Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, July 12.
Nick Koster dies at 34
Rugby is in mourning today after the tragic death of former Bath and Bristol player Nick Koster at the age of just 34.
Team-mates described their devastation at the news, which emerged on Wednesday. The cause of Koster's death is not known.
Koster made 62 appearances for Bristol between 2013 and 2017 after joining them following a short stint with Bath.
He also captained Cambridge University in the 2018 Varsity Match against Oxford, scoring a try, and played in South Africa for Western Province and the Stormers.
"Bristol Bears is devastated to hear of the tragic passing of hugely-popular former player Nick Koster at the age of 34," the Gallagher Premiership club said on its website.
"The South African-born back row played 62 times for the club, making a remarkable impact on and off the field during his five seasons with Bristol.
"In 2017, Koster was shortlisted for community player of the season for his incredible work with the club's Community Foundation, giving up hours of his own time to a number of programmes and initiatives with young people in the city."
Former Bath teammate Matt Banahan paid tribute on Twitter, writing: 'Devastated one of the nicest guys to ever pull on the Bath Rugby jersey is gone. RIP Nick Koster.' Others, including South Africa star Francois Hougaard, expressed similar sentiments.
Ex-head coaches Gary Gold and Andy Robinson also paid tribute.
"Absolutely devastated to hear the news of Nick's passing. One of the best schoolboy rugby players to have ever played the game and an outstanding person and friend," Gold said on Twitter.
And Robinson tweeted: "He was a wonderful human being who had a huge impact on me and my families' lives with his kindness, generosity, great sense of humour and rugby ability."
Wales U20s make three changes for finale
Wales U20s head coach Mark Jones has made three changes for his side's World Rugby U20 Championship finale against Australia on Friday, where the men in red will have the chance to finish fifth on the world stage.
The back three of Harri Houston, Tom Fletcher and Llien Morgan remains the same, but Bryn Bradley starts at inside centre, swapping with Joe Westwood who drops to the bench. Bradley will be partnered by Louie Hennessey. The half-back pairing of Archie Hughes and Dan Edwards remains intact for the fifth consecutive game.
Jones has picked the same front row of Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Lewis Lloyd and Kian Hire which started against Georgia but has brought in Evan Hill to replace his injured Ospreys colleague Liam Edwards in the second row. Jonny Green will pack down alongside him.
Lucas De La Rua, who scored as a replacement against the Georgians, starts on the openside flank, replacing Seb Driscoll with captain Ryan Woodman and Morgan Morse starting at blindside and No. 8 respectively. Cardiff Met prop Tom Pritchard is in line to earn his first appearance at the championship after being name on the bench.
Wales U20s v Australia on Friday, July 14, will be broadcast live on S4C (1pm UK kick-off time).
Wales U20s: 15 Harri Houston (Ospreys) 14 Tom Florence (Ospreys) 13 Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby) 12 Bryn Bradley (Harlequins) 11 Llien Morgan (Ospreys) 10 Dan Edwards (Ospreys) 9 Archie Hughes (Scarlets); 1 Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons RFC) 2 Lewis Lloyd (Ospreys) 3 Kian Hire (Ospreys) 4 Evan Hill (Ospreys) 5 Jonny Green (Harlequins) 6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC – capt) 7 Lucas De La Rua (Cardiff Rugby) 8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys).
Replacements: 16 Lewis Morgan (Scarlets) 17 Louis Fletcher (Ospreys) 18 Tom Pritchard (Cardiff Met) 19 Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby) 20 Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby) 21 Joe Westwood (Dragons RFC) 22 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby) 23 Harri Williams (Ampthill).
Red Roses to face Canada in WXV warm-ups
England will face Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final opponents Canada over two Tests in September.
The first match will be played at Exeter's Sandy Park on September 23, with the venue for the second game a week later yet to be confirmed.
The rivals clashed in New Zealand last autumn with England emerging 26-19 winners in a hard-fought contest before going on to lose to the Black Ferns in the final.
The series will serve as a warm-up to the inaugural WXV tournament, which is also hosted by New Zealand and launches in October.
"We are delighted to be facing one of the world's best teams on home turf," England forwards coach Louis Deacon said.
"Canada are a powerful team and present a fantastic challenge as we look to build on the success of our Six Nations campaign and continue improving as a squad."
Cardiff native Meg Jones among England's 32 newly-contracted players
GB Rugby Sevens player Megan Jones, born and bred in Cardiff, is one of England's 32 newly-contracted players.
The 26-year-old England international is joining Leicester Tigers in England's top flight next season as she concentrates on a XVs career ahead of the next Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025, which is being staged in England.
The 32 contracted Red Roses have signed deals with the Rugby Football Union for at least the 2023-24 season.
The contracts are of varying lengths but the agreement covers the next three seasons and it includes two players who will shortly go on maternity leave. Two further contracts will be announced later in the year.
"This is a hugely exciting time for the Red Roses, especially with our home World Cup on the horizon in 2025," RFU head of women's performance Charlie Hayter said. "However, we know there is a lot of work to do before then and we are excited to bring the group together shortly to start preparations for WXV which will be the immediate focus for us all."
Contracted players: H Aitchison (Bristol), Z Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Bern (Bristol), H Botterman (Bristol), J Breach (Saracens), M Carson (TBC), P Cleall (Saracens), K Clifford (Saracens), A Cokayne (Leicester), V Cornborough (Harlequins), L Davies (Bristol), A Dow (Ealing), R Galligan (Saracens), Z Harrison (Saracens), T Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), M Jones (Leicester), S Kabeya (Loughborough), E Kildunne (Harlequins), A Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), C MacDonald (Exeter), M Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), C O'Donnell (Loughborough), M Talling (Sale), L Packer (Harlequins), M Packer (Saracens), C Powell (Harlequins), A Reed (Bristol), H Rowland (Loughborough), E Scarratt (Loughborough), E Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), A Ward (Bristol).
