The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, June 9.
Gatland replacement target to stay in club rugby
Director of rugby Pat Lam will be at Bristol Bears for the “foreseeable” future despite links to the vacant Wales head coach role. The club were beaten in the Gallagher Premiership semi-final last Friday by rivals Bath, but chief operating officer Tom Tainton insists that their head coach remains committed to guiding the Bears to a first final.
“I think it’s testament to what Pat has achieved here at Bristol Bears that he’s in the conversation,” Tainton told BBC Radio Bristol.
“In terms of that Wales role I can say with absolute confidence that Pat Lam is contracted to Bristol Bears and will stay that way.
“We know that there is a lot that we have still got to achieve for the remainder of his contract up until 2028.
“I’m certainly happy to say that Pat is going to be at Bristol Bears for the foreseeable.”
The likes of Steve Tandy, Franco Smith and Simon Easterby remain the frontrunners for the Wales job.
Four Lions to be assessed ahead of final
British and Irish Lions squad members Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Josh van der Flier are all injury doubts for Leinster’s United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls this weekend.
Furlong, Ringrose and Keenan are nursing calf injuries while Van der Flier’s hamstring issue will be assessed before Saturday’s game at Croke Park.
Tighthead prop Furlong – who has started the last six Lions Tests – hasn’t played since 3 May. The Lions have already lost one tighthead, with Scotland prop Zander Fagerson ruled out. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Centre Ringrose has also been out since May, while back-row van der Flier sustained his hamstring problem in the URC quarter-final win over Scarlets.
Full-back Keenan also missed last weekend’s semi-final win over Glasgow, having been player of the match against the Scarlets.
All four are set to join up with the Lions next week.
Dickson lands first Premiership final
Former scrum-half Karl Dickson will take charge of his first Gallagher Premiership final, nearly a decade after moving into refereeing.
The ex-Harlequins player will officiate the clash between Bath and Leicester Tigers at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The 42-year-old has already taken charge of 24 Test matches, including the last four Six Nations and the 2023 World Cup.
Dickson will be assisted on the day by Luke Pearce and Adam Leal, while Ian Tempest is the TMO.
European finalists appoint new coach
Champions Cup finalists Northampton Saints have confirmed the appointment of Jaco Pienaar as their new scrum coach.
The 42-year-old, who has previously coached with the Sharks and in Japan with NEC Green Rockets and Suntory Goliath, joins the Saints ahead of next season.
“When we met Jaco, he spoke very clearly and succinctly about what he believes is important at scrum time, and he had some really interesting ideas about different facets of the game more broadly as well,” said Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson.
“So, he’s definitely going to bring more to our coaching set-up than only looking after the scrum, but we felt like his views on the set-piece in particular would really resonate with our group and fit well with our existing coaching philosophy.
“I’ve known Jaco for several years. I visited the Sharks when I first became Saints’ Forwards Coach in 2018, and I was really impressed with him then as a character.
“I felt he had a lot to offer, and since then he’s been all over the world and been one of the most driven, development-focused coaches that I’ve come across.
“Matt Ferguson has had a massive impact for us over the last few years in this space, and it was clear to see in the knockout stages of this season’s Investec Champions Cup how well our scrum performed, but change is a natural and positive part of any squad’s evolution.
“You need some variety in the messaging and the environment to keep people engaged and improving, so we felt it was time for a new direction, and I think Jaco will be a huge asset for the Club.”
