Your rugby evening headlines for Monday, June 27.
Francis back in full training
Wales have a clean bill of health ahead of the opening Test match against South Africa on Saturday.
Critically, starting tight-head Tomas Francis has returned to full training after battling a niggling back problem last week, which prompted the call-up of 21-year-old rookie Harri O’Connor.
Read more: Wales refute psychological issues in South Africa after regional drubbings
Speaking at the team’s first press conference in South Africa, attack coach Stephen Jones said: “He’s [Francis] good. He’s back to full training, which is great.
“We’re all fit and healthy, which is great for us at this time of the year. To have everyone available to us is fantastic.”
Other injury concerns heading into the tour included Tomos Williams, Josh Adams and Rhys Patchell.
Spain's World Cup appeal dismissed
Spain will not feature at next year's Rugby World Cup in France after their appeal against disqualification for fielding an ineligible player during qualifying was rejected.
After examining new evidence brought by the Spanish federation, an independent appeal committee dismissed the appeal. In a statement, World Rugby said: "In accordance with World Rugby rules, the decision of the independent appeal committee is final and cannot be appealed again.
As a result, Romania will take Spain's place at next year's tournament while Portugal - the team Spain beat to qualify for what would have been their first World Cup since 1999 - will take the place vacated by Romania in the final qualification event in November. South African-born prop Gavin van den Berg, who has been playing in Spain since 2018, featured in two qualifiers against the Netherlands in 2020 and 2021 but was deemed not to have served the three years of residency necessary to become eligible.
It is the second time that Spain have missed out on World Cup qualification on these grounds. In 2018, along with Romania and Belgium, they were sanctioned for fielding ineligible players, paving the way for Russia to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Springboks without du Toit
South Africa will be without 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit for the opener at Loftus Versfeld.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids confirmed the news at a press conference on Monday, explaining that the flanker is still overcoming a shoulder injury.
But the world champions are not short of quality in the back-row department and could turn to Elrigh Louw, who lit up the URC this year, or the more experienced Kwagga Smith, who featured heavily during last summer’s Lions tour.
The hosts will name their team to face Wales tomorrow.
Welsh scrum-half banned for three weeks
Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies has been handed a three-week ban for an incident in the Gallagher Premiership final.
The 20-cap Wales international was yellow-carded for a collision with Leicester Tigers hooker Julian Montoya in the first half at Twickenham Stadium, but was subsequently cited. The hearing press release read: "Davies was cited for dangerous tackling contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13, for making direct contact to the head with his shoulder during the Premiership Final against Leicester Tigers. Davies accepted the charge.
"Davies received a three week ban which would be reduced to two weeks if the player opts to take part in World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme. The games the player will miss will be updated once next season's fixtures are confirmed."
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