The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
06:33, 24 Oct 2025Updated 08:08, 24 Oct 2025
Jac Morgan could be leaving Welsh rugby(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Here’s your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Friday, October 24.
Morgan ‘bursting to play’ ahead of potential return
Mark Jones says Wales skipper Jac Morgan is desperate to return to action and could make his first appearance of the season at the Dragons on Saturday.
However, the Ospreys boss insists he won’t needlessly risk the 25-year-old, who is closing in on a return from a calf injury, which was picked up during physical testing with the Welsh Rugby Union.
“If he’s available from a medical perspective we’d definitely like to include him in the match squad, he is bursting to play,” Jones said.
“We’ve really tried to look after him in terms of giving him time off, keeping him out of travelling to South Africa just so he can be around friends and family and getting his training done here as opposed to jetting around the world.
“We’re hoping that’s going to pay us back in the long run and he’ll be feeling fresher and fitter, but it does mean he’s probably a little bit short of game time than he would have liked going into the autumn block.”
Springbok banned for obscene act
Springboks star Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been banned for nine matches after grabbing the genitals of an opponent. The front rower committed the obscene act during a match between the Bulls and Connacht in the United Rugby Championship.
The incident sparked an angry reaction from victim Josh Murphy, who received a red card after striking Wessels on the head in retaliation. After Murphy complained about Wessels to match referee Mike Adamson, the incident was checked by TMO Hollie Davidson, who found no conclusive video evidence.
But Wessels has now been hit with a 12-match ban, reduced by three games because of his previous good conduct. It is lowest sanction available for breaking law 9.27, which states: “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”
Murphy’s red card, meanwhile, has been rescinded.
Wessels will now miss the Springboks’ entire autumn tour against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.
England prop Joe Marler was previously given a 10-week ban for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones’ genitals during a Six Nation match in 2020.
A URC statement on Wessels read: “The Disciplinary process related to Jan-Hendrik Wessels citing in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 game against Connacht Rugby on Friday, October 17, has resulted in a nine-game suspension.
“The Citing Commissioner in charge reported Vodacom Bulls player No 2 (Jan-Hendrik Wessels), for an act of foul play in the 18th minute under Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.
“The panel overseeing the disciplinary process Declan Goodwin (Chair, Wales), Simon Thomas (Wales) and Leah Thomas (Wales), were satisfied that an act of foul play had occurred and found the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of low-end warranting a 12-week suspension. The panel reduced the suspension by three weeks (25% mitigation) due to the player’s good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record which results in a nine-game suspension.”
Jones takes swipe at England as he messages Ange
Eddie Jones says he doesn’t expect England to ever hire a non-English boss again, and has accused the English of ‘looking down’ at Australians.
Jones, currently the head coach of Japan. left his post at England in 2022, told SEN: “I was the first (non-English England coach) and I reckon I’ll be the last.
“The English, they invented the game and they’re very hierarchical and status-driven. There was always pressure, they look down at Australians, they really do.”
The 65-year-old also revealed he had reached out to countryman Ange Postecoglou recently, after the former Tottenham head coach was sacked by Nottingham Forest.
Postecoglou was dismissed after just 39 days in charge, and Jones clearly felt some sympathy.
“I just love coaching,” he added.
“When you finish playing, it’s the next best thing. It’s such an enjoyable experience.
“The more you coach, the more you learn that your day will come. Don’t look too far ahead. I’ve been sacked a couple of times now and it hurts; it puts you in a world of hurt.
“Ange Postecoglou just got sacked. We were just texting each other the other day. He knew it was coming but it still hurts. Hurts like buggery.”
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