Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, June 19.
Released players could get reprieve
Cardiff players released by the club could yet sign new deals at the Arms Park.
While some, like Brad Thyer and Joe Peard, have found new clubs, others like Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Dmitri Arhip and Kirby Myhill have yet to announce deals elsewhere.
WalesOnline has been told at least one of those players has had offers from overseas, but there's an understanding there might yet be an option to stay with Cardiff when the situation with Dai Young is resolved. The director of rugby was suspended before the end of the season and very few decisions are being made publicly while that investigation is ongoing.
Cardiff will also have new room in their budget for offering players contracts if Liam Williams' move to Japan goes through after the Rugby World Cup.
Poll: How far will Wales go at the World Cup? Have your say here or below
Shane impressed by WRU appointment
Shane Williams has backed the appointment of Richard Collier-Keywood as the WRU's new independent chair.
Collier-Keywood became the first ever independently-appointed person to have the role on Thursday as the union look to transform the way the game is governed. Williams likes the look of what he sees and says it is time now to come up with a definitive plan for the future of Welsh rugby and deliver it.
Williams wrote in his Rugby Paper column: "He is a former UK managing partner and global vicechair of accountancy experts PricewaterhouseCoopers and has been a senior adviser to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He is a barrister and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. It suddenly seems as though the WRU has got real!
"None of us know anything about Richard as yet but, having examined his CV, you’d have to say he is a big hitter. His appointment, along with Alison Thorne as another independent non-executive director, was positive news the day before the shortcomings of earlier governance groups were highlighted by a damning report from a Senedd committee. New thinking and guidance was desperately needed at the top end of the game and, to the credit of Ieuan Evans and Nigel Walker, they have moved quickly to implement change.
"Any success on the pitch would be more than welcome, but more than anything we want inspired and competent leadership. The game in Wales needs a concrete plan. No longer can the regions be sacrificed on the altar of the success of the national team. It will be difficult for all four teams to make strides next season after the plethora of departures and the constraints on their purse strings. But in many ways next season is a free hit for all of them. Expectations will be low, so there will be nothing to lose."
Wales stars gear up for shot at silverware
A glut of Wales internationals who ply their club trade for Gloucester-Hartpury Women are preparing for their first shot at Premier 15s silverware ahead of their final against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Gloucester-Hartpury, coached by Swansea native Sean Lynn, have not finished in the top four since the inaugural season of Premier 15s in 2017-18, and now have a chance to lift their first trophy.
The Cherry and Whites are home to a number of Wales internationals including captain Hannah Jones, flanker Bethan Lewis, prop Sisilia Tuipulotu and former skipper Siwan Lillicrap.
England flanker Alex Matthews wants to keep things simple as she prepares for the big day, telling BBC Sport: "They are such a tight group and they've been working so hard for years. I think it was just that relief of: 'we're in a final... we've done it'."
Saturday's final will take place at Kingsholm in Gloucester and a record 5,000 tickets have been sold so far.
The venue was selected before the season started and has to be 'neutral', despite being one of Gloucester-Hartpury's training bases. The club have had to ask for permission from the Rugby Football Union to use the gym, and will only be allowed one team run on the eve of the match, according to the BBC.
Burrow and daughters complete run on Father's Day
Rob Burrow and his daughters completed the Arena Group Leeds Mini and Junior Run together on Father's Day.
The England rugby league player, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in late 2019, was pushed by Macy, 11, and Maya, eight, along the course on Sunday. The Burrow family, which also includes wife Lindsey and Jackson, four, were also pictured celebrating with their medals after crossing the finish line.
The event is trying to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity MND Centre Appeal.
Ahead of the race, 40-year-old Burrow said: "I'm really looking forward to my kids pushing me round the fun run. I think it might be a bumpy ride."
The mini and junior routes took place alongside the Leeds 10k that ran through the city as part of the Jane Tomlinson Run For All Event.
Last month, Kevin Sinfield pushed Burrow at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and carried his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate over the finish line to complete the course together.
Burrow raising awareness of motor neurone disease has seen him become an MBE in 2021 and receive praise from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in March this year. The uncommon condition can reduce life expectancy, according to the NHS, and causes weakness in your body.
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