Impressive Gray could extend French stay<\/p>\n
Jonny Gray looks likely to remain in France when his contract with Bordeaux-Begles expires in the summer. The 32-year-old Scot is on loan with Perpignan for the rest of the season and has impressed club officials with his performances so far. Although he was not involved in Saturday\u2019s 45-14 defeat away to Clermont Auvergne, local media are reporting that the Catalan club is likely to offer Gray a contract to retain his services. Fellow Scot Jamie Ritchie skippered Perpignan in Saturday\u2019s loss at Stade Marcel-Michelin, with the Glasgow Warriors-bound former Scotland captain making 13 tackles during his 59 minutes on the park.<\/p>\n
France Television, which was responsible for coverage of the Champions Cup semi final between Bordeaux and Bath, has responded to allegations that it concealed images from the referee during TMO reviews. Bath coach Johann van Graan was critical of the official, and English pundits pointed the finger at the French TV director. A France Television spokesman stated that it is impossible to hide an image and that the selection of images is the responsibility of the TMO, who has access to all available angles and chooses which of them he wishes to see.<\/p>\n
Former Glasgow Warriors and Scotland winger, Rufus McLean, will complete a move to French Top 14 outfit, Stade Francais, in the summer after the club confirmed that he is among six new signings. The 26-year-old, who was born in Boston and therefore qualifies to play for the United States, had his contract with Scottish Rugby terminated in 2023 after he was convicted of domestic abuse. He currently plays for Houston SaberCats in the American MLR.<\/p>\n
Cornish Pirates revealed ambitions to become a Premiership club after receiving a cash injection from a US investment company. The transaction is the first to involve an American investor in a UK rugby club. The money will enable the Penzance-based outfit to build commercial partnership, establish a rugby academy at the club, which currently operates in the second-tier Championship, and enable it to satisfy the conditions to join the Premiership. Exeter Chiefs could follow the Pirates\u2019 example after members and shareholders approved a possible deal with Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, a US investment company that already own Bournemouth football club.<\/p>\n
English media are reporting that Saracens and England back-row, Ben Earl, is a signing target for rugby league clubs. The 28-year-old, who is contracted to Saracens until 2029, is attracting interest from Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors for a possible move after the World Cup next year, according to CityAM.<\/a> Earl suggested in an interview last month that he might be open to a switch when he said: \u201cI love league, I watch more league than union but I don\u2019t really know the ins and outs. I\u2019m on every fantasy and every tipping competition. I\u2019m a massive student of the game and picking people\u2019s brains all the time. \u201cI would have loved to do it. If someone said, \u2018what would be your one regret?\u2019, it would probably be not giving it a go at one point.\u201d<\/p>\n The RFU has confirmed that Steve Borthwick will remain as England\u2019s head coach, despite a poor Six Nations campaign. England went into the tournament on the back of a 12-match winning run but posted only one win, a comfortable victory over Wales in the opening round. The RFU\u2019s review found that Borthwick\u2019s side had shown a lack of discipline, accuracy and cutting edge. However, he has been confirmed in the post ahead of the Nations Championship and the World Cup.<\/p>\n Cobus Reinach, who was injured playing for Stormers in the recent URC match against Glasgow Warriors, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 35-year-old scrum-half, who has 50 caps for the Springboks, suffered a knee problem in the 48-12 win. He has now been ruled out for the rest of the season and could also miss the opening phase of the Nations Championship. South Africa will host England in Johannesburg on July 4, before facing Scotland in Pretoria seven days later and Wales in Durban the following week.<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s TOL Pod, sponsored by Breadalbane Finance, was an in-depth interview with Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt, who spoke about his background in South Africa, his journey into pro coaching, and why he believes he is the man to lead the capital club into next season and beyond despite a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. Catch up with it on all the usual podcast channels such as Apple Player<\/a> and Spotify.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n There was some healthy debate on French social media after Biarritz full-back, Kylian Jaminet, was yellow-carded after this collision with the referee during the Pro D2 match against Beziers:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udfe8 Is this the most bizarre yellow card EVER!?<\/p>\n Thought you\u2019d seen it all\u2026? Pro D2 delivering again on a wild Friday evening!<\/p>\n Kylian Jaminet on the receiving end of some French rugby insanity \ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa5 Credit: @bronquistador<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/knlz5SaB5D<\/a><\/p>\n