Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, September 2.
Halfpenny and Owens to return
Scarlets and Wales internationals Leigh Halfpenny and Ken Owens are in line to finally return ahead of the autumn internationals.
Both are unlikely to play the season opener against the Ospreys in a fortnight, but head coach Dwayne Peel expects both to be back from their personal nightmares before Wales take on the All Blacks in November.
Whether either player would be immediately considered for international selection after so long out is another matter, but their returns will be a huge boost for the Welsh region.
Halfpenny, 33, hasn't played since July last year after rupturing knee ligaments, while Owens, 35, has been sidelined since October with a back injury that has proved difficult to overcome.
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"I'd say neither of them are too far away from playing again," Peel told the BBC.
"They're not going to be playing against the Ospreys I wouldn't say, but I'm hoping before the next group of internationals they'd have had a few games.
"Now things can happen and things can get pushed back obviously, but that's our targeting.
"I was just saying last week it was the first week that we had Leigh in our training numbers," said Peel.
"So being able to select him for a training team was the first time that's happened."
"Ken has turned a corner massively," said Peel.
"I think Ken will tell you this, if you were talking three months ago you would say, 'he's struggling a bit here'.
"Since we've come back for pre-season over the last six or seven weeks he's got the bit between his teeth.
"He's got a few things to tick off and the position he plays is very tough on the type of injury.
"I think it won't be long before he joins the group in a training capacity."
Worcester chaos latest
Steve Diamond is convinced Worcester will complete the season after it was confirmed that the financially-stricken club will participate in the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership. But there are separate reports suggesting players are considering going on strike while the current owners remain in charge.
HM Revenue & Customs have frozen the Warriors' finances in their pursuit of unpaid tax and it was only confirmed on Wednesday that they would be able to meet the August payroll due that same day.
As of Thursday evening that money had still not arrived into bank accounts. The Times report a core group of players will refuse to play the season opener against London Irish under the current regime, with trust eroded.
Diamond, Worcester's director of rugby, explained the delay on the grounds the money was being sent from another account due to the freeze implemented by HMRC.
Premiership Rugby has cleared the Warriors to take part in their opener against London Irish on September 10, with a caveat from chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor that "they are not out of the woods yet, let's be frank about that".
Advanced talks are being held with two buyers for the club and despite the large debts that have been accrued in the wake of the pandemic, the prospect of gate receipts boosting the balance sheet has improved the financial outlook.
Diamond believes that with players now receiving assurances they would be paid, Worcester will go on to finish the season.
"I'm 100 per cent confident that will happen," Diamond said at the launch of the 2022-23 Premiership campaign at Twickenham.
Rassie laughs off reports
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has laughed off reports that a complaint was made against an unnamed Springboks player for urinating during a training session this week in the lead-up to Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against Australia in Sydney.
The Springboks have been training at Randwick Boys’ High School since their arrival from Adelaide following last weekend’s defeat to the Wallabies. And a story published by the Sydney Morning Herald caught the attention of Erasmus - who took to social media to respond.
Quote-tweeting a tweet by Herald journalist Tom Decent promoting the story, Erasmus commented: “We always worry and listen to South African people and totally understand and accept the negative and positive advice and comments!
“So again, South Africans thank you for always being there for us! We only accept South African pressure!!! Tom, I don’t think many South African fans will take you serious man.”
Dragons scrum-half on bench for second All Blacks Test
Dragons RFC scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou is named among Argentina's replacements to face the All Blacks in their second Rugby Championship Test in Hamilton this Saturday (8.05am UK kick-off time).
Los Pumas head coach Michael Cheika has made four changes in total. Tomas Cubelli is called up in the No. 9 jersey while Santiago Carreras retains his spot at fly-half after another strong performance in last week’s victory over New Zealand in Christchurch.
Santiago Cordero is promoted from the bench and starts on the left wing alongside Emiliano Boffelli and Juan Cruz Mallia in the back three.
In the forwards, Julian Montoya leads the team from hooker and is joined by Thomas Gallo and Joel Sclavi in an unchanged front-row. Guido Petti comes in to start alongside Tomas Lavanini in the second-row as Matias Alemanno drops to the bench. Santiago Grondona is preferred at flank to Juan Martin Gonzalez, and is joined by the experienced Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer in the loose trio.
Ioane leaves Benetton to head home
Italy winger Monty Ioane has officially left Benetton to head home to his family in Australia.
Ioane had signed a deal last year to stay with Benetton until 2024. However, having not played since April, he was late to return from Australia amid reports that he was missing home.
He did finally arrive back in Italy in the last few days, with local reports suggesting he was ready to honour his contract. However, that's no longer the case - with Benetton releasing him from his contract.
In a statement, Ioane said: "I thank Benetton Rugby for the enormous opportunity granted me in these splendid 5 years. I found a family ready to make me mature as a man and to give me support even in the most difficult moments. as well as a club that has allowed me to grow a lot from a sporting point of view."
“The termination of the contract with Benetton Rugby, despite the renewal which took place last December, comes due to mental health issues that have forced me to stop playing rugby in recent months. Issues that in this moment of my life lead me to stay in Australia close to my wife and my children. Finally, I would like to thank my teammates and the fans for the warmth shown to me."
The Italian Rugby Federation also released a short statement following the announcement of Ioane's departure from Benetton, explaining that they will continue to monitor Ioane for international season.
Read more:
History-making international is ready to show Welsh rugby is the perfect fit for him
Ospreys v Northampton team news as Justin Tipuric makes return after 14-month injury layoff
Cardiff announce team to face Gloucester as Dai Young puts faith in young backs
Dragons v Wasps team news as star returns from horror injury and Ross Moriarty starts
