Here's your round-up of the latest rugby headlines for Sunday June 25.
Wales 'gutted' after agonising New Zealand defeat
Wales under-20s boss Mark Jones says he's proud of his side's efforts following their narrow defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the opening game of the World Championships.
Despite opening up a 19-5 lead at half-time, Wales slumped to a narrow and agonising 27-26 defeat at the hands of the Baby Blacks.
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It was a result and performance that perhaps deserved more, but Jones believes his team needed to show more ruthlessness in the final moments of the game.
Wales are determined to bounce back with victories in their remaining pool games as they clash with Japan on Thursday and then France the following week.
"The boys are gutted," Jones said. "Yes they took two bonus points but they put themselves in a position to win that game.
"We wanted them to be in a position to win the game in the final minutes, perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut.
"I'm so proud of their effort. Our lineout was a real weapon, we were dangerous with ball in hand and we finished the far stronger.
"We just need to work on nailing the detail in big moments like that 15-minute period just after half-time when we allowed New Zealand to take back momentum."
Henry backs France for World Cup
Sir Graham Henry has backed France for World Cup success on home turf later this year.
New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup-winning coach sees Fabien Galthie's side as favourites, with Ireland the other side to watch, although he admits they each have problems to overcome.
“The Irish and the French are favourites, there’s no doubt about that. They’ve beaten the All Blacks in recent times,” he told Stuff.
“The Irish are Six Nations champions, the French are scary, a very strong side and they’re playing at home.
“The challenge for those two teams is that they’ve never won it and the Irish have never got past the quarter-finals, so it’d be a lot of pressure on them to change that.
“The French are playing at home and that will create its own pressure.”
Wallabies name two captains for World Cup
Michael Hooper and James Slipper have been named as co-captains of Australia ahead of the Rugby Championship and World Cup.
The Wallabies are in Wales' group for the World Cup, with Georgia, Fiji and Portugal also among the opponents for Warren Gatland's team.
Australian coach Eddie Jones named the two players, who each have more than 100 caps, in the role as he unveiled a 34-man squad for the Championship.
Flanker Hooper, who has led the team in a Wallaby record 68 Tests, has been appointed captain by four head coaches.
Jones said: "Michael and James are world class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby.
"Getting selected in the squad is just the start, we've got to build the team and that will require hard work and getting a little bit more out of everyone involved."
Jones has named eight uncapped players in the group with Melbourne Rebels duo Carter Gordon and Josh Kemeny in their first national squad, along with Reds front rowers Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr.
ACT Brumbies teammates Tom Hooper and Ryan Lonergan have also earned call-ups, as has former Australia Sevens representative Dylan Pietsch and towering lock Richie Arnold, who will join the squad after winning the Top 14 with Stade Toulouse in France.
Arnold and experienced outside-half Quade Cooper, who plays in Japan, have been named after the team management applied for two extra overseas-based players alongside the normal three permitted - centre Samu Kerevi, who is in a rehab group of injured players, wing Marika Koroibete and lock Will Skelton.
Australia squad - Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini; Backs: Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Carter Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Tom Wright, Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch
Gloucester-Hartpury secure first title
Gloucester-Hartpury won their first Premier 15s title with a 34-19 victory over Exeter Chiefs.
Tries from Kelsey Jones, Rachel Lund and Sarah Beckett set Gloucester-Hartpury on their way with a 17-7 half-time lead, with Emily Tuttosi scoring for Exeter.
A penalty try extended the Cherry and Whites' lead, before Liv McGoverne's score gave Exeter hope. But Lisa Neumann then went over to confirm Gloucester-Hartpury's win, although Ebony Jeffries did touch down with a late consolation.
