A full round-up of the latest rugby headlines on the morning of Tuesday, December 21.
Welsh sides rocked crowd restrictions
The Welsh regions have reacted to the news that crowds won't be allowed to attend sporting events in Wales from Boxing Day.
This season had seen fans return to matches after last year was largely held behind closed doors, offering a welcome financial boost to Welsh clubs who had missed out on over a year of ticket revenue.
However, the rising number of Covid cases - particularly the new Omicron variant - has seen the Welsh Government announce restrictions to stem the spread.
Read more: Mark Drakeford to explain sports spectator ban in first press conference since announcement
Naturally, the move has come as a blow to the Welsh sides.
Dragons chairman David Buttress said the restrictions would be "horrendous" for the Rodney Parade side.
"Nobody should underestimate this. It is devastating for professional rugby and sport," he posted on social media.
"We have done everyone to support, comply and drive/support Covid community initiatives.
"I may not be thanked for being frank, but this is horrendous news for us. This is brutal news.
In a statement published simultaneously to the Welsh Government's, the Dragons also confirmed their plans for refunds.
"As a result of today’s announcement, we will now be in contact with Season Members, match-ticket purchasers and our hospitality and community guests in the coming days.
"We thank you for your support and patience as we work through the process of contacting all supporters and match day guests prior to Christmas."
For the Scarlets, who haven't played since October, it now compounds the matches they've already had called off in recent weeks.
Scarlets Chief Operating Officer Phil Morgan said: “This is hugely disappointing for us all – players, staff, supporters and commercial partners, who have shown incredible loyalty to us over the last 18 months.
"The festive derbies, particularly our home game against the Ospreys, are always fantastic occasions and we were expecting two of our biggest crowds of the season for the Ospreys and Dragons games.
"While this news will be another significant financial blow to the business, the health and safety of the Scarlets community will always be our utmost priority.
“We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government and hopefully, when it is safe to do so, we can soon welcome our fans back into Parc y Scarlets.”
The west Walians have confirmed that all season ticket holders will receive a pro-rata credit to their account for both matches, while match-ticket purchasers will receive an automatic refund.
LIVE UPDATES : Latest Welsh Government news on sporting events amid rise in Covid-19 cases
All Blacks back Fekitoa's switch
Malakai Fekitoa says he has the support of past and present All Blacks as he switches allegiance to play Test rugby for Tonga.
Fekitoa was capped 24 times for New Zealand between 2014 and 2017 before moving to play to Europe, joining Toulon before ending up at Wasps.
However, the 29-year-old was still keen to play Test rugby and represent his Pacific Island heritage. He used the Olympic sevens program to become eligible to play for Tonga but World Rugby’s recently relaxed eligibility rules means other high-profile players could follow his path with an easier route.
Fekitoa told the latest edition of the Rugby Journal magazine that he was thrilled with the World Rugby development and explained how he had been encouraged by the positivity of some of his former All Blacks team mates.
“Everyone is really happy for me, even the current All Blacks, guys back home and past All Blacks because I am good friends with a lot of them,” Fekitoa said.
“The guys in the current team are supporting my decision. They wish me well, and they are all happy for me. A lot of them are islanders as well. There is a lot of Tongans in the current team and Samoans and they know what it is like.
“They know it is all about the families and the culture. I don’t gain anything from going back – we don’t get paid a lot of money or anything. But I am going for the right reason, to give back, and I think those guys are happy for me.”
Lions tourist quits Exeter for Sale
England second row Jonny Hill has signed a long-term deal with Sale for next season.
The Lions tourist will leave current club Exeter at the end of the season, having won all Premiership and Champions Cup crowns during his time in Devon.
After the move was announced, the 27-year-old said: “It’s hard to put into words how I feel right now. The journey that I have been on with the Chiefs has been unbelievable.
“The player that arrived all those years ago to the player that will leave at the end of the season are two completely different things. Since the moment I arrived, everyone at the club, the supporters, the city itself, they have all made me feel so welcome. To decide to move on has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but sometimes good things have to come to an end.
“I am extremely thankful to Tony Rowe, Rob Baxter and everyone associated with the club for making my time here so enjoyable. The memories we have made, winning the double, playing in big European and Premiership games, it’s hard to sum up what all that means to me. I’m grateful that my future has now been sorted but between now and the time I leave, I know I will be fighting to the end and giving everything I can to the club.”
Sale boss Alex Sanderson said: “I’m really excited to be bringing Jonny to Sale. He is a player who knows how to win and what it takes to grind out those big games and that sort of experience is invaluable."
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