Here are the latest rugby headlines from Wales and beyond for Sunday, June 13.
Classy Sexton contacts Biggar
Dan Biggar has told how Johnny Sexton sent him a text message that revealed much about the Irishman’s character on the day of the Lions squad announcement.
Sexton could have been forgiven for feeling bereft, having missed out on a place in Warren Gatland’s squad for the tour to South Africa.
But the World Rugby player of the year for 2018 still made the effort to get in touch with Biggar, a Lions team-mate from the trip to New Zealand four years ago.
In an interview with MailOnline, Biggar recalled how he had learned from the Irishman on that trip to New Zealand.
"Last time, I picked up so much from Johnny Sexton," he said.
"Johnny sent me a really nice message on the day of the squad announcement after he missed out, which says a lot about his character. He said: 'Congratulations, all the best and target a Test spot.'
"That meant a lot."
Biggar also spoke of the tightness of the bonds in the midweek side in New Zealand in 2017, telling how they enjoyed the tour with one night seeing a memorable game of credit-card roulette.
"We had the Test team and the midweek team, but there were no egos in the group. I was part of the midweek team and we had some great times together. It didn’t take long for the story to come up about George Kruis losing a £1,500 game of credit-card roulette on a weeknight in Wellington! That group of us watched the Test matches from the stands, which wasn’t the easiest, so I suppose that’s all part of the memory that drives me."
He added: "In 2017, I was thinking about booking a flight home when I heard James Haskell had been given a late call-up, but I absolutely loved spending time with him. I spent as much time with the English lads as anyone."
Faletau tunes up for Lions challenge
Taulupe Faletau warmed up for the Lions tour with a big performance for Bath as they clinched a place in next season’s Heineken Champions Cup.
As well as scoring a try, the Wales No. 8 made 27 metres with ball in hand, beating four defenders along the way, and put in nine tackles.
Awarding him a nine out of 10 in their player ratings for SomersetLive - WalesOnline's sister title - Charlie Hynes and John Evely said: "The British and Irish Lions number eight was a constant threat with his agility in attack avoiding the oncoming defenders.
"He beat four defenders and ran a great support line off Watson’s break for his try. He also disrupted Saints at the breakdown with a turnover as well as stealing a lineout late on."
Hardy sets summer goal
Scarlets scrum-half Kieran Hardy is setting his sights on becoming first-choice Wales No. 9 this summer.
Tomos Williams and Rhodri Williams are the other scrum-halves in the mix for the Tests with Argentina and Canada in July.
Competition is set to be hot, with Tomos Williams considered by many to be unfortunate not to be on the Lions tour of South Africa while Rhodri Williams is a clever operator who’ll want to make up for lost time after seven years in the Test wilderness.
But Hardy is hopeful.
"I would love to leave as Wales' first choice and will try to do everything to accomplish that," the 25-year-old west Walian is quoted as saying on the BBC.
Hardy has banked four caps this season.
Quick and with an eye for a gap, he started for Wales against England and impressed, crowning his performance with an opportunist try.
The Welsh No. 9 shirt is there to be nailed down, though.
Wayne Pivac has used five scrum-halves this season — Rhys Webb, Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams, Hardy and Tomos Williams — with none of them holding the jersey for more than two successive games.
Rhodri Williams will further add to the mix.
Hardy said: "All the nines bring something different and they will all be itching for an opportunity, so it's up to us to grab it when we get it.
"It is great to be competitive with Tomos and Rhodri coming in. So there is now somebody new coming in who wants his opportunity.”
Will Dan Biggar be the Lions starting 10 this summer? Have your say in our comments section.
High fives! Chiefs man makes Super Rugby history
Chiefs wings Sean Wainui put his name in the record books with a stunning performance in the 40-7 win over the Waratahs.
He became the first player in Super Rugby history to claim five tries in match.
Touchdowns in the second and 15th minutes were followed by further efforts in the third quarter, before a try after the full-time hooter had sounded completed a wonderful effort.
Chiefs had been eliminated from contention for the trans-Tasman final before kick-off but produced a compelling performance in a match rich on entertainment value.
Farrell's good news
Head coach Andy Farrell received a welcome reminder of Ireland’s strength in depth at No. 8 with the performances of Gavin Coombes and Caelan Doris in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup.
Munster’s Coombes was to the fore against Zebre, while Doris banged in an immense display for Leinster against the Dragons.
Doris missed just one out of 16 tackles and helped lead the way in the ball-carrying stakes with forceful runs the Welsh visitors to Dublin found hard to deal with.
The42 website said: "It was encouraging to see both young back rows in such good form.
"It could even be that Farrell uses both of them in the same Irish starting back row next month as his team take on Japan and the US in Dublin. Longer-term, it looks certain that Doris and Coombes will be regular fixtures in green jerseys."
