Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, May 10.
Two Welshmen selected for Rugby World Cup
Two Welsh referees have made the cut for the 26-strong group of match officials selected for 2023 Rugby World Cup duty.
Craig Evans has been selected as an assistant referee, and Ben Whitehouse is among seven TMOs to head to France this autumn. The latter will follow in the footsteps of his father Nigel, who was an assistant referee and TMO at the 2003 World Cup.
A total of 12 referees, seven assistant referees and seven TMOs have been chosen from nine nations. World Rugby say they all have more than 630 Test appearances between them and selection has been made on merit.
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Joy Neville, who officiated the Women's Rugby World Cup final in 2017, becomes the first woman to officiate at a men's Rugby World Cup, as a TMO.
Wayne Barnes will take charge at a fifth consecutive World Cup, while Nika Amashukeli will make history as the first Georgian to officiate at the tournament.
The appointments for the pool-stage fixtures will be announced after the Rugby Championship and World Cup warm-up matches are completed.
Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Wayne Barnes (England), Nic Berry (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland), Matthew Carley (England), Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand).
Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy), Christophe Ridley (England), Jordan Way (Australia).
Television match officials: Brett Cronan (Australia), Tom Foley (England), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales).
Ex-RFU council member banned from Twickenham over racist comment
A former Rugby Football Union council member has been banned from Twickenham after admitting making racist comments at a Six Nations match last year. The announcement comes barely a month after the publication of a damning report, commissioned by the RFU, stating racism exists at all levels of the professional game in England.
According to a summary of the case published by the RFU, Alex Murphy said to an unnamed volunteer as they walked to the council box at the England v Wales game in 2022, 'You realise they don't let n****** in the Royal Box'. A similar comment was then repeated in the bar area, with both "clearly heard" by the volunteer and their spouse, who was distressed by the remarks.
Murphy accepted the charge and that his behaviour had breached the RFU council's code of conduct of expected behaviours from council members, distinguished members, past presidents and other volunteers. The RFU said it had "imposed a time-limited stadium ban" on Murphy, as well as removing "the title of distinguished membership and associated benefits".
Murphy was challenged by the volunteer via WhatsApp following the incident and later called them to apologise. While the panel which heard the case noted there was a hint of an effort to pass off the incident as "banter" given the pair's long-standing relationship, Murphy "accepted entirely the wrong he had done and did so genuinely" at the hearing.
He attempted to resign as a 'distinguished member', but the RFU pointed out it is not a position from which it is possible to resign, rather "a series of privileges granted" by the council. The panel considered a suspension of privileges but reflected this "would not be an appropriate sanction as it does not reflect the gravity of the matter".
The panel's judgement read: "Additionally, such a sanction which simply allowed somebody to continue as a distinguished member, but without privileges, would not send an appropriate message as to how unacceptable such behaviour is from someone in a such a position.
"We agree with the RFU that the language was archaic and incredibly offensive and there can be no excuse for not knowing it was so offensive and for continuing to use it. The language goes against the core principles of the game and the changes that the RFU and the game of rugby worldwide has been pursing for some time."
Leicester to contest red card which could rule Ashton out of play-off
Leicester are ready to contest Chris Ashton's red card that could rule him out of Tigers' Gallagher Premiership play-off clash against Sale. The 36-year-old former England wing was sent off for a high tackle on Harlequins' Cadan Murley during Leicester's 20-17 defeat three days ago.
Ashton, the Premiership's record try-scorer, will retire at the end of this season, but he could now be banned by disciplinary chiefs. If Ashton is suspended then his hopes of featuring in the play-off - and possibly the Premiership final on May 27 - will be over.
"When we get the date of the hearing, which I would have thought would be Wednesday, we will contest it," Leicester boss Richard Wigglesworth said. "It will be this week and if we get it turned around he will be available (for the play-off).
"The slipping and the dipping, there were mitigating factors in the tackle and the mitigating factors are why we think it is a yellow (card) and not a red. I am not calling anything dodgy. I know they have got a difficult job. We just want everything to be clear and obvious.
"If it is a high level of force and danger, then the red card is there to protect players. They have got to get it right, that is their job. We have got to get our tactics right, the players have got to get themselves right and they have got to get those decisions right."
Wigglesworth would have no problem, given the time-frame, regarding Ashton's readiness to face Sale on Sunday if he received a green light.
"Chris will know his stuff and be good to go," Wigglesworth added. "He is experienced and he will still have a training day knowing he is in the starting team, if that happens, so that wouldn't be a problem for us."
Premiership champions Leicester face a team that finished one place and 10 points above them across the 20-game regular season. Saracens meet Northampton in the other play-off, meaning a repeat of last year's final between Leicester and Saracens is possible.
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