around the Tesco aisles these days - it is nice to have the support of the community. After the first week they were saying to me 'nice try' and 'good win'.
"I went to the pool in Ammanford. Shane Williams was there and it was nice to speak to him. He watched our game and he said well done on the win, so it's nice to know the men are watching as well and we are getting recognised for it."
De Klerk to leave Sale
Sale Sharks have confirmed that South African stars Lood De Jager and Faf De Klerk are set to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 2019 World Cup winners are poised to depart the AJ Bell Stadium, a move that follows the reduction in salary cap to £5m. Scrum-half de Klerk has made 95 appearances for the Sharks since joining from South African side Golden Lions in 2017, scoring 14 tries and 39 conversions in that time.
De Jager, 29, has clocked up 25 appearances for the club, scoring three tries, since he joined from the Vodacom Bulls shortly after the 2019 World Cup. The pair played key roles for Sharks last season as the club finished third in the Gallagher Premiership and reached the play-offs for the first time in 15 years.
An injury picked up in the 2021 British and Irish Lions series forced De Klerk to miss the start of the current Premiership season, but since returning to fitness he has made nine appearances He is set to join Japanese side NTT Dcomo Red
De Jager, meanwhile, has made 14 appearances this season, after missing the end of last term due to a broken leg. He's expected to return to South Africa.
In a statement confirming the duo's departure, Sale said: "Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Faf and Lood for their huge contribution to the club over the past five years and we wish them the very best for the future."
O'Gara to face two disciplinary hearings
La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara is to face two Top 14 disciplinary hearings this week.
According to RugbyPass, the first is poised to take place today and relates to the Irishman's alleged behaviour during the win over former club Racing 92 back in March. The second charge, which will be heard on April 13 involves an incident during Saturday's win over Bordeaux when he had a bust-up with the rival coach.
Bordeaux boss Christophe Urios, with whom O’Gara clashed at Stade Chaban-Delmas is also set to face the same charge on the same day.
