Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, April 18.
Exeter wing charged for ref criticism on Twitter
Exeter and England wing Jack Nowell has been hit with a misconduct charge after criticising a referee on social media. The Rugby Football Union said that Nowell had been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and the game.
Nowell, who is currently sidelined through injury, spoke out on Twitter after his Chiefs colleague Olly Woodburn received a second yellow card and was sent off during Exeter's 62-19 Gallagher Premiership defeat against Leicester on Sunday.
Woodburn, who had earlier been sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, collected another yellow from referee Karl Dickson for diving on Tigers wing Chris Ashton on the floor in an attempt to prevent a try after Chiefs full-back Stuart Hogg had tackled Ashton.
Dickson awarded a penalty try, which meant another yellow - and therefore a red card - for Woodburn as Exeter collapsed to a landslide defeat.
Nowell and two Exeter team-mates who were also not involved in the game - fellow England internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie and Henry Slade - vented their feelings.
Cowan-Dickie tweeted that "rugby had lost the plot", while Slade said "I have no words", but Nowell criticised Dickson 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 RFU said: "Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs, has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and the game under RFU rule 5.12 for Tweeted criticism of the referee's decision in the Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs match on 16 April, to his 61,000 plus followers."
The case will be heard on Wednesday by an independent disciplinary panel.
Even if he recovers from injury in time, any period of suspension could sideline Nowell, who has captained Exeter in recent weeks, from Chiefs' Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against La Rochelle in Bordeaux on April 30. Nowell is set to leave Exeter at the end of this season, with La Rochelle his likely destination.
Scarlets announce signing of Ioan Lloyd
Scarlets have announced the signing of Wales international Ioan Lloyd from Gallagher Premiership club Bristol. Lloyd, who has played across the back division during his four-year stint at Ashton Gate, will move to west Wales ahead of next season.
The 22-year-old won two caps as a replacement during the Autumn Nations Series in 2020.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "Ioan is a high-quality player with a huge amount of talent, a ball player with the ability to break the line and take on defences. He is a player who we feel will fit well with the way we look to play here, and we are looking forward to welcoming him in the summer."
Had Lloyd not moved to a Welsh team, he would have been ineligible for his country as players plying their trade outside the country require a minimum of 25 caps under current selection policy.
Bristol rugby director Pat Lam said: "With Ioan's contract expiring in the summer and the 25-cap rule in place in Wales, he had to make a tough decision about his future. While we were keen for Ioan to stay, the move back to Wales to play club rugby protects his international ambitions and we as a club support him and want him to be successful."
Lloyd said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time at Bristol and I’m hugely thankful to the club for the opportunities they have given me. Pat and the club gave me my first opportunity in professional rugby. I’d like to thank all the coaches, players and staff I have worked with during my four years at the club. I’d also like to thank the incredible Bristol supporters, who continue to back the team through thick and thin.
“As a kid growing up, I always dreamed of representing Wales and I’ve been lucky enough to do so twice already. This taste of international rugby has left me hungry for more, so this opportunity to join a great club like Scarlets was one I was keen to take to fulfil my international ambitions.”
Morgan signs new deal with Ospreys
Wales back-row forward Jac Morgan has signed a new deal with the Ospreys.
The Ospreys have not specified 23-year-old Morgan's length of contract, but it is a coup for them, given Welsh professional rugby's testing financial climate. Morgan made his Ospreys debut in 2021 and has been a breakthrough player for Wales, currently boasting nine caps.
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: "Jac personifies what we look for in a player. For his age, he is a highly influential player on the pitch. His attitude, coupled with his ability, have allowed him to excel for the Ospreys. We are looking forward to seeing him progress and grow with the team. With everything that has gone on in the last few months, it is great to announce some real positive news for the Ospreys fanbase and for Welsh rugby as a whole." Full story here.
Seiuli signs new Dragons deal
Samoa international Aki Seiuli has agreed a new contract to remain at the Dragons.
The loosehead prop – who had played 38 times for the Men of Gwent over the last two seasons – becomes the latest player to sign up with Dai Flanagan’s men.
Seiuli is the 15th player to agree new terms ahead of next season and joins the likes of senior stars Ashton Hewitt, Jack Dixon, Ollie Griffiths, Elliot Dee, Joe Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Harri Keddie, Jared Rosser and Steff Hughes.
“Aki is an experienced and durable figure in our front row and his commitment to the club is undoubted,” said Dai Flanagan. “He is a top professional, a great positive character, and someone who wants to help our club develop and to lead by example for the younger players around him.”
Seiuli, 30, moved to Rodney Parade in 2021 after two years at Glasgow Warriors. The hugely popular front row had previously played for Otago and the Highlanders before his move to the northern hemisphere in 2019. He made his Samoa debut in 2022 as his country won the Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji.
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