Here are your latest rugby headlines for Wednesday, July 27.
Parra blasts tournament chiefs after South Africa club inclusion
French No. 9 Morgan Parra says South African clubs should not be allowed to participate in European competitions.
It comes following the news that South African franchises will take part in the 2022/23 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments, with Parra's Stade Francais side due to face the Lions in Johannesburg in December.
Read more: Who Wales will actually have to beat to reach the Rugby World Cup final next year
But the scrum-half has criticised the decision to allow those from South Africa to compete in Europe's top rugby events. “I’m going to be honest: it’s a great experience for the players who are going to face these franchises but for me, it’s no longer called the Champions Cup," he told Midi Olympique. "Before, it was the European Cup – with real meaning and history, too.
“I have nothing against the southern hemisphere but today it is no longer the European Cup. Let it be called something else and say that the European Cup no longer exists. And it’s the same for the Challenge Cup, it no longer exists. For me, the two competitions should not be played with South African clubs.”
Irish players join concussion legal action
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) will be part of a class action taken by former players who claim they suffered serious brain injury while playing the sport, according to The Irish Times.
Proceedings are being issued on behalf of a group of players against World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and English Rugby Football Union, and - while technically not part of the same action, known as Rylands - the IRFU will be included in proceedings through a Dublin-based solicitors firm Maguire McClafferty LLP.
“There are Irish players involved, yes,” said senior partner Manus McClafferty. "Proceedings are prepared and will, probably, be issued, I believe, by the end of September. I have them ready.”
The issues for the Irish claimants are similar in nature to those of former rugby players in England and Wales, who have been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and other irreversible neurological impairments, which they claim were caused by playing rugby and receiving repeated blows to the head during their careers.
Ewels to miss bulk of season
England lock Charlie Ewels could miss all of the forthcoming season after undergoing knee surgery, the Press Association reports.
The Bath forward was hurt during England's preparations for the first Test against Australia in Perth on July 2. The 27-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with normal recovery time following that diagnosis being nine to 12 months.
"Charlie has been for his operation, which went well, and he will be out for an extended period," Bath's new head of rugby Johann van Graan said. "It was a pretty serious knee injury. He is in good spirits, and he sees it as an opportunity to work on other parts of his game as he goes through the rehab process.
"These type of knee injuries, my experience tells me it is too early to say in terms of length of time. Is there a chance [this season]? Potentially, the back end of it, but I wouldn't want to speculate on it now. It's way too early."
Bath are back in training, building towards a Gallagher Premiership opener against their west country rivals Bristol at Ashton Gate on September 9.
Jones backed for Australia return
Scott Wisemantel admits he would "love" to see Eddie Jones return to Australia ahead of the World Cup in 2027.
The England head coach has been touted as a possible replacement for Dave Rennie as Wallabies boss of late, with current assistant Wisemantel - who backed Rennie - stating Jones would be a great addition to the game in Australia ahead of the global showpiece.
"I'd love to have Eddie back in Australia," Wisemantel said. "In what capacity, I don't know, I just think he'd be great for the game heading into 2027. Just the way that he promotes the game, the way he drums up business from your [media] end and interest. I'm biased because I'm mates with him and I've worked with him.
"But at the same time - and I want to make this really, really clear, so you can't draw a bow that Wisemantel wants Eddie Jones back - I think Dave Rennie and this coaching staff are exceptional."
READ NEXT:
