Tonight’s rugby news as Warren Gatland gets huge boost and Owen Farrell’s international comeback scrapped

These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, May 9.

Wales captain returns

Ospreys and Wales star Jac Morgan is finally set to return from his long-term injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old flanker sustained a knee injury at the end of 2023, and required surgery over the Christmas period to rectify the issue. But Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has now confirmed that after five months out, Morgan is back in contention for selection ahead of the region’s trip to Leinster on Saturday.

“Long-term injuries are difficult to deal with emotionally,” Booth explained. “We seem to have long-term injuries or no injuries. That’s the nature of the beast.

“Having Jac back is great and there is a different energy with that session that we’ve just done because of the caliber of the whole group and not just the starting team, there is no substitute for strength in depth. Competition for places keeps the energy, motivation and the standards high. We are pleased about that.”

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Morgan missed the entirety of the 2024 Six Nations and will now be eyeing up a place in the Wales squad for the summer tour of Australia. His return is a boost for both Warren Gatland’s Wales and the Ospreys, with team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams excited to welcome him back into the team.

“It’s good,” said Morgan-Williams. “To be fair he’s been lingering around for the last few months anyway! But it’s nice to get him back into the mix and training. Everyone knows how good Jac is.

“It’s great to have him on the field, he just adds that extra bit of competitiveness in training. All the boys are driving those standards but he is definitely one of the best.”

Farrell’s international comeback scrapped

Owen Farrell’s return to international rugby is off after the star-studded match he was due to take part in this summer was axed.

The former England captain – who stepped away from the Test game last year to prioritize his and his family’s mental health – was meant to make his comeback by turning out for the World XV against France on June 22.

However, the match in Bilbao – which was also set to feature the likes of Semi Radrada, Camille Lopez and Billy and Mako Vunipola – has been called off due to “reasons linked to the organization of the match”, according to promoters Live Rugby.

Midi Olympique reports that a press release from the organizers issued on Thursday reads: “The promoter is endeavoring to find a new date in the international calendar for the organization of this match. Tickets already purchased will be fully refunded via the dedicated website.”

Farrell will join Racing 92 at the end of the season, while Fabien Galthie’s side face a double-header against Argentina, as well as Uruguay, in July.

Hollis set for Dragons debut

Ex-Stormers wing Chris Hollis will face his former side on his Dragons debut at Rodney Parade on Friday.

The 25-year-old joined the Welsh region on trial at the end of last month, having been released by the South African side. He is one of five changes made by head coach Dai Flanagan for his side’s final home game of the season.

George Nott replaces the suspended Ben Carter in the second row, while flanker Harri Keddie also comes into the side. Will Reed and Dane Blacker formed a new half-back partnership while scrum-half Morgan Lloyd could also make his debut having been named on the bench for the clash.

Cai Evans has been ruled out after breaking a bone in his shin, with Angus O’Brien ready to step up off the replacements bench to make what would be his 100th appearance in the URC.

“We need to be on it and I’m sure it will be a great spectacle for everyone who comes to Rodney Parade. The Stormers transition game is the best I’ve seen,” said Flanagan. “When the game gets loose, they light up. If there’s a loose kick then lookout, if there’s a turnover then lookout, if there’s an opportunity to go from behind the posts then they are going.

“I’ve explained to the players this week that transition can be our biggest friend or our biggest enemy. With players like Rio Dyer, Jordan Williams and Chris Hollis, we enjoy transition play as well,” he added. “If we can win those transitional battles, we can have a good day.”

Dragons: Jordan Williams; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (capt), Aneurin Owen, Chris Hollis; Will Reed, Dane Blacker; Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Sean Lonsdale, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dmitri Arhip, James Benjamin, Taine Basham, Morgan Lloyd, Angus O’Brien, Sio Tomkinson.

Stormers: Warrick Gelant; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Angelo Davids; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat (capt), Ruben van Heerden, Willie Engelbrecht, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos.

Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Hacjivah Dayimani, Stefan Ungerer, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Russell boost for Bath

By PA Sport Staff

Finn Russell has returned from injury to reinforce the closing stages of Bath’s challenge for the Gallagher Premiership title.

The Scotland fly-half limped off early on European duty against Exeter on April 6 with groin damage that his club described as “significant”, raising the prospect he could miss the rest of the season. But he has been restored to Bath’s starting line-up for their Premiership trip to Newcastle on Friday and will partner Ben Spencer at half-back.

Russell’s availability comes at a crucial time for the club as they target a play-off place in one of the most competitive seasons in the league’s history. Bath are third in the table but sit just one point clear of fifth-placed Harlequins with two rounds of the competition remaining.

Russell’s creative brilliance has been instrumental in their climb out of the doldrums to become serious contenders for Saracens’ crown, while his return is also a boost for Scotland ahead of their summer tour to North and South America.