Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, 30 March.
Dragons agree deals with eight players
The Dragons have announced new deals with eight players after the four Welsh professional sides were cleared to re-sign players earlier this month.
Throughout the day, the club announced that captain Harrison Keddie, Elliot Dee, Jack Dixon, Joe Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ollie Griffiths and Ashton Hewitt had all agreed new contracts to stay beyond this season. Second-row Matthew Screech will also remain at the Dragons for another season after his loan from Cardiff was extended.
No announcement regarding the future of Wales and British Lions back-row Ross Moriarty has been made though yet.
The signing of contracts had been on hold because of financial issues in Welsh rugby, leaving many players in limbo. For example, centre Dixon had been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an ankle injury just days after speaking about the uncertainty he was facing.
However, he now has a new deal to offer him some form of security - as do many of the Dragons' core players. Of the eight players, seven are already club centurions.
The only one who isn't - Ollie Griffiths - sits on 99 games. Between them, they've made 1,078 senior appearances for the Dragons.
Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “We’re delighted that these eight key players, who form part of the core group here, have agreed new terms to remain with us at Dragons RFC.
“We want to build our club around these local boys who are proud to represent us and who want to stand for something special. All these players embody that pride, with Matthew and Lloyd honorary Men of Gwent.
“We’re extremely pleased to now secure their futures and thank them all for their patience and professionalism throughout this difficult period.”
Springboks coach to join England set-up
Felix Jones will leave his position in South Africa's coaching ticket after the World Cup to join England's coaching team.
The 35-year-old former Ireland international has been working as the Springboks' defence coach since 2019, helping them to a World Cup victory in Japan and a series win over the British and Irish Lions two years later.
The nature of his role under Steve Borthwick is yet to be revealed. However, he won't be the only member of South Africa's 2019 World Cup-winning staff to work for England - with Aled Walters, the Springboks' head of strength and conditioning four years ago, joining from Leicester at the end of the season.
"Our immediate focus is on preparation for the World Cup," Borthwick said. "We are continuing to build our programme to be in a position to compete to be world champions once again.
"At the same time, I also want to ensure we are preparing for long-term success for this England team and I’m excited that a coach as talented as Felix is joining next year.
"Felix has been competing at the top of world rugby during his four years with South Africa and will bring invaluable experience to our set up.
"Together with Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield, we are putting in place a coaching team who have spent their careers at the highest level competing for trophies. That is exactly what we want for this England team".
Hogg retirement 'surprise' but it makes 'a lot of sense'
Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says that he was initially surprised by Stuart Hogg's decision to retire after this year's World Cup, but admitted that it makes a lot of sense.
The Scotland full-back will call it a day after this year's tournament in France. By that point, he'll be just 31 - which may seem relatively early to be hanging up the boots - but Scotland's record try-scorer said he wanted to go out at the highest level, adding he felt his body couldn't achieve those standards for much longer.
And his club coach Baxter said that, after the initial shock, he understood Hogg's reasoning.
“I have to say that when he first talked about it (retirement), it was a bit of a surprise – yes,” said Baxter. “But then when he talked about the reasons for it, what he wanted to do and how he wanted to achieve the end of his career, it made a lot of sense. He did take a period of time. It wasn’t a snap decision. It was largely based – for all the right reasons – on his enjoyment of the game.
“I think he just really wants to have a period when he can relax and enjoy it and not worry about the state his body is going to be in, in six months’ time, but get on and maximise everything now, in the last stage of his career. He is someone for whom enjoyment has always been a key factor in playing. If that starts to get tougher because of your physical condition, it takes a lot out of the whole point of playing rugby. I think that is really the decision that Stuart has come to.”
European dates for 2023/24 season announced
EPCR have announced the dates for next season's Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
There has been reports of a return to the old format of six pools of four teams, with EPCR chairman, Dominic McKay, saying last week that the body will "definitely evolve our format".
However, the dates would appear to suggest that there'll be no change from the current format of two pools. The host city and venue for the 2024 showpiece matches will be announced shortly.
2023/24 weekends
Round 1 – 8/9/10 December 2023
Round 2 – 15/16/17 December 2023
Round 3 – 12/13/14 January 2024
Round 4 – 19/20/21 January 2024
Round of 16 – 5/6/7 April 2024
Quarter-finals – 12/13/14 April 2024
Semi-finals – 3/4/5 May 2024
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 24 May 2024
Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 25 May 2024
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