Rugby Shorts 22/02

AH WELL A QUIN

Harlequins are having a woeful season at best, and are yet to win on a non-international weekend. Paul Burke has proved a difficult outside half to replace since leaving for Munster.

Since returning from France, Thomas has failed to hit it off with Llanelli Scarlets and will relish the chance of getting some first team rugby under his belt, with the 29 year old likely to be looking for a new club in the off season.

EVANS RETURNS

Wales under 21's welcome back centre Gavin Evans for injury, as they look to maintain their unbeaten start in this years Six Nations. James Merriman will lead the side against an undefeated French outfit in Aurillac on Friday night.

Team manager Wayne Hall is expecting a tough challenge from the home side; “We have got to be a lot more positive in our approach and step up from the game in Italy. The Italians dragged us down to their level in Italy and we can’t afford for that to happen again. England have given us footage of their game against the French and we have looked at them very closely. We need to be strong in the scrum and it is bound to be a physical test for our players."

PACIFIC TEST FOR WALES

A Pacific Islanders XV will re-form next year, with plans to play five test matches, including one against Wales . The Warriors were impressive in their first season in 2004 and have lined up ties with the All Blacks and Italy in June, then a tour to Europe in November 2006.

Dissenting voices amongst Fijian rugby bosses have however clouded any possible re-formation, with a threat to re-draw any Fijians with a view that the internationals will damage the countries World cup hopes in 2007. Talks with the IRB will re-commence in April.

LEAGUE AGREEMENT

An accord signed by all three Celtic Unions will see Heineken cup qualification based solely on where their provinces finish in the league itself from next season onwards. Previously Ireland had retained their right to nominate whichever three provinces they wanted to.

Also matches being played on international weekends will become a thing of the past, with the axing of the Celtic cup meaning that when the new season begins on September 3rd the tournament will revert solely to league format.

It is now hoped that the strength of this will see greater involvement from sponsors and help concentrate fans and players efforts.

SHIRT APPEAL

Gareth Thomas is appealing for the return of the Wales shirts worn by Tom Shanklin and Stephen Jones against England. The shirts went missing the day after the famous victory, and as one of the few mementos they are allowed to keep, the players are keen to see them returned.

“The players worked hard to win the right to wear the shirts in the first place and no-one can doubt the effort that went into the victory, so hopefully whoever has them will do the right thing and send them back to us at team head-quarters in the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Hensol. We are not putting up a reward as such, but whoever it is can rest assured we will be extremely grateful as a squad and I’m sure we can come up with something to compensate for the effort that goes into returning them.