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Wales Online
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Mathew Davies

Today's rugby headlines as Wales star issues public apology and Ross Moriarty impresses in Six Nations trial

These are your rugby headlines on Saturday, January 29.

Elliot Dee apologises

Dragons and Wales star Elliot Dee has publicly apologised after he was shown a red card for a shoulder to the head of Benetton's Joaquin Riera in the 13-13 draw at Rodney Parade on Friday night.

With the game tied and the clock in the red, Dee flew into a ruck head first which left referee Andrew Brace with little choice.

It was a reckless clearout which will now dent Dee's Six Nations hopes. An audible groan was let out when commentator Gareth Rhys Owen saw the incident on replay.

Brace, in conversation with his TMO, said the incident was "clearly avoidable" and that giving the red card was "no other option".

Following the match, Dee took to social media to apologise to his opponent and back the referee's call.

He wrote: "Sorry to the @BenettonRugby player whose head I made contact with at the end, was not my intention, I was just looking to clear out, glad you're okay! I owe you a beer.

"Spot on call from the ref, I take full responsibility and should have been more accurate!"

Luckily for the Dragons, Benetton were unable to capitalise on Dee's misdemeanour, with outside-half Tomas Albornoz missing the resulting penalty.

Elliot Dee was sent off at the death for a reckless and dangerous ruck clear-out (BBC)

Navidi, Hook and Jones pay tribute to Roberts

Josh Navidi, James Hook and Ryan Jones have paid tribute to Jamie Roberts as he leaves Welsh rugby for Australia.

Roberts announced earlier this week that he was swapping the Dragons for the Sydney-based Waratahs and New South Wales.

His career in Welsh, English and European rugby, as well as on the international scene for Wales and the Lions, saw Roberts hit great heights in his sport.

Now heading Down Under for personal reasons, the trio waxed lyrical about Roberts the man and player live on air.

Navidi said: "Nice guy, on and off the field. It was a pleasure to be with him at the Blues coming through as a youngster, to just see what he's achieved in his career has been amazing and I wish him all the best in New South Wales."

Hook added: "Mine and Jamie's first game together was out here (Rodney Parade) for Wales Under-21s. Jamie was actually a young full-back, obviously a few years later (Warren) Gatland decided to move hm to centre, and his career went from there to there.

"Unbelievable player, as a 10 he was a sort of player you'd just give the ball, he'd run unbelievable angles, talk to you all game, and his experience and caps speak for themselves."

Jones, on commentary duty during the Dragons v Benetton game for BBC Wales, said Roberts should be celebrated as a player who made a huge impact not only in Welsh rugby but on the world game.

"The guy who was a back in a forward's body," he said.

"What a career he has had. I find myself very fortunate to have played in a team with him. I owe an awful lot to the likes of him, Hooky, Shane (Williams) and many, many others.

"He was a guy who had a huge imprint on world rugby, we're quite insular here, we often don't celebrate people. Jamie is a guy who not only starred for Wales but did it for the Lions as well.

"Huge impacts for the clubs he's played for, a great rugby player and he's an even better bloke."

Moriarty impresses

Ross Moriarty gave Wales a Six Nations fitness boost by coming through his return to action.

The main positive from the match was the performance of the abrasive back rower, who has been out of action since picking up an injury against New Zealand in the autumn.

He impressed at Rodney Parade playing 68 minutes to give Wayne Pivac a timely nudge ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.

Pundit James Hook backed him to now make the matchday 23 for Wales against Ireland.

Hibbard had 'total disregard for his body'

Another man leaving Rodney Parade - this time for good - is Richard Hibbard, who announced recently that he was hanging up his boots at the ripe old age of 38.

That is some feat for any rugby player but for a hooker to play until your late 30s is a monumental achievement.

Once again, the BBC panel were full of warm words for their retiring former team-mate, with Jones offering up an amusing anecdote about their time at the Ospreys.

"Richard is definitely a forward in a forward's body!" said Jones.

"I've got a couple of great memories of Richard. One when he scored a fantastic try for Wales in the corner wearing the infamous yellow jersey. It was played in slow motion for many a year!

"But what sums him up was in his early career at the Ospreys, he didn't get picked one Saturday. He thought it was a great idea to go and play for Aberavon under the name 'Hubert Richards' thinking he wouldn't get noticed. He got spotted straightaway!

"He's an unbelievable competitor, Rich. Like me, a rubbish trainer but unlike me he was a far better player, huge impact on all games, he's that typical warrior you want to go on the field with. Major X factor, and what a fantastic career he's also had."

Hook, who played with Hibbard at the Ospreys, Gloucester and with Wales, echoed Jones' sentiments.

"I was in school with him, I was sick of him for most of my career, I was in school with him, played at the Ospreys, then at Gloucester, and obviously played with Wales with him," he said. "I don't know what more can be said about him to be honest with you.

"Unbelievable player, and to play until, in his position, up until the age of 38. He had total disregard for his body. I think he played almost 400 professional games, at hooker, which is unbelievable. Great bloke and obviously he'll be missed by the Dragons and Wales, and a fantastic Lions career as well."

Native American leader praises Exeter's branding change

The President of the National Congress of American Indians has praised Exeter Chiefs over their "bold" and "courageous" branding change.

The Premiership side will amend their current imagery in July after a sustained backlash that it was disrespectful to Native Americans

"There are definitely positive impacts to a decision that demonstrates courage and demonstrates bold corporate action," Fawn Sharp told BBC Sport.

"It puts Exeter in a space that it might not otherwise have been able to occupy, in a spotlight that it might not otherwise have even known or seen and have new friends, new allies and new supporters."

"It's long proven that it has a devastating psychological and social impact to our community," she added.

"When you look at our Native American regalia that we wear, it's very sacred, they're not just simply gifted out, you have to earn certain places within our community.

"So for others just to take on and don our sacred regalia, do chants that from our perspective mock our sacred songs and ceremonies, it really does have as devastating impact to our community at large."

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