The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
These are your rugby headlines on Monday, May 5.
Four Wales stars get Lions vote
Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has named the four Wales players that British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell should take on this summer’s tour of Australia. After months of speculation about who will make the final cut, Farrell will name his squad on Thursday and, following Wales’ dismal run of 17 straight Test match defeats and successive winless Six Nations campaigns, it is widely expected that only a few Welsh players will be involved.
Jac Morgan, who enjoyed another fine individual campaign as captain despite his team’s form, has long been seen as Wales’ best hope of Lions representation, while Tomos Williams has also been a consistent contender for the No.9 jersey after a brilliant season for Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership.
Naming the squad he believes Farrell should take to Australia for The Times, Dallaglio included both men in his 38-player group, but said prop Nicky Smith and three-time tourist Taulupe Faletau should also be joining them on the plane Down Under. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Explaining his decisions, the former back rower said Morgan “was outstanding in a poor Welsh side”, while Williams could face competition from Scotland’s Ben White but is an “outstanding player” and a “fairly uncontroversial” selection.
While he didn’t select him in his final squad, Dallaglio added that Welsh lock Dafydd Jenkins could also “make a case for inclusion” in the Lions engine room, potentially in place of Ireland’s James Ryan.
The Englishman also called on Farrell to select his son, fly-half Owen, in his final squad, describing him as a “seasoned Test-match animal” and claiming he will be “motivated, determined and fit and fresh” for the tour.
“When I reflect on my own career and talk to team-mates, we agree that the nine weeks we spent together on the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 1997 are right up there with the best experiences of our lives,” Dallaglio added. “Getting selected is so special.”
“In picking a Lions squad you have to remind yourself of what the focus is — to go out and win a series. That’s not something the Lions have been able to do for 12 years, even if they managed a creditable drawn series in New Zealand.”
‘Special’ Lions bolter to be filmed discovering fate
England and Northampton Saints sensation Henry Pollock admits he is daring to dream of being named in Andy Farrell’s Lions squad on Thursday, and his team-mates are set to film the decisive moment his fate is sealed.
The 20-year-old has taken the game by storm this season, with a series of next-level displays in recent weeks seeing him barge himself into contention for this summer’s tour of Australia, with pundits including Dallaglio hailing him as a “special” talent.
While the back row is arguably the most competitive area for places in the squad, Pollock is right in the mix just days away from the big announcement, with a stunning performance in his final audition helping Northampton to secure a shock victory over Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final in Dublin on Saturday.
The Englishman made 22 tackles and proved a handful at the breakdown as he continually got the better of his opponents, which included Lions captaincy frontrunner Caelan Doris.
While his international experience only constitutes a 30 minute cameo against Wales in the Six Nations – during which he scored two tries – Pollock believes he is up to the challenge of a Lions tour, but admits it is completely out of his hands now.
Northampton’s players are set to film their Lions hopefuls, which include Pollock, Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman, at the exact moment they discover their fate when the official announcement is made.
“I have thought about it but at the end of the day you can’t control it – it is subjective,” he said when asked about the Lions selection.
“It would be an honour to go on that plane and represent the Lions but if it is not this year then I am sure I will be able to pick myself up and bounce back.
“I thought I did alright, but it is not up to me. It is up to the Lions coaches, and I will be waiting the same as you. We have got a kit thing so I will be with the [Northampton] boys. We’ll probably get a camera set up or something.”
Six Nations star sets up Cardiff final
By PA Sport staff
Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s stunning try highlighted Bordeaux’s 35-18 win over Top 14 rivals Toulouse as they set up a Champions Cup final meeting with Northampton.
Bordeaux had raced into a 10-0 lead with a try from Pete Samu and a Matthieu Jalibert penalty, but Toulouse edged 11-10 up with a pair of Juan Cruz Mallia penalties either side of Dimitri Delibes’ try.
But Bielle-Biarrey then lit up the Matmut Atlantique with a moment of brilliance, somersaulting his way over the line after Romain Buros had burst through the Toulouse defence.
When the 21-year-old France wing scored a second just 19 seconds into the second half, Jalibert converted for a 25-11 lead but Pierre-Louis Barassi capitalised on a visit to the sin bin for Marko Gazzotti to pull one back for Toulouse and inject some nerves into the finale.
Pierre Bochaton powered over for a fourth Bordeaux try in the 64th minute and Ben Tameifuna added a late fifth to put Bordeaux into their first Champions Cup final, to be played in Cardiff on May 24.
