These are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, July 7.
Gatland spells out policy
Wales players are in the grips of their training camp in Switzerland as they ramp up preparations for the World Cup in September.
The WRU have been releasing snippets of what has been happening so far, and a new clip from day one in the Alps shows team manager Martyn Williams welcoming new boy Taine Plumtree to the camp, with the new Scarlets signing a surprise late addition on the overseas trip. "Just before we kick off," says Williams, "can we give a big hand to Taine? Taine Plumtree has joined us, boys."
Warren Gatland then takes over, laying out his policy to the players. He said: "The first few weeks, we've been really please with how everything has gone. Just wanted to say that the staff here, you guys come first in terms of we want to make sure that we provide everything for you.
"Whatever you need, the staff are here to support. So when there's food on you guys will eat first, when we go down there, everything's for you guys in terms of making sure that when we're here you get the best opportunity to produce your best."
READ MORE: The group of Wales players now fighting to survive Gatland's imminent cut
Warburton: Vunipola vital for England
Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton says England are "crying out" for a player with the prowess of Billy Vunipola ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Vunipola has been retained by head coach Steve Borthwick in his extended training plans for the tournament after recovering from a knee injury.
England have four warm-up games this summer - two against Wales - and Borthwick hopes Vunipola can showcase his talents and fitness before the competition kicks off in France this autumn. Warburton knows all about what Vunipola can bring to the party and says England have lacked his physicality and brutality.
“If Billy Vunipola can hit the form that we know he can play at then he will be important for England,” Warburton told the Evening Standard. “It does feel like England miss his physicality. And I say that having run into him. Jesus Christ, I know what the man brings! And England have missed that.
“If England had two locks where their game was to be brutally physical, then maybe they wouldn’t be crying out so much to have a player like Billy. But because there’s maybe not that brutality, not many players can bring that level of physical brutality that Billy Vunipola can bring.
“The general public might not like to hear it put that way, but that’s what’s required, really. I do think England have missed that. And for England to be England, I think they need a bit of that. So I would love for England to see Billy hit his straps. I think a fully-fit Billy Vunipola would make his way into a lot of teams in the world, and he has a huge impact on England.
“If not Billy I think you have to make sure you have that balance of physicality around your pack elsewhere, and you can bring in other players at No. 8 who maybe don’t display the same physical dominance as Billy Vunipola."
Webb ready for next adventure
Rhys Webb says he's ready for the next adventure after signing a two-year deal with Biarritz. Webb has spoken exclusively to WalesOnline ro reveal why he quit playing for Wales and the "terrible" contract he was offered in Wales, and you can read the full interview here.
In a social media post on Thursday evening, he thanked those around him for keeping him in tip-top shape in the off-season.
He wrote on Instagram: "Had an amazing time off spending quality time with the friends and family these last 10 weeks. Massive thanks to the guys that have helped me keep in top condition and allowing me to use the best facilities @addixfitness @k2gym @chrisfit_50 @bridgendravens @penybontfc_
"Iv (sic) had enough of training on my own now as it can get lonely at times , but Iv (sic) tested myself mentally and physically in my off season and I’m now ready for the next adventure with the @bopb_officiel team. See ya Soon #letsgo #exited #adventure".
Lolesio poised to leave Australian rugby
Rugby Pass report young fly-half Noah Lolesio is poised to walk out on Australian rugby after he was overlooked by head coach Eddie Jones.
According to reports, Lolesio is on the verge of signing a deal with Top 14 side Toulon ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The 23-year-old played against Wales last year and was instrumental in that victory in Cardiff but was overlooked for the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener in Argentina last year and he now appears way down Jones' list of No. 10 options.
“The one thing that we wanted from Noah was to be a bit more aggressive because he’s such a nice bloke,” former Wallabies attack coach Scott Wisemantel, who is acting as a consultant to Jones in 2023, said of Lolesio recently.
“I want him to be filthy if he’s not selected. I want him to come to me and go ‘why’? And ‘how are we going to do this and what are you going to do for me?’ It’s not being rude. In that role, as a player who touches the ball more than most players in the team, he has to have that authority and that command.
“You actually have to practise it daily. Talking in wants and needs. ‘I need you here, I want you here, if you don’t show up, there’s going to be consequences’. It’s aggressive language. And off the field, Noah is nothing like that. But that’s part of his development, controlling men.”
