Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, January 20.
'Whole of Gwent' perplexed by Moriarty call
It isn’t just Ross Moriarty who’s puzzled by his Wales omission for the Six Nations, apparently.
An entire region is scratching its collective head, according to Dragons defence coach Simon Cross.
“I do feel for Ross and the whole of Gwent is a little bit perplexed because he has been our talisman and our go-to guy,” said Cross.
“He is playing as well now as he has in the four years I have been involved with the Dragons.
“I am gutted for him but it's his 50th game for the club at the weekend and he will be ready to go, don't worry about that. I wouldn't want to be getting in the way of Ross Moriarty, let's put it that way.”
The Dragons face the Lions in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Sunday (1pm UK).
Prop Leon Brown is set for his first game in nine months after recovering from a neck injury.
Dragons RFC: Jordan Williams, Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (c), Max Clark, Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Lewis Jones; Rob Evans, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Ben Carter, George Nott, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Aki Seiuli, Leon Brown, Sean Lonsdale, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Jack Dixon.
Prop Jones makes first start for months
Wales prop Wyn Jones makes his first start since October as the Scarlets this weekend aim to complete an unbeaten EPCR Challenge Cup pool campaign.
The Welsh side face Aviron Bayonnais in the south of France on Saturday (1pm UK).
British and Irish Lions Test loosehead Jones returned off the bench in the win over the Cheetahs last weekend, having been sidelined by a knee problem. He impressed with his work around the field in the 28 minutes he was on the pitch, snaffling two turnovers.
Warren Gatland then propelled him straight back into the Wales set-up.
Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies and Aaron Shingler also return as the west Walians look for their fourth straight win in the competition.
Scarlets: 15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 Johnny McNicholl; 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies (capt), 11 Steff Evans; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Sione Kalamafoni, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
Who will win the Six Nations? Cast your vote now
Liam Williams back again
Liam Williams will have another go at putting his Cardiff career in gear when he returns for the EPCR Challenge Cup encounter on the road against Brive on Saturday (3.15pm UK).
Warren Gatland will be pleased to see the full-back on the field again after naming him in Wales’ squad for the Six Nations.
Williams will doubtless be happy to just come through the game without dramas.
He’s been injured in two of the three games he’s played for Cardiff so far, with his latest bump seeing him pick up a head knock against the Scarlets.
Dai Young makes eight changes in total, with Tomos Williams leading the side and James Ratti making his 50th appearance for the club.
Cardiff: Liam Williams; Aled Summerhill, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Jason Harries; Rhys Priestland. Tomos Williams (capt); Rhys Carre, Kirby Myhill, Kieron Assiratti, Lopeti Timani, 5. Teddy Williams, 6. James Botham, Ellis Jenkins, James Ratti.
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Brad Thyer, Will Davies-King, Rory Thornton, Seb Davies, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Lloyd Williams, Jarrod Evans,
Beale suspended from all rugby
Australia international Kurtley Beale has been suspended from all rugby activity with immediate effect after being charged over an alleged sexual assault.
Rugby Australia released a statement saying NSW Waratahs star Beale, 34, would remain suspended pending the conclusion of legal proceedings as well as its own investigations.
"This step follows Mr Beale's arrest and subsequent charge with serious criminal offences, and is in line with Rugby Australia's professional player code of conduct," Rugby Australia said.
"The Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) has been informed of this development.
"As this remains a legal matter, there will be no further comment until the conclusion of these proceedings."
New South Wales Police had earlier released a statement confirming a man had been charged following an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault last year.
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