Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, January 13.
Missing rugby star Levi Davis feared kidnapped
Missing rugby star Levi Davis may have been kidnapped, his family fear.
Former Bath player Davis, who also appeared on X Factor, vanished during an impromptu visit to Barcelona three months ago. His deeply concerned family say they have received new information that he may have been taken against his will and kidnapped by British gangsters.
The 24-year-old has not been seen or used his mobile phone or bank accounts since suddenly leaving a friend in Ibiza to get a boat to Barcelona. He was last spotted leaving the Old Irish Pub on Barcelona's bustling Las Ramblas on October 29. His passport is in the hands of police so he is unable to travel or book a hotel.
Speaking to MailOnline, mothe Julie said a private investigator hired by the family had received an anonymous tip several days ago to say that her son had got into a dispute with criminals two years ago while he was playing rugby for Ealing Trailfinders in 2020.
"We desperately need to know more because this could change the whole nature of the investigation," she said. "The anonymous tip was given to private investigators who are helping police look for Levi.
"The person was very cagey and revealed very little details other than to say that 'persons in the UK are involved in Levi's disappearance' and that it stems from a falling out he apparently had with a gang in London when he played rugby there.
"I do know of some difficulties he had with some people who showed up to his flat in Ealing but don't know what the disagreement was about or how serious it was.
"But this is a very important piece of information to come to light and the police in Barcelona are aware.
"We need that anonymous tipster - and any others who may know something - to get in touch and tell us more because this could now become a suspected abduction and may explain why my son has seemingly disappeared without a trace."
Gavin Burrows, the private detective working on the case, added: "We've received several anonymous pieces of information that point to the fact that Levi's disappearance is not voluntary.
"There are definitely people in both London and Barcelona who know what's happened to him and we are following the leads we have been given."
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Reffell's last chance to impress Gatland
Tommy Reffell will be bidding to secure victory in Europe and also impress returning Wales head coach Warren Gatland when he runs out for Leicester Tigers against Clermont on Friday night (8pm kick-off).
Richard Wigglesworth has made seven changes since the Tigers' last run-out, having suffered heavy losses to both Newcastle and Sale in their last two Premiership outings. But they will be hoping to return to winning ways in Europe, having beat the Ospreys and Clermont in the Champions Cup before Steve Borthwick was appointed England coach.
Newly-appointed coach Wigglesworth has opted for Reffell at No. 7. The Wales back-rower was a revelation on the summer tour of South Africa, but has a new coach to impress now having made all his appearances under Wayne Pivac.
Warren Gatland names his Six Nations squad on Tuesday.
Cast your vote: Where will Wales finish in the 2023 Six Nations?
South African coach bemoans 4G pitches in URC
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani has revealed his side struggled on a 4G pitch in their 24-17 defeat at Glasgow in the United Rugby Championship last Sunday.
The Stormers are currently in London as they prepare to face London Irish in the European Champions Cup this weekend, with RugbyPass reporting that Hlungwani saying that synthetic pitches have posed a challenge for the South African teams.
“It is very difficult if you are not used to the 4G fields,” Hlungwani said. “It is much faster and the overseas teams train on those fields every day. To us, it always feels like we are two seconds behind. We have to work on how we can adapt to playing on the 4G pitches.
“Everything on that surface is about momentum. It is much faster and we are not using the surface as an excuse for our loss last weekend, they were definitely much better on the day. But I do feel the 4G field played a role.”
Cardiff Rugby, who have a 4G pitch, hosted the Stormers back in October when the Welsh side won 30-24.
Cast your vote: Where will Wales finish in the 2023 Six Nations?
Shaun Edwards shortlisted for Rugby Union Writers' Club award
Defence guru Shaun Edwards and England women's captain Sarah Hunter feature on the list of nominees for the Rugby Union Writers' Club personality of the year for 2022.
Hunter became the most-capped player in the English game when she eclipsed Rocky Clark's milestone of 137 and by the end of the World Cup she had amassed 140 appearances. The 37-year-old number eight also led England to a record 30-Test winning run that ended with a 34-31 defeat by hosts New Zealand in the final of the global showpiece two months ago. If Hunter wins the vote, she will become the third woman to claim the prestigious Pat Marshall Memorial Award currently held by France scrum-half Antoine Dupont, following in the footsteps of fellow England internationals Maggie Alphonsi and Emily Scarratt.
Joining her on the list of nominees for 2022 are two rugby league greats who have played influential roles in the success of Ireland and France, the year's outstanding international men's sides. Andy Farrell guided Ireland to the summit of the global rankings as head coach, in the process masterminding the nation's first series victory in New Zealand. Shaun Edwards, meanwhile, has helped transform Grand Slam winners France into 2023 World Cup favourites by adding steel to their defence as an assistant coach to Fabien Galthie. By the end of the year France had won all 13 of their Tests.
Completing the list of nominees is Wayne Barnes after he became only the second referee to oversee 100 Tests, joining Nigel Owens in the elite band of centurion officials. Barnes won the club's special award in 2022. The winner will be announced through the media and the RUWC's social media accounts and will be honoured at their annual lunch on May 25.
France announce contracts
France Women have announced a revamped 32-player squad contracted to June 2024.
France coaches Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz, who took over from Thomas Darracq after he led the team to third place at the Rugby World Cup last autumn, have made their selections as a new era begins. Prominent players including Safi N’Diaye, Marjorie Mayans, Laure Sansus and Celine Ferer have all called time on their Test careers after coming away with bronze medals in New Zealand.
France Women’s season begins with camps in February and early March before the TikTok Women's Six Nations kicks off at the end of the month, where the women in blue will be looking to secure their first title since their 2018 Grand Slam.
Along with England and New Zealand, France have for some time been heavyweights of women's rugby, but the 2023 Six Nations is set to be the first time each team is contracted in some way. In 2022, it was only England, France and Wales who were professional. Wales are also continuing their professional programme, with an announcement on new contracts due this month.
One of the highlights of this spring is set to be the Red Roses hosting France at Twickenham in front of what is hoped to be a record crowd for a women's rugby international.
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