Here are the latest rugby headlines from Wales and beyond on the evening of Tuesday, September 6.
Vakatawa speaks
France centre Virimi Vakatawa has spoken for the first time in the wake of his shock retirement at the age of 30.
The Racing 92 star has been forced to quit the sport after medics identified a heart condition that made it impossible for him to safely continue.
“I didn’t feel any symptoms or anything,” he said. “I had a discussion with the doctor. I have nothing broken, everything is fine. I’m going to stay not far from here, just to clear my head.
“I arrived at 17, I didn’t regret leaving my family at all. I know it was hard. I always tell young people that they were lucky to be here. There are Fijians who will still arrive, I want to help them. I really appreciated having so many people by my side.”
France national team boss Fabien Galthie was at the press conference to pay tribute and was moved to tears.
“I would like to thank Racing 92 for allowing me to be here today. I wanted to accompany Virimi, it’s special so I’m very moved. Fate has meant that he will have played his last two games with Les Bleus in Japan. We will try to get over all that because we know that it can happen in high-level sport, but we still take it [the shock retirement] with full force.
“Monday, when he called me, it touched me. Virimi made many children dream. When we took over the France team, he was a key player in our adventure, in our history. He is an example of what he lives – we must tell our children to enjoy all their matches as if it were the last.”
Logan reveals cancer diagnosis
Former Scotland winger Kenny Logan has revealed he has been treated for prostate cancer.
The 50-year-old said the diagnosis had come out of the blue and he had surgery earlier this year.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he recalled: "I got a wellness check and sat down with the guy. He said to me: 'Everything's fine, your hormones are fine but your prostate is high'.
"I got checked and very quickly, within three or four months, I had biopsies. There was something there but we'd just keep an eye on it.
"This year, February 7, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer which was a huge shock. I ended up deciding to take it out so I'm three months since the operation, had the prostate out and I'm probably 95 per cent back to normal.
"It was hard because when you're told you've got cancer... I didn't see it coming. No symptoms whatsoever."
Thomas 'spat at in street'
Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas said he has been spat at in the street and called an AIDs-spreader after his former partner launched legal action against him.
Mr Thomas is being sued by his ex partner, Ian Baum, for £150,000 in damages. Mr Baum claims Mr Thomas hid his HIV status from him and failed to take reasonable care to ensure he did not pass it on. The former Welsh rugby star said in his defence that his HIV status wasn't initially brought up during their "volatile" relationship and he was never asked. Read our report on the defence case here.
On Tuesday, Mr Thomas issued a statement to the media and on his Twitter account. He alleged: “After being blackmailed and a media witch hunt to expose my HIV status, three years ago I was forced to tell the world that I was living with HIV. Now for those very same reasons I am forced to come forward again today.
"Since the meritless allegations surfaced, I have endured a challenging torrent of abuse both online and in person. I’ve been spat at in the street, called a f*king AIDS spreader, told I should be locked up, that I should die, and much worse."
"That being said, I also feel extremely fortunate and I want to thank people for the incredible wave of support they have shown me both personally and professionally at this time. It has been empowering.
"I am proud of who I am. I am far from perfect, but I am also far from the person I’m accused of being.
"I am comfortable in my position and my defence speaks for itself. I will continue to fight these allegations and proudly continue my advocacy work undeterred with the same passion as always.”
Mr Thomas has previously described how blackmail threats forced him to break the news about his illness to his mother and father and how it was the "hardest thing I've ever had to do". A police investigation was dropped in 2018 and no action was taken on a claim Mr Thomas had passed HIV to his ex.
Mercer named by Barbarians
Montpellier number eight Zach Mercer has been named in the Barbarians squad for the Killik Cup match against an All Blacks XV at Tottenham in November.
Former Bath player Mercer has been a star of the French Top 14 since joining Montpellier a year ago, helping them win the title, and is set to return to England with Gloucester ahead of the 2023-24 season.
On representing the Barbarians, who recorded back-to-back wins over England and Spain during the summer, Mercer said: "I cannot wait to be pulling on that famous shirt in November.
"Playing for the Barbarians is something you dream of as a player - not just the matchday experience but the legendary players and coaches you work with, as well as the lifelong friendships you form."
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