Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, March 30.
Lydiate's coach hopes he finds job
Wales back-rower Dan Lydiate looks set to depart the Ospreys, with coach Toby Booth declaring: "I hope he gets a job somewhere."
The 35-year-old tweeted after the game with the Dragons last weekend: “If anyone is looking for a young up-and-coming 6 for next season with plenty of life in him give me a call.”
He’s a player who has given the Ospreys wonderful service, putting his body on the line every time he takes the field, with his reputation as one of Welsh rugby’s most respected players secure. But after more than eight years with the Swansea.com Stadium region, his time could now be coming to an end.
Going a fair way to confirming as much, Toby Booth made a point of paying Lydiate a major tribute.
“You can never say never because things change,” said the coach when asked if the flanker was leaving the Ospreys. “Irrespective of being a quality player, what a top individual he is.
“He’s an Ospreys man through and through and obviously we want to keep Ospreys people in the building as much as we can. But, again, it comes down to the same conversations. Can we afford to do that and at what cost?
“If he’s not with us — and there’ll be an official element around announcing whether he is and whether he isn’t, as we’ll do with everyone else — he’s a guy I hope gets rugby employment somewhere because he’s a top man and a top player.”
Cardiff players set for emotional night
Cardiff Arms Park is set to host a remarkably emotional occasion this weekend following the sad death of life president Peter Thomas.
The Welsh side play Sale Sharks at 8pm on Saturday in the European Challenge Cup knockouts, with a tribute planned for Thomas, who was the heart and soul of the club for decades
A lifelong supporter, he became a patron of the club in 1990 and served as chairman from 1996 to 2018. Thomas died in the early hours of Wednesday after a battle with cancer.
Current players spoke of their sadness at his death after the news broke. Captain Josh Turnbull said: "Incredibly sad day. Proud to have known him, grateful to have spent time with him, indebted for everything he has done for Cardiff Rugby. Sending my deepest condolences to the family my thoughts are with you all. RIP Peter Thomas."
Flanker Thomas Young, son of director of rugby Dai, simply added: "As a family we owe you a lot and will forever be grateful. Thank you, RIP Peter Thomas."
Wales name team today
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham will today name his side to face Scotland in the second round of the Women's Six Nations on Saturday.
It's difficult to imagine too many changes being made given Wales will want to build on their 31-5 win over Ireland in front of a record crowd last weekend, but lock Natalia John will be available and could slot in in the second row following Gwen Crabb's serious injury.
Wales, who are 14 months into professionalism, are set to face a Scottish side who went pro a few months ago and were beaten 58-7 by England in the opening round.
Morgan will be fit for World Cup
Ospreys are optimistic Wales international Jac Morgan will be fit for the World Cup after the forward recently underwent surgery on an injured ankle. The 23-year-old suffered the bump during training with Wales during the Six Nations.
He now faces a season-ending layoff, but the Ospreys hope he’ll be ready for the global tournament in France in September.
“Jac won’t be [available] this season,” said head coach Toby Booth. “I’m pretty certain he’ll be fit enough to be World Cup, for sure. I don’t see it edging into that.
“But I’m pretty certain he’s not going to feature for us again this year unless something spectacular happens, but I don’t think so.”
There was also an update on Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who has been sidelined since damaging a shoulder in the autumn Test with Australia.
“Gareth Anscombe has started his second week of training,” said Booth. “That’s good for us.”
The Ospreys face Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday. Booth didn’t rule Anscombe out or in for the tie.
He said: “You take it on a case-by-case basis. It’s the quality of what they produce, but also how they react to the experience. We’ve trained this week on artificial surfaces, which bring different constraints to your body. We are making sure we try to stay on one surface because we know we are playing on the same on Sunday, which makes sense. We’ll see how he presents day on day and we’ll make our call accordingly.”
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