Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, January 5.
North reveals quadruple facial fracture
George North has revealed the brutal facial injury he suffered against Leinster last month.
The Ospreys and Wales star has been out since that match on December 11 and underwent surgery to his battered face three weeks ago.
He told Scrum V in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday: "I had four fractures in my cheekbone and eye socket. I've had two plates put in and the swelling has gone down. I've got a few scars to match Dan Lydiate now. I'm going for as many as he has.
"I'm hoping to be back, potentially this weekend at the earliest. We've got Leinster at home on Saturday or thereafter the European games with Montpellier at home. I'm hoping to be back for either of those if the timing works."
North is certain to be picked in Warren Gatland's first Wales squad since returning, which is due to be announced in less than two weeks.
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Player's plea over contracts
Dragons centre Steff Hughes has issued a plea for some job security. The 28-year-old was unemployed last summer, having been let go by the Scarlets before arriving at Rodney Parade as injury cover in September.
Making nine appearances so far this season and impressing on the pitch, Hughes is hoping to stick around beyond the current campaign, when his deal expires.
“From a player’s perspective we would like things to be sorted as soon as possible so that we can have security for our families,” Hughes told the South Wales Argus. “The sooner the better. I’m here until the end of the season and really enjoying it, so hopefully the club will want to keep me. We will see how things go once the discussions between the regions and Union is finalised.
“I feel I have been going well. Having the opportunity to play is fantastic and I am enjoying every week."
As for facing last year's URC runners-up Bulls just five days after losing 33-17 to the 14-man Scarlets, Hughes said: “We have taken the defeat on the chin. We weren’t the better team but have a five-day turnaround and it’s a big opportunity for us to put things right. We weren’t good enough against the Scarlets but we are definitely making strides, we just need to try and be more consistent.
“It’s been a difficult block physically with Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and then Friday, so we need to make sure we recover well and learn quickly. We are back at home and want to put on a show for the support.”
WRU to respond to fans' concerns
The Welsh Rugby Union has agreed to respond to an open letter of concern from the Joint Supporters Group (JSG Cymru), which represents fans' organisations for Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys.
Fans of the four Welsh regions joined forces on New Year's Day to protest to the WRU over the current state of the game in Wales.
In an open letter to CEO Steve Phillips and chairman Ieuan Evans, the JSG demanded to know why the WRU stopped meeting with the supporters' groups in August 2021 after pledging to do so every few months. It also urged bosses to put in place a new funding deal urgently to safeguard the short and long-term future of the game.
It comes amid a time of great uncertainty, with a funding deal for the professional game still not officially agreed and a subsequent contract freeze and impending salary cap seeing a number of players leaving or considering leaving for France.
JSG Cymru have now said: "We have had confirmation from the Welsh Rugby Union that they have received our open letter on 3/1/2023. They have agreed to respond in the next couple of weeks. We thank the Union for their acknowledgement."
England star expected to quit for France
Rob Baxter says he has to plan for England wing Jack Nowell not being part of the Exeter squad next season.
Nowell, who has enjoyed a successful 10-year career at Exeter, is out of contract with Chiefs at the end of this term.
And he has been strongly linked with a move to France, following Chiefs team-mates Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds, who will join Top 14 champions Montpellier after the World Cup later this year.
While Exeter rugby director Baxter says nothing has yet been decided on 29-year-old Nowell's club future, it would appear a Sandy Park exit is likely.
Asked if he was planning to be without Nowell next season, Baxter said: "Yes. I've got to plan that he won't be here. That's the current situation.
"With Jack, it has been very open in all the conversations. There haven't been any problems. I am not asking Jack every day what is going on and he is not asking me every day what is going on.
"The agreement we've got is that if I find a replacement player who I like the look of, we are going to sign them. He is aware of that. Jack is currently looking in the market of what he wants to look at.
"If he comes back to me pre us signing anybody, we can talk. If he comes back post us signing someone who has replaced him and the salary cap room is not there, then it's not there.
"It is a very open scenario. I am assuming he is not here and I think he is assuming he's going."
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