Here are the latest rugby headlines on the morning of Wednesday, December 15.
Italy legend eyes Test return
Sergio Parisse is targeting a return to Test rugby with Italy.
The 38-year-old - who has amassed 142 caps for the Azzurri - has not featured for his country since the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
However, Parisse - who has recently recovered from a wrist injury - revealed he has held talks with new head coach Kieran Crowley over the possibility of featuring for Italy in the 2022 Six Nations.
“My availability is total. I hope to play if they involve me," he told Corriere dello Sport.
And speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the legendary No. 8 commented: “My intention was to come back for Italy in 2021, but it went a different way because of things which are bigger than rugby.
“But I have never made a secret of my desire to pull on the blue jersey again, provided I am in the right condition.
"Have I spoken to Crowley? Yes, but everything still needs to be decided in more detail.”
Italy begin their Six Nations campaign against France in Paris on Sunday, February 6.
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Davies relishing regular game time
Seb Davies admits he's relishing the opportunity to play regularly for both Cardiff and Wales after being given a star role of late.
The 25-year-old featured in each of Wales' autumn fixtures against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia and started in a much-changed Cardiff side against Toulouse in the Champions Cup on Saturday having missed the region's nightmarish trip to South Africa.
"I've had a bit of game-time in the autumn with Wales which I was happy with," said Davies.
"Coming back here, I didn't go to South Africa but I'm playing in these next games. It's going well. I'm happy with my performance and I'm training well."
The versatile forward has been no stranger to being shifted around the pack during his career to date.
And Davies says he's enjoying life at lock with Cardiff having featured in the back-row with Wales during the autumn.
"Yeah I'm enjoying it. It's not too different," he said on the positional switch.
"The only difference is the scrum. I'm tall so I'll always get up in the air for the lineout. The only difference is the scrum and that's not too different a change."
Ireland icon emerges as favourite for Munster job
Ronan O'Gara is the early favourite to replace Johann van Graan as head coach of Munster.
South African van Graan has confirmed he will leave the Irish province at the end of the current campaign after opting against signing a new two-year contract.
And Ireland legend O'Gara is the 11/10 favourite with Paddy Power to replace van Graan in the Thomond Park hotseat.
The former fly-half spent his entire professional club career with Munster and had coaching roles with Racing 92 and Crusaders prior to becoming La Rochelle's head coach in 2019.
Mike Prendergast (13/8), Paul O'Connell (2/1), Scott Robertson (6/1), Graham Rowntree (7/1) and Felix Jones (8/1) are also among those listed by the bookmaker.
Former England head coach Stuart Lancaster and ex-Australia boss Michael Cheika are both priced at 25/1 to take charge at Munster.
Van Graan said: “While I was at advanced stages in the contract process earlier this year, I took a step back and reconsidered my options, prioritising what’s best for my family, myself, and Munster Rugby.
“My family and I settled well into life here, this is our home, and in an ideal world we would love to continue living in Limerick, but I’ve been looking at the bigger picture."
He went on to add: “It has been an incredible journey and I’m hugely proud of this group for everything we have done to date knowing there is so much more to come as we move towards the business end of the season.”
(Odds courtesy of Paddy Power, correct at time of publishing)
Beetham discovers hearing date
Jacob Beetham will discover his fate on Thursday after being red carded during Cardiff's Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse.
The 20-year-old was sent off late on in the contest at the Arms Park - on what was his debut for the region - for a dangerous tackle on Baptiste Germaine.
A statement from European Professional Club Rugby read: "The Cardiff Rugby full back, Jacob Beetham (No 15), was issued with a red card during his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Stade Toulousain at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, 11 December 2021.
"Beetham was sent off by the referee, Karl Dickson (England), in the 74th minute of the match for tackling the Stade Toulousain replacement, Antoine Miquel (No 21), in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
"The independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing, which will take place by video conference on Thursday (16 December), will be announced in due course."
Speaking ahead of his side's Champions Cup contest with Harlequins, Gruff Rees confirmed that Cardiff would not be challenging the red card issues to the young full-back.
"Jacob, we won't contest," said the academy manager.
"I've been advised they'll follow that process tomorrow (Wednesday) or Thursday. He won't be available."
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