Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, January 28.
Italy prop banned for giving rotten banana in Secret Santa
Benetton Treviso and Italy prop Ivan Nemer has been suspended from playing until June after giving team-mate Cherif Traore a rotten banana in the club's Secret Santa gift swap.
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) said Nemer must complete an awareness course and coach in an FIR scheme helping asylum seekers play rugby, and his Italy Test future will depend on his participation and completion of said training.
"I deeply regret what happened," the 24-year-old said in a statement. "The stupidity of my gesture, the damage caused to a friend, the harm caused to my team, to my team-mates, to the country I represent and to the game I love. Racism does not and will never play any role in my life, just as it should not play any role in the lives of any of us."
Traore, who was born in Guinea and has lived in Italy since the age of seven, wrote on Instagram in December how hurt he was by the incident.
WRU and Welsh Government to be questioned in Senedd
WRU chair Ieuan Evans is to be questioned in the Senedd over the allegations levelled at the governing body, with the former Wales wing and the Welsh Government's deputy sports minister Dawn Bowden invited to a sports committee meeting on Thursday, February 2.
They have been invited to the Senedd’s culture, communications, Welsh language, sport and international relations committee, with its schedule being changed to dedicate the meeting to the matter "given the urgency of the situation surrounding allegations made about the WRU".
They say their intention is to "gain a deeper understanding of the issues brought to light in the BBC Cymru Wales programme aired this week and to explore the taskforce set up by the WRU in response. The committee also want to understand the activity of the Welsh Government in this matter. Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden MS, has been invited to give evidence about what actions the Welsh Government is taking."
The committee has made clear Thursday's meeting will not be an inquiry, and is instead an "opportunity to explore the issues that have arisen and discuss actions that have already been announced as a result. The committee will consider what action to take regarding this issue following next week’s discussions."
Sport Wales to advise WRU taskforce on culture and behaviour
Sport Wales will advise on appointing a chair and setting the scope for the independent taskforce investigating the culture and behaviours at the Welsh Rugby Union, it has been announced.
It follows a meeting between WRU chair and former Wales wing Ieuan Evans, WRU chief executive Steve Phillips, the Welsh Government's deputy sports minister Dawn Bowden, Sport Wales acting chief executive Brian Davies and Sport Wales chair Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
A number of former Welsh Rugby Union employees took part in an investigation by BBC Wales - which was screened on Monday night - with accusations about their time at the organisation, detailing claims of a "toxic culture" there. Phillips later apologised and Evans has vowed that an external taskforce will be established to help tackle the allegations that have been made.
A union statement released on Friday night said: "In order to maintain independence, Sport Wales will advise on the process to appoint a chair to oversee the investigation, set its scope and parameters and recruit key personnel to its panel." It also said that all parties described the meeting as "constructive".
Evans said: "We are keen to progress with this investigation as soon as possible and greatly welcome the contributions of all in attendance today [Friday]. The meeting discussed urgent next steps and concluded that the investigation will focus on culture and behaviours."
Phillips, who said in a statement earlier this week that "our culture was not where it needed to be" between 2017-19, has faced calls for his resignation over the allegations. A letter sent to Evans on Thursday demanding the immediate removal of Phillips and the entire WRU board has been endorsed by all four Welsh regions.
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Wales name team for second Celtic Challenge clash
Wales No. 8 Sioned Harries will line up for the WRU Development XV when they host Ireland's Combined Provinces XV in the Celtic Challenge on Sunday (11am kick-off at Cardiff Arms Park).
The Welsh side will be looking to back up their 29-27 win over Scotland's Thistles in the opening round of the competition, which has been established between Wales, Scotland and Ireland to provide a stepping stone from grassroots to Test rugby, with most of the Celtic nations' internationals playing their club rugby in England's Premier 15s.
The 69-cap back-rower, who has missed a number of recent games with Worcester in the Premier 15s, is one of nine internationals in the starting line-up alongside Lowri Norkett, Niamh Terry and Caitlin Lewis in the back line, with Lauren Smyth and Megan Davies at half-backs, Abbie Fleming at flanker, Teleri Wyn Davies at lock and Kat Evans retaining her place at hooker.
Mica Evans and Abbey Constable pack down in the front row, with Charlie Mundy slotting in behind. Mel Gnojek moves to flanker to accommodate Harries at the back of the scrum, with Catherine Richards forming a new centre partnership with Jenna De Vera.
WRU Development XV head coach Mike Hill said: "We said from the outset that this pilot competition was about developing players and giving others additional game time where needed. The international players have really got stuck into training and their experience is rubbing off on the whole squad."
WRU Development XV: 15. Niamh Terry, 14. Caitlin Lewis, 13. Catherine Richards, 12. Jenna De Vera, 11. Lowri Norkett, 10. Lauren Smyth, 9. Megan Davies, 1. Mica Evans, 2. Kat Evans, 3. Abbey Constable, 4. Teleri Wyn Davies, 5. Charlie Mundy, 6. Abbie Fleming (capt), 7. Mel Gnojek, 8. Sioned Harries.
Replacements: 16. Hannah Stephens, 17. Dali Hopkins, 18. Jenni Scoble, 19. Katie Hopkins, 20. Gwennan Hopkins, 21. Molly Reardon, 22. Beth Jones, 23. Amy Williams.
Welsh players demand 'strongest' possible action on WRU allegations in open letter
Welsh rugby's players say they are "appalled" by the allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia at the game's governing body in Wales. The Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA), which represents players at Welsh rugby's four leading teams, Dragons, Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff, has now called for "the strongest possible action being taken as soon as possible".
A letter signed by players' body chair Ashton Hewitt and chief executive Gareth Lewis said: "We are writing on behalf of the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) to say we are appalled by the recent allegations of misogyny and discrimination in Welsh rugby... we strongly condemn discrimination of any kind.
"As stakeholders in Welsh rugby, we all have a responsibility to actively combat any form of intolerance and discrimination - including misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia - setting an example for the wider community to which our organisations contribute. This is something that begins internally.
"These unacceptable incidents, arising from a culture that enables such behaviour, have a profound impact on individuals and communities throughout society, and within the game we love.
"It is time that the WRU and its leadership truly takes responsibility for living up to the inclusive values that rugby claims to pride itself on.
"Otherwise, discriminatory behaviours, with a lack of condemnation and consequences, create an environment that discourages people from being part of our game, including but not limited to women and those from marginalised groups.
"Specifically, we urge the WRU to investigate the process that was carried out when the allegations were originally raised and review the outcomes.
"We also call for transparency with all stakeholders and the public regarding the outcome of the review we understand will now be conducted into the WRU's culture, along with what solutions will be put in place as a result, to ensure that such occurrences are prevented in the future.
"Ultimately, we support the strongest possible action being taken as soon as possible, to address the wide-ranging concerns that have been voiced from across the game and our nation.
"Without the appropriate action being taken, it sends a clear message to victims of sexism, misogyny, racism and any other form of discrimination that they are not protected and supported by those in leadership positions."
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