Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, July 5.
Welsh rugby clubs 'devastated' by death of cult hero
Tributes have poured in following the death of Welsh rugby cult hero, who has died following a short stay in hospital. Former prop Brandon Cripps died on Wednesday, July 5.
He represented Wales B and the Barbarians during a 25-year career which brought him more than 650 appearances for a host of Gwent clubs.
The well-respected forward started his career with Abertillery and also played for Newbridge and Pontypool, amid other destinations. In 2006, after he had retired from rugby, Cripps sustained a horrendous leg injury in an industrial accident, with his left tibia and fibula shattered into 27 pieces. He was advised to have the leg amputated but refused, a decision he said afterwards that he regretted.
Following the news of his death, his former club Newbridge RFC said: "Devastating news this morning that Brandon Cripps has passed away. Everyone in rugby circles knows how big a character he was and how he infected so many people with his spirit and good humour. He'll be sorely missed. We send deep sympathy to Deb and family at this sad time RIP".
Pontypool RFC said on Twitter: "Our thoughts go out to the friends, family and loved ones of former Pontypool player Brandon Cripps. The prop was well-known throughout Gwent, making over 600 appearances for clubs in the region. Rugby has lost one of it's big characters. RIP".
Phil Steele said: "So sad to hear of the death of my dear old friend - the legendary Gwent prop Brandon Cripps. A veteran of 600 + ‘1st Class’ games, Brandon was made a Barbarian at the age of 41. A great character and quite simply, the funniest man I have ever met in rugby. RIP Ole Butty".
Jim Mills said: "So saddened by the news my good friend Brandon Cripps has passed away this morning, what a lovely man he was, he played for most of the Gwent clubs including Pontypool and the Barbarians. So happy I enjoyed a good night in Oakdale a few months ago, RIP Bran".
Dragons said: "Sad to hear the passing of Gwent rugby legend Brandon Cripps, who represented a host of clubs across our region making over 600 first team appearances! The thoughts of everyone here at Dragons are with his family and friends at this sad time".
'Nothing's changed' for Sexton as hearing approaches
Ireland star Garry Ringrose has insisted that his teammate Johnny Sexton is unfazed by the speculation around his future as he waits to find out if he will be going to the World Cup.
The veteran fly-half is said to be solely focused on his training despite having been summoned to an independent disciplinary hearing, due to be held next week, which could see him slapped with a lengthy ban that may rule him out of the autumn showpiece and end his rugby career early than his planned retirement later this year.
The hearing is related to his alleged misconduct after the Champions Cup final between his side Leinster and La Rochelle. The Irish skipper is alleged to have approached the match officials and told them "you are all a f***ing disgrace" before walking off. He was served with a misconduct letter by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and, even if he is allowed to see out his glittering career in France later this year, is set to be banned from Ireland's World Cup warm-up fixtures at least.
But despite the impending hearing, Ringrose says that Sexton and the entire Irish camp have not been affected by the developments.
“He’s certainly training as hard as ever and getting the most out of everyone around him," he told the 42. "Nothing’s changed from that perspective. He has an unbelievable gift that whatever challenge seems to be thrown at him he deals with it head on and is resilient and gets through it.
“Whether he gets to play all the pre-season games or if he or some guys pick up a niggle and have to wait until the World Cup to play, he and a few others are brilliant at being able to tackle any challenge that comes their way.
“He’s an unbelievable leader for us. He has so much experience when it comes to the World Cup so everyone is still tapping into him as much as they can and he has been brilliant at helping other guys around him, whatever might happen outside of that. So whatever happens happens, but I know he’ll be able to take it in his stride.”
Springbok suffers injury blow ahead of World Cup
South Africa prop Ox Nche faces a race to be fit for the World Cup after sustaining a pectoral muscle injury. The 18st loosehead was set to start for the Springboks in their championship opener against Australia on Saturday but has now been replaced in the front row by Ulster's Steven Kitshoff.
Nche's injury means he will miss the entire Rugby Championship as he now faces several weeks on the sidelines, with the World Cup just two months away.
“It’s never ideal to lose a player to injury days before an important Test match, but unfortunately it’s part of the game,” said Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber. “We are particularly sad for Ox because he’s been working very hard in the last few months and making a great contribution on and off the field. We wish him a speedy recovery".
With Nche out, ex-junior Springbok Gerhard Steenekamp has been drafted into the squad, while experienced prop Trevor Nyakane is serving as back-up cover for the Test against the Wallabies.
Despite losing one of his star players, Nienaber admitted that he was "fortunate" to have such depth at his disposal and said his team's ability to adapt meant they were still looking strong for their upcoming games.
“We are fortunate to have such depth at our disposal. We’ve been tracking between 50 and 60 players in the last few seasons with an eye on the World Cup, so we know what talent we have at our disposal," he said.
Wales fall just short against USA after remarkable comeback
Wales Women U20s came so close to pulling off an incredible comeback as they fell to a narrow 28-27 defeat to the USA in their opening tour game.
Despite being 28-5 down just after half-time, a gritty second-half performance saw the side skippered by Jenna De Vera score 22 unanswered points to come within a single score of securing a historic first win against the United States.
In what was just the second meeting between the two sides, held in Ottawa, Canada, Net Metcalfe opened the scoring for Wales after five minutes before the USA fired back with two tries of their own to secure a 14-5 lead going into the break.
The USA then doubled their points with two more tries as they built a seemingly unassailable 28-5 lead early in the second half, but were nearly caught as tries from Welsh full-back Bethan Adkins, centre Ellie Tromans and replacement Masie Davies narrowed the deficit to a single point in the last half an hour.
Ultimately, it wasn't enough to take the win but the U20s side will be buoyed by their performance as they prepare to face hosts Canada in their final game on the North American tour on Thursday, July 13.
England star awaits Six Nations all-clear
Henry Arundell is hopeful he will still be able to represent England at next year's Six Nations as he waits for a decision to be made on his international future. The winger was left without a club following London Irish's suspension from the Premiership but sealed a move to Top 14 giants Racing 92 earlier this week.
After making his England debut last summer, the 20-year-old has been named in Steve Borthwick’s training squad for the World Cup, but his latest move means he would be ruled out of contention for England selection as a player based abroad. His Racing deal is understood to only run until the end of next season, but it remains to be seen whether he will choose to extend or an English club will fork out to bring him home.
The Professional Game Board, made up of representatives from Premiership Rugby and the RFU, is set to meet in the coming weeks to confirm England’s policy on players based outside the Premiership. Last season saw the board grant exemption to flanker Jack Willis, who signed for Toulouse after being left unemployed following the demise of Wasps and Worcester. Despite moving to the French club, he was allowed to play at this year's Six Nations.
According to The Telegraph, Arundell is hoping to be granted a similar exemption, as calls grow for the RFU to relax its criteria for selection. If there is no movement on the policy, however, he will miss next year's championship, but could be available for the end-of-season Tests against Japan and New Zealand if he secures a return to the Premiership by then.
