Here are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, 11 October.
Northampton sign Biggar replacement
Northampton Saints have signed former Worcester Warriors fly-half Fin Smith in a "multi-year deal".
The 20-year-old was in the Warriors side that won last season's Premiership Rugby Cup final against London Irish, but, like all players at Sixways, has had his contract terminated due to the club's financial problems. As such, he'll link up with Saints - where he'll be learning from Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.
Biggar is departing Northampton at the end of the season, meaning that Smith could well be the Welshman's long-term replacement.
"Fin is definitely a player who has been on our radar for a long time," said Saints boss Phil Dowson.
"He is someone that always takes the ball to the line, makes good decisions from an attacking point of view, has a bit of flair about him with an offloading game, and is incredibly brave and tough in defence.
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"If you put that sort of skillset together with that attitude, you've got a really high-potential player who is really keen to compete - but at the age of just 20 he's got a lot of learning and growing to do as well."
Smith, who has 10 England Under-20s caps, was the youngest-ever player to start for Warriors in the Premiership in March 2021 at the age of 18 years and 313 days against Bath.
He was actually consoled and offered advice by Biggar after being on the end of a masterclass from the Wales captain during a 66-10 defeat last season.
Former Newcastle United owner interested in Wasps
Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has reportedly held talks with Wasps about a potential takeover as the debt-ridden club battle for their survival.
The Daily Mail report that negotiations stemmed from a previous offer from Ashley to refinance £35million worth of bonds taken out by the club’s owner, Wasps Holdings, to fund their move to Coventry in 2014. The deal to refinance their debt ultimately collapsed, but Wasps Holding have reportedly sounded out the Sport Direct magnate over buying the club.
He is understood to be one of five interested parties as they seek a buyer ahead of next Monday’s winding-up petition deadline set by HM Revenue and Customs. However, the report adds that Ashley has yet to make a formal offer.
And he may not make one, given the club's financial position and the fact that Wasps owner Derek Richardson is reportedly holding out for £50m.
Cheika facing code clash
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika could face a code clash next month as the Rugby League World Cup threatens to overlap with the November internationals.
Cheika was appointed as head coach of Lebanon for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and agreed to honour his commitment following its 12-month delay despite in the meantime being promoted to a similar role with Argentina.
If Lebanon get through their group, they would most likely play Australia in the first quarter-final at Huddersfield on Friday, November 6, two days before the Pumas take on Eddie Jones' England at Twickenham.
"At this stage, all those things are prioritised by games, so whichever game is first goes first," Cheika said at the World Cup launch in Manchester.
"I'll be honest, I haven't even looked at dates because one thing I've learned about World Cups is that you should not look forward, you should only look right in front of you. If you start thinking about what's down the road, you'll get caught out."
Ioane named in Italy squad
Monty Ioane has been named in Italy's 35-man training squad for the autumn, despite having returned to Australia to play his club rugby.
The 27-year-old departed Benetton just before the start of this season to move to Melbourne – the place of his birth – signing for Super Rugby Pacific outfit Rebels.
The winger has struggled with his mental health, which was the reason for him returning to Australia, but he has made himself available for international duty.
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