Rugby yamaha

Gavin Henson will be given every chance to earn a Wales World Cup spot - if he can measure up to his Super League and NRL counterparts. Henson has yet to make his rugby league debut after joining League One battlers West Wales Raiders for 2021. He is expected to make his bow against Widnes in the Challenge Cup next month, but despite his 13-man inexperience and the fact he has just turned 39, he has already been touted as a bolter for the autumn’s World Cup. Wales boss John Kear has not ruled that out and has already identified one area where Henson would add to his team. Kear said: “When you speak to the Welsh players it’s amazing how high an esteem they hold him in. "That’s obviously because they are rugby union fans as well as rugby league players and he was a great. “Should he be able to come somewhere near that he’d obviously have to come under consideration. "One of our problems that we’ve had in recent years has been goal kicking - if he’s playing then you wouldn’t … [Read more...] about Door open for Gavin Henson to push for Wales’ Rugby League World Cup squad

Gavin Henson can provide the answer to Wales' goalkicking problems in the 2021 World Cup, says coach John Kear. The former Wales and Lions fly-half has switched codes, signing for Betfred League 1 club West Wales Raiders. Even at the age of 39, he will be considered for the end-of-year World Cup, which is being held in England. "When you speak to the Welsh players, it's amazing how much they hold him in high esteem," said Kear. "He obviously was a great and, should he be able to come somewhere near that, he would obviously have to come under consideration. "One of our problems in recent years is goalkicking but, if he is playing, he wouldn't miss many goals so he would certainly solve one of our problems. "We have some exciting players within the Wales structure, some established internationals and we're flying the flag for people like Bradman Best and Caleb Aekins in the NRL so I think we can put a real competitive team together. "But, if Gavin Henson is playing … [Read more...] about Gavin Henson: John Kear says code convert could be Wales’ goalkicker at 2021 Rugby League World Cup

Gavin Henson says he has had his eyes opened in his first three training sessions in rugby league as he prepares to make his debut in the 13-man code. The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half is set to come out of retirement at the age of 39 after switching codes and signing for third-tier part-timers West Wales Raiders for 2021. The Llanelli-based Raiders are poised to return to action - after a year's absence due to the coronavirus pandemic - in the Betfred Challenge Cup on the weekend of March 20 and Henson will discover his first potential opponents when the first-round draw is made on Thursday. "I'm very much looking forward to it and I'm looking forward to seeing who we get in the cup," Henson told the Betfred podcast . Henson, who won 33 caps with Wales during his career with Ospreys, Bath and Bristol, has not played since being released by Dragons at the end of the 2018-19 season and was beginning to put all his energy into his new pub business until … [Read more...] about Gavin Henson: Former Wales international surprised by intensity of rugby league training sessions

Mark Dodson says the Scottish Rugby Union remains in a "strong" financial position despite seeing hopes of welcoming fans back to Murrayfield for the Six Nations dashed. The SRU was forced to concede it would not be able to host fans at next month's final two homes games against Ireland and Italy following the announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Scotland's roadmap out of lockdown. Chief executive Dodson revealed back in September that the Covid-19 crisis had already cost the Murrayfield coffers £18m - and predicted that figure could rise to £30m if fans were blocked from the Six Nations. That doomsday scenario has now come to pass but Dodson is confident a combination of cost-cutting measures and a £15m handout from the Scottish Government will ensure the union survives. He said: "The Six Nations behind closed doors is something that we planned for given the impact of Covid. "It has, though, made a substantial hole in our revenues. "But we have had a … [Read more...] about Mark Dodson says Scottish Rugby Union in ‘strong’ financial position despite Covid-19 pandemic

Five more France rugby players have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of infected players to 10, with Six Nations officials set to meet on Wednesday to decide if the team's match with Scotland on Sunday can go ahead as planned. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Monday that Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Romain Taofifenua, Charles Ollivon and Brice Dulin had returned positive tests on Sunday. Two members of staff are also thought to have contracted the virus. Centre Arthur Vincent, hooker Julien Marchand, winger Gabin Villiere, prop Mohamed Haouas and scrum-half Antoine Dupont tested positive last week, along with coach Fabien Galthie. French Government rules issued last week state that anyone testing positive must self-isolate for 10 days. The players who tested positive have been replaced in the 31-man squad which is due to return to training on Wednesday, the FFR said. Six Nations officials said over the weekend they were confident the game in … [Read more...] about Six Nations: Decision on whether France vs Scotland is to be postponed will be made on Wednesday