The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
07:53, 01 Dec 2025Updated 10:10, 01 Dec 2025
Eben Etzebeth of South Africa clashes with Alex Mann(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Here’s your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Monday, December 1.
WRU chief not going anywhere
WRU chairman Richard Collier Keywood insists he is the right man to lead the organisation as he hinted a solution to cutting from four to three professional teams could be just weeks away.
Collier-Keywood faced club representatives from around Wales on Sunday at the annual AGM, 24 hours after Wales’ 73-0 humiliation against South Africa.
It came amid turmoil off the pitch, with the Union facing criticism and anger for its plan to axe either the Scarlets or Ospreys in west Wales. A protracted tender process will begin in January unless some sort of merger or other solution can be agreed by the end of this month that results in a consensus on three teams.
Collier-Keywood said he is hopeful of a development in the next few weeks. One potential solution is the owners of one of the other three regions taking over Cardiff, although what that would then look like in terms of the three remaining teams is unclear. Final bids for Cardiff were submitted last week.
“Yes I am,” he said when asked if he is the right man to be chairman.
“I mean it’s obviously subject to the board and the clubs agreeing with that but yes.
“I think we’ve changed the finances around, it’s sustainable. We’ve announced an investment of £40million into rugby in Wales in the next five years, which just would not have been possible apart from the professionalisation of everything we’ve done there.
“And I think we’re working on the professional side.
“We are halfway through a process of trying to land that in the next literally few weeks, I hope.
“And if we do manage that, then I think we’ve got the main things behind us.
“So yeah, I’m very confident that we’ll get there and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
Etzebeth to be summoned
Eben Etzebeth will be summoned before disciplinary chiefs in the next 48 hours to face justice after his shocking eye gouge on Wales star Alex Mann.
The South Africa legend faces a long ban after the incident late in the game at the Principality Stadium, with video footage clearly showing what happened. Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said his team had apologised to Mann after the match but insisted he was sure Etzebeth didn’t mean to do it.
A hearing will now take place, with a judgement expected by the end of Wednesday at the latest. Etzebeth is likely to appear by video link, while Mann will also be asked to submit evidence.
After the match, South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said: “I don’t know what I can say that won’t be controversial. “It didn’t look good. It justified the red card. How it happened and why it happened, whether it was provoked, I’m not sure. But the optics was correct.”
Scarlets ‘put pride in the jersey’
Glasgow boss Franco Smith admits he was impressed by the passion shown by the Scarlets as they eased their way to a 23-0 win over his side at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.
Josh Macleod and Macs Page both crossed the whitewash on the night, while Sam Costelow added another 13 points from the tee.
“Scarlets looked well prepared, they played against Harlequins [in a friendly], we didn’t have that luxury, we had too many players away with the national team,” Smith said.
“They are at the bottom of the table and had a point to prove.
“Even after Wales’ loss against South Africa, I warned the boys that the Welsh are a proud nation and they will react tonight.
“They definitely put some pride in the jersey.
“Yes we made mistakes and had a young squad out there, but compliments to the Scarlets.”
Leadership key to Scarlets win
Meanwhile, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel says leadership was a key factor in his side’s victory, which was their first of the season.
“I’m happy for everyone because we obviously haven’t had the best start to the season,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard over the last couple of weeks, it’s also nice to get some senior players back in the group.
“You could see the leadership especially in the forward pack and we had Eddy James in the backline as well.
“I’m really pleased with our two wingers, they chased kicks and they were really efficient
“It’s an overall performance we can be happy with.”
England star sparks comparison to Springboks legend
Bath boss Johann van Graan insists winger Henry Arundell reminds him of South Africa legend Brian Habana.
The England star was at the heart of Bath’s 36-29 win over Saracens on Sunday, a result that’s taken them to the top of the Gallagher Premiership.
Arundell scored two tries on the day, much to the delight of the Bath boss, who worked with Habana at the Bulls from 2005 to 2009.
“You can go and look at YouTube – we played the Brumbies in Canberra and Bryan had this straight-line run and that’s the thought that went into my head in terms of speed,” Van Graan said.
“They’re the two quickest players that I’ve coached and Bryan became one of the world’s best.
“Henry’s got a long way to go, just game by game, but he works so hard on his game. The speed bit was there for all to see, but he was also fantastic in the air.
“We’ve all been so impressed since the first day he joined us: what he does off the field, his nutrition, the work in the gym, his skills extras. Where he started the season and where he is now, there have been a lot of big improvements.
“He works on all parts of his game and the best bit is that he’s a good human, he’s fitted into our group.
“He was very good and by his own admission he would want to repeat that and then repeat that.”
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