These are your rugby headlines on the evening of Monday, December 5.
Garcia to leave Ospreys
The Ospreys have been dealt a significant blow with news chief executive Nick Garcia is set to leave the region.
Garcia has only been in post since March 2021 and joined the Ospreys with a strong reputation having previously worked at Premier League champions Manchester City. During his short stint in Swansea the Welsh game has been in a state of crisis with the very future of Wales' four professional sides in doubt.
Garcia represented the Ospreys on the Professional Rugby Board and was a key part in negotiations with the Welsh Rugby Union in a bid to thrash out a new long-term funding deal for the professional game in Wales. WalesOnline understands Garcia has been put on gardening leave having accepted a new role in Australia which isn't related to Y-11 Sports and Media, the company which holds a majority share in the Ospreys.
Former chairman Rob Davies is undertaking a more active role in the business since Garcia's exit with Chris Lawlor representing the Ospreys on the PRB on an interim basis.
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Bonkers day for Welsh rugby
The Garcia news coming out of Swansea put the tin hat on a crazy day in Welsh rugby.
It started with the biggest news of all - albeit not an unexpected development. Wayne Pivac was relieved of his duties and Warren Gatland named as his successor in a WRU statement released at lunchtime.
Chief executive Steve Phillips revealed it was "one of the toughest calls in sport" but they decided to act swiftly in the best interests of the national team.
Pivac also spoke of his sadness over the decision but accepted full responsibility and that the buck had to stop with him; you can read what he said in full here.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to coach Wales,” said Gatland. “This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby. A country which made my family and I so welcome, when we first arrived 15 years ago, and all the time we were there.
“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup. There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results. There will be new challenges as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first. We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow.” You can read the full WRU statement here.
Meanwhile, later in the day in further seismic news, it emerged the WRU and the four regions had verbally agreed a new long-term funding deal.
No agreement has yet been signed but a six-year framework for the professional game in Wales has been agreed in principle in what would bring to an end months of financial strife between the parties concerned.
The statement reads as follows: "The four professional regional clubs fully endorse and sympathise with the concerns expressed in the statement released by the Welsh Rugby Players Association over the weekend. We recognise the stress uncertainty causes players, coaches, staff and their families.
"We regret how long discussions have taken so far but we are pleased to confirm that, as ofthis morning, we have verbally agreed a new 6 year framework for professional rugby in Wales. It is now incumbent upon all parties to finalise the detail of this agreement in consultation with players, coaches and staff.
"The entire game in Wales, both professional and grassroots, faces significant and unprecedented challenges, which require collaboration, a clear strategy and decisive action.
"We all want to conclude ongoing PRB discussions as soon as possible to ensure strong professional regional clubs, a successful national team and a thriving community game." You can read more about it here.
Nkosi found safe and well
Sbu Nkosi's club the Bulls have confirmed he has been found safe
On Saturday the Pretoria-based side released a lengthy statement reporting that the 26-year-old was missing.
They said that their last contact with the World Cup winner was on November 11 and that they had opened a missing person case with the police six days later. You can read about that here.
READ MORE: Springboks rugby star Sbu Nkosi missing as police called amid deep concern
On Monday morning Sowetan Live cited sources close to the club that Nkosi has been located, although the reasons behind him not reporting for duty are still unknown. That was initially refuted by the club but happily the South Africa star has been located.
"The Blue Bulls Company and the Vodacom Bulls family are happy to confirm that contracted player, Sbu Nkosi has been found safe and sound.
"After lengthy and extensive efforts from the Vodacom Bulls,. in collaboration with SSG - who have hone beyond their commercial responsibility - at 14.02pmn on Monday 05 December 2022, Nkosi was located.
"Once it was established that Nkosi was safe, unharmed and in a position to speak, Chief Executive Edgar Rathbone went into Nkosi's home (with the permission of the player), spending time alone with him, to understand how best the company can provide him with the support he needs and what that support is.
"As the Vodacom Bull family, we are thrilled that Nkosi is safe.
"We wish to extend a vote of thanks to all the members of the public who shared information that contributed to our search. We wish to also express a word of thanks to the international community who also joined the call and efforts in searching for Nkosi."
In October, when the franchise went on their United Rugby Championship tour of Ireland, he was sent home from the camp early as he apparently sought permission to visit a friend in Dublin, only to return late, breaking team protocol.
Nkosi has played 16 Tests and was part of the South Africa squad that won the 2019 World Cup. However, a rib injury ruled him out of the recent autumn international.
READ MORE:
South Africa international Sbu Nkosi 'located' after being reported missing
Wayne Pivac's final words as Wales coach as he accepts responsibility
Warren Gatland's first words as stunning Wales return announced
READ MORE: Warren Gatland's backroom team: Who stays, who is axed and the names waiting in the wings
