Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Tuesday, June 14.
Williams hails Bennett influence
Shane Williams says watching Phil Bennett's genius helped inspire him to become a hero of Welsh rugby in his own right. And he's revealed how Bennett saved him from a potentially embarrassing situation just a few years ago.
Bennett, a legend of the game, sadly passed away on Sunday at the age of 73 having left an indelible mark on the sporting landscape due to career littered with highlights that will live with fans for years to come.
But no Welsh player has scored as many tries as Williams, who despite his modest stature became a legend in his own right, and is widely considered one of the best wingers of all time.
And, he says, the influence of Bennett was a significant influence during his most formative years.
He told the BBC: "I was born in '77 and that was when I believe the best Welsh try was ever scored. That was Phil Bennett against Scotland.
"As soon as I saw that try, I thought 'wow, if someone like that can do that, it'll inspire me', because I wasn't the biggest of lads growing up. I was getting a rough time in school with some of the bigger boys.
"It hugely inspired me. He was an absolute genius on the field. He had a massive heart as well. He never shirked a tackle. He got stuck in and I just used to watch him in awe and I just thought 'I want to be this guy'.
But Williams has just as many fond memories of his hero away from the pitch, and recalled one evening when Bennett stepped in to rescue him from potential embarrassment at an evening bash in Llanelli.
"I remember five years ago I played a game for my local club up in Lampeter and I received a bang on my face and I fractured my cheekbone.
"The problem was after the game I actually had a speech to do at the Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli.
"I couldn't talk. Phil was sat on the table in front of me so I tried telling him 'look Phil, I'm going to struggle tonight'.
"He goes: 'Don't worry about it boy, I've got this sorted', and he went up for an hour. He took over my speech, and spoke about myself, Llanelli and Wales of the 70s. I didn't have to lift a finger.
"That sums up Phil to be honest with you.
"I'll always have fond memories of the man."
Scotland Women receive unprecedented cash injection
Scotland Women will be able to train full-time ahead of the World Cup due to an "unprecedented" support package from Scottish Rugby.
The governing body says it intends to take its investment in in the squad over £500,000 in 2022 alone.
Head coach Bryan Easson described it is "a huge boost" ahead of the finals, which are set to take place in the autumn.
"To have the players training from Monday to Friday for 11 weeks will be hugely beneficial," he said.
"We will be able to go into a lot more depth and detail in our on-field and off-field work than ever before."
Scotland are in Pool A along with Australia, Wales, as well as defending champions and hosts New Zealand, with the competition set to get underway on 8 October.
Galthie names Baa-Baas squad for England clash
Charles Ollivon is set to skipper Fabien Galthie's Barbarians squad, as they prepare to face England at Twickenham on Sunday.
Ollivon is joined in the 24-man squad by Toulon teammates Louis Carbonel, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Christopher Tolofua, while Australia's Will Skelton and Fiji's Levani Botia are also in the squad fresh off the back of their European triumph with La Rochelle.
Pierre Bourgarit, Thomas Lavault and Danny Priso are also included, along with England’s George Kruis, who returns to Twickenham to play his final match against his country.
Barbarians head coach Galthié said: “It is an honour to be called upon to select and coach the Barbarians, an institution with strong values rooted in the history of our sport.
“We will share with the selected players this precious heritage: an attacking, adventurous, ambitious way to play that is the mark of the BaaBaas.
“We have already planned to study together some historic moments, such as Gareth Edwards’ try in 1973 against the All Blacks. This BaaBaas mindset remains fertile ground for expression of talent, we will be keen to succeed in our mission and give all the fans a great moment of rugby.”
Full squad:
Levani Botia (Fiji, La Rochelle), Pierre Bourgarit (France, La Rochelle), Louis Carbonel (France, Toulon), Batiste Couilloud (France, Lyon), Dylan Cretin (France, Lyon), Jean-Baptiste Gros (France, Toulon), Sipili Falatea (France, Clermont), Antoine Hastoy (France, Pau), George Kruis (England, Panasonic Wild Knights), Thomas Laclayat (Oyonnax), Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle), Nolann Le Garrec (R92), Sekou Macalou (France, Stade Français), Davit Niniashvili (Georgia, Lyon), Trevor Nyakane (South Africa, R92), Charles Ollivon (C) (France, Toulon), Damien Penaud (France, Clermont), Danny Priso (France, La Rochelle), Will Skelton (Australia, La Rochelle), Max Spring (France, R92), Yoan Tanga (France, R92), Christopher Tolofua (France, Toulon), Virimi Vakatawa (France, R92), Tani Vili (France, Clermont)
Ford's influence
England full-back Freddie Steward believes his Leicester colleague George Ford has played a key role in developing him as a player.
Steward will hope to complete an unforgettable period in his career on Saturday by helping Leicester land a first Gallagher Premiership title since 2013.
Despite making an England debut only 11 months ago, Steward has rapidly become an integral figure for club and country.
And the 21-year-old credits fellow international Ford, who will join Sale later this summer, as a major force behind that rise.
"I think probably the guy who has been most influential in terms of players would be George," Steward said.
"To train against a guy like that and with a guy like that, who is one of the best fly-halves in the world at manipulating full-backs, it has just helped my game push on.
"He has made me look silly lots of times, but they are moments when you learn and get better.
"Hopefully it is not the last time we play together.
"I think he is one of those players that you appreciate more when you play with him, just the time he creates for other players and how he puts them in space. The little things, he is just magical."
