Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, December 22.
Wales star Lake back for Ospreys
Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake is available for selection in the west Wales derby against the Scarlets on Boxing Day as the Swansea outfit look to use last weekend's win over French champions Montpellier as a springboard to improving their league form.
Toby Booth's side kept their Champions Cup ambitions alive with a brilliant victory that must rank as one of the finest performances by a Welsh region. And, having won just one of their nine United Rugby Championship fixtures so far this season, the hope is that they can use their French exploits to set the standards moving forward.
"There's a lot of pride and it was good to get the result that the performance definitely warranted, which we've not always got," said Booth. "That was great to get moving forward in the 'W' column.
Booth also offered some good news on Welsh international Lake, who has been out injured since October with a shoulder injury. He returned to training a couple of weeks ago and is in contention to face the Scarlets at the Swansea.com Stadium.
"He's available this weekend," added Booth. "He's completed another week which is great. To get him up and running in the next few weeks will be really, really important for us moving forward."
Another Wales international, George North, is back in training after undergoing surgery for a cheekbone injury, but he's unlikely to feature against the Scarlets.
"There's a few bumps and bruises around, but we're hoping they'll clear for the weekend. There's nothing too untoward.
"George North trained with us today. He's making progress. He's a week or so away yet, but it's good to get him back out there."
URC demand action on racist Secret Santa
Benetton have been ordered by the United Rugby Championship to take action against anyone involved in the racial abuse of Cherif Traore.
Italy prop Traore revealed on social media that he was given a rotten banana in the club's Secret Santa and that his team-mates reacted to the present by laughing, making him feel "hurt".
Benetton have been condemned for their weak response to the incident with Ellis Genge, Luther Burrell and Paolo Odogwu among those voicing outrage.
An initial Benetton statement made no mention of an investigation or possible punishment and while the squad have since apologised to Traore, it is the Guinea-born 28-year-old who has publicly fronted the club's attempt to draw a line under the controversy.
The URC has now demanded that Benetton launch a full inquiry in the expectation of sanctioning those responsible.
"The URC has been in communication with Benetton regarding the incident first identified in a social media post of Cherif Traore the Italian international prop forward," a statement read.
"Benetton have been asked to provide a full report on what has occurred and what meaningful action will be taken as a result.
"Racism and discrimination of any kind are abhorrent, completely unacceptable in society and are utterly counter to the values of the sport of rugby and the URC."
URC's intervention comes after England prop Genge insisted there must be repercussions for the racial discrimination of a player who has won 16 caps for Italy, including two appearances in this year's Six Nations.
"No well done, absolutely right, "gifting" a "team mate" a rotten banana for secret Santa is not a big deal and a simple apology will suffice!" Genge said on Twitter.
"If there is no further action on this from Benetton then everything we've done for "rugby against racism" has been a tick box for most."
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Hansen surprised at Jones axing
Former Wales and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has expressed his surprise at England's decision to sack Eddie Jones so close to the World Cup.
Hansen will head up the World XV which will face Jones’ Barbarian F.C. side at Twickenham on Sunday, May 28 (kick-off 3pm).
“It was pretty surprising that they would replace him now, when all along Eddie’s been saying ‘look, this is what we’re building for.’ He’s been their most successful coach in history. Some might say that Clive [Woodward] is because he won a World Cup – however the record speaks for itself, doesn’t it?", Hansen said.
“I know Eddie had a big focus on the World Cup and that’s probably what in the end cost him, because he didn’t have such a good Autumn and people were frustrated by that.
“But obviously, it’s their business and they’ve got to do what they think is right. Eddie’s moved on, so the rest of us can too."
It will be Jones’ first return to HQ in a coaching capacity since he was relieved of his duties with England earlier this month.
Having squared off against the 62-year-old Australian numerous times already throughout his career, Hansen believes Jones will leave no stone unturned in his preparations to create an unmissable spectacle of rugby.
“You relish every chance to go against Eddie,” he said. “We’ve known each other for a long, long time and he’s a good rugby man.
“He cares about the game a lot, and I consider myself someone who cares about the game too. It’s an opportunity to be able to be part of something that could be quite special on the day."
English rugby 'heading for disaster'
England's top-flight clubs have accumulated a combined debt of £300million in six years, according to an investigation into the precarious financial position of the Gallagher Premiership.
Wasps and Worcester have been placed into administration already this season - the Warriors are still seeking new owners - and a report in the Daily Telegraph suggests other teams are struggling, naming London Irish and Harlequins individually.
The £300m total excludes the £200m investment for a 27 per cent share from CVC Capital Partners in 2018. The private equity firm took out a £27.5m dividend for the last two financial years.
The investigation by private equity director Mike Ryan described London Irish as "high risk" because of their low turnover, while Harlequins are of concern after borrowing £48million in 2021.
"The club structure has historically been on an unsustainable footing. It has never made a profit," Ryan told the Daily Telegraph.
"At the moment, this is heading for disaster. I would like to see the fiscal-year 2022 numbers to be more comfortable with the call, but I would be surprised if they were any better than FY19 [financial year 2019]. The overall competition is still losing money.
"It is professional on the field and semi-professional at best off the field. That is the biggest problem that rugby is facing globally, in my view."
Ireland hooker quits at 31
Former Ireland hooker James Tracy has announced his retirement from professional rugby on medical grounds due to a neck injury.
The 31-year-old Leinster forward has not played since sustaining the issue during training in April.
Tracy was capped six times by his country between 2016 and 2017, scoring one try, in addition to representing his province 141 times.
"I say this with a heavy heart: I am retiring from rugby as result of injury," he wrote in a statement released by Leinster.
"I cherished every moment of my career, and it has been such a blessing to play the game for as long as I have."
Tracy made a try-scoring debut for Ireland as a replacement in a 52-21 win over Canada in November 2016, before collecting a further five Test caps the following year.
He made his Leinster debut in 2012, with his final appearance coming in the 26-21 Heineken Champions Cup victory over Connacht on April 8. His career included a Champions Cup medal in 2018, plus four PRO14 titles.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: "It is always a sad day when a player has to retire early due to injury, so we were all gutted to hear the news that James is being forced to hang up his boots."
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