The latest headlines from Wales and around the worldPaul Willemse of France (left) has retired from the game(Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, September 15.

Six Nations star quits

France lock Paul Willemse has announced he is retiring from rugby with immediate effect, having been sidelined for nearly a year.

The 32-year-old Montpellier star last took to the field on October 5 last year, lasting just five minutes of his side’s Top 14 defeat to Stade de Francais before departing the action. Having also won 32 caps for his country, he had played his last match for France during last year’s Six Nations, with his international career ending with both a yellow and red card.

Willemse, who was born in South Africa but qualified for Les Bleus in 2018, has now brought his career to a close, citing multiple head injuries as the reason behind his decision to hang up his boots. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free

“After many years on the field, it is time to close this chapter,” he wrote as he announced his retirement on social media. “Rugby was not just my career, it was my only dream, my whole life. Choosing to stop after multiple concussions has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made.

“For a long time, I tried to hold on, because when you’ve lived one dream, it’s frightening to imagine life beyond it. But I’ve come to accept it, and even find comfort.

“I thank the coaches who believed in me, especially those who shaped me as a young man,” Willemse added. “I thank my family, above all my wife, for walking every step of this road with me. And to the supporters who have followed me from South Africa to France. I carry your voices with me.

“The victories, the struggles, the lessons, I wouldn’t change any of it. It made me the man I am today. One dream ends, but the man it shaped remains.”

Basham eyes Wales return

Welsh back row Taine Basham is looking to force his way back into the reckoning for the national side after making the switch from the Dragons to Cardiff.

The 25-year-old made the short trip down the M4 this summer after making over 100 senior appearances for the Men of Gwent, and made his debut for Matt Sherratt’s side in their 71-10 pre-season victory over Richmond earlier this month. Basham has been hailed as a smart acquisition by the capital city region, but he is hoping the move will also help him rediscover his form and make a Test return.

Having made his debut at the age of 22, his rise to international rugby was a quick one, but it has now been 18 months since he won the last of his 17 caps for Wales. But Basham hasn’t lose hope of making a return under Steve Tandy and is hoping to attract the new head coach’s attention with his performances for Cardiff this season.

“I’m at a stage in my career now where I want to kick on again and I’m really focused on that,” he told the Rugby Paper. “Coming through the ranks at the Dragons, it was a great place to play in front of a full crowd at Rodney Parade. But I’m 25 now.

“I’m not really a youngster anymore. It felt like the right time to move on and as soon as Cardiff came calling, it’s a great brand of rugby they were playing and I was really attracted to it.

“Hopefully, I can show my talents within that,” he continued. “I came on to the scene early to international rugby. My rise was fairly quick. I felt like I did well, but injuries and selections sometimes don’t go your way. It’s how you bounce back from that.

“I haven’t been in recent squads and I don’t have the number of caps I thought I would have by now. Obviously, I have ambitions to play for Wales again. I’m going to focus on getting back to the form of 2021.”

On his new life at Arms Park, Basham added: “It’s been great. Everyone is working hard and looking forward to flying into the URC season. It’s a great brand of rugby being played under Matt and it’s a really fast track out there.

“So, it’s a case of me getting used to that and hopefully I can show my attributes within the system that we play. There’s a great bunch of boys here with many skills and talents, so it’s going to be exciting.”

Dow: I feel incredible

By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent

Abby Dow joined Jess Breach in reaching the 50-try milestone at the current World Cup but only became aware of the achievement when she was given a reminder by her England team-mate.

Dow registered her half century when she raced onto a long pass by Holly Aitchison in the first half of Sunday’s 40-8 victory over Scotland that set-up a semi-final against France. A healthy rivalry has developed between England’s finishers as they chase down the record of 61 held by Sue Day, but that did not stop Breach congratulating her fellow wing.

“I forgot about this and Jess jumped on me afterwards and I was like, ‘chill out mate I know I scored and got a really nice dive!’ And then at half-time Jess was like ‘mate, that was your 50th’ and I said ‘oh yeah’,” Dow said.

“I feel incredible. It’s a credit to everyone on the team because it’s a collation of everyone’s work for the years that I’ve played on the wing. There is no doubt that it requires a whole team to put your winger into the space to score.”

Dow’s try was made possible by the hands and vision of Aitchison, who was making her first start of the World Cup after recovering from an ankle injury and completed 80 minutes at a sold-out Ashton Gate. Aitchison’s performance has turned up the heat in the battle for the fly-half duties with Zoe Harrison her main rival for the jersey, while the versatile Helena Rowland is also an option.

“Pre-game we do a contact warm-up and I was covered in Holly’s make-up because she tackled me and I was like, ‘excuse me?!’,” Dow said. “Not only do I carry her make-up bag about everywhere for her, I was also carrying it up and down during this match! I’m very proud of her that she’s able to pull on that starting shirt and put out the performance that she did.

“Holly will always play to the space, which is what I absolutely love. She sees it and she pushes us to our absolute attacking limits. She makes the back-line come alive. She identifies space and empowers the back-line to be brave and if you’ve got a back-line that’s willing to give it a go, it can be so devastating for an opponent. I’m very proud to know her as a team-mate and as a friend.”