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The rugby stories making headlines in Wales and around the world on Friday, December 5.
These are your rugby headlines on the evening of Friday, December 5.
Curry cleared over tunnel incident
England flanker Tom Curry will not face any action following the tunnel incident with Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi last month.
The pair clashed in the bowels of Allianz Stadium on November 23 following England’s 27-23 win over the Pumas. Contepomi alleged that Curry behaved aggressively towards him after the culmination of the match, shoving him and telling him to “f*** off” in the tunnel as the players and coaching teams made their way from the pitch.
He also accused him of being a “bully”.
The clash was sparked by Curry’s late tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia during the match, which resulted in the away player suffering an ACL knee injury.
Contepomi left his position in the coaches’ box to make his anger clear over the tackle, which only drew a penalty.
“Curry, let me say, it is probably part of his nature to bully people. He came into the tunnel and he gave me a little smack. He is 27, strong. I am 48,” Contepomi said in his post-match press conference.
“I was standing there. He was coming to say ‘hi’ to one of our coaches but we were upset because he was reckless and broke our player’s knee.
“When he came I said, ‘mate, you broke his knee’, he said, ‘f**k off’ and pushed me. Maybe that’s the way he is. I don’t know him. I’m not happy with the situation.
“After breaking someone’s knee you need to be at least humble enough and respectful to say, ‘sorry I did something wrong’. But he went the opposite.
“Maybe it’s his way of being a bully. If we want bullies in this game, good on them. I know it’s rugby, but if we don’t look after each other in rugby, it could be dangerous.”
The incident was probed by Six Nations Rugby, who requested England’s input on the incident, before clearing both parties of any wrongdoing.
“On considering all factors leading into and beyond the incident, based on the balance of information, and acknowledging a highly-charged end to the fixture, no formal sanction will be issued to either party,” a Six Nations statement read.
“However, this incident will remain on record, and should a similar incident occur in future tournaments, the record of this incident will be brought to the attention of the relevant Disciplinary Committee.”
Carre ‘back on market’
Wales loosehead Rhys Carre is reportedly back on the market after Mike Tindall’s R360 launch hit the skids.
Carre, who returned to the Wales fold this autumn after a period of international wilderness under Warren Gatland, had been a target of the breakaway rebel league.
But Tindall’s project suffered a huge setback last week when it was officially announced that the planned start of the tournament is to be pushed back from 2026 to 2028.
That leaves the futures of Carre – and fellow Wales international Louis Rees-Zammit, for that matter – hanging in the balance, with Rugby Pass reporting the former’s time with current club Saracens could be coming to an end.
They state that a move to Leicester Tigers could be on the cards for former Cardiff Rugby man Carre, with the Welford Road outfit looking for a replacement for Wales team-mate Nicky Smith, who could be shuffling towards the exit door.
The same publication report that Tigers’ representatives travelled to Wales recently for talks with Carre while he was in Steve Tandy’s autumn camp.
Wales contingent return for Os
The Ospreys welcome back some of their Wales contingent for Sunday’s Challenge Cup clash with Connacht in Bridgend.
Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams and James Ratti all start at the Brewery Field, with Harri Deaves also named in the walk-on XV. Sam Parry and Jack Walsh co-captain the team, with Tom Botha set to make his 150th appearance for the club.
The visitors make nine changes to their starting XV, with Ireland and Lions star Bundee Aki skippering the side.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We enter the Challenge Cup with strong ambitions of winning it, and we also want to use these next two weeks to give some players an opportunity to impress.
“We’ve a good mix of youth and experience for Sunday, with the likes of Bundee as captain and plenty of other centurions especially in the front row. On the flipside to that, Sean is one of the Academy players who I’ve been really impressed by and is fully deserving of his inclusion in the 23.”
Ospreys: Walsh, Kasende, Boshoff, Cokanasiga, Hopkins, Edwards, Morgan-Williams; Phillips, Parry, Botha, Smith, Ratti, Davies, Moriarty
Replacements: Lloyd, Thomas, Henry, Sutton, Evans, Davies, Nagy, Giles
Connacht: Sean Naughton; Shane Jennings, Sam Gilbert, Bundee Aki (C), Finn Treacy; Jack Carty, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, David O’Connor; Josh Murphy, Sean O’Brien, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Sean Walsh, Harry West
Cardiff team news
Cardiff Rugby will look to take their stellar URC form into Europe this weekend when they travel to Paris to take on Stade Francais.
The capital city club sit second in the URC table after five wins from six in domestic competition, with momentum building and solid foundations laid in a strong start to the season.
Alun Lawrence will lead them once again against the Parisians and the back-row says he feels “lucky” to be involved in this team.
“Personally and as a squad, it’s a really good feeling around here,” he said. “We’ve got off to a pretty decent start, to say the least, and I’m enjoying my rugby. It’s exactly what I want to be doing.
“For me, it’s about putting my hand up every single time. What I contribute is what I pride myself on. Being involved in that matchday 23 is what every player aspires to. I’m lucky to be getting those opportunities, and I’ll do my best to keep that spot.”
Mason Grady has also been named in the walk-on side as the Wales back continues his comeback from injury. The 23-year-old made his first competitive appearance in 12 months in last weekend’s win against Zebre in Parma
“It was class, I was glad to get out there and play the full 80 minutes in a hell of a win,” said Grady.
“I want to keep playing and building. The injury was frustrating, but that’s rugby and it happens to everyone.
“A lot have had it worse than me and it was just unfortunate to suffer a freak injury after having such a good pre-season.”
Grady has been selected on the wing again tomorrow, a position the versatile man who like to make his own.
“I don’t care where I play, but at the moment it’s a case of getting used to one position after being out for a long time,” said Grady.
“Switching positions every game is not the best thing to do and concentrating on wing gives me something to build from.”
Stade Francais: Ibo; Laloi, Marchant, Delbouis, Etien; Foursans-Bourdette, Abadie; Abramishvili, Nicotera, Asi, Gabrillagues (capt), Azagoh, Halaifonua, Chapuis, Tanga.
Replacements: Albo, Iscaro, Alo-Emile, Scelzo, Motassi, Nene, Jonas, Turagacoke.
Cardiff: Young; Grady, Smit, S Emanuel, Stephens; I Lloyd, Bevan; Barratt, E Lloyd, Wainwright, McNally, Thornton, Botham, Basham, Lawrence (capt).
Replacements: D Hughes, I Emanuel, Sebastian, Nott, Thomas I Davies, Wilde, E Evans.
Dragons welcome back duo
The Dragons are hoping to pick up their first win of 2025 this weekend when they face Perpignan in the Challenge Cup.
The Men of Gwent have not tasted victory since a win over Newcastle in the same competition in December of last year.
Filo Tiatia’s men head into this one still reeling from the controversial defeat to Leinster last weekend.
The head coach welcomes back Wales internationals Rio Dyer and Ben Carter, with both going into the starting XV.
Aaron Wainwright, however, has been given the weekend off following his exploits this autumn, while Brodie Coghlan returned from international duty with a niggle.
“Perpignan are a good side,” insisted Tiatia. “They are in a similar place to us in the ladder and they have a proud history in European rugby.
“I’ve dealt with Perpignan a few times from when I played for Ospreys. When they play at home, they are a very proud team – it will be a good challenge for us.
“It’s a special place to play. I’m looking forward to getting amongst it.”
Perpignan: Petaia; Veredamu, Duguivalu, Paia’aua, Joseph; Kretchmann, Hall; Tetrashvili, Malolo, Roelofse, Le Corvec, Chinarro, Diaby, Ritchie (capt), Dvali.
Replacements: Montgaillard, Devaux, Fakatika, Lagvilava, Van Tonder, Aprasidze, Poulet, Fahy.
Dragons: Dragons: C Evans; Inisi, Richards, Westwood, Dyer; O’Brien, R Williams; Martinez, Scarfe, Yendle, Screech, Carter (captain), Lewis-Hughes, Young, Martin.
Replacements: Austin, Kelleher-Griffiths, Hunt, Langton-Cryer, Keddie, Hope, De Beer, E Rosser.
