Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, April 20.
Adams out of Judgement Day
Josh Adams will miss Cardiff's derby against the Ospreys on Judgement Day but is not a World Cup doubt for Wales.
The Wales wing suffered a knee injury during Cardiff's Challenge Cup defeat to Benetton two weeks ago.
While it will result in him missing out on Judgement Day it is not thought to be too serious.
"Josh won't be available this weekend," said Cardiff defence coach Richard Hogdes.
"It's not too serious an issue. He's battered and bruised from the Treviso game.
"There is a slight knee issue but the scans have allayed any fears. It's just a short and medium term thing."
Hodges is hopeful outside-half Jarrod Evans will be declared fit for his swansong after signing for Harlequins.
"He's still got some I's to dot and some T's to cross but he's looking a lot more hopeful than he was this time last week," said Hodges.
"There's a couple of boys back in the mix. Teddy (Williams) will be back available so we are looking a little bit stronger than we were last weekend."
Scarlets prop quits at 27
Scarlets prop Alex Jeffries has been forced to retire from rugby at the age of 27 because of a neck problem.
Jeffries suffered the injury playing for Llanelli RFC earlier this season and will now walk away from the game following medical advice.
Jeffries joined the Scarlets ahead of the 2019-20 season following spells with Newport RFC, Dragons and Ospreys. He also played on loan at Saracens during his time at Parc y Scarlets.
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He said: “As a rugby player it is tough to come to terms with having to retire, but I have a young family and, obviously, health has to come first.
“I’d like to thank everyone at the Scarlets, team-mates, coaches, staff and the medical team here for everything they have done for me during my time here. It has been fantastic to represent and be part of such a great club.”
Scarlets General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels said: “It is always tough for a player to have his career cut short by injury. We wish Alex the very best with what comes next and thank him for his commitment to the Scarlets over the last four years.”
Wales prop signs Scarlets deal
The Scarlets have decided to keep Wales prop Sam Wainwright and hand him a new deal.
Wainwright has made a big impact in West Wales, playing 11 matches since joining from Saracens and making his debut against the Dragons on New Year’s Day.
The 24-year-old tight-head received a shock call-up to Wales’ touring squad in South Africa last summer, where he made his Test debut in the historic win over the Springboks in Bloemfontein and added to his cap tally during the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
Fellow prop Kemsley Mathias, 23, has also signed a new deal at the region after impressing this season.
Coach Dwayne Peel said: “Sam has made a big impression since arriving mid-season. He already has a taste of international rugby and is determined to keep working on his game and keep getting better.
“The front-rowers don’t often get the praise they deserve, but the likes of Sam and Kemsley have been crucial parts of our success in the second half of the season.
”The fact that two talented young Welsh props have committed to the Scarlets is fantastic news as we look to build over the coming seasons.”
Fellow front-rower Ryan Elias and centres Joe Roberts, Ioan Nicholas and Eddie James have also agreed new deals, while the Scarlets announced this week that Wales international Ioan Lloyd is heading to West Wales from Bristol Bears in the summer.
England star fined £10,000
Jack Nowell will be available for Exeter's Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against La Rochelle after escaping a ban for the misconduct charge arising from his criticism of a referee on social media.
Nowell was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Rugby Football Union and the game after his Chiefs team-mate Olly Woodburn received a second yellow card in Sunday's 62-19 Gallagher Premiership defeat against Leicester.
Woodburn had dived on Chris Ashton on the floor and upon seeing referee Karl Dickson's decision, Nowell said in a since-deleted tweet: "I'm actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That's one of the worst decisions I've ever seen. EVER."
The England wing accepted the charge at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday night and was issued a £10,000 fine, meaning he is free to take part in the European showdown with champions La Rochelle in Bordeaux on April 30.
The fine will be donated to a charity and Nowell, who has just recovered from the knee injury that forced him to sit out the Leicester game, must also undertake a referees' course.
Having earlier been sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, Woodburn was sent off by Dickson for a second yellow card offence awarded for diving on Ashton in an attempt to prevent a try.
Other injured Exeter players also used social media to vent their frustration, with Luke Cowan-Dickie tweeting that "rugby had lost the plot" while Henry Slade said "I have no words".
However, in a statement explaining the disciplinary panel's verdict it was made clear that Dickson had made the right call.
"World Rugby has confirmed that professional match official, Karl Dickson, correctly applied the law during the Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs game which saw the penalty try and a yellow card awarded," the statement read.
"Law 13.4 is clear that players cannot fall on or over players on the ground and tackle law 14.8 says arriving players at a tackle must come from the direction of their own goal line and stay on their feet."
Read more:
The Scarlets' blueprint to relaunch Ioan Lloyd's club and Wales career
Uncapped Wales centre signs Ospreys deal after landing on Gatland's radar
