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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, December 17.
Rees-Zammit update issued
Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam has issued an injury update on Louis Rees-Zammit after the Wales star was a late withdrawal from his squad to face Pau over the weekend.
The 24-year-old was due to start Sunday’s Champions Cup clash at Ashton Gate at full-back, but was taken out of the matchday squad alongside Max Lahiff just two hours before kick-off.
With Bristol set to face Harlequins in the Big Game 17 at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham this weekend, Lam has issued an update on both Rees-Zammit and Lahiff, with the pair expected to be back in the mix for selection ahead of the clash.
Running through his available players, the head coach said: “I think Harry Randall could be back a week earlier. Rich Lane, Noah Heward, Bill Mata is pushing it. He’s definitely in for Newcastle.
“But, you know, I’ve got to balance that as a coach as a lot of the players want to play, you know, because it’s a big game and going to Twickenham, but I have got to balance it out with all the fixtures to come.
“Zam [Rees-Zammit] was keen to go against Pau, but when you run as quickly as he does, the last thing you want is to have a tight calf. I wasn’t prepared to take the risk. If it was a final, then maybe he would have been out there.”
Macleod reveals Wales camp message
Scarlets captain Josh Macleod has revealed he has only heard positive things from players who were in the Wales camp during the autumn internationals, with squad members “starting to love being there again”.
The back rower was ruled out of contention for Steve Tandy’s first squad as Wales head coach due to a pectoral muscle injury, but said he had seen “a few green shoots appear” over the course of the campaign despite some bruising defeats.
Wales’ autumn ended on a brutal note as they suffered a record 73-0 home defeat at the hands of South Africa, having also been blown away by Argentina in the opening game of the campaign.
However, those results came either side of a crucial win over Japan and an impressive performance in defeat to New Zealand, and Macleod has been encouraged from what he has heard from the players involved over the autumn.
“Everything I heard from camp was that the boys are really starting to love being there again which is part of the battle”, the 29-year-old told RugbyPass.
“You’ve got to enjoy the environment you’re in and everything I heard was positive on that note.
“I’ve seen a few green shoots appear over the autumn – after 50-60 minutes in the New Zealand game, no-one had Wales at 24-21 did they? If that’s not something to build off I’m not entirely sure what is.
“Obviously it’s ups and downs but I’ve got a lot of faith that this will be a young, aspiring team with big aspirations moving forward,” he added. “Hopefully Six Nations time will start the show.”
Wallabies star banned
Australia international Jordan Uelese has been banned for four weeks after striking an opponent while playing for Montpellier in the Challenge Cup.
The hooker, who was playing as a flanker in his side’s clash with Zebre last week, escaped unpunished during the match after striking opposition front rower Shilo Klein in the face just before the hour mark.
However, he was later cited and this week faced a disciplinary committee who upheld the citing complaint and determined an entry point of a six-week suspension for the offence.
The ban was then reduced by two weeks due to Uelese’s clear disciplinary record, with the 28-year-old set to miss his side’s Top 14 clashes with Castres, Pau and Bayonne, as well as their Challenge Cup meeting with Connacht.
However, he will be free to play again from January 12, meaning he could make his return against the Ospreys in Europe on January 17.
Van Zyl: We can’t look too far ahead
Corniel van Zyl says Cardiff can’t get too ahead of themselves ahead of their derby clash with the Scarlets on Friday night, despite sitting second in the URC table.
The region have taken five wins from their opening six matches with only the Stormers ahead of them heading into the next round of fixtures – but van Zyl has played down the significance of their league position as they prepare to face their Welsh rivals, who they have not beaten at home in nearly five years.
“Obviously it’s easier to look back at things when you’re getting results, so it’s positive at the moment,” he said. “But it’s not worth looking too far ahead. This game this week is the most important thing.
“It’s nice to see (our league position) and a good place to be in, but it’s impossible to say where you’re going to end up. You have to take it week by week. Ultimately it’s just the next game that matters.
“We spoke about the momentum after Zebre, which pushed us in the right direction, and then we fed a lot of positives into Ulster. There’s definitely momentum building, but again, it’s about this week.
“We’re fully aware it’s been a long time since we beat them here,” van Zyl added. “But there are things to be excited about. It’ll be packed, they’ll bring a lot of supporters, and that’s what derbies are about.
“We’ll go out, put our game on the pitch, and show what we can do.”
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