Today's rugby news as WRU reveal plan for Cardiff and how much they are now owed at dramatic press conference
The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your rugby headlines for Thursday, April 10.
WRU reveal Cardiff plan
WRU CEO Abi Tierney says the union plan to own Cardiff for the rest of this season and next to give the Arms Park club security.
A joint press conference was held on Wednesday evening with Tierney and WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood in attendance, alongside Cardiff Rugby's chief executive Richard Holland and chairman Alun Jones. You can read the full transcript here.
The WRU have assumed control of the capital city club after it was temporarily placed into administration by its directors.
Tierney said that the WRU would likely remain in control for this season and next.
"What we’ve got agreement for, ideally we want to do it for this season and next season to give it security," Tierney said when asked how long the union wanted to own the club for. "One of the things that made it a very clear decision for us and our board was if Cardiff was to go into administration and then liquidation and ceased to exist, we’d be facing significant penalties from the URC for losing the slot.
"Actually that would cost more than buying Cardiff, which is what didn’t make sense. That would have had a major impact on the other three clubs, our ability to sign the PRA and do the refinancing that we are in the process of doing.
"That was one of the big drivers to committing to the URC and the media rights being worked through at the moment with Premier Sports and S4C, that we are giving it the security and safe harbour while we secure alternative investment is really important."
Collier-Keywood revealed the debt owned to the WRI was "about £9million", adding: "The deal that we’ve done basically brings over the existing debt which the Union is owed by Cardiff Rugby. That transfers into our new subsidiary.
"On top of that, I think we’re paying about £480,000 for the business and assets of Cardiff, which includes stock, debtors etc. Additionally, we’ve assumed a liability of £300,000 which was in respect for funding that had previously been provided."
The WRU also added that they believed their finances had not been stretched by taking on Cardiff.
Both Holland and Jones spoke of their feelings following the action, which you can read here, with the latter stepping down from his position with immediate effect as part of the process.
Duo challenged to make Wales tour of Japan
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones has laid down the gauntlet for two of his players to keep building on their recent form as the Wales tour of Japan looms.
The Swansea side booked a place in the quarter-final of the EPCR Challenge Cup and will be looking to mount a late-season charge for a URC play-off berth.
“If you’re playing in a team that's fighting for those spots, and you're Welsh, you should be trying to get on that airplane to Japan. That should be your mentality and your motivation,” said Jones.
Fly-half Dan Edwards was named as player of the match in last weekend’s huge 36-14 victory and is one of those expected to feature in the summer.
“I know with Dan his motivation is to get the best out of himself and he knows if he plays well himself the rewards of selection for our team and then obviously hopefully Wales to move forward become genuine,” Jones added.
Edwards was initially part of the Wales squad for this year's ill-fated Six Nations campaign but was later dropped in favour of former Osprey Gareth Anscombe. The Ospreys coach said that despite a Six Nations where “he didn’t play as much as he would have liked” he knows his number 10 would use his experience as fuel on the fire.
“What he's learnt from it is when you come back to regional rugby you have to perform and he did it during the Six Nations for Leinster and for Glasgow and he did it at the latter end of the Six Nations going into our fixtures," he said.
“He looks like a guy who's not been downtrodden from the lack of opportunity and he's used it as a motivator to improve his game and to take out the ambiguity and to go ‘I’m the best, select me’."
Earlier this week, Alex Cuthbert said that another Osprey will be “100% going on that summer tour” after an equally as impressive game. Second row Rhys Davies made his first start since January against the Llanelli side and got himself a try for his efforts in a game which turned heads across Wales.
“He’d put a lot of work into that performance; it didn't just happen," Jones added. "We know he's capable of that performance but to do it against the opposition that he did [against] two very very good lock forwards there in [Sam] Lousi and Alex Craig the week before, Jac Price this week, and then with Alex Craig coming on.
“Against that level of international lock and to be as dominant as he was in the physical aspects of the game he should take a lot of plaudits from that.”
Despite an excellent return Jones wants to get more out of the 26-year-old.
“His challenge this week is, if he's selected in the 23, he’s got to back it up hasn't he, because the expectation is there,” the head coach concluded.
Ospreys are set to host Lyon in the Swansea.com stadium on Saturday with a spot in the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup on the line.
Millard lands new job after WRU links
Billy Millard has been appointed Connacht's new general manager of performance after leaving Harlequins.
The 55-year-old former Cardiff coach had been linked with the vacant WRU director of rugby post after departing the Gallagher Premiership side last month. However, that role is now set to be filled by Dave Reddin.
Millard will instead take up a newly created role with the Irish side to help integrate the club's high-performance programmes across their pathway, academy and senior teams.
He previously served as assistant coach at Connacht between 2011 and 2013 and worked with USA Rugby and Cardiff before moving to Quins in 2018.
“I’m delighted to be returning to Connacht Rugby in this new role and at such an exciting time for the province," said Millard. "Having spent two years at the club, and with my wife from Galway, I know firsthand the passion, drive, and ambition everyone at Connacht has in bringing success to the province.
"There is a clear vision for the future, with a strong commitment to developing homegrown talent and competing at the highest level for both our male and female teams, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in delivering on that strategy.
"My role will be to further build on the excellent work already being done in our high-performance programmes and create an environment that will allow players to thrive and fulfil their potential, using the world-class facilities we’ll soon have at our disposal at the new HPC and redeveloped Dexcom Stadium," he added. "I want to thank the club for this enormous opportunity, and I look forward to working closely with all the staff and players into the future."
All Blacks in mourning
New Zealand Rugby is mourning the death of legendary team doctor John Mayhew.
Affectionately known as 'Doc', Mayhew served as the All Blacks' team doctor between 1988 and 2004 and later served as a board director of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation as well as working with North Harbour Rugby and the Blues.
He passed away on Wednesday aged 69, after recent heart complications.
Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby, said: “Doc was a deeply respected figure in our game and his legacy will endure through the positive changes he championed. As All Blacks team doctor for 16 years, he was trusted for his medical expertise and his unwavering care for the people around him.
“Beyond his time with the All Blacks, he continued to shape our game through his work in advancing research into brain health and concussion – helping us all understand more and do better when it comes to player welfare.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the wider medical and rugby communities during this very sad time.”
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson added: "Doc has given so much to the All Blacks and to sports medicine more widely, both through his expertise and because of the way he cared for the people and teams he worked with. During my time in the All Blacks he was more than our team doctor - he was a trusted confidant and friend to all, and someone who always put the person before the player.
"He was the ultimate combination of a great man and an excellent sports doctor. My thoughts are with his family at this immensely sad time. Rest in peace, Doc."