Your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, August 11.
Cardiff captain wants respect back
Josh Turnbull has demanded Cardiff Rugby's players regain the respect they lost after the disastrous end to last season.
The versatile forward has been named captain for the new season and is clear that things need to improve. Dai Young's side finished 14th out of 16 teams last term, ending the season with a catastrophic performance that saw them demolished 69-21 by Benetton.
Turnbull said: “To be captain of this rugby club is a massive honour. I’m chuffed to get it again and to lead this group of boys but I'm under no illusions of what kind of job I've got to do. First and foremost, I’ve got to make sure I'm playing well and make sure I’m in the squad and playing.
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“We've got a real good, strong and competitive back five of the scrum and we've made some quality signings in that area as well, so first and foremost I have to get my own my own form right.
“It was disappointing from my end how last season finished – thumped twice by the Scarlets, beaten well by the Ospreys, Sarries as well and then obviously going out to Treviso and finishing that game off was real tough to take.
“After everything we went through last year, (looking back) I think (subconsciously) we just wanted to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. But what I've been really pleased about is the way the boys have come back in refreshed, everyone’s been really energised and wants to get into work and get on with the new task in front of us.
“We have to put a bit of respect back into that jersey and this squad is ready to do that.”
Selection call could 'come back to haunt' Boks
South Africa have been warned their decision to drop Malcolm Marx to the bench after a sensational performance last week could 'come back to haunt them'.
The hooker was outstanding in his 50th cap and the victory over New Zealand, snaffling All Blacks ball and slowing it down with frustrating regularity from the visitors' perspective.
He was a real thorn in their side as they struggled to get their attack moving but he will be watching from the sidelines this weekend.
Bongi Mbonambi - a fine hooker himself - was due to start but he suffered an injury this week and has been ruled out. Instead of promoting Marx back to the No.2 jersey, head coach Jacques Nienaber has parachuted in Joseph Dweba.
Under the headline 'Springboks will rue benching the man who single-handedly dismantled the All Blacks', RugbyPass writer Tom Vinicombe opined: "It’s a curious move from Jacques Nienaber, shifting Marx back to the reserves. Some will suggest that Marx’s stint in the No 2 jersey was a way of rewarding him for hitting the 50-cap mark but there’s little room for sentiment in Test rugby.
"If Nienaber had already identified that the All Blacks lacked security at the breakdown and elevated Marx on that basis, it paid off in a big way. Why, then, would he drop the turnover tyro to the bench after such a strong showing?
"Marx may have reinvented himself as a bench specialist in recent years but past preconceptions that his best work comes when the opposition are tired and worn down should not dictate his place in the 23 when he’s just performed a one-man destruction derby on the All Blacks’ possession stats.
"It’s a decision that could come back to haunt a Springboks side that – like their opposition – couldn’t really construct a try to save themselves."
Wales hooker happy with new home
Wales hooker Bradley Roberts believes he's made the right decision joining Dragons RFC as he bids to win back his place in Wayne Pivac's squad.
Roberts agreed to leave Ulster to join the Welsh region after earning a shock call-up to the Wales squad for last season's November internationals. He was required to move to Wales at the end of his previous deal to continue his international career under the 60-cap rule but has since fallen down the pecking order and was left out of the summer tour to South Africa.
South African-born Roberts is enjoying his new start after moving in with fellow new Dragons signing Rob Evans, who himself has struggled to earn international recognition in recent times.
"I'm really enjoying it so far," Roberts told the club website. "I'm staying with Rob Evans in Newport, which is interesting but lots of fun! He's one hell of a character but it's nice to have someone else in the house to chat to about the day. It gets you up in the morning and gets you going.
"It's a great bunch of lads who like to have fun but work hard and want to improve and get better.
"It's a lovely stadium, the pitch is unbelievable and the fans are good. It was very hostile when I came here with Ulster so I'm looking forward to having them on my side."
Roberts has also been enjoying what the area has to offer, adding: "It's different to Northern Ireland but I'm looking forward to getting stuck in at the Dragons and hopefully getting some wins this season. I've just joined Celtic Manor as a member so I'm trying to get as much golf in as possible too."
Ireland to ban transgender women from female game
The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced it is to ban transgender women and girls over the age of 12 from playing female contact rugby ahead of the forthcoming season.
The decision to limit women's contact rugby to players whose sex was recorded female at birth was based on "medical and scientific evidence" and is in line with World Rugby guidance, the governing body said.
A statement from the IRFU said recent research provides evidence of male-born players having "significant" advantages in strength, stamina and physique to those born female due to male puberty, which are "retained even after testosterone suppression".
According to the the governing body, two registered players in Ireland will be affected by the policy alteration.
They have been contacted to discuss options to remain active in the sport, which include non-contact playing formats, such as tag rugby, refereeing, coaching and volunteering.
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