Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Wednesday, May 17.
Officials revealed for summer tests
World Rugby has confirmed the officials who will take charge of Wales's upcoming Test matches this summer.
South African Nic Berry is set to oversee the clash with England at the Principality Stadium on August 5, and will be assisted by Scotland's Mike Adamson and Italy's Adrea Piardi. Joy Neville of Ireland is set to be the TMO.
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Nika Amashukeli from Georgia will be the man in the middle for the return game at Twickenham a week later, with Andrew Brace (IRFU) and Piardi his assistants. Brian MacNeice from Ireland will take on TMO duties.
An all Irish line-up will look after the clash with South Africa at the Principality Stadium on August 19. Brace will take charge of the contest assisted by Chris Busby and Eoghan Cross. Neville will once again be the TMO.
Seven academy stars pen Dragons deals
Dragons have confirmed academy deals for seven young players this week.
Wales under-20s duo Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (prop) and Sam Scarfe (hooker) have both agreed terms and will take their place in the senior academy set-up after playing for Pontypool RFC this season in the WRU National Championship. A trio of Wales under-18s players have also put pen to paper, including Nick Thomas (lock), Evan Minto (back row) and Harry Rees-Weldon (wing). Meanwhile, hooker Tomoya Nieuwendijk-Adachi and full-back Huw Anderson are now contracted to the academy on the back of their recent progress with the Dragons under-18s this season.
Dai Flanagan, head coach at Dragons RFC, said: “Congratulations to the seven young players who have signed first academy contracts with us. It’s always exciting to see homegrown talent coming through our system and we now look forward to watching these seven young men continue to develop as key parts of our academy set-up.”
Man United to make Murrayfield appearance
Manchester United are set to take on French side Lyon in a pre-season friendly at Murrayfield this summer. United will take on the Ligue 1 side on July 19 before heading on their tour of the United States.
The fixture will mark the first time in 13 years the Premier League side have played a match in Scotland.
Man United's football director John Murtough said: “Whilst as a club we have great historical links to Scotland, this will be the first time we’ve played at BT Murrayfield, and we’re really looking forward to performing in front of our Scottish fans in what will be a great occasion in a world-class sporting venue. This is an important competitive match for our squad as we commence our preparations for the season ahead. With a 2pm kick-off during the school holidays, we hope many families and young fans from all over Scotland and the UK will be able to travel to the game.”
Parisse eager to go out on a high
Sergio Parisse says he is looking forward to having one more shot at a major trophy as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his legendary career. The 39-year-old is set to retire at the end of the season, but will line up for Toulon against Glasgow in Friday's Challenge Cup final in Dublin, and says he is looking forward to the chance of signing off with some silverware.
"I am obsessed with rugby," he told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast. "You cannot go on for such a long time if you don't love what you do.
"When I take my bag to go to the club and get in the car, I just go and hope the moment never ends. Now the moment arrives and I am just trying to enjoy every single moment, and I am really happy to have the opportunity again to play a cup final with Toulon; for me it is a joy, it is an opportunity and it is a privilege.
"But it is a team sport and it is not about individuals. A final is a 50/50 game. Glasgow are a good team, they deserve to be in the final and in a final it doesn't matter if you play good rugby or not - you must win."
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