The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, June 5.
Premiership side query about Biggar
Premiership side Newcastle sought out Dan Biggar’s contact details upon hearing news that he won’t be renewing his contract at Toulon beyond this season.
The Wales legend announced his intention to retire after his stint in France came to an end, however according to the Daily Mail, Newcastle director of rugby Steve Diamond was keen to test his resolve.
They report that Diamond asked for the fly-half’s number, but that the 35-year-old’s mind had been made up and he would stick with his decision of hanging up the boots. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
The 112-cap Wales international has recently moved into media and punditry work, having regular columns with the Mail and also appearing on the Rugby Pod frequently. However, the former Ospreys and Lions star is looking to move into coaching after quitting playing.
“I would love to do coaching and the media route, for anyone who does media, is the easier route than coaching. You’re sitting there watching it with cameras and slo-mo; since I’ve retired I’ve never made a mistake for Wales! You become the perfect player, you say ‘I wouldn’t have done that, or that’,” he told the BBC.
“So I’m not saying for one minute it’s the easier route, I’ve got so much time for the coaches and things. But what I don’t want to give after 18-19 years in the game, is I don’t want to be giving up the time that coaches in the professional game – particularly at club level – have to give.
“If you’re a player you switch off when you get in your car and go home for the night. Coaches don’t do that, coaches are there every weekend, every night on the laptop. If someone said to me you could coach from eight o’clock in the morning until three o’clock in the afternoon Monday to Friday I’d probably snap your hand off, but I know that just isn’t good enough to get it done to a level I wanted, and it’s just not achievable in the modern day.
“I’d love to be able to help out in some way, in terms of whether it’s a consultancy role a couple of days a week or whatever, but the full-time coaching is probably a little bit beyond what I’m prepared to give from a time point of view.”
Leicester want Forshaw
New Leicester Tigers boss Geoff Parling is eyeing up Mike Forshaw to become his new defence coach at Welford Road.
That’s also according to the Mail, who report that Forshaw is in the running after Matt Everard left to join phoenix club Worcester.
Forshaw was Wales’ defence coach under Warren Gatland and stayed as part of Matt Sherratt’s interim team for the second half of the Six Nations after the New Zealander left mid-campaign.
Forshaw was hired by Gatland in 2023, however his Wales contract is up this summer and he has not been selected as part of Sherratt’s coaching ticket for the tour to Japan later this month.
It means the coach’s long-term future is up in the air, however Premiership giants Leicester could now be set to offer him a fresh start in the Midlands.
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Dragons tie down exciting Welsh talent
Promising young prop Jordan Morris has committed his future to the Dragons by signing a new contract.
The 21-year-old former Wales Under-20 international has impressed during his time in the Dragons Academy and has also represented Pontypool RFC. Known for his powerful ball-carrying ability, Morris originally played in the back row and made headlines early in his career by scoring a remarkable 27 tries in 20 games for Pontypool Schools — breaking a record previously held by Wales international Taulupe Faletau.
A product of Croesyceiliog RFC, Morris joins fellow academy players Evan Minto, Nick Thomas, Harry Rees-Weldon, Logan Franklin and new recruits Codi Purnell and James Talamai in signing Senior Academy terms for the 2025/26 season.
“I’ve re-signed with Dragons as I feel it’s the best place for me to continue my development into professional rugby,” said Morris. “After missing most of the season due to injury, I’m eager to get back on the pitch, make an impact and continue growing as a player.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with forwards coach Sam Hobbs, who I’ve worked with previously at Wales Under-20s. I’ve also been working closely with Ceri Jones as I recover from injury and will continue to do so in the Senior Rugby Core (SRC) next season.”
Dragons Academy manager Lewis Roberts praised Morris’s potential. He said: “Jordan is a talented rugby player with huge athletic potential, and we look forward to continuing to support his development. It’s been a difficult season due to injury, but he has a bright future and we’re excited to see him back in action in 2025/26.”
Hobbs added: “Jordan had an impressive Under-20s campaign last year, with standout performances in the Six Nations. As a ball-carrying front-five player, he wins collisions on both sides of the ball. Athletes like him are rare, and we’re looking forward to seeing him gain experience and push through the senior ranks.”
Ireland name new captain for summer tour
By Press Association
Munster scrum-half Craig Casey will captain an Ireland squad containing 11 uncapped players for their summer tour to Georgia and Portugal.
Casey will become the 112th man to lead the national team and takes over from Caelan Doris, who was a contender to skipper the British and Irish Lions this summer until being ruled out by a shoulder injury.
The 26-year-old has accumulated 18 caps since making his debut against Italy in 2021.
Interim head coach Paul O’Connell said: “I would like to congratulate Craig on his selection as captain.
“He’s a real leader with a strong personality. It’s a huge personal honour for him and an opportunity that I know he will relish.”
Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy, Tommy O’Brien, Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin will be aiming to make their Ireland debuts next month.
Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will continue their duel for the fly-half duties after being overlooked by the Lions, but there is no place in the 32-man squad for knee injury victim Robbie Henshaw.
Iain Henderson and Rob Herring have been stood down from the tour after only recently recovering from long-term injuries.
Ireland face George in Tbilisi on July 5 before taking on Portugal in Lisbon a week later.
O’Connell is in charge of the squad due to the absence of Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby with the Lions.
“I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July,” O’Connell said.
“Georgia have made great strides in recent years and they have made significant investment in their rugby programme which has established them amongst the leading emerging sides in international rugby.
“Portugal showcased their attacking prowess during the 2023 World Cup. They play with confidence and we’re expecting another tough test.”
Ireland squad
Forwards: T Ahern (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J Boyle (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), G Coombes (Munster), M Deegan (Leinster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), A Kendellen (Munster), G McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), M Milne (Munster), D Murray (Connacht), T O’Toole (Ulster), C Prendergast (Connacht), S Smyth (Leinster), T Stewart (Ulster), N Timoney (Ulster).
Backs: S Bolton (Connacht), C Casey (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), N Doak (Ulster), C Frawley (Leinster), H Gavin (Connacht), S McCloskey (Ulster), B Murphy (Connacht), C Nash (Munster), J O’Brien (Leinster), T O’Brien (Leinster), J Osborne (Leinster), S Prendergast (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster).
