Wales international sends message to WRU with picture and English star in court
The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond today as the autumn internationals begin
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, November 1.
Hook sends timely reminder to WRU
Former Wales international James Hook has sent a thinly-veiled message to the WRU amid the ongoing uncertainty over the decision to cut a region.
The Union announced after their review it will cut to three professional sides in Wales. Bosses also confirmed there would be one team in east Wales and one team in Cardiff, leaving the Ospreys and the Scarlets to feel particularly vulnerable with only one side in the west planned.
The Swansea-based side are four-time winners of the Celtic League/Pro12 competition (now the United Rugby Championship), winning the title in 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012.
That particular era was packed with stars of the international game, many of whom would go on to feature heavily for Wales during the halcyon days under Warren Gatland.
In a photo of him and his Ospreys team-mates posted on social media, Hook is pictured standing alongside the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Lee Byrne, Adam Jones, Ryan Jones, Mike Phillips and a number of other memorable and familiar faces.
“Recently got sent this photo,” Hook said in a post on Instagram.
“It’s a little reminder that the Ospreys aren’t just part of Welsh rugby — they helped build it.”
English rugby star denies rape charge
Former Northampton Saints and England Under-20s player George Makepeace-Cubitt, 21, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape..
He was charged with raping a woman aged 16 years or over in Northampton in February and appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday.
The outside-half has been released on conditional bail and is due to appear at another hearing at a later date.
A club spokesperson said it was made aware of an allegation of sexual assault against Makepeace-Cubitt on February 26.
It said: “Makepeace-Cubitt was arrested on suspicion of rape on the above date, and after he was released on bail, did not return to Saints for training or any fixtures.
“The club continued to support him under its duty of care to the player, while also co-operating with the authorities to support their inquiries.”
Northampton said his contract with the club ended on June 30 this year, prior to him being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
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England captain Maro Itoje targets perfect autumn
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Maro Itoje is targeting a clean sweep of four Test wins this autumn as the England captain begins the countdown to the 2027 World Cup.
Joe Schmidt’s resurgent Australia visit Allianz Stadium on Saturday to launch a series which is completed by fixtures against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.
The All Blacks provide the blockbuster opposition of the campaign on November 15, but dangerous Fiji won on their last visit to Twickenham in 2023 while the Pumas are a force on the global stage once more.
“There’s not a team we’re playing who we can’t beat,” British and Irish Lions skipper Itoje said.
“We want to go and win all our games. Every player should definitely aspire to that. Our fans should expect us to have the same mindset.
“The All Blacks are always tough. Whenever you get a result against them it’s a big deal and that’s within our capability. But first we have Australia in front of us and that’s our immediate focus.”
Itoje led the Lions to a 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies during the summer and now that assignment has been completed, attention turns to the next major event on the horizon.
“Particularly for guys at the top, the four-year cycles are split into two and two. You want to be part of the Lions tour and then part of the World Cup,” the Saracens second row said.
“They are the two big international landmarks where most of the world’s attention is on rugby in those periods.
“As a squad and as individuals, we want to do really well in 2027. But in order for us to do that and have the best chance, we have these really important games in the build-up.
“You don’t just rock up to a World Cup and win. Often, a World Cup is a reflection of your body of work. Now we are trying to put together our body of work for that.”
England parade 12 Lions in their matchday 23, including a six-strong contingent on the bench that will provide second-half reinforcements at Twickenham.
Twelve months ago the danger Australia pose was highlighted when Max Jorgensen struck with an overtime try that clinched a 42-37 victory, and they have since gone toe-to-toe with Andy Farrell’s tourists as well as recording a 38-22 win against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Referencing the recent Lions series, Itoje said: “When you play three games against someone back-to-back you tend to pick up trends and what they’re about.
“Australia are a tough team. Their physicality, when you watch it you don’t notice it but their players really do look to lay down a marker physically.
“They’re a well-coached and well-drilled team. It seems like they have a real clear identity and a vision of how they want to play.”
Dan Sheehan excited to continue Ireland rivalry with New Zealand in Chicago
By Edward Elliot, PA
Stand-in captain Dan Sheehan says there is “massive” excitement among Ireland’s players as they bid to create more special memories against New Zealand in Chicago.
Ireland famously recorded a first victory over the All Blacks – winning 40-29 – when the sides previously clashed at Soldier Field in 2016.
Since that landmark occasion, the fixture has developed into a genuine rivalry, with Ireland winning four of the next nine meetings, including a historic 2-1 tour success in 2022.
However, New Zealand defeated Ireland in the quarter-finals of the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, in addition to winning 23-13 in Dublin last November.
Hooker Sheehan, who will lead the team as regular skipper Caelan Doris prepares to return from a six-month injury layoff from the bench, told reporters: “That 2016 moment, we’ve talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan.
“Massive memories, everyone has a memory of where they were and how special that day was.
“Obviously we’ve had some big battles against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone’s pretty buzzing to almost feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the rematch.
“This game is massive for our group, people are really excited and I think a win tomorrow would definitely rank up there basically in everyone’s career.”
Saturday’s sold-out showdown marks the start of Ireland’s autumn campaign, with Japan, Australia and world champions South Africa due in Dublin on the following three weekends.
Most of Ireland’s senior players will represent their country for the first time since the Six Nations after being part of a British and Irish Lions squad led by head coach Andy Farrell during the summer.
Six players in Farrell’s line-up have played just once this season, while number eight Jack Conan will make his first appearance since starting all three Lions Tests in Australia.
New Zealand, meanwhile, registered a 3-0 summer series success against France and only completed the Rugby Championship on October 4.
Sheehan dismissed concerns about potential rustiness in the Ireland camp.
“We’ve obviously had two different journeys as teams over the last few months and you can look at it both ways,” said Sheehan.
“Some are fresh, some are battle-hardened, whatever way you look at it.
“The reality is it doesn’t matter. Both teams are full of world-class players and professionals that are well able to rock up on a day and put out their best performance.
“I suppose we’ll see tomorrow, but I don’t think it’ll be a factor.”
