Here are today's rugby headlines on Thursday, January 13.
Wales hopeful's second 'killer blow'
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has bemoaned the crushing blow that looks set to ruin Josh Macleod's Wales chances for the second year running.
Macleod saw a first Wales cap snatched away last year by his achilles injury after being told 30 minutes earlier he’d be in the side to face Scotland.
And, after finally returning 11 months later, he lasted just 10 minutes after a new hamstring injury in the New Year's derby against the Ospreys.
“Josh is bitterly disappointed,” said Peel.
“The guy has worked so hard and been fantastic in training leading up to the Ospreys game.
“To have that hamstring injury so early in the game is obviously a killer blow for him. He was so excited about coming back and had worked so hard to come back.
“But, look, it’s one of those things in sport.
“One thing I know about him is that he’ll get back on the horse straight away.
“He’s straight in the gym doing his rehab etc.
“Hopefully, we’ll see him in the shorter term rather than longer term back in a Scarlets shirt.”
Peel agreed that the versatile back rower, one of the best ball-pilferers in Wales, had enjoyed zero good fortune over the past year.
"Yeah, he’s had nothing,” said the coach.
“I feel for him. He’s an intense guy, he loves representing the club. Not representing his country when he’s been picked to play is obviously a killer as well.
“All we can do is support him. "
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England star to switch nations
England international Nathan Hughes has announced he wants to switch nations and represent Fiji.
Hughes will become one of the first players to take advantage of new rugby laws that allow players to change national allegiance after a three-year stand down period.
The number eight, who was born in Fiji but decided to play for England in 2016, won 22 caps for the English. He last represented them in 2019 and so is now eligible to switch.
It means he could face Wales in next year's Rugby World Cup pool stage.
In 2016, the Bristol Bears star said: “It wasn’t easy. People said ‘you’re not from here, why do you want to play for England, you should be playing for your own country’.
“But at the end of the day it’s my decision and it’s my choice, who I want to play for.
“I count this as home now. England is where I’ve played for more than three years and I’m comfortable in saying this is home.
“No disrespect, Fiji is always in my heart and my family will always be there. But this is where I play my rugby, this is my bread and butter, over here.”
Foxy vows to fight on
Wales centre Jonathan Davies insists he is far from finished at international level.
Davies faces a battle to get into the Wales midfield for this year's Six Nations after struggling to hit previous heights over the past year, but says he will go on representing Wales as long as he can.
And, with 93 caps to his name and a World Cup on the horizon, next year, he has much to play for despite turning 34 in April.
“I just want to play for my country as long as I can," he said.
“I’m not going to put any flags in the ground and say ‘This is where I want to get to’.
“Every time you have the opportunity to put on that Welsh jersey, you’re part of a fortunate few.
“For me, any opportunity I get to do it, I’ll cherish that. At the moment, my body feels really good.
“I feel that I’ve still got a few more miles on the clock and I’ll do everything I can to make sure my form is good enough to be worthy of being selected.
“Watch this space over the next couple of years. I love playing for my country and I’ll do it for as long as I can.”
Wales lock Davies signs on
Seb Davies has pledged his future to Cardiff Rugby by signing a new long-term contract.
The second-row’s existing deal was due to expire in the summer but he has now penned fresh terms to remain with the Blue and Blacks.
He is the first senior squad member to sign a new contract this season, following on from the recruitment of Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams for the 2022-23 season.
Davies said: “I’m really happy to sign a new contract. This is my home club, I was born and raised here in Cardiff and have a lot of passion for the club.
“A lot of my friends, who I came through the ranks with, are also here and I am really excited about the direction we are going and what we can achieve as a group under Dai Young.
“He has made a big difference in the last year and I am confident that this is the best place for me to improve as a player.
“I have been pleased with my form this season and it was great to get so much game time with Wales in the autumn but I am really eager to kick on both personally and with Cardiff and Wales.
“I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to continue pulling on the Blue and Black jersey and look forward to playing as much of a role as I can in the years ahead.”
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