Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, April 25.
Cabango signs Cardiff contract
Cardiff winger Theo Cabango has signed a new contract to stay at the Arms Park.
The 21-year-old, who burst onto the scene last season, has scored six tries in 18 games to date. The duration of his contract has not been disclosed by Cardiff.
He said: “I am really happy to be staying in Cardiff. I have come through the ranks here, it is the team I have grown up supporting and I am excited about the next few years ahead. Since making my debut in the Champions Cup last season, I have been pleased with my progress and while it is frustrating to currently be on the sidelines, I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running in 2023-24.
"There are a lot of exciting young players, many who I played with in the age-grades, now progressing into the first team and making their mark, and it is great to be part of that.”
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Kolisi in South Africa World Cup blow
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been dealt a serious World Cup blow by partially tearing his ACL, according to reports.
The inspirational Springbok captain, who led his team to lift the World Cup trophy in 2019, left the Sharks' clash against Munster with a knee injury suffered in the early minutes of the game.
Now, South Africa’s Independent Newspapers group report - via RugbyPass - that the flanker has suffered a partial ACL tear which typically involves a nine-month recovery process if surgery is undertaken.
The Rugby World Cup begins on September 8 in France.
Glasgow bid to spoil Scarlets party
Glasgow Warriors assistant coach Peter Murchie is relishing a "massive opportunity" for his side to reach the Challenge Cup final this year — if they can sweep away the Scarlets this weekend.
The Scotstoun outfit have an exciting two weeks ahead with their first European semi-final to come against Scarlets in Llanelli followed by a URC play-off quarter-final against Munster at home. Glasgow maintained their unbeaten home record in the URC thanks to a 29-27 win over Connacht on Saturday and Murchie is now looking forward to a huge game against Scarlets.
He said: "There is always a spring in the step coming into semi-final week. We spoke about the occasion. I am sure there will be a full stadium down in Scarlets so it is a massive opportunity, a semi-final, you are obviously one away from a final and an opportunity to win something so there is an excitement.
"For the group it is excellent to have the opportunity to get to a big final. They haven't happened every year, the last time for the club would have been the Celtic Park final [2019 Guinness PRO14 final].
"It would be something to cherish. It is a massive event and if we could get ourselves to Dublin it would be a big event, I am sure Glasgow would be behind us and there would be a big turnout from the city to watch us but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, we have a tough one this weekend to get through."
Murchie could not say if weekend casualties Huw Jones (head), Jamie Dobie (knee), Cole Forbes (hamstring) and Lucio Sordoni (head) would be fit for the semi-final but is heartened by the strength in depth in the Warriors squad.
He said: "There is nothing to report on the guys that came out, they are still being assessed. But we are hoping that there is nothing major and we will have a good squad to select from at the weekend and hopefully we will have a couple of guys coming back to us who have been injured in the last couple of weeks. So we will have a strong squad."
England urged to change selection policy
England and Toulouse flanker Jack Willis has urged the Rugby Football Union to reconsider its policy which prevents the selection of foreign-based players. The 26-year-old's international career hangs in the balance as he is set to remain in France for the foreseeable future having recently agreed a three-year contract extension.
Willis initially joined the Top 14 side on a short-term deal in November after being left in limbo when former club Wasps entered administration. England boss Steve Borthwick has special dispensation to select the back-row forward this season following Wasps' demise but that situation is poised to change following the autumn World Cup.
Willis insists it "wasn't feasible" for him to remain in the Gallagher Premiership due to financial restrictions amid a squeezed salary cap and feels Toulouse is the best place for him to progress and enhance his Test credentials.
"It's something that I think should be discussed and has to be discussed really," he said of the RFU policy. "It's not up to me how these decisions go. If it was, I think I know which way I'd be heading for.
"Hopefully they think it through and hopefully things can change to a degree and open up a little bit more on the leniency. To play for England, you've got to play your best rugby and I felt like this was the right place for me to develop as a rugby player and be the best player I can be. I know those two things sort of contradict at the moment but I am hoping it ends up changing so they can align slightly better."
Willis is currently lining up alongside the likes of France stars Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos, Julien Marchand and Thibaud Flament at club level, in addition to Italy's Ange Capuozzo. He was among England's standout players during the Guinness Six Nations and believes Borthwick understands his decision to stick with Toulouse.
Willis is preparing to face Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals on Saturday in Dublin.
Speaking of his conversations with Borthwick, he said: "I let Steve know once I'd made my (contract) decision and he was great. Steve has been fantastic since he's been in charge and I've really enjoyed working with him. It's something that I really hope I can continue as well because he's a great coach and he really supported me."
READ MORE:
Wales star misses huge Euro semi-final and axed ace sends World Cup message to Gatland
Fifteen Scarlets players to leave as Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Patchell exit in 'tough' announcement
