Here are the latest rugby headlines this evening on Tuesday, October 4.
Turnbull says players must conduct themselves properly
Cardiff captain Josh Turnbull has admitted the unwanted headlines around allegations of "appalling" player behaviour at a pub in the city are "not pretty".
Turnbull was the player selected to face the media at a press conference on Tuesday and confirmed he was not part of the group who are accused of threatening staff and throwing eggs at The Grange pub at the weekend.
Director of rugby Dai Young has warned players they face consequences if the allegations are proven and Turnbull says the players have to start winning on the field to get themselves out of the unwanted spotlight.
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“It’s not pretty viewing, is it? Ultimately, it’s been dealt with," Turnbull said.
"In any job, you have to enjoy yourself. If you’re a brickie, you can go down the pub on a Friday night. But you have to respect that environment. I guess you’re under the social media spotlight a bit more than Joe Public, but you still have to conduct yourself.
"I wasn’t there. I’d had a bang on the Friday night.
"Things like this are put under the media and social media spotlight a bit more when we’re not performing as we’d want. I’m not saying it would have been different had we won, but we’ve got a job to do this weekend. We’ve got to focus on putting some wrongs right.
"It’s obviously frustrating and it’s not where we want to be. It’s important we get back to doing what we do well and that’s playing rugby. I’ve said to the boys that if we perform, the weight of social media won’t be there. When you’re not winning, it’s tough. You’re scrutinised a lot more. To take that pressure off, we need to start winning games."
Johnny Williams injury 'doesn't look good'
Johnny Williams is looking at an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury in the Scarlets' defeat to Benetton on Saturday evening.
The centre left the field in the second half with a look of resignation on his face and, while the Scarlets wait for the results of a scan, head coach Dwayne Peel admits it doesn't look good.
"Johnny is obviously a disappointing one," said Peel. "We don't know the extent of it and he's gone for a scan, so we're waiting on that now.
"It doesn't look good as it stands. That's the truth. He's been pretty sore over the last couple of days. I can't answer whether it's going to be short or medium term with his calf. It's just disappointing for him because he's one player who has stood out every game for us. He plays hard. He's picked up a few bumps of late but he carries hard.
"Defensively, we had a bit of a pop at him after Ulster and I think he reacted really well last week. I thought he defended well."
Peel was unable to put a timeframe on Williams' return but his absence could also become a concern for Wales boss Wayne Pivac, who would have been looking to select the hard-running Scarlets man in the upcoming autumn campaign.
Elsewhere, back-rower Josh Macleod is going through the return-to-play protocols after leaving his 100th Scarlets game with a concussion inside the first minute.
England suffer huge autumn blow
England have lost Jamie George for their entire autumn programme after the Saracens hooker sustained a foot injury against Leicester on Saturday.
George failed to appear for the second half of the repeat of last season's Gallagher Premiership final and departed StoneX Stadium with his left foot in a boot.
Saracens have revealed the extent of the damage by ruling the British and Irish Lion out of next month's Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
"It is expected that he will be out for around 10 weeks, returning in early December," a statement read.
George had made an imposing start to the new season and now England boss Eddie Jones must plan for the autumn without his first choice hooker from the July tour to Australia.
Starting all three Tests against the Wallabies was a significant personal achievement for George, who was among the senior players culled by Jones in the wake of a dismal Six Nations in 2021.
Ankle and knee injuries sustained by his closest rival Luke Cowan-Dickie offered a route back into the number two jersey but Down Under he kept the Exeter Chief out on the basis of his form.
Wales Women under pressure
Wales Women flanker Alisha Butchers admits the team are under extra pressure to perform at this month's World Cup after turning professional.
Wales face Scotland in their group opener on Sunday and come into the tournament on the back of five straight defeats. The squad have spent a number of weeks being put through a gruelling pre-tournament training regime.
Butcher, 25, said the time has come to deliver out in New Zealand.
"There's definitely added pressure and that's rightly so," Butchers told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. "I think it comes with elite sport and professionalism so we hold ourselves under a large amount of pressure and so do the coaching staff.
"Come Sunday I think you'll be able to see a polished performance from us. We've been working extremely hard over pre-season and we're just really looking forward to the opportunity to show what we've been working on and how far we've come as a group against a good Scottish side."
Read more:
Dai Young warns players they face consequences as Cardiff vow to uphold reputation
Cardiff Rugby press conference: Full transcript as club fully address allegations
Welsh rugby's new signings rated as Wales qualified powerhouse shows why he was on 'WRU hit list'
Welsh rugby match abandoned as fire brigade called in amid six-hour wait for ambulance
