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John Jones

Tonight's rugby news as WRU investigate violence and Louis Rees-Zammit challenged to race by English rival

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, December 2.

WRU probe abandoned match

A youth rugby game was abandoned after a fight broke out which saw punches thrown and parents running onto the pitch.

The Welsh Rugby Union has launched an investigation into the fixture between St Albans RFC and Tylorstown RFC Under-15s side on Sunday, November 27, which was stopped late on when the game descended into a brawl which had to be broken up by the referee and those on the sidelines.

In footage seen by WalesOnline, players on opposing sides emerge from a tackle and grapple with each other before trading punches, with teammates rushing in to join the scuffle.

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Despite shouts from the sideline for people to stay off the pitch, replacements as well as parents and staff are seen entering the field of play to try and pull players apart.

At least one adult is enveloped in the melee, which lasted less than a minute.

The two teams were separated by the referee and they shook hands following the incident, but the match was called to a halt.

The WRU has confirmed it is still investigating the incident, with a spokesperson telling WalesOnline: "The WRU can confirm that it’s investigating the circumstances surrounding the St Albans v Tylorstown fixture. We will not be commenting further until the conclusion of the formal disciplinary process."

Rees-Zammit challenged to race

Louis Rees-Zammit has been challenged to take part in a race to determine the fastest player in the Gallagher Premiership.

London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins is the man who wants the race as he looks to break into the England squad and team ahead of next year's World Cup. He is one of a number of lightning quick flyers in the league at the moment.

Hassell-Collins said: “We need to have a race with myself, Adam Radwan, Henry Arundell, Ben Loader, Cadan Murley and Louis Rees-Zammit- something needs to get arranged! There have been a lot of good wingers for a long time and I am looking at Radwan and Murley and thinking I need to push my game on and do better and hopefully they are seeing the same things. You look at what wingers are doing to get into the squads."

Rees-Zammit has the third fastest officially recorded time of current rugby players, reaching a speed of 10.73 meters per second. Radwan has clocked 10.85m/s, while Christian Wade, now at Racing 92, is the fastest at 11.2m/s.

Read more: Will Rowlands' World Cup place in serious jeopardy as he quits Welsh rugby for Racing 92

Jones to learn fate in days

Eddie Jones will learn if he is to continue as England head coach next week with the Rugby Football Union's review into a dismal autumn set to conclude on Tuesday.

Jones is fighting for his future after presiding over England's worst year since 2008, consisting of six defeats, a draw and five wins and ending with last Saturday's chastening loss to South Africa.

The inquest had been scheduled to take two weeks, but the PA news agency understands that Jones' final meeting with the review panel will be held on Monday with the RFU's board convening the following day to ratify its decision.

A public announcement will be made in midweek, revealing whether the Australian is to continue until the 2023 World Cup when his eight-year reign is contracted to end or if the RFU is to appoint an alternative.

Scotland internationals return for Glasgow

Franco Smith is delighted to be able to add five returning internationals to Glasgow's starting XV for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre in Italy.

Scotland quartet Zander Fagerson, Matt Fagerson, Sione Tuipulotu and Ollie Smith are back in the team after being rested for last weekend's defeat away to Leinster following their exploits in the recent autumn series, while Richie Gray is restored after serving a suspension.

"We're looking forward to the challenge of Zebre in Parma and we're pleased to welcome back a number of internationals for it," said Warriors head coach Smith. "Against Leinster we created a number of opportunities, however, we weren't able to convert those into points. Tomorrow's game is an opportunity for us to play our brand of rugby and showcase the hard work we have put in in training this week."

Glasgow have lost all their away matches this term but will be hoping to change that against the URC's bottom-placed side.

READ MORE:

How they fixed Keelan Giles to become faster and better than ever before

Eddie Jones publicly takes down Clive Woodward and Wales international bemoans 'crazy mess'

'Insane' kick by amateur rugby player appears to match Paul Thorburn's longest ever in international

The Wales v England battle for Warren Gatland and who holds the ace card

Ieuan Evans insists WRU won't be rushed into Warren Gatland decision by England 'speculation'

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