Here are the latest rugby headlines from Wales and beyond for Sunday, April 18.
Callum Sheedy injured after late challenge
Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy was an early departure from Bristol Bears' 34-17 bonus-point win over Newcastle Falcons due to a shoulder charge.
Adam Brocklebank was given a yellow card for a late no arms hit on Sheedy, who was pictured in discomfort lying on the pitch before receiving treatment.
He attempted to continue but - after being "clattered from behind", as BT Sport's commentary team dubbed it - lasted just another minute before he was replaced on 13 minutes by fellow Welshman Ioan Lloyd.
Referee Christophe Ridley said: "He had a chance to pull out and he didn't. It's not even a tackle. If it was a legal tackle, it would be a penalty but it's an illegal tackle so it's a yellow card."
Austin Healey said: "It's with force, it's in the lower back. You can cause a lot of damage to a fellow professional by doing something like that."
Pat Lam later told BT Sport of Sheedy's exit: "I make no secret of it, he could stand here and talk the game, he could take my place as the coach - he understands the way I want to play the game, he understands our game really well and he calls it and he's a really good leader."
The Bears trailed 10-0 approaching the half-hour mark at Kingston Park but three late first-half tries turned the game on its head. Two more followed after the interval as Bristol retained their 12-point advantage at the summit going into next weekend's clash with second-placed Exeter.
Lions make scouting trip
Lions coaches Gregor Townsend and Steve Tandy will be attending Doncaster v Saracens on Sunday afternoon.
The attack and defence coaches, announced as part of Warren Gatland's coaching roster earlier this week, will likely be getting a feel for what Saracens' England stars have to offer after a disappointing Six Nations finish.
The Lions squad announcement edges nearer, with the big reveal due on May 6.
Townsend told the Glasgow Times of his provisional squad selection: "My 36 in a few weeks’ time will be very different to this week, I’d imagine, as I’ll know a lot more about the players by then.
"We’ll probably have three more weekends of looking at players, so that will be important. There will be a lot of looking back at previous games as well over the past 12 months."
Nick Tompkins makes Saracens start after return from Dragons
Wales international Nick Tompkins will make his first start for Saracens since returning to the club after his loan spell with the Dragons.
Tompkins' return is one of five changes made by director of rugby Mark McCall for the trip to face unbeaten Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.
Tompkins, playing for the Men in Black for the first time since a 27-21 win against Northampton Saints in February 2020, will partner Elliot Daly in the midfield.
Speaking ahead of his 119th Sarries appearance, Tompkins insists he can’t wait to start earning the respect of his teammates all over again.
"I’m really excited to be back," the 26-year-old said.
"It’s my home so it’s been tough being away, especially watching the guys in another league and I’ve missed it a lot.
"This is the most nervous I’ve been in a while as you want to get that respect back from the boys and build those relationships again.
"No team in this league is easy and we’ve got to be prepared for a fight. Doncaster are a good side with some momentum so it’s going to be exciting to play against them."
Club Captain Owen Farrell will lead the team out at fly-half having recovered from a slight niggle, while Tim Swinson, Mike Rhodes and Sean Reffell all come in to bolster the forward pack and Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Vincent Koch continue in an experienced front-row. Swinson partners Maro Itoje in the second-row, Rhodes replacing Andy Christie at blindside flanker and Reffell in at openside.
Gatland insists clubs don't need more money to release Lions players
Warren Gatland has questioned the sense of English clubs demanding additional compensation for releasing their players for the British and Irish Lions pre-tour training camp.
Gatland's squad will spend 10 days in Jersey in advance of their preparation Test against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26, after which they depart for South Africa for an eight-fixture itinerary culminating in a series against the world champions.
The Lions are in negotiation with England's clubs, who are represented by Premiership Rugby, to secure early release of their players if they are not involved in the play-offs.
So far an agreement has proved elusive and Gatland has intensified his war of words with the Premiership by criticising their pursuit of money.
"There was obviously money paid for the Scottish players to play France in the Six Nations recently," Gatland said.
"I don't know what the figure is but I would presume there was financial compensation.
"We're all in a situation where, with the issue of fans not attending, that for the Lions it doesn't look like we'll be on the positive side of the balance sheet.
"It looks like the Lions are going to lose money, so we're all in the same boat. I don't know why everything has to come down to dollar signs.
"The Lions have been brilliant at compensating clubs in the past and I know that's the plan again for clubs who have players who do get selected. They get a significant fee for their release to go on tour.
"I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for players to come in to help our preparation once they've finished with their club side. I don't know why there has to be an extra payment for that."
Wales Women to face Scotland in Six Nations finale
Warren Abrahams' Wales Women will face Scotland in their Six Nations play-off next weekend.
Wales had a bye this week, with Italy cruising to a 41-20 victory over Scotland in the opposite pool to confirm final-round opposition.
Italy captain Manuela Furlan scored a hat-trick in Glasgow, while Beatrice Rigoni also crossed twice as the visitors ran in seven tries and ensured they will face Ireland next week with third place at stake.
Scotland trailed by just nine points at the break but could not claw their way back despite Emma Wassell's try.
Wales and Scotland will now both be bidding to avoid last place.
Elsewhere, Ireland missed out on a place in the Women's Six Nations final against England after a 56-15 defeat to France in Dublin.
A 45-0 victory over Wales last weekend boosted hopes Adam Griggs' Irish side could progress from Group B as winners.
But France proved too strong in the end, with Caroline Boujard, Emilie Boulard, Safi N'Diaye and Cyrielle Banet all crossing in the first half, while the visitors were also awarded a penalty try.
'Danny Care could still make Lions squad'
Danny Care has a shot of claiming a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, according to Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery.
Care opened the scoring in a 50-26 victory over Worcester at Twickenham Stoop and was influential throughout his 64 minutes on the field as Quins climbed to fourth in the Gallagher Premiership.
The 34-year-old scrum-half won the last of his 84 England caps in 2018 after falling out of favour with Eddie Jones, but his electric form this season has seen him emerge as a bolter for the Lions when Warren Gatland names his squad on May 6.
"I wouldn't discount it. I thought Danny was very good," said Quins defence coach Flannery.
"If you're looking through the Premiership at the moment, you'd be hard pushed to find someone who is playing better than him."
