Here are the rugby headlines on Sunday April 16.
World Cup winning coach heads into URC
Leinster have pulled off a massive coup with the appointment of South Africa's World Cup winning coach Jacques Nienaber.
The South African, who will join after this autumn's World Cup, will work underneath director of rugby Leo Cullen in a move that has taken the rugby world by surprise.
Nienaber replaces former England boss Stuart Lancaster who is taking over the reins at French giants Racing 92 next season.
"The anticipation and excitement are building as we prepare to defend the Rugby World Cup title," said Nienaber.
"It continues to be an amazing time with the Springboks and it's a privilege to be involved in my third World Cup after 2011 and 2019. Being in a World Cup year my focus will be back on defending the title back-to-back.
"It is always hard to leave an institution that have provided you with so much honour, joy and fulfilment but the only constant is change.
"When the time is right, I will be looking forward to new and exciting challenges. Leinster is renowned as a quality and high-performance environment."
Fiji World Cup warning to Wales
Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham warns Fiji will be a major World Cup threat to Pool C opponents Wales and Australia.
Larkham's Brumbies were pushed hard by the Fijian Drua in their Super Rugby Pacific clash before eventually emerging 43-28 victors.
And Larkham believes the Fijians' improving form in Super Rugby could spell problems for Wales and Australia.
“This competition for them is going to do them a world of good going into the World Cup,” he said. “They’re building really good combinations.”
Wales have been warned.
Warren Gatland's men also meet Georgia and Portugal at the group stage in France this summer, with a likely quarter-final versus England or Argentina if they finish in the top two.
The draw has been kind to Wales, with the world's top ranked sides Ireland, France, South Africa and New Zealand in the other half and two of them unable to progress to the semi-finals.
Wales Women 'going in the right direction'
Ioan Cunningham insists his Wales Women side are heading in the right direction despite falling to a heavy 59-3 defeat to England.
Wales started strongly but fell away as the game wore on against arguably the best side in the world. And despite the crushing defeat, Cunningham is confident they are getting better.
"We are definitely improving and going in the right direction," said the Wales Women head coach.
"We had three entries into their 22 during the first-half and only got three points. That was the difference.
"They are championship moments where England scored just before half-time, and it was three scores instead of two scores which makes the message at half-time a little bit different.
"We are definitely closing the gap, I do believe that, even though the gap is a big one to close. We'll keep working hard and this group deserve some success after the work they've put in."
Wales next head to France on Sunday April 23 before winding up with a clash against Italy.
Dragons ready for Scarlets clash
Dragons captain Rhodri Williams believes his side deserve credit for their second-half fightback in Belfast despite getting beaten 40-19 by Ulster.
The hosts held a resounding lead, and the scoreline looked as if it could get out of control, but the Dragons refused to throw in the towel with tries from Elliot Dee, Williams, and Angus O'Brien restoring some pride.
“It was a massive stride forward for us as a group,” said Williams. “I know the score got away from us towards the end, but when we went down 26-7 just after half-time, I asked the group we either shut shop or we react.
“There was great character. You can’t ask for more and we take that into a massive game next weekend with Scarlets and Judgement Day.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the group after the last few weeks. I asked them to express themselves and we played our brand of rugby. “
Munster stun South Africans
Munster ended Stormers' 19-game winning streak in Cape Town with a 26-24 United Rugby Championship victory at DHL Stadium.
The Irish province also claimed a bonus point with Gavin Coombes' try supplementing Diarmuid Barron's first-half brace and a superb effort from wing Shane Daly.
Munster's win moves them to within five points of fourth-placed Glasgow ahead of their final game away to the Sharks.
The third-placed Stormers complete their regular season at home to Benetton on Friday.
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