Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, December 3.
Ex-Wales captain thinks Pivac should stay
Former Wales captain Paul Thorburn believes Wayne Pivac should remain in post for the 2023 World Cup as new Welsh Rugby Union chairman Ieuan Evans has enough on his plate.
The WRU is holding a review into the disappointing men's autumn campaign, with an outcome likely to be made public next week as it considers whether to stick with Pivac or bring in a new coach.
Thorburn, tournament director at the 1999 World Cup and later strategic development manager for the Ospreys, believes Evans' attention should be on other matters.
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"I don't think we should change Wayne Pivac at the moment," he told BBC Radio Wales. "I think with all respect Ieuan Evans has much bigger fish to fry. Yes, obviously, we wanted to see a successful campaign in November and it didn't happen but there were elements that were some positive signs. It's fine margins.
"Next priority would be draw up proposals to acquire the four Welsh regions [Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets] to make them wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Welsh Rugby Union. We've had regional rugby for 20 years, it hasn't worked, quite simply, it's not a structure that works, there's too much friction between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union.
"The Irish model which has been there for years and is very successful, and you talk about European success, we only talk about the Irish provinces. Welsh regions have not featured whatsoever.
"We have bigger problems. The game is broken. The whole game in Wales is broken. There is no relationship between the community clubs and the regions. The academy system that the regions have put in place is a shambles. It's a dysfunctional system and it needs to be sorted.
"So whilst yes, I appreciate the fans want to see Wales doing well in the Rugby World Cup, and there's nothing to say they won't do themselves proud in the World Cup with Wayne Pivac in place, but moving forward the priority is to sort out the game.
"There are clubs who are dying. There are youngsters who are not coming into the game. That is a major problem. So, whilst, yes, it would be nice for Wales to do well in the next World Cup, I'm sure most rugby fans, genuine rugby fans want to see a sustainable game and it isn't going to happen if we carry on the way we are."
Sir Gareth hails Cardiff
Sir Gareth Edwards has warned the Vodacom Bulls will be on a revenge mission for the whole of South African rugby when they face Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Dai Young’s Cardiff sent shockwaves through the competition when they romped to a 35-0 victory over the Cell C Sharks in Durban last weekend. It was a display that delighted scrum-half legend Edwards, who played with such distinction for the club during a glittering career that saw him hit the absolute heights with Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
“That’s the best performance I’ve seen by Cardiff in ages," he said. "I thought it was brilliantly played and carried out. It was a great effort by the boys. They did very well. It was the control of it all and taking their opportunities. As a former Cardiff player, I was extremely pleased and proud at their performance. Well done to them.”
Edwards added: “I thought Lloyd Williams was super at scrum-half. He just got on with his work. He looked as though he was in complete control and knew exactly what he was going to do. I thought he was outstanding, fair play to him. I was delighted to see him do that. His dad Brynmor and I are very close. We have been friends for a long, long time going back to our days together at Cardiff. I know he will be very proud of Lloyd and so he should be.”
Edwards, who was a key figure on triumphant Lions tour of New Zealand and South Africa in the early 1970s, is well aware of the test that now awaits Lloyd Williams and Co. on the High Veldt at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld.
“Loftus is a tricky place to go at the best of times, but particularly so now. I would imagine there would be a bit of a kick-back, a bit of a revenge mission within the country for that nil Cardiff inflicted on the Sharks,” he said.
“If Cardiff beat the Bulls up there, it really will be something.”
Ospreys leave Durban empty-handed after defeat to Sharks
The Ospreys left Durban empty-handed despite overcoming illness and international unavailability to push the Sharks hard in a 25-10 United Rugby Championship defeat.
The Sharks' shock 35-0 loss to Cardiff last weekend led to the departure of head coach Sean Everitt, and they again struggled to take control against their latest Welsh visitors despite welcoming back some of their Springbok stars.
Toby Booth was without his Wales players and was forced to make a pair of late changes to his matchday squad due to illness, yet the Ospreys entered the last five minutes only a point behind.
England fly-half Marcus Smith ruled out for rest of year
England fly-half Marcus Smith will not play again this year after suffering an ankle injury during the Autumn Nations Series finale against South Africa. Smith went off midway through the second half of England's 27-13 defeat.
He is now set to miss Harlequins' opening Heineken Champions Cup games against South African side Cell C Sharks and French heavyweights Racing 92, plus a Gallagher Premiership appointment with Bristol at Twickenham on December 27. But his absence could run well into January, as he is due to have another specialist appointment next week.
England have a pre-Six Nations training camp over the new year period, while their tournament opener is against Scotland on February 4.
"Simply, it is an ankle injury," Quins head coach Tabai Matson told BT Sport, ahead of the club's Premiership clash against Bath on Friday night "He had a specialist have a look at him this week, and another one next week. He will be out for this month and I think early next year we will get a better prediction of actually how many weeks he will be out for."
O'Gara rules himself out for England job
La Rochelle boss Ronan O'Gara has ruled himself out of contention as Eddie Jones' potential England successor, asking the Rugby Football Union not to consider him.
Jones is set to learn his fate early next week following an RFU review into a dismal autumn campaign, which concluded 2022 with five wins in 13 matches. The Australian is contracted to the end of the 2023 World Cup, although replacing him before then remains an option.
Former Ireland fly-half O'Gara, whose is set to extend his stay at the helm of the Champions Cup winners, told the Irish Examiner: "I asked the RFU to remove me from any putative list of head coach options. La Rochelle are keen for me to stay and I am extremely happy to do so.
"I had contact from the RFU. It's England. If you get offered a gig like that - and I wasn't, to be accurate - then you have to give it due consideration until such time as someone else gets the job or you officially eliminate yourself from the race. That was done in a very amicable conversation this week. No hard feelings, we may meet again.
"Events may dictate otherwise, but the sense is that the RFU will be making their moves after the Six Nations, and there was no good reason to delay my own situation in La Rochelle and mess our president, Vincent Merling, around... My sense is that the RFU are well positioned either way - Scott Robertson is available and Steve Borthwick is on their doorstep."
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The Wales v England battle for Warren Gatland and who holds the ace card
Ieuan Evans insists WRU won't be rushed into Warren Gatland decision by England 'speculation'
