Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, 13 December.
World Rugby to meet as vice-chair handed two-year suspended sentence
World Rugby will meet on Tuesday night after French Rugby Federation President and World Rugby vice-chair Bernard Laporte was handed a two-year suspended prison term for corruption less than a year before the country hosts the World Cup.
Laporte was convicted in a French court on Tuesday after it was ruled he showed favouritism in awarding a contract to sponsor the front of the French national team's jerseys to close friend and billionaire owner of Top 14 club Montpellier, Mohed Altrad.
As well as the suspended sentence, Laporte was also banned from rugby for two years. However, that ban is suspending pending an appeal - with Laporte's lawyer confirming he would indeed appeal.
For his part, Altrad was given an 18-month suspended sentence. It was deemed by the court that Laporte had made a series of marketing decisions favourable to Altrad. According to the charges, they included carrying out illegal influence-peddling and passive corruption.
In a statement, World Rugby said: "World Rugby notes the decision of the French court to sentence Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) President and World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte on corruption charges which relate to domestic matters.
"The World Rugby Executive Committee will convene tonight to determine the next steps in accordance with the international federation’s Integrity Code. A further update will be made following the meeting."
Eddie Jones returns to Twickenham
Former England coach Eddie Jones will return to Twickenham next May to lead the Barbarians in a match against a World XV.
The 62-year-old was sacked by England last week and has already been touted for other jobs - with a place in Australia's coaching ticket for next year's World Cup seemingly on the cards.
Before that, though, he will return to HQ to take charge of the Barbarians on May 28 against a World XV overseen by former Wales and New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.
"I'm very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium - a venue I have so many fond memories of," said Jones.
"I'm more motivated than ever to put on a show. Going up against Steve rekindles a great rivalry which first started in our days competing in Super Rugby and progressed into the international arena
"It'll be a great challenge and one I'm sure we're both relishing."
Gatland refuses to rule out fifth Lions coaching stint
Warren Gatland has refused to rule out coaching on a fifth British and Irish Lions tour in Australia in 2025.
Gatland has returned to his role as Wales coach, three years after stepping away after the 2019 World Cup. Since first taking the Wales job in 2008, Gatland has acted as an assistant on the 2009 Lions tour and head coach on the tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
The latter was when Gatland was back coaching in New Zealand and it seemed logical that his time as Lions coach would end there. However, the sudden return to the northern hemisphere begs the question whether he'll take charge of the touring side once again.
Gatland remained coy on the idea, even suggesting one of his former assistants on Lions tours, current Ireland coach Andy Farrell, should get the nod. But his hat also wasn't withdrawn from the ring.
“To be honest I hadn’t even thought of that, I’m just thinking about the next 10 months," he said. “I’m well aware how important the Six Nations and the World Cup is for us to do well.
“Look, I’m not someone who plans my pathway, in terms of, I’m not thinking about the future and what’s going to happen. I’m a great believer in what will be will be, and if you’re in the right place at the right time then opportunities come along.
“And that’s how I’ve been lucky enough with my experiences with the Lions. And look, if you were picking a Lions coach at the moment, there’s only one person that I think’s in contention, and he’s across the water living in Dublin at the moment.
“And if you’re successful then those opportunities come along. So, I can promise you I’m not thinking about further than the next 10 months.”
You can read everything Gatland said about his return to Wales here.
CAVC win in World Schools Festival's quarter-final
Welsh champions Cardiff and Vale College are through to the semi-finals of the World Schools Tournament in Thailand after coming from behind to beat the 2019 Leinster Schools winners, St Michael’s College.
The Irish side is one of the finest rugby programmes in Dublin and has provided Leinster with a raft of internationals. However, tries from Saul Hurley and Flynn Baker helped CAVC overcome their opponents to move through to the last four.
“We sometimes talk ourselves down too much in Wales, and heap praise on the systems in place in other countries, but this was a win that to me proved the A Licence programme we have in Wales is very much fit for purpose,” CAVC director of rugby, Maryn Fowler, told the WRU site afterwards.
“St Michael’s were gutted to lose the game to us and are seen as one of the top school team in Dublin. Their production line of talent to Leinster is well known and they were a very tough side."
CAVC will now face Grey College, from Bloemfontein in Thursday's semi-final.
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