Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, December 13.
Myler considers future
Stephen Myler is yet to make a decision on his future as he mulls over the possibility of eventually moving into coaching.
One of the most deadly kickers in the United Rugby Championship will see his contract with the Ospreys expire at the end of the season.
The 37-year-old fly-half is uncertain if he will be at the Swansea-based region for a third season and hasn’t yet made a call on which employment road to go down when his playing days do finally draw to a close.
"I haven’t made a decision either way," he said in an interview with RugbyPass.
"The last couple of years I have said I’d see how my body feels and see if I still have the desire to do it — and I do at the moment.
"That is my immediate thought but a lot of consideration with that is what life looks like beyond a rugby-playing career. I am considering the coaching route, I am hopefully going to do my badges, my level three badge this year, but when that is I don’t know yet.
"I couldn’t give you an accurate answer for what my immediate plans are next season or anything like that. I’m still in the process of getting information together. Hopefully, I will make a decision soon."
With his calm demeanour, intelligence and accuracy in front of goal, Myler has been a fine acquisition for the Ospreys, a player whose value can be assessed by the many players at the region who have stated how much of a positive influence he is in the squad.
Schmidt gets All Blacks gig
Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has snaffled up a job with the All Blacks.
The 56-year-old Kiwi was continuously linked with the top job in New Zealand during his more successful periods in Ireland and it seems he is getting closer.
Stuff reports that Schmidt is replacing Grant Fox as a selector. The role will not simply be confined to deciding which players to pick, but also spreading his influence and ideas throughout the set-up.
Schmidt has already signed on to become a part-time coach at the Blues in Auckland and will perform the two roles alongside one another.
Covid threatens more Euro chaos
The Heineken Champions Cup could yet experience more chaos due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leinster's game against Montpellier this weekend is now said to be in doubt with both teams returning positive Covid tests in the last few days.
Neither side was due to train on Monday (December 11) due to the squads undergoing a round of testing.
Last week, three Leinster players and a member of staff tested positive, though their game against Bath still went ahead at the weekend. But ahead of this Friday's clash with the French club, training was cancelled for Monday as a precaution.
They will not return to training until results of the latest round of testing come back.
As for Montpellier, two staff members tested positive last week ahead of their clash with Exeter and, since returning from England, a further two players have also now tested positive.
They too will now be awaiting the results of their latest round of testing anxiously. If all tests come back negative, this weekend's match is unlikely to be impacted.
But if it transpires that either side has experienced a more significant outbreak, then the game may well have to be forfeited by the team unable to safely field a side.
Ashton leaves Worcester
England international Chris Ashton has left Worcester by mutual consent.
The 34-year-old's contract was up at the end of the season but his time at the club has come to a premature end.
Injuries have blighted his time at Sixways and the club agreed to release him early.
"Ashton arrived at Sixways from Harlequins 11 months ago, but calf and knee injuries have prevented him from playing for Warriors this season," Worcester said in a statement.
"The daily commute from his home in Northampton had also proved challenging, so the club and Ashton have agreed a release from his contract which was due to expire at the end of this season."
Ospreys Trust sponsors players
A group committed to helping the Ospreys.
So says Jason Tanner of the Ospreylian Trust, an organisation set up to work with and for the Swansea.com region.
Among the trust’s objectives is the raising of money for the Ospreys, including but not limited to player sponsorship.
The group will work with the Ospreys Supporters Club and are sponsoring two players, Morgan Morris and Mat Protheroe.
“The way it works is that members pay basic membership fees and can then chip in with extra contributions if they want,” said Tanner, the trust’s chairperson.
“It’s entirely up to individuals what they want to give.
“The membership is £25 or £10 for OAPs. We are also launching a new Family Membership, costing £40 for two adults and children with the children getting a signed mini Ospreys Rugby ball.
“Sponsoring Morgan and Mat is brilliant for us as they fit the bill as exciting talent from the area who are supporters’ favourites.
“Any money raised goes straight to the Ospreys, while Mike Ruddock will address trust members via a virtual meeting in late January on the Ospreys’ young players and Morgan and Mat will speak to us later in the season.”
Morris was man of the match against Ulster recently. “It was brilliant to see our sponsored player having such a good game,” said Tanner.
Those wishing to join can do so via theospreyliantrust@gmail.com or visit the website www.theospreyliantrust.co.uk.
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