The latest rugby news and headlines for Wales and beyond
Josh Adams has been named Hendy’s new (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, June 9.
Wales wing lands coaching role
Wales wing Josh Adams has joined Clwb Rygbi Yr Hendy’s coaching team for next season.
The National League 1 West club have brought in the 70-cap Adams to serve as assistant attack coach, with the British and Irish Lion returning to his local club.
The Cardiff flyer will work alongside attack player-coach Jake Newman – who has previously turned out for Carmarthen Quins, Llanelli RFC, Brecon and Luctonians.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
The club also welcome a new head coach, with club stalwart Gareth Thomas stepping up to the role.
He represented the club for 30 years, first with the juniors and then with the seniors from 2007 – even captaining the club for the last six years.
They also welcome Dafydd Humphreys back to look after the set piece, while former Wales U20s international Rhodri Hughes stays on as forwards player-coach.
RFU Council member resigns over Maggie Alphonsi comments
By Press Association Sport Reporters
Rugby Football Union Council member Matt Smith has resigned over discriminatory online comments he posted about World Cup-winning former England international Maggie Alphonsi.
Smith, the chair of Warwickshire RFU, has stood down from his position and therefore his role as the country’s representative on the RFU Council over criticism made on Facebook during France’s 48-46 men’s Six Nations win over England in March.
In a post which has since been deleted, he questioned what the television pundit, a 74-times-capped England flanker, knew about men’s rugby.
A statement on Warwickshire RFU’s website read: “On behalf of Warwickshire RFU, we would like to announce that Matt Smith has resigned from his position as chair of Warwickshire RFU, in light of a recent disciplinary process.
“The Board has accepted his resignation and will begin work on finding a replacement chair and RFU Council member in the coming weeks.
“We recognise that this situation has raised important concerns and, as a constituent body, we want to be clear that we take issues of sexism and misogyny seriously. Creating a respectful, inclusive environment across our game remains a priority for us all.”
Smith, who accepted the charges against him and has reportedly written to Alphonsi to apologise, was stripped of the perks of his position – including tickets to England games, free meals and travel expenses – for seven months after a hearing in front of an independent disciplinary panel.
Itoje left out of England squad for latest training camp
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
Maro Itoje has been left out of England’s latest training squad to continue the uncertainty over his involvement in the Nations Championship next month.
Steve Borthwick revealed in May that he was considering resting his captain for all, or part, of the 25,000-mile July tour that comprises of fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
Itoje, who has completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game since his debut in 2016, led the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series triumph against Australia last summer and could be stood down amid “ongoing conversations” with Borthwick.
His name is missing from the 26-man squad who will take part in a three-day camp at England’s Surrey training base, although his Saracens colleagues Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Hugh Tizard, Noah Caluori and Tobias Elliott are present.
Saracens’ season ended with their Gallagher Prem defeat at Exeter on Saturday, so their contingent comes into contention for the uncapped international against a France XV in Vannes on June 19.
There are no players from Prem semi-finalists Bath, Northampton, Leicester and Exeter – who are in action this weekend – included in the squad.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg is included and could make his England debut against France even though he does not officially qualify until after the clash with South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4.
South African born and raised, Van Rensburg becomes available on residency grounds from July 8 but the fact no caps will be awarded for the trip to Stade de la Rabine means he can be picked for the curtain-raiser to the summer tour.
The 29-year-old could form a centre partnership with Seb Atkinson, while Elliott has played his way into contention for a wing spot following a string of high-calibre performance for Saracens at the tail end of the regular Prem season.
Teenage sensation Noah Caluori could also make his England debut while Sale rookie George Kloska provides hooker cover for George and Dan.
Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ellis Genge will not train as they continue to receive treatment for injuries.
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.