These are your rugby headlines on the morning of Tuesday, June 4
Wales could have to make big changes
Wales could have to make significant additions to the squad announced by Warren Gatland within a week if the Ospreys beat Munster in the URC quarter-final match on Friday.
A number of players will be on standby and could find themselves called up to face South Africa in the event of the Welsh region progressing. If they were to make the final, that match will be played on the same day Wales are scheduled to take on the world champions at Twickenham on June 22.
Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Sam Parry, Jac Morgan, Owen Watkin and Keelan Giles could all potentially be unavailable. Those absentees would add to the eight squad members unable to play against the Springboks because the game falls outside of the international window. The likes of Six Nations captain Dafydd Jenkins, Exeter team-mate Christ Tshiunza, Leicester’s Tommy Refell and young Gloucester sensation Josh Hathaway are all barred from playing.
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Asked about the Ospreys situation, Gatland said: “It’s a decision we’ll have to make. We’ll just see how the weekend goes. We’re not making a decision (yet). Hopefully, they do go all the way. Then we’ll have to look at bringing in some other players if they win that quarter-final and go on to the semi-final and final. That’ll change depending on who we need to replace those players with. Fingers crossed they do get that opportunity to go as far as they possibly can.”
Hogg in ‘advanced contact’ with French club
Reports in the French press suggest Top 14 side Montpellier could make a move for former Scotland and British & Irish Lion full-back Stuart Hogg.
Hogg hung up his boots before last year’s Rugby World Cup but has in recent weeks been linked with a return to rugby, with English Premiership side Newcastle mentioned as possible suitors. Those rumours were quickly dismissed by the Falcons but now a report in Midi Olympique states Montpellier are in “advanced contact” with the former Exeter Chiefs man.
The report adds he would sign for the French outfit as medical joker to cover for the long-term absence of Anthony Bouthier.
“Will I play professionally again? Probably not,” Hogg told the Big Jim Show back in February. “Could I have taken a sabbatical? Maybe I could have. But the decision now is that I am retired and I stand by that.
“Physically and mentally I wasn’t there.
“I think I’ll play, (but) I don’t think I’ll play professional. I might have a little run-out for Hawick next season and see how that goes.”
Halaholo signs off
Willis Halaholo has signed off his time with Cardiff Rugby with an emotional letter thanking those who have supported him.
Halaholo was among 14 players who were announced to be leaving the Arms Park side this summer. He departs after eight stellar years of service in the Welsh capital, having made 111 appearances for the Blue and Blacks and scoring 19 tries since joining in 2016. He made his final appearance off the bench against the Ospreys on Judgement Day.
He originally left the club 12 months ago when his contract expired but returned to maintain fitness while he recovered from an Achilles injury. He later penned another deal until the end of the current campaign.
Halaholo has now signed off with a heartfelt message to supporters, staff and his family, maintaining there was still life in him yet.
“First I want to thank God for watching over me and my family here in Cardiff the last eight years,” he wrote on his X and Instagram accounts. “A lot of highs and some tough lows but definitely a memorable part of my life and career so far. Winning a European Challenge Cup, a Welsh rugby debut alongside a Six Nations title and the joining the 100-cap club for @cardiffrugby some of my favourite achievements.
“Big thank you to all my brothers I have had the honour of playing alongside in both jerseys, memories that will last forever.
“Thank you to all the staff from groundsmen, security, cooks, physios, coaches and management for the love shown to me and my family.
“Huge thank you to all Cardiff supporters that have loved on us and supported me through every situation since we landed here in 2016. Also, thank you to our friends and family outside of rugby from @freedomchurch and also the Tongan community here in the UK. A special shout-out to my tokousas and their partners who have helped us out esp over the last couple years during some tough times, you know who you are.
“Although I wish things were handled differently behind the scenes (save that for another day) I leave Cardiff Arms Park with my head held high proud of what I’ve achieved especially being able to take the field after many setbacks.
“I want to acknowledge the late Peter Thomas for his love and support. The convo him and I had weeks before he passed will be remembered.
“Having three daughters born here, Cardiff will be apart of our lives. Lastly and most importantly I want to thank my wife @sandrahalaholo, raising our kids and being by my side through it all away from your own family and support system hasn’t been easy but you always put us first I appreciate you.
“Still a few miles left in these legs but we’ll see what happens next and where God takes us. Malo Aupito, Diolch, Uilisi Halaholo and family.”
Daly to miss England tour
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Elliot Daly will miss England’s summer tour to Japan and New Zealand but Tom Curry could be involved following his selection in Steve Borthwick’s latest training squad.
Daly has been left out of the 33-man group that will gather for this week’s four-day camp in Surrey due to the forthcoming birth of his first child.
The versatile Saracens back, who covers wing, outside centre and full-back, started four of this year’s Six Nations matches and was picked on the bench for the fifth against Ireland.
Daly joins fellow England regulars Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum in sitting out the tour after the forwards were ruled out by respective calf and shoulder injuries.
Potentially off-setting their loss is Curry’s successful comeback for Sale in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership play-off defeat at Bath, in which he played 34 minutes in a high-impact cameo off the bench.
It was his first appearance since helping England topple Argentina to finish third at last autumn’s World Cup, his season interrupted by a career-threatening hip injury.
Curry, primarily a flanker but also an option at number eight, is one of Borthwick’s most influential players and the head coach has named him in his training squad at the first available opportunity.
The final touring party is announced next Monday, giving the explosive 25-year-old back row this camp to persuade Borthwick he is ready to take on the All Blacks, despite the lengthy lay-off.
He is joined in the 33 by twin brother Ben as one of seven Sale players to be picked in the wake of their elimination from Premiership title contention.
England captain Jamie George heads a contingent of six Saracens forwards, while veteran props Joe Marler and Dan Cole are included after missing the first camp of the summer last week.
Players from Premiership finalists Northampton and Bath will come into contention once the club season concludes at Twickenham on Saturday.
England face Japan in Tokyo on June 22 before clashing with New Zealand on July 6 and 13.