The Rugby Roundup: Sunday, May 7
Key Highlights :
It’s Sunday, May 7 and the rugby world is abuzz with news of Quade Cooper’s return to the field, Chris Ashton’s career ending with a red card, and a new coaching team for England’s World Cup campaign. Here’s the latest rugby headlines from around the world.
Quade Cooper Returns to Send Out World Cup Message
Australia’s mercurial star Quade Cooper has returned to a rugby field with a bang to send out a World Cup message. The Wallabies playmaker helped his Japanese club Kintetsu Liners thump Urayasu D-Rocks 36-14 overnight in the first leg of their relegation play-off in the battle to avoid going down. It was Cooper’s first proper game since rupturing his Achilles playing for Australia against Argentina last August as the fly-half looks to prove his fitness for the upcoming global showpiece in France.
Cooper had guided Kintetsu Liners to League One promotion last season and is determined to help them stay up, while improving his prospects of a place in Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad at the same time. He had spent four years in the wilderness before a shock Test recall under former coach Dave Rennie last summer, with the Wallabies having an issue with the No.10 jersey. A number of players have been tried, or suggested in the role, ahead of the World Cup, but Jones is keen to get Cooper back on board. The new Wallabies boss takes charge of his first match since leaving his role with England when Australia clash with South Africa in early July.
Chris Ashton’s Career Ends with Red Card
Chris Ashton’s career seemingly ended with a red card on Saturday as Leicester were defeated 20-17 by Harlequins on the final day of the regular Gallagher Premiership season. In his final game at Welford Road before retiring, the former England winger was sent off towards the end of the first half for a dangerous high tackle on opposite number Cadan Murley. Unless the card is overturned and Ashton is deemed available for Leicester's semi-final, then it would mark an anti-climactic end to a fine career.
As well as scoring 20 tries in 44 caps for England, Ashton enjoyed a successful club career - with stints at Northampton, Saracens, Toulon, Sale, Harlequins, Worcester and Leicester after an early switch from rugby league. Leicester head coach Richard Wigglesworth confirmed afterwards that the club would appeal the decision.
Glenn Delaney Rules Himself Out of Crusaders Job
Former Scarlets coach Glenn Delaney has ruled himself out of the running for the Crusaders job. The task of coaching New Zealand's most dominant side is up for grabs as Scott Robertson moves up to take on the All Blacks job at the end of the year, with Delaney having been mentioned in dispatches. After spells with Nottingham and London Irish, Delaney guided Canterbury to an NPC title in 2017 before working as an assistant at the Highlanders.
Having arrived in 2019 as the Scarlets' defence coach, he stepped up to head coach after Brad Mooar was offered a role in New Zealand's set-up. However, weeks after it was announced he would move into a director of rugby role to accommodate Dwayne Peel as head coach, Delaney left with immediate effect in 2021. Working in Japan, these days Delaney moved to end any speculation that he has applied for the Crusaders job.
Bath Hammer Saracens to Seal Final Champions Cup Place
Bath ran in nine tries in a 61-29 win over a game Saracens second string to snatch the last Heineken Champions Cup spot next season from local rivals Bristol. Hooker Tom Dunn scored a hat-trick as Johann van Graan’s resurgent side notched a fourth successive Gallagher Premiership victory, a run that has propelled the club from the bottom of the table to that eighth qualifying place. The Rec broke into wild celebration as news came through from Ashton Gate that Bristol’s winning margin against Gloucester had not been enough.
England Settle on World Cup Coaching Ticket
Steve Borthwick has reportedly finalised his coaching team ahead of England’s World Cup campaign. The Telegraph report that the England coach has secured the services of Leicester Tigers scrum coach Tom Harrison and Great Britain Sevens coach Tony Roques. Harrison's appointment fills the void left by Montpellier-bound Richard Cockerill and also means that the entire coaching team that led Leicester to a Premiership title last year is with England. As for Roques, he will link up with England once his final commitment, with the GB team at the HSBC Sevens tournament at Twickenham later this month, is over. His role will be to focus on contact skills and breakdown.
These are the top rugby headlines for Sunday, May 7. Be sure to check back in for more updates as the World Cup draws ever closer.
