The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
Wales huddle before the match(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, November 10.
Thomas to face no further action
Wales star Ben Thomas will face no further action after his yellow card against Argentina.
The Cardiff centre was sin binned after he aimed a kick back at Los Pumas back-row Pablo Matera as the Argentina star held his leg on the floor. While he did not make contact with Matera’s head, the incident sparked criticism from pundits and fans and could have resulted in a citing.
But it has now been confirmed he has not been cited and is free to play against Japan on Saturday.
TNT Sports pundit Sam Warburton said Thomas was fortunate with the outcome. “It doesn’t matter, it’s like throwing a punch and missing. The intent was there,” Warburton said.
“Ben Thomas has to show more composure there. You make contact with the head and that’s a straight red.
“It’s outright foul play, you just cannot at any level do that in this sport, Ben Thomas is a lovely player but he just lost his composure in that moment.
“Had he made contact with his face or made clean contact, that would have been a really nasty outcome.”
Meanwhile, South Africa lock Lood de Jager will attend an independent disciplinary hearing after he was awarded a permanent red card by Angus Gardner for striking France’s Thomas Ramos to the head with his shoulder in Saturday’s 32-17 win in Paris.
Wales aware of jeopardy
Josh Adams says Wales recognise the “jeopardy” of their Test match with Japan given its potential bearing on the 2027 World Cup draw.
Wales are 12th in the official Test rankings and will want to avoid falling out of the second band of teams and facing an even tougher World Cup draw. Japan sit one place below in 13th and victory for Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms in Cardiff on Saturday could have a major impact ahead of the December draw in Sydney.
“It’s something we haven’t spoken about (World Cup draw) but we are aware of it,” winger Adams said after Wales fell to a 52-28 defeat to Argentina in Steve Tandy’s first match in charge.
“It adds to the importance of the Japan game with the World Cup draw in December. That adds a little more jeopardy to that match.”
Skipper Jac Morgan will miss the rest of Wales’ autumn campaign against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
The British and Irish Lions flanker suffered a dislocated shoulder in the act of scoring a try against the Pumas on Sunday.
Adams said: “It’s clearly a blow. British Lion, captain, inspirational leader for us, but it creates an opportunity for other people.
“We’ve got to find ways to get motivated from a different voice and that’s a challenge for us.”
Edwards takes the positives
Wales outside-half Dan Edwards insists there were definite positives to take from Wales’ record home defeat against Argentina.
Despite the humbling 52-28 scoreline that saw Wales concede seven tries, they did score four of their own and showed some real attacking promise. Edwards almost scored a try from the Gods himself after an electric break that demonstrated his potential before a last-ditch tap tackle grounded him when he appeared clear.
Edwards believes Wales will improve as the autumn goes on, saying: “We’ve had two weeks together if you really think about it.
“We’ve only had eight sessions and we’ve produced a lot of good stuff out there.
“Hopefully over the coming weeks we can get better and click a lot better as an attacking unit.
“There were little lapses in concentration and discipline cost us a little bit, but apart from that it was pretty positive.”
Ireland’s Jamie Osborne to miss Australia clash with shoulder injury
By Mark Walker, PA
Ireland’s Jamie Osborne has been ruled out of Saturday’s Autumn international against Australia in Dublin after sustaining a shoulder injury in the weekend win against Japan.
The Leinster back, who started at full-back on Saturday and in the previous week’s defeat to the All Blacks in Chicago, was forced off in the second half of Saturday’s 41-10 win.
The 23-year-old, who had covered for first-choice full-back Hugo Keenan, will also miss the November 22 clash with world champions South Africa in Dublin.
Centre Garry Ringrose and Leinster team-mate Josh van der Flier are both hoping to prove their fitness after respective hamstring strains kept them out against Japan.
Head coach Andy Farrell will announce his squad on Thursday, while wing Mack Hansen (foot) and centre Stuart McCloskey (adductor) have both linked back up with the squad.
Farrell made eight changes against Japan at the weekend and will be hoping his side can build further momentum after the New Zealand defeat with victory over Australia.
The Wallabies are bidding to bounce back from successive defeats. They were surprisingly beaten 26-19 by Italy in Udine on Saturday and lost 25-7 to England at the Allianz Stadium the previous week.
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