Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, April 8.<\/p>\n
Ref slammed for showing lack of \u2018humility\u2019 to Wales star<\/p>\n
BBC<\/a> pundit Ugo Monye has criticised the referee\u2019s handling of Cardiff<\/a>\u2019s dramatic European defeat to Benetton, accusing the official of showing a lack of \u201chumility\u201d towards Wales international Ben Thomas in the game\u2019s decisive moment.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Speaking on the BBC\u2019s Rugby Union Weekly<\/a>, Monye said he admired Thomas\u2019 leadership but was baffled by the official\u2019s refusal to use the available technology.<\/p>\n \u201cI loved the captaincy from Ben Thomas,” he said.<\/p>\n “What I didn\u2019t love was the lack of humility shown from the ref.\u201d<\/p>\n Monye highlighted the irony that Bralley told Thomas \u201cwe don\u2019t have the angles\u201d, only for the broadcaster to immediately show multiple replays moments later.<\/p>\n \u201cWithin three seconds, the TV broadcaster then replays about three different angles,\u201d Monye said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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?\u201d<\/p>\n The former England wing said the biggest frustration was the referee\u2019s resistance to even consult the TMO despite the magnitude of the moment.<\/p>\n Monye added: \u201cThe referee was so resistant. He said, \u2018I have given this decision, I am not checking the TMO.\u2019<\/p>\n “And you just think, ‘Why wouldn\u2019t you?'”<\/p>\n Thomas\u2019 continued protests ultimately led to Cardiff being marched back for a penalty, a decision Monye felt stemmed more from the official\u2019s \u201cinflexibility\u201d than the player\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Monye admitted the final replay suggested Mann\u2019s action may well have been a knock-on, but stressed the earlier potential grounding moments remained unresolved.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the replay, I do think it was a knock-on,” he added. “But we didn\u2019t see the replay from a couple of phases before that, so it\u2019s inconclusive.\u201d<\/p>\n Cardiff boss Corneil van Zyl echoed those frustrations after the match, describing the decision as \u201ctough to take\u201d and admitting the side felt the incident at least warranted another look.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n PREM side draft in Wales international’s replacement early<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n The timing is significant given Williams\u2019 decision to retire last month<\/a> 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\u2019s desire to finish the current campaign strongly was central to the decision.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a quality player who will enhance our playing options between now and the end of the season,\u201d McIlroy said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Hodge\u2019s final appearance for Exeter came in the PREM Rugby Cup final defeat to Leicester Tigers, where he kicked two conversions.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hodge says he is eager to get going.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really excited to be joining Newcastle Red Bulls at this stage in the season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to getting stuck in and building towards a strong end to the campaign. I\u2019m ready to hit the ground running and set the tone for what we want to achieve next season.\u201d<\/p>\n Welsh coach has ‘nothing to prove’ ahead of Wales return<\/p>\n Former Wales Women boss Ioan Cunningham insists he has \u201cnothing to prove\u201d as he prepares for an emotional return to Cardiff this weekend with Scotland.<\/p>\n The 43-year-old is back in the Six Nations<\/a> fold as Scotland Women\u2019s 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\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n