Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Friday, June 9.
New Wales coach makes mark
New Wales strength and conditioning coach Robin Sowden-Taylor is making a big impact in Wales' Rugby World Cup training squad.
We reported 10 days ago Sowden-Taylor had been appointed by Warren Gatland to help get the players in peak physical condition for the tournament in France, and video from within the camp shows him front and centre at the Vale Hotel training complex.
Sowden-Taylor is popular with the players and is well-respected within the game after seven years with Cardiff.
Wales were recently dealt a setback when head of physical performance Paul Stridgeon was released early from his contract for personal reasons. Former Wales hooker Huw Bennett will step into Stridgeon's shoes by heading the S&C department, and will now be assisted by Sowden-Taylor.
Latest footage shows Sowden-Taylor addressing the players in week three of the mini-training camps. He praises them for their performance the previous week before running through and overseeing weights sessions designed to improve the power and durability of the squad.
Wales' players have been really challenged physically over the past few weeks, with images showing many gasping for air during sessions.
Wales squad hit by another exit
Cory Hill has become the latest player to withdraw from Wales' World Cup training squad after accepting a contract offer from outside of Wales.
WalesOnline revealed on Thursday night Hill was heading for the exit door, with official confirmation coming on Friday morning,
The second-row had been recalled by Warren Gatland after two years in the international wilderness while playing for Japanese club Yokohama Cannon Eagles.
Following the reduction of the 60-cap rule to just 25, the 31-year-old was eligible to play for his country again despite not having a contract in Wales.
Hill had been looking for a move back to Wales. However, none of the regions were in a position to sign the former Cardiff and Dragons player.
As such, the only contract on offer was one overseas, with a stipulation being that he would be available for his new club, rather than Wales at the World Cup.
When his withdrawal was confirmed, Hill expressed his disappointment at missing out on a second World Cup, while also insisting that he hadn't retired from the international game.
He said: “I’m gutted to be leaving the squad, but an opportunity has come up and I need to take it for my family. Wishing the boys all the best at the World Cup and I hope to be back in a Wales jersey in the future.”
Poll: How far will Wales go at the World Cup? Have your say here or below
Hughes pens new Scarlets deal
Wales under-20s star Archie Hughes has penned a new contract with the Scarlets.
Hughes, who made his URC debut against the Cell C Sharks in Durban last year, is seen as one of Welsh rugby's brightest talents and was Wales' first-choice nine for the U20s Six Nations.
He's also been named in the squad for the upcoming U20s World Championships in South Africa later this month.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Anyone who watched Wales U20s in the Six Nations will be excited by Archie’s potential. He is a sharp runner with a good service and always looking to learn off the international nines we have at the club. He works hard on his game in training and we are all looking forward to seeing how he progresses in the coming season.”
Hughes himself added: “It has been great training with the senior squad for the last couple of years and being able to learn off Dwayne, himself a Wales and Lions scrum-half, and the likes of Gareth and Kieran has been fantastic for my development.
“It was a proud moment to make my URC debut in South Africa and hopefully I can push on and get some more appearances under my belt this season.”
England women to benefit from new pay deal
England’s top women’s rugby players could reportedly earn more than £63,500 next season.
The Rugby Football Union has announced “ground-breaking” contracts for the Red Roses, following months of talks with the Rugby Players’ Association and players themselves.
According to the Telegraph, contracts will be banded into five tiers on a sliding scale. Those in the top bracket will see their salaries increase from £32,860 to £45,000 next month. That figure will then rise to £49,600 by July 2025, when England hosts the women’s World Cup.
Those on existing contracts will see their wages go up by more than a third this year should they remain in the same band.
In a major first, players will be also be paid £2,200 for winning the 2024 Six Nations, with reward rising to £6,500 if England win another Grand Slam.
Read more:
Wales in last-ditch talks to stop fourth player quitting Warren Gatland's squad
Meet Albert van den Berg, the maverick South African World Cup winner out to inspire the Scarlets
