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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Here are your rugby headlines for Thursday, December 11.
Gloucester eye Wales international to replace Welsh star in player raid
Gloucester are considering a move for Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy as they prepare for the likely departure of compatriot Tomos Williams, according to fresh reports.
Williams, currently club captain at Kingsholm, is lining up a switch to Saracens next season, part of a major backline reshuffle that could leave the Cherry and Whites needing a new No.9.
And now the BBC say Hardy has now emerged as a leading candidate, with the Ospreys star viewed as a potential like-for-like replacement should Williams complete his expected move.
The 30-year-old has been a regular in recent Wales squads and remains one of the most experienced scrum-halves available to Steve Tandy, winning 25 caps since his debut in 2020.
He has been part of the Ospreys’ half-back rotation this season and is understood to be admired for his sharp service, kicking game and pace around the fringes.
The development comes amid Gloucester’s growing interest in multiple Ospreys players, with Wales co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake also on their radar as part of what has been described as a possible player raid on the Swansea region.
Wales international reveals failed NFL ‘trial’
Former Wales and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert has revealed he once attempted to enter the NFL pathway almost a decade ago — but admits the short-lived trial “went badly”.
The 35-year-old, who retired from rugby in September, discussed the experience while appearing on the Stick to Rugby podcast as he reflected on ex-team-mate Louis Rees-Zammit’s brief switch to American football and return to union.
Cuthbert described Rees-Zammit’s NFL move as a “win-win”, insisting the winger has come back “a far more professional athlete” after experiencing the sport’s intense training demands.
He then revealed he had tried something similar during the 2016–17 season, taking part in a “little trial” at the Tottenham Hotspur training ground in Watford. It took place on a Wednesday — a day off before a Six Nations game — and Cuthbert laughed that the timing alone doomed it to failure.
“In 2016–17, I did a little trial in Watford, at the Tottenham Hotspur training ground,” he said.
“I actually did really badly, I did it on a Wednesday on a day off before a Six Nations game, which was a bit mental. The 40-yard dash, jump, I was going as a tight end. I was umming and ahhing because I was out of contract and it was like the fourth game of the Six Nations.
“Obviously Zam left before the Six Nations, so obviously he had quite a lot of time before the combine, I don’t think I would have had enough time. Those guys, tight ends, are freaks.”
Cuthbert said Rees-Zammit’s speed made his move far more viable and believes his return to rugby will give Welsh rugby a major lift.
“Him coming back is a rejuvenation,” he said. “He’s a pin-up boy for Welsh rugby and he’s gone to a good club in Bristol. He’ll have learnt an awful lot — NFL athletes are on a different planet.”
All Blacks star quits international rugby with France move
All Blacks winger Sevu Reece is set to bring down the curtain on his international career after reportedly signing a three-year deal with French side Perpignan.
French outlets France 3 and L’Équipe report that the 28-year-old Crusaders finisher will join USAP ahead of the 2026-27 season, in what would be one of the club’s most high-profile captures in recent years.
Perpignan president François Rivière recently teased a major arrival, telling reporters: “Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we’ll be announcing a signing that I think will surprise many… an international, non-JIFF player. We already have some very, very good signings for next season.”
Reece’s move to France would effectively end his All Blacks career, with New Zealand Rugby only selecting home-based players.
The record Super Rugby try-scorer has played 37 Tests and crossed for 22 tries since making his debut in 2019, his most recent coming against Wales last month.
USAP currently sit bottom of the Top 14 with just a single point from 11 rounds, raising the prospect of Reece playing second-division rugby unless a relegation clause exists in the agreement.
