These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, April 18.
Neath issue strong response to WRU call
Neath RFC have issued a pointed response to the Welsh Rugby Union after they missed out on the final place in Welsh rugby’s new Elite Domestic Competition (EDC).
Cardiff RFC were awarded the licence after a rigorous application process, which also included a renewed application from Neath. The Welsh All Blacks had seen their initial application turned down in what they described as a “grossly unfair” omission, but launched a huge social media campaign for their second bid, which was endorsed by the likes of Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies, Shane Williams and even comedian Russell Kane.
However, in another hammer blow, they have been again denied a place in the EDC, with Cardiff taking the final spot. The Blue & Blacks will compete in the new league, which replaces the Welsh Premiership from next season, alongside Aberavon, Bridgend, Carmarthen Quins, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery, Newport, Pontypool, Swansea and RGC 1404.
Announcing the decision, WRU executive director of performance Nigel Walker explained that Cardiff “submitted a bid which placed them high up in the rankings on the scorecard we have used for awarding a licence,” while Neath had not scored enough points to be considered for a licence “despite an improved application”.
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Neath have now responded to the announcement, saying it is “no surprise” and doubling down on their dig at ex-Cardiff wing Walker, posting an image of a Cardiff shirt with his name on the back alongside their statement, which is titled ‘Huge shock as Neath left out in the cold – again’.
It reads: “Neath RFC’s re-application to the EDC has been turned down by the WRU who have awarded the final place to Cardiff. That is no surprise to Neath RFC and its supporters but Neath RFC join with WRU Executive Director of Performance and ex-Cardiff RFC man Nigel Walker in congratulating Cardiff RFC.
“We have been at pains throughout to stress that this is not about Neath and Cardiff or any of the other clubs for that matter. We believe that Cardiff is an elite club, but so too is Neath RFC.”
The club said they are “formulating a formal response to the WRU” over “concerns as to the integrity and veracity of the process,” but in the meantime are continuing to prepare for their final home game of the current season against RGC on Saturday. The statement added: “Neath as a town is under attack on many fronts and we urge everyone to come along and show their support for us [and] our defence of our rugby community, culture and heritage”.
Wales captain Morgan not ready to return from injury
Wales World Cup co-captain Jac Morgan will not play in the Ospreys‘ two-match United Rugby Championship trip to South Africa, while fellow co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake will miss at least the opening game against Stormers.
The pair travelled with the squad to Cape Town earlier this week, but neither will play any part against the Stormers on Saturday.
Lake has an outside chance of featuring against Bulls on 27 April. Both players missed the Six Nations through injury, with Morgan having undergone knee surgery in December and Lake suffering a hamstring injury the following month.
On-loan Cheetahs trio Evardi Boshoff, Jeandre Rudolph and Victor Sekekete have linked back up with Ospreys this week after being unavailable for European competition.
Tributes paid to Welsh rugby legend
Tributes have been paid to a Welshman who became a rugby league legend on the other side of the world after leaving Wales as a teenager.
Keith Barnes, who died earlier this month aged 89, was born in Port Talbot in October 1934 but emigrated to Australia with his family aged 15. Having only played rugby union in Wales, he was introduced to the other code at high school in New South Wales, before making his senior rugby league debut for Wollongong aged 19.
A half-back, he moved to Balmain Tigers in 1955 and became a club legend over 14 seasons, racking up a massive 1,519 points, mainly from goal-kicking, and earning the nickname ‘Golden Boots’. He also made 12 appearances for New South Wales.
On the international stage, he won 17 caps for Australia – all but three of them as captain – and kicked 59 goals. He was part of the 1957 World Cup-winning side, despite breaking his cheekbone in the first match against New Zealand.
After retiring, he became secretary-manager of the Balmain Leagues Club before becoming CEO of the football club. He also managed the Australian side on the 1990 Kangaroo tour.
His prestigious career saw him named a Member of the Order of Australia in “recognition of service to rugby league as a player and administrator” in 1996, while he was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2007. The following year, he was named as one of Australia’s 100 Greatest Players, while the year after a stand at Balmain Tigers’ home ground was named after him.
Fellow Balmain legend Steve Roach described him as “the greatest Tiger of them all,” adding: “He was like a father figure to us. He was the glue that kept all the Tigers together.” Former hooker Ben Elias added: “He was a rugby league giant. If you can find me an individual in this world that did not like Keith Barnes then you can blow me over. Honestly, he was nature’s gentleman. He was like my second father, he was the man.”
Meanwhile, Wales Rugby League also paid tribute, describing him as “one of the greatest Welsh-born rugby league players never to play for Wales”. The organisation added: “Everyone at Wales Rugby League send their condolences to all of his family and friends.”
Faletau returns for Cardiff
Wales centurion Taulupe Faletau will make his long-awaited return for Cardiff against Ulster on Friday night, having been named in the starting line-up by coach Matt Sherratt.
The number eight hasn’t played since last year’s World Cup, when he broke his arm in Wales’ final pool match against Georgia. He missed out on selection for the Six Nations but is now back to hand Cardiff a major boost as they look for a positive end to their URC season.
He will line up in the back row alongside Alex Mann and the returning Thomas Young, while the fit-again Theo Cabango starts for the first time since November and Teddy Williams replaces Seb Davies at lock. Scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou, who signed on loan from the Dragons earlier this month, is set to make his debut off the bench.
“Obviously we’re delighted to have [Faletau] back and starting for us,” said Sherratt. “He’s a world-class talent, who everyone in the squad looks up to and will raise the standards in the team. It’s exciting for us to be able to name him in the team to play alongside our younger players like Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin who will only learn from the experience of playing with a great of the game.
“We come to Belfast on the back of two very good away performances against Glasgow and Munster, but now is the time to turn one point into four,” he added. “Ulster is a difficult place to come, and have a strong pack, but we’ve had some time off to recover and recuperate and then trained and prepared really well for the game.
“There is no reason why with this group, and the performances we have already put in on the road this season we can’t put in another good account of ourselves and turn a good performance into a win.”
