Your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, May 9.
Wales' World Cup opponents look for mental edge
Wales' World Cup pool opponents Australia have appointed one of the best sports psychologists to give them a mental edge ahead of this autumn's tournament.
Australia boss Eddie Jones has appointed Corine Reid who worked with England ahead of their march to the 2019 World Cup final where they eventually lost to South Africa.
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Reid previously helped the Australian hockey side win gold at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and has already made a big impression on the Wallabies.
"We've been working with Corine Reid, who has been fantastic," Australia wing Andrew Kellaway told AAP.
"She's a very sharp lady, she brings a real edge. We've talked about understanding what leadership entails and then how that's applied in different situations. We've talked about that being a real point of difference for us.
"I think if we'd gotten that right in the past maybe some of those tight results go in our favour and it's something that Eddie brought to our awareness."
French giants cancel contract of English star
Henry Thomas' contract isn't the only one Montpellier will be cancelling with England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie's move to the Top 14 seemingly collapsing.
The 29-year-old Exeter forward was due to join the French side this summer, but reports from France have suggested the deal has broken down on medical grounds with Cowan-Dickie working his way back from ankle surgery.
The reigning French champions have decided to terminate his contract according to Midi Olympique.
Cowan-Dickie, who toured with the Lions to South Africa in 2021, was on thin ice due to missing a medical examination at Montpellier following a drunken night out.
But after his examination finally took place it seems Montpellier have decided not to continue with the signing due to a neck injury impacting the strength of his right arm.
Sale want Cowan-Dickie
Alex Sanderson has admitted his interest in bringing England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie to the club,
Asked if he would be interested in Cowan-Dickie after the Montpellier situation, he said: "Yes, why wouldn't you? He's a great player.
"I don't know if we would be in the right price point, but he's got mates up here as well, he fits our kind of game mode. He's a banger, so he ticks the box on a lot of fronts there.
"But I haven't spoken to him, I haven't spoken to Luke, so there's nothing there in terms of that actually materialising."
In the meantime, Sanderson will concentrate on the task of preparing his players for Sunday's Gallagher Premiership semi-final clash with reigning champions Leicester Tigers and to that end, has enlisted the help of rugby league great Jamie Peacock.
Peacock won nine Super League Grand Finals, four Challenge Cup finals and four World Club Challenges during his glittering playing career, and Sanderson is hoping his "champion attitude" will rub off on his charges.
"He's won nine Super Leagues and four World Challenges or whatever it is. He was a legend, so we'll hopefully take a little leaf out of his book."
Munster in severe injury blows ahead of URC semi-final
If Munster are to reach the United Rugby Championship final they will have to do it the hard way with four key players ruled out of their semi-final clash with Leinster in Dublin.
Former All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa, South African giant RG Snyman, veteran Ireland number nine Conor Murray, and Calvin Nash have fallen foul to injury for the derby clash.
Munster stunned an in-form Glasgow side in their quarter-final at Scotstoun, and were well-placed to give Leinster a run for their money but the loss of four of their leading players is a catastrophic blow to their hopes.
Captain Peter O'Mahony is also a doubt after picking up an elbow injury five minutes into the victory in Glasgow.
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