The 28-year-old is out of contract with French giants Toulon at the end of this season. And while the three-time European champions are understood to have lined up a bumper six-figure deal aimed at keeping him on the Cote d'Azur, it is feasible that he could be back on Welsh soil next season - possibly at his former team Cardiff Blues. ...read
George North's return to action brings to an end his most recent absence through concussion, but the full consequences of allowing him to rejoin the match against Leicester are not yet known.
CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: As the New Year beckons, it has a lot to live up to, given what 2016 gave us – notably Ireland's historic win against the All Blacks and England's rise from the ashes.
World Rugby will seek further information from the Rugby Football Union about an 'apparent non-compliance' with its protocols over the handling of George North's recent head injury.
EXCLUSIVE: At the age of just 24, having suffered five concussions in two years, including two in the same game, there have been calls for George North to consider retiring for the good of his health.
Scarlets backs coach Jones and Cardiff duo Wilson and Sherratt will complete Wales' backroom staff for the Tests against Tonga and Samoa, with Robin McBryde taking on the head coach role.
Rugby authorities were accused of ignoring player welfare concerns after an RFU and Premiership Rugby investigation failed to punish Northampton for their handling of George North’s latest head injury.
The Welsh wing, 24, landed on his head after a tackle against Leicester Tigers on December 3 and appeared to be knocked out, but he later returned to the field after a pitchside assessment.
Warren Gatland has moved to dismiss reports he could leave Wales to seek a return to New Zealand after next summer's British and Irish Lions tour. He insisted he would remain until after the 2019 World Cup.
Wales prop Gethin Jenkins looks set to miss this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship after suffering a ruptured bicep injury. Cardiff Blues revealed the 36-year-old was undergoing surgery.
Rory Best is quickly becoming the front-runner for the British and Irish Lions captaincy after Warren Gatland gave the Irishman ebullient praise this week.
The ex-England, Wasps and Clermont fly-half, 41, left the Premiership strugglers by mutual consent in October but has now landed a more high-profile role with Wales.
Wales winger George North will not play for Northampton again until he has been assessed by an independent expert in head injuries after suffering another concussion on Saturday.
Wales flanker Dan Lydiate will miss the rest of this season due to a serious knee injury. Lydiate's regional team the Ospreys confirmed that he suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage.
The 28-year-old Ospreys back-rower was carried off on a stretcher during Wales' 27-13 win over South Africa last weekend and is set for a spell of two to three months on the sidelines.
NIK SIMON: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ – that will be the groan from Twickenham’s West car park on Saturday as the prawn sandwich brigade choke on the new bonus point system.
WILL KELLEHER AT THE PRINCIPALITY STADIUM: The Welsh ended their autumn series on a positive note – beating the hapless South Africans for only the third time in 110 years.
Victory over South Africa provided a positive flourish to an otherwise indifferent year for Wales and Rob Howley admitted they needed to raise their game further to challenge for the Six Nations title.
WILL KELLEHER IN CARDIFF: A clinical Wales inflicted the final wound on a limping Springbok in Cardiff, as they eased past South Africa with Justin Tipuric the chief big-game hunter.
Luke Charteris said that moving away from Wales to play for Bath is the best decision he has made in his career and lauded Liam Williams’s impending move to Saracens.
Coetzee says he does not believe there is a gamble involved by fielding a team containing just 260 caps, with only 40 of those among a back division that features three Test match debutants.
WILL KELLEHER: Having not been dropped for seven years before this autumn series, Jamie Roberts has now been axed twice in three weeks. Scott Williams has again taken Roberts’ place.
Prop Gethin Jenkins will skipper Wales in the absence of Sam Warburton, with Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty forming their back-row against the Springboks.
South Africa's wretched form includes a home loss to Ireland, an historic first defeat against Italy, a 37-point drubbing by England and a record home reversal against world champions New Zealand.
Taulupe Faletau was sidelined until last Friday's game with Bristol, when he featured for 55 minutes, which meant him missing Wales' November clashes with Australia, Argentina and Japan.
It is a move that suits the 37-cap Wales international as his model girlfriend Sophie Harries is based in London but he is also thought to be motivated by the prospect of winning trophies at Allianz Park.
The South Africa Rugby Union confirmed the 25-year-old, who missed the shock 20-18 defeat by Italy, had to leave the field in at Twickenham after he clashed with an English opponent.
South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth is unlikely to be fit to play against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday as his recovery from concussion proceeds slowly, coach Allister Coetzee said on Monday.
Shaun Edwards has defended under-fire coach Rob Howley by insisting Wales' autumn campaign will be judged on how they fare against South Africa in their final Test of 2016 on Saturday.
WILL KELLEHER AT THE PRINCIPALITY STADIUM: Wales meet the Boks on Saturday as favourites, with South Africa in complete disarray on the back of a chastening 20-18 defeat by Italy.
Jamie Roberts had not been dropped for seven years. So when Rob Howley sat him down to tell him he was on the bench against Argentina, you would expect the 84-cap centre to be shocked.
Rob Howley has urged an expectant Welsh public to give teenage sensation Keelan Giles time and space as the Ospreys wing prepares for a potential Test match debut.
The 18-year-old Ospreys wing is a pocket rocket, standing at only 5ft 8in and weighing just under 12 stone, and is set to win his first international cap after being named in the Wales side to face Japan.
Wales coach Gatland, 53, will take charge of his third Lions squad when they travel to the Southern Hemisphere for ten matches in 2017, having won in Australia four years ago.
The towering Wales lock has hailed progress made by teams like Japan, Georgia and Romania in driving what he feels is a closing of the gap between rugby union's tier one and tier two nations.
Wales' defensive mastermind feels that a time when teams went long periods without conceding a try - especially over a number of games - are gone from international rugby.
The 18-year-old winger Keelan Giles could make his Wales debut against Japan on Saturday. Leigh Halpenny rates the youngster and called him a 'top talent'.
Wales forward Taulupe Faletau is set to continue his recovery from a knee injury by playing for Bath against Bristol on Friday after being temporarily released from the Wales squad.
Teenage wing Keelan Giles is in line to make his Wales debut against Japan after Rob Howley told the 18-year-old: ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.’ Wales beat Argentina on Saturday.
NIK SIMON: Locking the front door and drawing the curtains is no longer an option for Dan Biggar — even if there was the temptation ahead of Wales' salvage operation against Argentina.
NIK SIMON: Wales flanker Sam Warburton revealed more senior players are fearing for their place after Lions centre Jamie Roberts was dropped for the first time since 2009 for the game with Argentina.
British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts, who has started 85 out of 87 Tests, has been dropped by Wales for the first time since 2009 ahead of Saturday’s match against Argentina.
Joe Allen managed to upstage Bale at Welsh football's annual awards but Ivanovic says the Real Madrid ace is still the man Serbia must shackle in Saturday's crunch World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.
Amos was hurt during Wales' 32-8 defeat against Australia three days ago. Giles, who has now formally joined the squad after training with the group since the start of the autumn campaign.
Wales' motto for the European Championship was 'Together Stronger', and they were certainly backed up by some extra muscle during their training session on Tuesday.
Cardiff Blues pair Cory Allen and Tomos Williams have been called into the Wales squad. Allen has been summoned after Tyler Morgan was released following a hamstring injury.
NIK SIMON - EXCLUSIVE: There were two options for Leigh Halfpenny’s surgeon: cut away the patellar tendon and risk a lifetime of chronic knee pain or cut away the hamstring.
Wales are facing the prospect of playing Argentina in a half-empty stadium after suffering an embarrassing 12th consecutive defeat by Australia.
Australia's 12th successive victory in the fixture on Saturday - a 32-8 stroll that at times resembled an opposed training session - means Wales face an uphill battle in this year's autumn schedule.
Australia went over with three tries in 24 absorbing first-half minutes to lead 20-3 at the break as Michael Chieka's men ignited their Autumn international series in style in Cardiff.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The rugby they played was confirmation of the difference in quality between the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship.
Nicolas Sanchez scored 29 points - including two tries - for the Pumas, who were 21-6 up at half-time and surged even further clear after the interval at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Next summer's Lions tour opens just one week after the Guinness PRO12 and Aviva Premiership finals - Gatland has long since accepted the schedule, but insists future trips need extra preparation time.
Ross Moriarty intends to take the lessons learnt from three punishing appointments with world champions New Zealand into Saturday's autumn series opener between Wales and Australia.
Captain Stephen Moore has briefed Australia's Principality Stadium rookies about the 'special experience' that awaits them in Cardiff. A number of the Wallabies are set for their first game in Wales.
With the Japan 2019 pool draw taking place in May next year, the higher a world ranking Wales can obtain by then should assist them avoiding a so-called group of death repeat.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Much is made of Wales’s miserable recent record against Australia — one win in 16 Tests over the last 10 years — but frankly that statistic is only the tip of the iceberg.
Michael Cheika does not believe that Australia's long winning run against Wales is relevant going into their Principality Stadium meeting on Saturday.
NIK SIMON: The black 4x4 Andy Powell is driving through the Brecon Beacons has substantially more horsepower than the golf buggy he infamously drove down the M4 near Cardiff in 2010.
Wales open a testing autumn schedule in Cardiff - Argentina, Japan and South Africa are also on the November programme - aiming to halt a run of 11 successive defeats against Australia.
Warren Gatland could install two specialist attack coaches to bolster the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand next summer. Gatland is set to announce his backroom staff on December 7.
New Zealand backed up last year's World Cup triumph and their long-standing number one global ranking by claiming six successive bonus-point victories and are on a run of 18-straight Test wins.
In a statement, the Welsh Rugby Union said: 'The thoughts and prayers of the WRU and the national squad are with Alun Wyn Jones and his family following the passing of his father Tim.'
Wales have identified home games with Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa as a means of improving on their current fifth-placed ranking ahead of the 2019 World Cup draw in Tokyo.
Wales captain Sam Warburton is out of this weekend's home test against Australia as he continues to recover from a neck injury, defence coach Shaun Edwards said on Monday.
Dan Biggar revealed he has scrapped his quirky kicking routine that took the World Cup by storm. The prolific fly-half became a national hero against England at the last World Cup.
Dan Biggar admits Wales are under pressure to match their football counterparts for the hearts and minds of the country. Biggar pipped Gareth Bale for last year's Welsh Sports Personality award.
Cory Hill has previously played for Wales Under 20s but has now been elevated to the full squad, having trained with the senior team under the guidance of interim coach Rob Howley this week.
George North is battling a hand injury in his bid to be available for Wales' first Autumn international against Australia. The winger picked up the knock in Northampton's defeat by Castres.
Australia coach Michael Cheika will be without Samu Kerevi for his team's season-ending tour of Europe, with ankle surgery costing the centre his place in the 32-man Wallabies squad.
NIK SIMON - EXCLUSIVE: Wales star Liam Williams will miss next weekend’s opening Test against Australia with an ankle injury - opening the door to an immediate return for Leigh Halfpenny.
Wales captain could enter autumn international series without playing a game since October 1 after being ruled out of this week's Cardiff Blues game in the Challenge Cup with a stiff neck.
Wales' interim head coach Rob Howley on Tuesday said that Saints wing North and Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts have told him they will be available to face the Wallabies in Cardiff on November 5.
A potential dispute between Wales and Premiership rugby could be brewing as non-English players do not have to be released for the upcoming Autumn international against Australia.
Adam Jones, pictured, described his late mother June, who died after falling down the stairs of her Swansea home as his 'number one fan' who followed him playing for Wales and the Lions.
Former Wales and British Lions forward Andy Powell has retired from rugby aged 35 after failing to recover from a knee injury. The 2009 Lions tourist has been unable to recover from his latest problem.
CHRIS FOY - EXCLUSIVE: The flanker had a scan on Monday and Sportsmail understands he has a fractured cheekbone which requires surgery. He still hopes to be fit to face Australia on November 5.
Wales skipper Sam Warburton was replaced early in Cardiff's 16-13 defeat to Leinster on Saturday as the Blues suffered their first Guinness PRO12 loss of the season.
Veteran Wales prop Gethin Jenkins has extended his contract with Cardiff Blues. The 35-year-old Jenkins, who is club captain at the Blues, is Wales' record cap holder.
James, who has won 12 caps and started twice for Wales during last season's RBS 6 Nations Championship, rejoined the Blues from Aviva Premiership club Exeter in 2015.
Barcelona star Neymar poses with his fellow Brazilian Alexandre Pato
The pair posed after Villarreal held Luis Enrique's side in draw
Harry Kane revels in 'amazing feeling' after partner Kate Goodland gives birth to daughter Ivy Jane
Couple announced birth of first child on Twitter
Josh Ward-Hibbert was Wimbledon's fastest server, now the 22-year-old stars on a different court
The former tennis player now plays basketball
James Haskell is 'just embarrassed' as Wasps director of rugby plays down fears over health of England star
Flanker's comeback lasted just 35 seconds
Hector Bellerin turns up at London Fashion Week after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirms injury
Hector Bellerin has been relaxing at event
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he dropped FA Cup kids in it, as Reds manager accepts blame for draw
German boss holds hands up after draw
Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough: Pedro nets a brace to kill off the Posh
The Premier League leaders were too strong for Peterborough
Awkward fist-bumps, Mauricio Pochettino's boots and more Mike Dean magic: FIVE THINGS YOU MISSED
The weird and wonderful from White Hart Lane
Harry Kane revels in 'amazing feeling' after partner Kate Goodland gives birth to daughter Ivy Jane
Couple announced birth of first child on Twitter
Josh Ward-Hibbert was Wimbledon's fastest server, now the 22-year-old stars on a different court
The former tennis player now plays basketball
James Haskell is 'just embarrassed' as Wasps director of rugby plays down fears over health of England star
Flanker's comeback lasted just 35 seconds
Villarreal 1-1 Barcelona: Lionel Messi grabs a last-gasp point for Luis Enrique's side
The Catalan giants drop more points in the La Liga title race
Chelsea recall Ake from his loan spell at Bournemouth after Dutch defender impresses Conte
The left back will return to Stamford Bridge
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha sets up winner on his Ivory Coast debut
Star makes first start for Elephants after being snubbed by England
Barcelona star Neymar poses with his fellow Brazilian Alexandre Pato
The pair posed after Villarreal held Luis Enrique's side in draw
MARTIN SAMUEL: The bloated 48-team World Cup will reward mediocrity over excellence
A healthy game requires strong competition in the top tournament
Sir Bradley Wiggins joins a new talent management agency after ending cycling career under a cloud
Sir Bradley is attempting to re-invent himself following retirement
MARTIN KEOWN: The end is nigh for John Terry at Chelsea after FA Cup red card
Chelsea captain's worst nightmare became reality on Sunday
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
© Associated Newspapers Ltd Contact us How to complain Advertise with us Contributors Work with Us Terms Privacy policy & cookies
|
|
||
