Here are the latest headlines on the evening of Thursday, December 8.
Missing player's family offer reward
The family of missing player Levi Davis have offered a reward and have brought in a private investigator in a bid to find him.
The 24-year-old has been missing for more than a month after being last spotted in Barcelona’s city centre. He was last seen at The Old Irish Pub in Barcelona on October 29.
Mr Davis' family said Gavin Burrows and his company, Line of Inquiry, had volunteered to help find him and have offered up a £10,000 reward for information leading to Mr Davis' discovery.
Levi's mum Julie Davis said: "We are very grateful to Gavin and his team for volunteering their time, expertise and the reward fund to help find Levi. We are still worried sick about him and just want him home safely. Hopefully this extra support will encourage people with any information to come forward."
Anyone with information or a potential sighting of Mr Davis is urged to contact the local police on 112, phone +44 800 1 935 777 or email findlevidavis@gmail.com.
Lake back in training
Wales hooker Dewi Lake has returned to Ospreys training and could be available for the trip to Montpellier on December 17.
Lake missed Wales' autumn campaign after suffering a shoulder injury in the United Rugby Championship defeat to Dragons on October 23, but has this week resumed non-contract training.
The Ospreys hosting Leicester this Sunday in Europe will come too soon for him, though.
"He's a very abrasive player and he has to have confidence in his body," Booth said of Lake, who did not require surgery. "We have to make sure he gets back and is in a position to play well."
Ospreys' update on coach
Ospreys have given an update on defence coach Darren Edwards after his absence from the recent tour of South Africa.
He arrived at Swansea.com Stadium 11 months ago but there has been speculation over whether the region will soon be looking for a new defence chief.
But head coach Toby Booth said: “He’s still employed by the Ospreys. He’s got some personal stuff going on and we’ve given him a leave of absence around that.”
Asked if there was a timeframe over Edwards coming back, Booth replied: “There’s no timeframe.”
Australia told to go for Jones
Former Australia star Simon Poidevin believes Eddie Jones' expertise should be jumped on by the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup next year.
Jones was this week dismissed from his position by England following a dismal run of results over the course of the autumn. Dave Rennie, the current coach of Australia, is also under pressure and Poidevin believes Rugby Australia should be looking to Jones to provide the head coach with a soundboard in France.
“I think RA have made it clear they respect Dave Rennie taking the team through to the 2023 World Cup,” Poidevin told the Sydney Morning Herald. “That doesn’t stop a guy of Eddie’s experience, like he did with South Africa, coming in to provide his expertise. He helped the Springboks get that victory. That’s an option which Rugby Australia should be thinking about with Eddie.
“His most valuable input would be a sounding board for Dave Rennie and his relatively young coaching staff. He’s been through it all. He knows the challenges of knockout tournaments. In France it’s going to be highly intense given the number of quality teams around the world now.”
READ MORE: Warren Gatland gets huge Six Nations boost as Wales duo set for action over festive schedule
Poidevin added that if they can't lure Jones in time for the tournament in France then he should be the number one target for the next international cycle.
"If he doesn’t want to come over for a World Cup position with the Wallabies, then it should be foot down by Rugby Australia to sign him to coach the Wallabies [in 2024] and try and win the World Cup in 2027,” Poidevin added. “You’ve got the [British and Irish Lions] series in 2025 and a World Cup in 2027. You’ve got a very structurally sound Super Rugby competition across our region. He’s a guy who has a very high standard on high performance. We’ve got high performance markers starting to appear everywhere in Australian rugby.”
Whites mourn sad losses
Swansea RFC are mourning the passing of two former players and club stalwarts.
Former lock Will Jones died at the age of 98. He made 77 appearances for the Whites between 1948 and 1953 and gave many years of service as the club’s accountant after his playing days.
And ex-back-five forward Gordon ‘Chopper’ Morris has also passed away. Swansea’s website spoke of him as a "great club man" and also noted the no-nonsense style of play for which he became renowned. He played 193 times for the Whites between 1956 through to the 1962-63 season, later serving on the club committee.
Mike James, who served with him on the committee, said via the club’s website: “Gordon ‘Chopper’ Morris’ playing record is self-evident, to which we can add that he played in several Welsh trial matches. He spent the whole of his distinguished working life with the Forestry Commission, becoming head forester for this region. He was the most sincere and reliable friend and above all, a total gentleman.”
READ MORE:
