Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Tuesday, April 4.
Dafydd James reveals dementia diagnosis
Former Wales and Lions wing Dafydd James has revealed he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia.
James, 47, played for Scarlets, Bridgend and Pontypridd before his playing career was cut short in 2009 after he fractured a vertebra in his neck. He previously revealed he had suffered panic attacks and anxiety after retiring.
The 48-cap player has now joined legal action against rugby's governing bodies, who are accused of failing to protect players from permanent brain injuries. The Rugby Football Union, World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union told the BBC they were "saddened", but could not comment amid legal action.
He told the BBC he was tested for dementia because "I was wondering what was wrong with me". He said he has also been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain condition.
He said: "In a way it probably highlights that I've got a little bit of an answer about why I feel the way I do. I suffer with my mental health and in a way it's quite cathartic to tell people because I'm trying to help other people who are suffering and there's plenty of people out there who are suffering."
James said he had explained his diagnosis to his sons "who don't really understand" but had noticed changes in him. "They're kids and they're very supportive, I'm lucky in that regard, I'm blessed," he added.
James, who played for the Lions three times on their 2001 tour to Australia, said he experienced "extreme headaches". "I would like to get more information and learn about it and if that information can be passed on to future generations - then it's worthwhile," he said.
"To the guys who are suffering, I think knowledge is key to understanding. I just think that knowledge is key and I think it's important that people practice with care. Long may the game survive and thrive, I'm certainly not one of these people that wants to see the demise of the game, it's given me so much pleasure."
Baxter delighted by Hawkins capture
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter says he's delighted by the capture of Joe Hawkins, adding the Wales international has been on the radar at the Devon club for some time now.
Hawkins is one of three new signings for the Chiefs ahead of next season's Premiership campaign, and will be joined by Ospreys team-mate Ethan Roots, as well as former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half Will Haydon-Wood.
The move casts serious doubt on Hawkins' chances of a run out at the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with current rules preventing players with less than 25 caps from a call-up.
From an Exeter point of view, however, the move has been roundly welcomed. It comes six weeks after Baxter publicly poured cold water on transfer speculation linking Chiefs with Hawkins during a press conference.
“Obviously, we’re delighted to have Joe signed on for next season and beyond," Baxter said. “He’s someone we have had a close eye on for some time and he was someone I spotted when we were looking at footage of Daf and a few of the other Welsh Under-20s.
“As I’ve said, we do have players moving on at the end of this season, so it was important that we looked at the areas we needed to fill and that we brought in the right players. Joe, I think, ticks pretty much every box that we look for in a player and I’ve no doubt he’s going to be a great addition to the squad.
“You can see he’s clearly talented and that he has a bit of versatility about him as well having covered both centre and fly-half for Wales during the Six Nations. Like any player, we feel there are areas of his game that can be further developed, but he’s someone who we are genuinely excited about.
“I’m looking at him and others within the squad and thinking we are putting together a group of players who, I believe, can really take this club forward over the next few years and real challenge for honours.”
At the end of February, Baxter had said: “I've watched and had a look at Joe many times. Obviously, he played in the same U20s team with Daf [Dafydd Jenkins] so when we were spending a lot of time with Daf before we signed him, I saw him then.
“Daf had also mentioned to me personally that he's a good player. I've watched him play many times for Ospreys and watched him in the Welsh games."
However, he went on to say: "Watching a player to see them play, and sitting down with them, making contract offers and signing them are worlds apart.”
Flanagan urges Dragons to stick together
Dragons head Coach Dai Flanagan has told his players they have to stick together following their recent drubbing at the hands of Glasgow Warriors in the European Challenge Cup.
The men of Gwent had prop Aki Seiuli sent off in the first half, before going down 73-33 on what was a difficult evening at Scotstoun Stadium, and Flanagan admits his side lost control of the contest.
“It’s a difficult one for me as a young coach to see that," he said. "We’ve got to pull ourselves together, and stick together. We totally lost control for a period when they scored 21 points in three minutes and that racks up the score.
“We lack the ability to understand what to do to keep a score down and stay in a game – Glasgow are a fantastic team and we always knew it would be a big challenge coming up here. We had a plan with ball in hand and we executed that well, but that’s not good enough and defensively we fell off too many tackles.
“There were elements at Glasgow that were better, but we have a tough game up next in Ulster. Things don’t get any easier and good teams are peaking at the end of the season while we are limping, and that is tough to take.”
Murphy announces retirement
Ulster and Ireland back row Jordi Murphy has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old won 20 caps for his country after making his debut in the 2014 Six Nations, and appeared at two World Cups. He scored three tries during his international career, his most famous coming against the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016.
After making his breakthrough at Leinster in 2011, he joined Ulster seven years later.
"I feel that the time is right and together with my family we are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives," Murphy posted on social media.
"To play for my boyhood club Leinster and my current club Ulster are experiences that I will always cherish. To represent my country will always be one of the highlights of my life. I look forward to contributing as best as I can to the team for the remainder of the season."
Du Toit's French move falls through
South Africa star Pieter-Steph du Toit has reportedly seen a high-profile move to French side Toulon fall through.
According to L'Equipe, the loose forward had recently held discussions with the club, but a move has seemingly hit the buffers due to the player's salary demands. Du Toit, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world right now, is coming to the end of his current deal at Japanese side Toyota Verblitz, and a move back to formers side the Stormers has now been touted.
Nevertheless, it seems the 30-year-old's future is currently uncertain, with there likely to be ample demand for his signature over the coming weeks.
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