These are the latest headlines from rugby night on Wednesday 6 April.
Rugby captain killed
The former captain of the Ukrainian rugby team was killed by Russian troops, it has been confirmed
Oleksi Tsibko, 55, died defending his people against Vladimir Putin’s invasion near the town of Bucha on March 31. The news of his death has now been officially announced by Rugby Europe chairman Octavian Morariu.
He said: “Although I hoped that this news would not be confirmed, unfortunately I can now say with sadness that Oleksi Tsibko, former captain of the Ukrainian national team, former president of the Ukrainian Rugby Union and also mayor of Smela City. died defending his city and his country.”
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After his playing career, Tsibko became president of the Ukrainian Rugby Federation between 2003 and 2005, before serving as mayor of Smela from 2015 to 2018.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont tweeted: “On @UN #SportsDay our thoughts are with the Ukrainian rugby family who are currently facing such incredible challenges.
“We also remember those who were victims of the recent violence, including former union president Oleksii Tsibko.
“We stand with Ukraine in condemning this unnecessary violence and will continue to offer solidarity and friendship.”
Wales set for ‘titanium’ Six Nations clash with England
Ugo Monye predicts an “absolutely titanic” Six Nations clash when England’s Red Roses host Wales this Saturday. The third round match, which the two teams head to after two bonus points wins, is set to be played in front of a crowd of 16,000 at Kingsholm in Gloucester.
“Everything is set to be a brilliant game this weekend at Kingsholm, sold out, two unbeaten teams and maximum points in the Women’s Six Nations – England v Wales should be absolutely titanic,” Monye told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with the Red Roses. I think they’re a phenomenal team and they’re heading into the World Cup, where they’ll be favourites. It’s a litmus test of how far the Wales have come because where they were from last year in the level of performance and results they are getting this year is a world apart.”
Cardiff hooker joins Exeter
Cardiff have confirmed that hooker Iestyn Harris has left the club with immediate effect to join Exeter Chiefs.
The former Wales Under-20 star was due out of contract this summer and with a full roster of prostitutes and some emerging talent, a new contract has not been offered.
Following a request from Exeter, it was agreed to allow Harris to move out immediately.
Cardiff Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Iestyn leaves Cardiff with our thanks for all his efforts at Arms Park and our best wishes for the future.
“With three first-team hookers currently under contract and players like Efan Daniel progressing well on our journey, we are well equipped for the job and this is a good opportunity for Iestyn.” You can read why Exeter thinks he is so good here.
Wales star attempts Six Nations second round
Welsh scrum-half Ffion Lewis’ memorable scoring in Wales’ thrilling win over Scotland has been voted a second-round Women’s Six Nations try.
Wales pulled off another second-half turnover at Cardiff Arms Park, battling back from 19-7 to win 24-19 and it was Lewis who scored the most important. The substitute scrum-half provided a fastball from the breakdown just inside Wales’ own half before first-round player Alisha Butchers found a hole in the defense and was transferred at Lewis.
The public voted overwhelmingly in favor of Lewis’ try (46%), while Sarah Bern’s magic moment against Italy finished second (28%), France’s Mélissande Llorens finished third (18%) and Scottish winger Rhona Lloyd finished fourth (8%).
Bristol manager: ‘Don’t worry about the strength of the team’
Pat Lam has reassured Bristol fans that the Bears will be competitive next season following a report claiming they have struggled to balance the books.
Bristol issued a statement last week insisting they would continue to operate under the salary cap, which has been reduced from £6.4m to £5m for the 2021-22 campaign. This was in response to a claim the club were being forced to offload key players such as Bath-linked Dave Attwood due to an administrative error involving the contracts of six players. Attwood will leave Ashton Gate at the end of the season with former England number eight Nathan Hughes joining Clermont.
But Lam points to the signing of Ellis Genge, AJ MacGinty, Magnus Bradbury, James Williams and Gabriel Ibitoye, as well as retaining key players Harry Randall and Chris Vui, as proof of their ambition for 2022-23.
“Everyone knows that I do the majority of my main job before January,” the director of rugby said. “That’s when Gabriel was done, James Williams was done. It was done much earlier, we’re just keeping announcements until the appropriate time. With the majority of our main work done, the team and the team will be improved and stronger.
“The club released the statement to give our supporters absolute clarity. Everyone was worried about our team, a ‘fire sale’ and stuff like that came out. So the message to the fans is, ‘don’t worry no, there’s no problem with the salary cap and don’t worry about the strength of the team”. It will be improved and you have already seen it with Ellis Genge (signer), Harry Randall committing for four years, Chris Vui committing for four years, James and Gabriel joining. All of this has been done long before. It’s business as usual.
Bristol have been given a boost for their double Heineken Champions Cup last-16 tie against Sale after it emerged Kyle Sinckler and Steven Luatua will be available for Saturday’s trip up north. Sinckler hasn’t played since England’s Six Nations campaign, during which he was hampered by a concussion and back problems, while Bears captain Luatua has recovered quickly from a wrist dislocation.
