Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, January 27.
RFU apologises for handling of tackle height decision
The Rugby Football Union has apologised for its handling of the decision to lower the tackle height across the English community game to the waist. The RFU has been subjected to a furious backlash in response to the announcement made last week, with chief executive Bill Sweeney potentially facing a no confidence vote from grassroots clubs.
"The RFU board, council and executive staff apologise for the anger and concern that has been created among the rugby community by announcing the decision to lower the tackle height from next season," a statement read.
The move to lower the tackle height from July 1 was unanimously approved by the RFU council in an attempt to support player welfare, notably reducing head impact exposure amid the concussion lawsuits faced by the sport's governing bodies. It will apply to all levels outside the professional game, which is comprised of internationals, the Premiership and Championship, but first the RFU will begin a widespread period of consultation to set the definition of a low tackle.
"In our desire to act quickly to reduce head impacts and concussions in the community game, which represents 99 per cent of the rugby playing population in England, we have upset many of you who are the champions, volunteers, and ambassadors of our game. We fully acknowledge we got the engagement wrong, and we are truly sorry," the statement continued. "In making our decision we were aware that France have lowered the tackle height, New Zealand will be doing so and World Rugby supports this approach.
"We, like the French, used the term 'waist and below'; this has caused misunderstanding and confusion. We would now like the game to help us define how we describe a lower tackle height to reflect what the research is telling us in a way that is understood by all.
"Consequently, the risk of head injuries should be reduced if tackling below that optimum height. We will now begin a series of forums and workshops with players, coaches, match officials and volunteers, to explain and develop the details of the domestic law variation. A large body of scientific evidence demonstrates the risk of head injury and concussion for players can be reduced by lowering the tackle height to prevent head on head contact.
"However, we also accept that the rugby community has other concerns that this change may bring and we need to listen, understand and respond to those concerns. We will start inviting players, coaches, match officials and volunteers to these forums from early next week, so that we can all work together."
World Rugby statement on tackle height plans
World Rugby have issued a statement insisting there are no immediate plans to lower the legal tackle height in the professional game.
CEO Alan Gilpin had appeared to suggest plans were afoot to lower the current shoulder-high tackle limit, albeit not as far as the waist-height limit being introduced in English amateur rugby. That proposal has been met with fierce criticism and may yet be overturned, but Gilpin backed the measure. Now, World Rugby has moved to try and offer further clarity.
“World Rugby is committed to the highest standards of welfare for participants at all levels," a statement said. “While lowered tackle height is currently being explored with unions at the community level, as World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin explained, there are no immediate plans to implement blanket tackle height reductions in the elite level of the game as outlined. We will, however, never stand still when it comes to the safety and well-being of all participants.”
World Rugby boss Gilpin had told The Telegraph change was in the pipeline across the board, saying: "Yes, we're looking to make sure that we are implementing a lower tackle height across all parts of the game. The RFU is in the process of implementing some changes around tackle height that we support.
"There's a lot of work to do to educate people. But we've got to, as a sport, try to find that really difficult but hugely-important balance between safety but making the game entertaining to watch.
"We need to get players tackling lower at every part of the game... How that's actually implemented is slightly different in the community game to the elite game. The key message is let’s get the tackle height lower at every level of the game because that will reduce – absolutely reduce – the number of head injuries that we see in rugby."
Cardiff name side to face Leinster
Scrum-half Lloyd Williams returns to Cardiff's starting line-up to face Leinster in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, with boss Dai Young making six changes from last week's 37-24 defeat to Brive in Europe.
Joining Williams at half-back is Jarrod Evans, whose inclusion sees Rhys Priestland shift to full-back. Rey Lee-Lo returns in midfield, while Owen Lane has recovered from an ankle injury and is named on the wing.
Captain Josh Turnbull, who was rested for the trip to Brive, is named on the blindside flank, pairing up with James Botham and James Ratti in the back row. Brad Thyer is the only change made to the front five, replacing Rhys Carré, who is one of eight Cardiff players now in Wales camp ahead of the Six Nations kick-off.
“Leinster are unbeaten this season and they don’t lose many games, whether home or away," said Cardiff director of rugby Young. "They are always one of the very best teams in Europe so we know it is going to be a huge test for us. We have about 20 players missing and that leaves about 23 players to select from but we still have a lot of quality and I am confident in the team we have selected."
Cardiff: 15. Rhys Priestland, 14. Owen Lane, 13. Rey Lee-Lo, 12. Ben Thomas, 11. Jason Harries, 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Lloyd Williams, 1. Brad Thyer, 2. Kirby Myhill, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 4. Lopeti Timani, 5. Seb Davies, 6. Josh Turnbull (capt.), 7. James Botham, 8. James Ratti.
Replacements: 16. Kristian Dacey, 17. Corey Domachowski, 18. Will Davies-King, 19. Rory Thornton, 20. Shane Lewis-Hughes, 21. Ellis Bevan, 22. Aled Summerhill, 23. Matthew Morgan.
Ospreys back in action after win over Leicester
Ospreys boss Toby Booth has named a much-changed side to face Zebre Parma in the URC on Sunday (3pm UK kick-off time) following the historic win over Leicester Tigers in Europe last weekend.
With 15 players having since headed into Wales camp, there is change aplenty among the starting XV while the bench sees a few youngsters come into the fold. Nicky Smith will captain the side, Elvis Taione will start at hooker, while Stephen Myler returns from injury to be named on the bench and new signing Tom Cowan-Dickie, brought in as cover to Sam Parry and Dewi Lake, could make his debut off the bench.
Ospreys: 15. Max Nagy, 14. Luke Morgan, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Jack Walsh, 9. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 1. Nicky Smith (capt), 2. Elvis Taione, 3. Tom Botha, 4. Bradley Davies, 5. Huw Sutton, 6. Jack Regan, 7. Harri Deaves, 8. Morgan Morris.
Replacements: 16. Tom Cowan-Dickie, 17. Garyn Phillips, 18. Rhys Henry, 19. James Fender, 20. Tristan Davies, 21. Matthew Aubrey, 22. Stephen Myler, 23. Iestyn Hopkins.
Dragons v Glasgow team news as Rhodri Jones returns
Prop Rhodri Jones returns to the starting line-up and hooker Brodie Coghlan will make his first senior start when the Dragons host Glasgow Warriors in the URC on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Boss Dai Flanagan has made nine changes to the team from the 30-25 defeat to South African side Lions in the European Challenge Cup last Sunday, with Jones and Coghlan packing down alongside Lloyd Fairbrother up front. There is a recall for Matthew Screech in the second row, while Taine Basham moves to No. 8 to accommodate Sean Lonsdale starting at openside flanker.
A new half-back pairing sees captain Rhodri Williams and JJ Hanrahan combine, while Jack Dixon and Sio Tomkinson form a new-look midfield. The final change sees Jared Rosser return on the wing.
Dragons RFC: 15. Jordan Williams, 14. Jared Rosser, 13. Sio Tomkinson, 12. Jack Dixon, 11. Ashton Hewitt, 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Rhodri Williams (capt), 1. Rhodri Jones, 2. Brodie Coghlan, 3. Lloyd Fairbrother, 4. Matthew Screech, 5. Ben Carter, 6. George Nott, 7. Sean Lonsdale, 8. Taine Basham.
Replacements: 16. James Benjamin, 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Chris Coleman, 19. Huw Taylor, 20. Ben Fry, 21. Lewis Jones, 22. Sam Davies, 23. Steff Hughes.
Wales U20s name Six Nations squad
Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward has named a 36-man squad for the U20 Six Nations championship campaign, with Dragons back-rower Ryan Woodman named captain. The cohort boasts an experienced back line although that is lacking up front.
The squad includes 11 players who featured in last summer’s successful U20 summer tournament in Italy, while Harri Williams and Tom Florence were involved in last year’s Six Nations campaign. Wales U20s first host Ireland in Colwyn Bay next Friday, February 3.
“It is the strongest squad we could have picked because of recruitment,” Hayward said. “Our identification of this squad has been really thorough since last September and we're in a totally different place to where we were 12 months ago. I’ve watched virtually every game these boys have played from September this season either by footage or watching the games. We’ve also had workshops plus we had a match against Scotland pre-Christmas and then we had Poland and we’ve also had two hit-outs against Cardiff Met and Pontypool in the last couple of weeks so preparation wise I think we're in a good place.
Wales U20s Six Nations squad — forwards: Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons), Freddie Chapman (Ospreys), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Sam Scarfe (Dragons), Lewis Morgan (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), Will Couch (Scarlets), Tomas Pritchard (Scarlets), Liam Edwards (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Owain Evans (RGC), Ryan Woodman (Dragons – capt), Huw Davies (Sale), Caleb Salmon (Scarlets), Tom Caple (Dragons), Luca Giannini (Scarlets), Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby).
Backs: Archie Hughes (Scarlets), Harri Williams (Scarlets), Che Hope (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Harrison James (Cardiff Rugby), Iwan Jenkins (Exeter), Harri Ackerman (Dragons), Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Tom Florence (Ospreys), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Houston ((Ospreys), Oli Andrew (Dragons), Llien Morgan (Ospreys), Jac Davies (Scarlets), Kian Abraham (Scarlets).
England suffer hammer blow
England's preparations for the Six Nations have suffered another hammer blow after Elliot Daly was ruled out of the entire tournament because of a hamstring injury. Daly was expected to make his first appearance since last year's Championship having fallen out of favour under Eddie Jones, but his club Saracens have revealed he will need 12 weeks of rehabilitation.
The versatile back sustained the injury in Saracens' Heineken Champions Cup defeat by Edinburgh last Sunday and must now target the summer's World Cup warm-up games to add to his 57 caps. Daly was set to challenge for a place in England's back three where he can cover wing and full-back, while also providing an option at outside centre. The sacking of Jones last month and subsequent appointment of Steve Borthwick as head coach saw Daly recalled to the Six Nations squad as reward for an explosive start to the 2022-23 campaign.
England are boosted by the return of wings Henry Arundell and Anthony Watson from injury this weekend - the duo in action for London Irish and Leicester respectively - but playing resources have been depleted up-front. An injury crisis has claimed hookers Luke Cowan-Dickie and George McGuigan, while Jamie George is a doubt because of concussion to threaten his involvement in the opener against Scotland on February 4.
Courtney Lawes is also struggling with a calf problem suffered on Northampton duty last weekend, damaging his Calcutta Cup prospects, while flanker Tom Curry is not expected to return from hamstring damage until later in the Six Nations.
New Six Nations chief appointed
Six Nations has appointed Tom Harrison as its chief executive to replace Ben Morel when he steps down at the end of the season.
Former England and Wales Cricket Board CEO Harrison will join the Six Nations in March, working alongside Morel before taking full charge on April 1.
"It's a huge privilege to join the organisation and play a part in the continued development of this celebrated brand and to serve rugby union more widely," Harrison said.
Morel is leaving the Six Nations to take up a commercial role with the Professional Football League in France.
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