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Ronan O’Gara had to pause during his press conference
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, January 31.
Wales have James Haskell ‘worried’ as he makes Wales World Cup prediction
Former England back-row James Haskell admits he is “concerned” Wales could derail England’s Rugby World Cup campaign — and says he has already earmarked the fixture in his calendar.
With the two rivals drawn together in the same pool, Haskell believes Wales have talent coming through and may be building towards the tournament with one specific target in mind: beating England when it matters most.
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“Right, England v Wales, World Cup. I’m concerned Wales will beat us in that pool stage,” Haskell told The Good, the Bad, the Rugby podcast.
“I’m just a bit worried. I think they’ve got a number of years to plot, to plan, and that’s going to be their goal.
“And that’s probably on the peak of their resurgence. One game is all it takes to ruin everything.”
Wales famously knocked England out of their own World Cup in 2015 with a dramatic Twickenham victory, and Haskell admits that history adds to his unease.
“They’ve done it once, they’ve got a track record. There’s some talent coming through.”
Despite Wales having endured a difficult spell in recent seasons, there is growing belief that a new generation — allied with long-term planning — could see them rise again by the time the global tournament comes around.
For Haskell, the prospect is clearly playing on his mind.
“I’ve earmarked it in my calendar!” he added. “I’ve got all the machinations, like Minority Report, scanning through it — I’ve looked at it all.”
O’Gara chokes up in press conference
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara became hugely emotional during a press conference, pausing as he choked up amid the tragic news of Uni Atonio’s heart attack that has ended his career.
The news about the France star, who was due to play in this year’s Six Nations, has rocked French rugby, with Six Nations pundit O’Gara revealing “it is not over yet” as the prop faces more surgery.
O’Gara revealed he has visited the stricken 35-year-old in hospital, admitting: “Seeing him hooked up to electronic devices in a hospital bed is an image that will stay with me forever.”
He also disclosed several warning signs had been noticed before the heart attack.
“I think Uini played Harlequins in difficult conditions. He told me on the day of the match that he hadn’t really recovered from the match against Leinster a week earlier. It gives me chills to think that he played Harlequins. What if he had played against Clermont?”
La Rochelle will face Lyon at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday in what promises to be a hugely emotional occasion.
“Regardless of the result against Lyon, I can go to the hospital and see Uini, O’Gara added. ” That’s enough for me right now. We’re all thinking of him.”
The club announced the shocking news on Wednesday morning. A statement read: “Uini Atonio was admitted yesterday to the La Rochelle Hospital Center following a suspected heart problem,” read the statement from La Rochelle. ” Medical examinations confirmed a cardiac event. His condition is now stable, and he remains in intensive care under observation.
“Following his hospitalization, Uini will have to undergo a long period of convalescence. It is now established that he will not be able to continue his playing career.
“Uini holds a special place in the history and in the heart of our Club. This news deeply saddens us.
“The entire Club wishes to express its unwavering and total support to him and his family during this difficult time.”
Lloyd moved to wing but says ’10 is my best position’
Ioan Lloyd has delivered his verdict on switching to the wing as Cardiff Rugby prepare for a crucial URC trip to Ulster tonight, insisting fly-half is his best position.
The 24-year-old, who returned to his home club in the summer, has been deployed across the backline in recent weeks and is set to feature out wide in Belfast on Saturday night.
While fly-half remains his preferred role, Lloyd says his versatility is a strength rather than a frustration.
“10 is probably my best position, but I love playing across the backline,” he explained. “Parts of my game suit other positions as well, especially the running side. Any opportunity to get out there and play for Cardiff, I’ll take it, whatever position that is.”
Lloyd played a key role in last weekend’s gritty win over Benetton, slotting important points in difficult conditions to secure the victory and deny the Italians a losing bonus point.
Since returning to the Arms Park after spells with Bristol Bears and Scarlets, Lloyd has spoken openly about how much it means to be back in Cardiff colours.
Still only 24, he has already packed in significant top-level experience, something he believes is now paying dividends.
“I’m loving it,” he said. “I’m really enjoying being back at my home club, seeing familiar faces and building on the results we’ve had so far this season.
“I’ve been lucky to play a lot of rugby early on and that’s helped me massively. Physically I feel really good, and it’s nice seeing how that experience is starting to come together now.”
Attention now turns to Ulster, who have impressed with ball in hand this season and pose a formidable challenge at the Kingspan Stadium.
“They’re playing some really good rugby this year and it’s always physical up there,” Lloyd added. “Hopefully if we get any dry ball, there’ll be a bit of expansive rugby on show, but either way we know it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Blair Murray: We saw glimpses of Tandy improvement in autumn
Blair Murray insists Wales are beginning to show signs of growth under Steve Tandy — even if results have yet to follow.
The 24-year-old full-back/wing has been one of the brighter sparks during a desperately difficult period for Welsh rugby, with heavy November defeats to Argentina and New Zealand extending a painful run for the national side.
But Murray believes there are clear foundations being laid behind the scenes.
“His bedrocks are just being tough, being brave,” Murray said of head coach Tandy to Rugby World magazine. “We want to be brave and stick to our game plan. We don’t want to shy away and I think we’ve shown good growth in that.”
Wales were criticised for conceding over 50 points against both the Pumas and the All Blacks, yet there were spells — particularly against New Zealand — where their attacking intent was clear.
“We started to play a bit more, shift the ball more,” Murray added. “We saw it against the All Blacks, we were still in it until probably the last 20 where we had a couple of yellow cards.
“Rog (Tom Rogers) scoring a hat-trick is a perfect example of us backing our game plan, shifting it to an edge and getting our good athletes with the ball in their hands.”
Murray himself fits that mould. Labelled a “pocket rocket” for his explosive style, he has the ability to slice through defensive lines in a flash — drawing comparisons in some quarters to great attacking full-backs of the past.
He downplays the hype but acknowledges acceleration is a key part of his game.
“I’m more of an off-the-mark kind of guy, and then I hope my pace is good enough where I won’t get caught from behind,” he said.
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