Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, 24 September.
Wales wing facing race to be fit for autumn
Cardiff wing Josh Adams is facing a race to be fit ahead of Wales’ autumn campaign. The 29-year-old opted to miss this summer’s tour of Australia after an injury-hit campaign but had previously been hopeful of making it back in time for the start of Cardiff’s season.
However, having not been available for the win over Zebre, Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has now confirmed that the club are hopeful of having him back before the end of October. Cardiff play the final of their opening six-match block against Ulster on October 26, with Wales then starting their three-match autumn campaign against Fiji on November 10.
“We are hoping to get him some time this block but he is travelling in the right direction,” said Sherratt.
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When asked whether Adams, after a summer away from Test rugby, would need to play for Cardiff first before making his Wales return, Sherratt added: “That will be up to the Welsh selectors, it will be when he is ready.
“Sometimes a second row or back row can come back at 90%, but with wings in particular when your attributes are based on power and speed, it’s very difficult to come back unless you are 100%.
“Josh has had a long time playing at 90% so for him it’s important when he comes back he wants to be 100% ready.
“Hopefully that is before the end of this block and if he is back he will be in contention for Wales because he is a quality player.
“But also I do know for Josh, we have looked after him, he has had a summer to recuperate and I know he wants to pay Cardiff back.
“Josh’s priority will be to play for Cardiff and off the back of that to play for Wales.
“It showed his character when he dug in playing for Wales playing at 70% or 80%. He was not feeling physically at the top of his game and then mentally that probably takes 10% of as well.
“A lot of people would not have played but Josh is a competitor. He deserves when he comes back to be fresh and ready to play.”
Dragons ‘fully supportive’ of Wales international after diagnosis
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan says the entire club is behind Ollie Griffiths after the back-row was diagnosed with a tumour on his spine.
The 29-year-old Wales international opted to reveal the diagnosis to stop any speculation around his absence from playing. You can read the full story here.
A statement from the Dragons did not specify the exact nature of the tumour, but the one-cap Griffiths will now be out “for the foreseeable future” as he prepares to undergo surgery.
With the club now keen to protect the privacy of Griffiths, who very much remains part of the squad at Ystrad Mynach, very little was said on the player at Tuesday’s press conference – with the Dragons stating no further comment would be made at this time.
However, Flanagan did say: “We are fully supportive of him and his family during this period and they need privacy at this moment.”
Dupont clarifies latest position switch rumours
France star Antoine Dupont has clarified his future after his club coach suggested he could play outside centre this season.
Toulouse coach Ugo Mola has suggested the talismanic scrum-half, who has previously played fly-half for the French and European champions, is keen on testing himself at 13.
It comes after a successful switch to the seven-a-side game, with Dupont helping his country win Olympic gold in Paris.
However, according to the man himself, any talk of a move to midfield might be a bit premature.
“Ugo Mola likes to talk to the media and answer questions. There are things to take and things to leave in what he says,” Dupont remarked with a chuckle.
“But already, with the objectives we will have this year with the club and the French team, I will have enough things to manage.”
He added: “This is a discussion we had with Ugo Mola some time ago. I am curious in everyday life, but also on the pitch.
“So every time, in training, I try to move from my number nine position and try to find other freedoms on the pitch, even if I already have a lot in my position. But from there to it materialising in a match, I don’t think we are there yet.”
Etzebeth set to break South African record
Eben Etzebeth is set to become the most-capped South Africa player ever after being named in the Springboks starting side to face Argentina this weekend.
The second-row will win his 128th cap in the final round of the Rugby Championship, surpassing the tally of Victor Matfield as the Springboks look to seal the title.
Despite the defeat to Argentina meaning the wait to be crowned champions was extended until the final weekend, the back-to-back world champions only need to pick up one point to finish top.
They’re boosted by the return of heavyweights Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe as Rassie Erasmus looks to his first-choice stars.
“We planned to recall the players we rested last week because it allowed us to ensure that we have a group of core players who remained in the South African time zone and who would slot back into the team with ease,” said Erasmus.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge against an Argentinian team that has something special brewing in their set-up and who will give everything to win their first title in the competition, and we selected this team with that in mind.
“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever, and we are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him.
“If we can win the title and finish the competition off with a victory it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual, and we’ll give everything to make this a special day for him.”
