These are your rugby headlines on Saturday, October 12.
International arrest warrant issued for world star
An international arrest warrant has reportedly been issued for former Australian rugby star Rocky Elsom.
The 41-year-old former flanker has been found guilty of forgery, use of forgery and misuse of corporate assets and sentenced to five years in prison, according to multiple reports in France including AFP and sports daily L’Equipe. The alleged offences relate to his time as president of RC Narbonne between 2015 and 2016, in which time the club fell into huge financial difficulties which saw them relegated to semi-professional status.
Elsom, who won 75 caps for the Wallabies and represented the likes of Leinster, Toulon and the Waratahs during his career, is reported to have “completely disappeared” before his trial at a court in Narbonne this week. An international arrest warrant has now been issued for him.
A report by Midi Olympique says he is accused of embezzling nearly 700,000 euros during his time at RCN, for his own benefit and that of player friends. He is then said to have “completely disappeared” before this week and his trial at the Narbonne Court.
Less than a week ago, Elsom gave an interview with the Times, revealing that he had returned to Ireland and taken up a coaching role at the Catholic University School in Dublin.
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Wales learn autumn referees
Wales have learnt the identity of the officials taking charge of their Autumn Tests against Fiji, Australia and South Africa next month.
Their opening clash with the Fijians will be overseen by Luc Ramos of France, while their third meeting of 2024 with the Wallabies will see New Zealander James Doleman in the middle. Their clash with the Springboks, meanwhile, will be officiated by Karl Dickson.
Welsh referee Craig Evans is one of six officials appointed to two Test matches over the Autumn, with the 32-year-old taking charge of Scotland v Fiji at Murrayfield and England’s clash with Japan at Allianz Stadium. He will also referee the game between Bristol and Australia XV at Ashton Gate on Friday November 8.
The official from Neath will be kept busy as he will also serve as an assistant referee for the Scotland v South Africa and Ireland v Argentina matches during the window. Elsewhere, Welsh referees Ben Whitehouse, Adam Jones and Tom Spurrier have also secured Television Match Official (TMO) duties during the autumn campaign.
WRU national elite performance referee manager, Ian Davies, said: âNaturally I am delighted to see Craig Evans selected to a Tier 1 International, England v Japan and Scotland v Fiji.
“I have known Craig for a very long time, and there arenât many individuals who work as hard to succeed as Craig. He has had a difficult year on a personal level, and I know his late father Martyn will be watching over him and willing him on.
âBen Whitehouse continues to be one of the best, if not one of the best TMOâs in the world. Whilst it is always nice to see him recognised, the challenge for me is to persuade the powers that be that he is equally capable with the whistle in his hand.
âOn a personal level, I was delighted to see Tom Spurrier selected and feature within World Rugbyâs plans,” he added. “When I came into the role six months ago, I knew that however good a referee Tom is, he would be an even better Television Match Official. Luckily Tom was prepared to listen.
âTo see him move from making his URC debut in Round 18 last year, to being recognised by World Rugby with someone of great potential is testament to his calmness and decision-making ability when under pressure.â
Wales stars return for Ospreys
Justin Tipuric is among the big names returning to the Ospreys side ahead of their clash with the Bulls on Saturday, with Gareth Thomas and Keiran Williams also back in the team.
Summer signing Kieran Hardy is also set to make his debut from the replacements bench alongside Will Greatbanks, while number eight Morgan Morse will make his 100th appearance for Toby Booth’s side.
Toby Booth’s side have won four of their last five fixtures against South African opponents in the URC, but the Bulls have come out on top in each of their last three matches with the Ospreys.
.”When you play South African teams, and Iâm not going to generalise too much, but you know you are going to be in for a physical encounter first and foremost,” said Booth.
“You canât look too much past the physicality of the breakdown. We got that wrong the last time we played them down there and paid the price. I know that weâll be up for it, I know that weâll be energised, but you have got to have an end product. Itâs going to be around the breakdown and accuracy for sure.”
Ospreys: Max Nagy; Iestyn Hopkins, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Will Greatbanks, Kieran Hardy, Luke Scully, Jack Walsh.
Four changes for Dragons
Wales prop Leon Brown returns to the Dragons starting lineup as one of four changes ahead of their clash with the Lions on Sunday.
The 27-year-old had been selected for last weekend’s meeting with the Sharks but missed out through illness, but is now in line to start in the front row alongside the returning Rodrigo Martinez. Harri Keddie returns in the backrow, while Joe Westwood completes the changes as he starts at centre.
Cameron Jones, who has been signed on loan from the Ospreys amid an injury crisis at loosehead, starts on the bench. Dai Flanagan is without props Jordan Morris and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, while there are also injury concerns about Rhodri Jones and Josh Reynolds.
The Dragons have not beaten a South African opponent since February 2020 when they won 13-10 against the Cheetahs, while the Lions have lost only two of their last 12 URC meetings with Welsh sides.
Head Coach Flanagan said: âThe Lions are a very, very physical, and tough team, you can see that they are united and their coach Ivan van Rooyen has done a superb job. They are a lot more physical than the other South African teams â they want to take you to dark places and see if you can live with it.
âI enjoy watching them play because they pick up players who you have never heard of and make them into stars. I am sure it has been really rewarding for them to see so many go on to play for South Africa from the Lions.
âWe are back at Rodney Parade and hopefully we can continue to turn out performances like we have been â get our processes right and have good outcomes,â he added. âThere is nothing like playing in front of your own people and our attitude and how we stayed in the fight last weekend was impressive. Now we need to build on that and get better.â
Dragons: Angus OâBrien; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Lloyd Evans, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Leon Brown, Ben Carter (capt), Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harri Keddie, Taine Basham.
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Cameron Jones, Chris Coleman, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Dane Blacker, Will Reed, Ewan Rosser.
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