The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Archer Holz of Scarlets leaves the field on a stretcher(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, December 9.
Scarlets issue update after worrying injury
The Scarlets have issued an update on Archer Holz after he suffered a nasty-looking injury against Bristol Bears at the weekend.
The prop prompted major concern when he was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace at Parc y Scarlets after a lengthy stoppage in the match, which the home side went on to lose narrowly to the English side in their Champions Cup clash.
However, the west Walian side have moved to allay fears, by releasing a statement on Monday evening.
“Archer Holz is recovering well from Saturday’s injury against Bristol Bears,” the Scarlets wrote on social media.
“He is expected back on the field this month.”
Monye: Etzebeth ‘played a blinder’ as Springboks benefit from 12-week ban
Former England international Ugo Monye says South Africa and Eben Etzebeth are the only beneficiaries of his 12-week suspension for eye-gouging Wales flanker Alex Mann, insisting the Springboks star will come out of the saga in better shape than before.
Speaking on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Monye said he was “not bothered” by the length of the sanction, arguing that the ban effectively hands South Africa’s most-capped player a three-month conditioning block that will boost his prospects of reaching the next World Cup.
Etzebeth was sent off during South Africa’s 73-0 victory in Cardiff last month, with a Six Nations disciplinary committee later ruling he made intentional contact with the eye and issuing a mid-range 18-week entry point. Mitigation reduced the ban to 12 weeks, all of which will apply to club fixtures for the Sharks.
But Monye believes the outcome suits the 34-year-old perfectly, saying “I was staggered to have the most-capped Springbok… I don’t care how he feels he was treated. To act in that way and to be so blatant. It was out of character for him,” he said.
“If it was 12, 18 or 52 weeks it actually doesn’t matter. The only Union that benefits from this are South Africa. Giving Eben Etzebeth three months off – his chances of getting to the next World Cup have just gone through the roof.
“He is going to benefit from having three months off. His body will have been screaming for it. If it was six months, he would have been like, ‘sweet’.
Monye also highlighted Etzebeth’s own evidence during the hearing, which included the lock saying Mann had not gouged him beforehand.
“Eben Etzebeth has played a blinder,” Monye said. “He said Alex Mann didn’t eye-gouge him. We can debate whether he did or not – still pictures often don’t tell the full story.
“But Eben Etzebeth saying that helps his case because it means his act isn’t out of revenge. If it was revenge, it puts him in a higher threshold.”
Etzebeth will miss 12 matches for the Sharks, who sit 14th in the URC after a poor start to the season. He has played only twice for them this campaign.
Crucially, he will not miss any South Africa games. The Springboks’ next Test is not until July 2026, when they face England in Johannesburg in the inaugural Nations Championship. Etzebeth is expected to return to action in April.
England star to quit Leicester for rivals
Leicester Tigers have confirmed England lock George Martin will leave the club after they made clear they tabled what they believe was a “competitive deal” to keep him.
The 24-year-old is reportedly set to join Premiership rivals Saracens, with the tone of head coach Geoff Parling’s comments underlining Tigers’ frustration at losing one of their home-grown stars.
Parling said: “We would have liked George to stay with the club as he’s a top-quality player developed through our academy alongside many of the current team.
“While we offered George a competitive deal to remain with Tigers, he has chosen a different direction for the next stage of his career. We thank him for his time with us and wish him well.”
Martin came through the Leicester pathway and made his senior debut in 2019, going on to make 73 appearances and score nine tries. He played a key role in their 2022 Premiership title triumph and has won 21 caps for England.
The lock is currently recovering from a shoulder injury but is targeting a return to action later this season.
Wales international leaves Gloucester to return home
Wales lock Gwen Crabb has ended her five-year spell with Gloucester Hartpury and returned home to play for Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge.
The 26-year-old, who has 39 caps and appeared at two Women’s Rugby World Cups, has committed her club future to Wales in a move she hopes will help inspire and develop the next generation of talent.
Crabb featured for Thunder in last season’s Celtic Challenge as she chased game time before the Women’s Six Nations, but is currently sidelined with a knee injury. She is expected to be fit again in the new year.
Announcing the news on Instagram, she said the opportunity to play and develop in Wales simply didn’t exist when she was a young player.
“As a young Welsh player, I never saw an option to stay in Wales and develop to the best of my ability, but now that has changed, and that excites me so much,” she wrote.
“A huge part of my ‘why’ is about inspiring the next generation and being the person I needed when I was younger.
“So here’s to the 25/26 season at home with Brython Thunder — and to growing the game in Wales.”
Crabb becomes only the second player to fully commit to the Celtic Challenge, following Wales international Kerin Lake’s decision to sign exclusively with Gwalia Lightning. The move comes at a time when the WRU is placing increased emphasis on the competition as a key pillar of player development.
Wales head coach Sean Lynn has repeatedly stressed the need for more regular rugby for his squad, following a difficult year in which Wales won just one match across both the Six Nations and Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Lynn, who previously coached Crabb at Gloucester Hartpury, welcomed her decision to return home.
“Gwen is a player I know well and her decision to return to Wales demonstrates her commitment to Welsh rugby,” he said.