Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, March 29.
Gareth Davies could have Wales resurgence like Rhys Webb
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel believes "outstanding" scrum-half Gareth Davies could go through a Rhys Webb-like resurgence and earn his place back in the Wales squad.
The Llanelli outfit host Brive in the Challenge Cup on Friday night, and have been enjoying a great run of form in 2023, picking up five wins out six in the United Rugby Championship, with Davies starring along the way.
The No. 9 hasn't been capped by Wales since he featured in the shock defeat to Italy in 2022, and was omitted from the 2023 Six Nations squad as Warren Gatland opted for Webb, Tomos Williams and Kieran Hardy. Despite his omission, the 32-year-old half-back has been favoured by Gatland in the past, going on tour with the British and Irish Lions in 2021, as well as being called up mid-tour in 2017.
Former Lion and Scarlets head coach Peel says Davies was "despondent" after losing his place in the Wales team, but his latest performances out west could change that.
"I think he's been outstanding, to be honest with you," Peel said. "What I love about him is that I think he's a real competitor. That's probably his biggest trait, he wants to compete. You see him in training every day, he wants to be the best. That's a credit to him, he's working hard in that area.
"I think the biggest thing around it is that he was pretty despondent for a while, he obviously lost his spot in the Wales squad. I think that hurt him.
"I think it's a realisation for him that, with the conversations that we've had, he needs to enjoy the last couple of years of his career. I think that if he plays for Wales again, his form is good enough at the minute, if he does play for Wales again, I think good on him, it will be great.
"He just needs to enjoy his rugby for the last couple of seasons and be the best he can be. He wants to compete but he wants to contribute on the field and off the field, and he's enjoying his rugby. He's at ease with a few things. I'm sure if he gets the opportunity to play for Wales again he would be over the moon."
With Davies being 32, he is without a doubt in the twilight years of a distinguished career. However, the light at the end of the tunnel has shone brighter for players in their mid-30s in recent months, with the likes of Rhys Webb returning to the international set-up aged 34.
Peel says that Davies could follow in the Osprey's footsteps and carve himself a place in Gatland's plans.
"I think that is definitely it [Webb comparison]. The big thing for him [Davies] is that he's performing every week, or when he does play as we've got a good stock of nines here. He's been brilliant when he's been in the group and not involved. There have been times when he hasn't featured, there has been times when he's been on the bench, there's been times when he's played. Contribution has been high every time even when he's not involved. He keeps playing well and he's putting himself in the frame, but as long as he's enjoying his rugby I'm sure we will see the best of him."
Scarlets v Brive kicks off at 8pm on Friday night at Parc y Scarlets.
Steward remains mystified by red card
England full-back Freddie Steward says he remains mystified by his controversial sending off against Ireland which divided rugby. He was given his marching orders just before half-time in the 29-16 defeat to the Irish following a high-sped collision with Hugo Keenan, who dropped to pick up a bouncing ball in front of Steward.
The English No. 15 turned his body to prepare for impact and his elbow made contact with Keenan's head, but many felt Steward had no time to react in any other way. The offence was later downgraded to a yellow card at a disciplinary hearing.
“It happened so fast,” Steward told The Telegraph. “The ball was knocked on and then regathered very, very close to me. It is very instinctive.
"When you play things like that in slow motion, it looks like you have all the time in the world to change your position and move out the way. In real time, things are happening so fast that when two players are coming towards each other at that speed you are very much on autopilot. I suppose that is what cost me in the end, just that natural instinct to turn and brace for impact was the thing that got me sent off. It was not nice to have to walk off, particularly at that point in the game. It felt like I had let down the lads.”
Steward is now backing World Rugby's proposal to enable officials to allow a separate TMO to effectively upgrade a yellow card while play continues. Steward added: "Something like that where you take all the noise out of it and give it to the TMO while play continues, I think that’s a really good idea.”
Saracens optimistic Farrell will be fit for Ospreys
Saracens are hopeful that Owen Farrell will be fit for Sunday's Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 clash with the Ospreys. Farrell limped off with an ankle injury in the 70th minute of Saturday's victory over Harlequins, but the England captain has made a rapid recovery.
"Owen took part in some of the training today [Wednesday], so we're relatively optimistic that he'll be available for this weekend," director of rugby Mark McCall said.
Farrell cried out in pain after rolling his left ankle while making a tackle close to Saracens' tryline at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and hobbled off. The 31-year-old fly-half had injured the same joint while on England duty in the final stage of the Six Nations, raising concerns that an aggravation might have caused more significant damage.
But McCall has put those fears to rest as Saracens return to the knockout phase of Europe's prestige club competition, which they last won in 2019, after a two-year hiatus due to their relegation from the Premiership.
"Owen didn't need a scan. He was much better on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after the pain," McCall said. "He trained today and as long as there's no reaction to that I'm sure he'll be OK. He's our captain and he played brilliantly on the weekend, led the team very well. So fingers crossed."
Dupont named Six Nations player of championship for third time
France scrum-half Antoine Dupont has been named Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship for the third time. Dupont polled 26 per cent of the 138,000 fans who voted, adding the award to his successes of 2020 and 2022 to become only the second player alongside Brian O'Driscoll to complete a hat-trick of wins.
Also on the shortlist were his Les Bleus' team-mates Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud and Ireland's Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen.
Dupont was outstanding at the back end of the tournament, especially in the record victory over England at Twickenham in round four. The 26-year-old France skipper has been acclaimed despite his side finishing runners up behind Grand Slam winners Ireland.
Andy Farrell's champions supply 10 players to the team of the tournament, including the entire pack except Les Bleus lock Thibaud Flament. No Wales players feature.
London Irish insist all staff will be paid as 10-team Prem on table
London Irish insist all staff will be paid this month amid growing concerns over the club's finances in a season that has already seen Wasps and Worcester fold. Irish are looking for new buyers with owner Mick Crossan stating at the start of the season he would offload the Exiles for free if reassurances could be provided that they would be properly funded.
A report reveals there has been concern among staff that they would not be paid this month.
"It has been public knowledge that the club is exploring its options with regards to investment. However, no comment will be made until there is anything to announce," a statement read. "In regards to recent media reports, London Irish can categorically confirm that all staff will be paid this month. Anything reported to the contrary is pure speculation."
Irish, who play at Brentford FC's Gtech Community Stadium, are thought to be at risk because of their low turnover and high debt.
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