Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, April 8.
Ref slammed for showing lack of ‘humility’ to Wales star
BBC pundit Ugo Monye has criticised the referee’s handling of Cardiff’s dramatic European defeat to Benetton, accusing the official of showing a lack of “humility” towards Wales international Ben Thomas in the game’s decisive moment.
Cardiff were beaten 38-35 in Italy after a frantic late surge fell just short, but the major talking point came in the dying seconds when the visitors believed they had scored a winning try. On-field captain Thomas approached French referee Kevin Bralley after Alex Mann was penalised for a knock-on, insisting either Rory Thornton or Lucas de la Rua had grounded the ball in the phases beforehand.
Speaking on the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly, Monye said he admired Thomas’ leadership but was baffled by the official’s refusal to use the available technology.
“I loved the captaincy from Ben Thomas,” he said.
“What I didn’t love was the lack of humility shown from the ref.”
Monye highlighted the irony that Bralley told Thomas “we don’t have the angles”, only for the broadcaster to immediately show multiple replays moments later.
“Within three seconds, the TV broadcaster then replays about three different angles,” Monye said.
“We live in this contradiction because we want referees to be bold, but if there is this technology, in the defining moment of the game, why not lean upon it?”
The former England wing said the biggest frustration was the referee’s resistance to even consult the TMO despite the magnitude of the moment.
Monye added: “The referee was so resistant. He said, ‘I have given this decision, I am not checking the TMO.’
“And you just think, ‘Why wouldn’t you?'”
Thomas’ continued protests ultimately led to Cardiff being marched back for a penalty, a decision Monye felt stemmed more from the official’s “inflexibility” than the player’s reaction.
Interestingly, Monye admitted the final replay suggested Mann’s action may well have been a knock-on, but stressed the earlier potential grounding moments remained unresolved.
“On the replay, I do think it was a knock-on,” he added. “But we didn’t see the replay from a couple of phases before that, so it’s inconclusive.”
Cardiff boss Corneil van Zyl echoed those frustrations after the match, describing the decision as “tough to take” and admitting the side felt the incident at least warranted another look.
“It feels like we could have had a look at the last one,” he said. “You never know, it could have been a try and that would have won it.”
PREM side draft in Wales international’s replacement early
Newcastle Red Bulls have moved quickly to bring in the replacement for retired Wales international Liam Williams, agreeing an early deal for full-back Josh Hodge to join from Exeter Chiefs three months ahead of schedule.
Hodge, 25, had already signed a three-year contract to return to the PREM side this summer, but Newcastle opened talks with Exeter to accelerate the move after Williams’ retirement left them short at the back. A mutual agreement has now been reached, meaning the former England A back has already played his final game for the Chiefs.
The timing is significant given Williams’ decision to retire last month after an injury-hit spell, with Newcastle keen to strengthen immediately rather than wait until the off-season. Sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said the club’s desire to finish the current campaign strongly was central to the decision.
“He is a quality player who will enhance our playing options between now and the end of the season,” McIlroy said.
“As much as we are building for the longer term, we are also fully committed to finishing the current season strongly, and bringing Josh here three months early is a further demonstration of that.”
Hodge’s final appearance for Exeter came in the PREM Rugby Cup final defeat to Leicester Tigers, where he kicked two conversions.
Injury has kept him sidelined since, but Newcastle are hopeful he can make an immediate impact as they look to build momentum heading into next season.
Hodge says he is eager to get going.
“I’m really excited to be joining Newcastle Red Bulls at this stage in the season,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and building towards a strong end to the campaign. I’m ready to hit the ground running and set the tone for what we want to achieve next season.”
Welsh coach has ‘nothing to prove’ ahead of Wales return
Former Wales Women boss Ioan Cunningham insists he has “nothing to prove” as he prepares for an emotional return to Cardiff this weekend with Scotland.
The 43-year-old is back in the Six Nations fold as Scotland Women’s new senior assistant coach and will be in the away dugout when they take on Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday in the championship opener. Scotland are targeting a third-place push this year after winning two matches in last season’s competition.
For Cunningham, it marks a notable return to Welsh rugby just 18 months after leaving his role as Wales head coach following a turbulent final year in charge. The WRU said Cunningham left by mutual agreement after three years at the helm.
The former Wales boss, who later went on to coach Fiji at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, is now part of Sione Fukofuka’s new-look Scotland setup, focusing primarily on defence while also helping shape the wider environment around the squad.
“I’m looking after mostly the defensive side of the game, just sharing a bit of work around some of the exit areas and attack close to the try-line,” Cunningham said.
“But I’m there to support Sione in what’s needed with regards to structures, programmes or any environmental work or cultural work. I’m just there to help and support as best as I can.”
Despite the obvious narrative around his return to face his former side, Cunningham was quick to dismiss the idea that he has any personal score to settle.
“No, not really,” he said when asked if he had a point to prove.
“I think what happened has happened and we move on. I’m just looking forward to taking this team down there and getting the win hopefully.”
Cunningham’s spell in charge of Wales brought some significant highs, including their best Women’s Six Nations finish for 13 years and a run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
However, his departure in November 2024 came after a difficult period both on and off the field, with results dipping and the WRU’s handling of player contracts coming under heavy scrutiny.
Now, though, his focus is fixed firmly on helping Scotland kick off a new World Cup cycle in style.
The fixture will carry extra meaning, too, with Cunningham having represented Wales at age-grade level during his own playing days.
“It is one of the best stadiums in the world, so to have the opportunity to be there and to play in that stadium, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“It’ll be great to see some people that I know very well and it’ll be great to get one up on Wales.”
Scotland’s wider ambition this year is clear. After beating both Wales and Ireland last year, they want to go one better and break into the top three.
“You want to get into that third spot, you want to get in that mix to get to the top two,” Cunningham added.
“To get to that position obviously requires you to get a minimum of three wins, so we are obviously working hard towards that.”
Australia international to retire after stellar career
Former Australia fly-half Bernard Foley is set to retire at the end of the season after Kubota Spears confirmed he will leave the club this summer.
The 36-year-old is one of five players departing the Japan Rugby League One side, with reports in Japan indicating this will bring the curtain down on the ex-Wallabies playmaker’s distinguished career.
Former Japan captain Pieter “Lappies” Labuschagne is also expected to retire, with David Bulbring reportedly set to follow suit, as Kubota begin a significant squad reshuffle ahead of next season.
Foley has been a key figure for the Tokyo-based club since moving to Japan, helping the Spears to the League One title in 2023.
The former Wallabies star played a decisive role in that final victory over Saitama Wild Knights, kicking 12 of Kubota’s 17 points as they claimed the first league title in the club’s history.
Full-back Gerhard van den Heever, who also started that final, is among those leaving, along with former All Blacks scrum-half Bryn Hall.
Despite the looming departures, Kubota remain firmly in the hunt for another title this season.
They currently sit third in Japan Rugby League One with four matches still to play, leaving Foley with the chance to bow out on another high before officially stepping away from the game.
The former Australia No.10 enjoyed an outstanding international career, earning 71 caps for the Wallabies and starring at two Rugby World Cups.