The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Joe Lewis – bottom right – will leave Steve Borthwick’s England staff later this year to join South Africa(Image: Getty Images)
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, March 30.
Welshman swaps England for South Africa
England coach Steve Borthwick has been dealt a fresh blow after analyst Joe Lewis joined back-to-back world champions South Africa.
Welshman Lewis, who hails from Builth Wells, is a key figure in England’s staff – serving as senior analyst under Borthwick. This is his second stint with England, having been Eddie Jones’ head analyst ahead of a brief spell with the Scarlets.
He will leave England in June to take up a role as performance analysist with Rassie Erasmus’ side.
“We are delighted to welcome Joe to the Springbok team,” said Erasmus.
“Given his vast experience in technical and performance analysis at international and club level, we believe he will add great value to the squad as we prepare for a busy and exciting season, and further ahead to the 2027 RWC.
“His roles have seen him gain invaluable experience at the highest level of the game – at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, in the Six Nations competition, and Autumn Nations Cup, among other big tournaments, and we have no doubt he’ll slot into our set-up seamlessly.”
Lewis’ departure comes after England’s worst-ever Six Nations campaign, with Borthwick’s side suffering four consecutive defeats to finish fifth.
A review process by the RFU is expected to be concluded by the end of next month.
Faletau and Morgan registered for European knockout matches
A handful of Wales stars have been registered ahead of this weekend’s Challenge Cup round of 16 – including injured Wales No. 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Ahead of the knockout stages, clubs are able to add three fresh players to their European squads.
Cardiff take on Benetton, Ospreys face Ulster and the Dragons are up against Stade Francais this weekend.
The Dragons have welcomed back Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis and James Benjamin to their squad, while the Ospreys have brought back Wales captain Jac Morgan alongside Ben Roberts and Harri Houston.
As for Cardiff, they registered Ed Byrne and Teddy Williams alongside Faletau.
The 35-year-old was forced off with an injury against the Sharks last Friday – just two games into his comeback.
As yet, no update has been offered on Faletau.
While being registered might seem like a positive, Cardiff were always likely to register the British and Irish Lion as long as there was even a slight chance of him playing again this season.
Lions star missing for European clash
British and Irish Lions back-row Tom Curry will miss Sale’s break Champions Cup clash with Harlequins this weekend.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson has confirmed the England flanker is still sidelined by the calf injury he picked up in the warm-up before England’s Six Nations defeat in Italy three weeks ago.
Sale will also be without his twin brother, Ben, for the round of 16 clash – with Ben missing the rest of the campaign following hamstring surgery.,
“A couple of Currys would be nice – getting them back fit would make a difference,” said Sanderson.
Wales coach backed to make impact
Wales womens’ coach Sean Lynn has been backed to make a big impact on this year’s Six Nations – having had less than a week to prepare for last year’s tournament.
Captain Kate Williams – who will skipper the side alone following injury to Alex Callender – is leading a squad that features nine uncapped players.
Lynn has also added new attack, defence and forward coaches to his staff.
“It is a fresh start and I think it’s needed,” said flanker Williams. “We’ve got some serious players in the squad now, a mix of youth with the Celtic Challenge and also some brilliant experience.”
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On Lynn, she said: “He is just one man and it does take time for momentum to happen in a team,” she said about the former Gloucester-Hartpury boss.
“He’s been in post for a year now, so we know what he’s about and what he wants. The players are behind him, and each other as well, to get to where we want to be, which is a top five team in the world.
“I love the vision he has for the squad and I think all the decisions he’s making now are putting us in the best position for the Rugby World Cup in the next four years.”
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