Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Wednesday, August 23.
Dragons new boy Clark eyeing Wales call-up
Max Clark says he's set his sights on a Wales call-up after his summer arrival at the Dragons.
The former England under-20 international bring the curtain down on a 13-year stint with Bath at the end of last season, and is now gearing up for life on the other side of the Severn.
And he hopes the move to Rodney Parade will help give him the opportunity to pull on a red jersey some time soon.
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“I always knew I was half Welsh, but I grew up in England, went to an English school and have always lived there. I followed quite an obvious route through academy and age group rugby, but once you get into the senior game you forget about what’s happened before,” said Clark.
“Now there is a chance that I could possible play for Wales, that’s a route I’d like to take. I’m not going to shy away from the fact that’s why I’ve come to Wales and joined the Dragons – I’m here to try to get international honours.
“I’m sure there will be questions around why I came over from Bath, and my background will get highlighted, but I can say that I am here to try to play for Wales. It happens in all countries, players have relatives of a certain nation and so it’s not too far-fetched.
“Wayne Pivac hasn’t been on the phone, although there have been conversations with the Welsh set-up in the past. That was when I was in my early twenties, but I don’t think I was mature enough to come across then.
“All the talk about coming to Wales to try to play international rugby is all well and good, but nothing will happen if I don’t perform well for the Dragons. That’s why I’ve come here and I owe it to the Dragons to produce for them for bringing me over the bridge.”
Josh Adams weighs in on Worcester crisis as consortium launched
Wales star Josh Adams has called on the 'right thing' to be done over the crisis that is engulfing Worcester Warriors.
The Premiership outfit are reported to be on the verge of administration amid a dialogue with HMRC over an unpaid tax bill and could be the first top flight club to go under since Richmond in 1999.
Adams, who made his name at the club, scoring 39 tries in 65 matches over three seasons, posted on social media: "Worcester Warriors is such a fantastic club with amazing people. The club is a massive part of the city and so important to the people of Worcester. I hope the right thing is done in this situation and a solution is found quickly for all players and staff."
The troubled club could be saved from going into administration, though, following an approach by a consortium led by former chief executive Jim O'Toole.
The Irishman, who still lives in the city, has told BBC Hereford & Worcester there has been serious interest from an American investor, while local businesses could also be brought on board.
"I just don't want this city without a professional rugby club," said O'Toole.
"I still have a big emotional attachment to Worcester and I just want to be able to help in some small way."
O'Toole is hoping for a quick conclusion, and says his proposed consortium would "build on some of the ideas the current owners had".
"They weren't all bad ideas, by the way," he added.
"There's some great ideas in terms of using the assets at Sixways, but doing it in a slightly different way, and in a more sustainable fashion, that makes it a decent business but also a community asset.
Ed Slater opens up about Motor Neurone Disease
On July 21st, Gloucester lock Ed Slater was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and retired from rugby with immediate effect.
MND is a degenerative condition that effects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, it can be fatal in some cases.
Recently, Slater and his former team mates and staff took part in a 350 mile bike ride to raise money for MND charities and to help support Ed and his family going forward.
The cycle finished at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium, where the group were met with resounding applause after a huge effort. So far the Crowdfunding page set up for Slater has raised almost £200,000. Across the board including all donations, over £300,000 has been raised.
Slater recently featured on Jim Hamilton's podcast 'The Big Jim Show', where he opened up about how he has come to terms with a life-changing diagnosis, in a remarkably honest interview.
Hamilton was a former team mate of Slater, and actually took part in the charity bike ride. Gloucester team manager Sam Raven also joined Hamilton for the interview.
"That's probably one of my worst nightmares because it is such a cruel disease," said Slater. The reality is that it strips you of everything, apart from your brain which, in some ways, you wish it did your brain as well so that you weren't aware of it.
"We talk about living in the moment all the time, don't we? I talked about it before this disease. I have to be a bit more present with the kids and I have to be a bit more present with my job and not think too much into the future, and where I want to go and what I want to do.
"When you get diagnosed with this, I tell you what, it gets rid of a lot of stuff for you and you have some real clarity and perspective. That is genuinely where I am at the moment. I'm very much enjoying each day.
"What happens in the future is so out of my control, for someone that likes control as you said, I'm actually at peace with that. It's out of my control so why worry about it?"
The podcast is available to stream right now on Spotify and is entitled 'The Fight Of His Life'.
Scarlets welcome back international contingent
Scarlets welcomed back their international contingent with a team bonding session at the Swiss Valley Reservoir.
Both players and members of staff took to the water for an afternoon of paddleboarding, with several stars back for their first day of pre-season.
Wales’ South African tourists Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Patchell, Johnny Williams, Wyn Jones and Ryan Elias were all back for the first time this summer, long with Tonga’s Sam Lousi and Scotland’s Javan Sebastian.
The squad are continuing preparations for the opening pre-season match against Bristol Bears at Parc y Scarlets on Friday, September 2.
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