Today's rugby news as favourite to be next Wales coach admits team in 'tough place'
Here are your rugby headlines for Tuesday, February 11.
Easterby: Wales in tough spot
Simon Easterby, who has today emerged as favourite to succeed Warren Gatland, admits Wales are in "a tough place" right now.
The Ireland interim coach is right at the top of the Welsh Rugby Union's list of candidates to become new Wales head coach, with Gatland expected to leave in the summer at the latest.
READ MORE: Wales want Simon Easterby or Franco Smith as Warren Gatland reign to end early
READ MORE: Warren Gatland future Live: Favourites emerge as Wales hold press conference
And, while he is yet to be asked publicly about the prospect of replacing Gatland, Easterby acknowledged this is a difficult time. Wales host Ireland in the next round of the Six Nations on February 22.
"There's so much passion and so much support for their national team, and at the moment, they're in a tough place," said Easterby, assessing the Welsh.
"They probably weren't particularly happy with the weather (in Rome). Once they got behind, it was hard to play in those conditions.
"But they certainly showed as the game went on that they got stronger and they were able to get back in the game. They just didn't probably have long enough to do that.
"We know that it (Cardiff) is a hell of a place to go and play. The roof will be closed, the atmosphere will be like it is every time you play in the Principality Stadium against Wales, 75,000 passionate people that want and will their team to success.
"I'm a big believer in making sure that we play each game as it comes and that will be no different. We'll enjoy this week, a bit of downtime, but we'll make sure we get prepared well for that Wales challenge."
All Blacks sue Man Utd co-owners
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has launched legal action against Ineos, the company run by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Radcliffe.
The move comes after Ineos allegedly dropped a sponsorship agreement with the All Blacks with three years remaining.
Ineos branding has appeared on all New Zealand Rugby jerseys since 2022 and was allegedly supposed to continue until 2028.
New Zealand Rugby said on Tuesday the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship had not been paid by the global chemical giant
Chief communications officer, Paul Stevens, said NZR “is disappointed that Ineos has breached its sponsorship agreement. Most recently, it failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit our six-year agreement.”
“Having learned of Ineos’ decision to walk away three years early, we have moved to protect the interests of New Zealand Rugby and the wider game,” Stevens added. “We have been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect our commercial position.”
The sponsorship deal is believed to be worth around US$4.5m per year (£3.64m/NZ$8m). Stevens added that NZR “is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All Blacks and other teams in black remains high”.
Fiji international has contract ripped up after 'biting' team-mate
Biarritz have ended the contract of back-row Masivesi Dakuwaqa after he reportedly bit his teammate Pierre Pagès during a night out, resulting in the scrum-half needing 20 stitches.
Earlier this month, the Pro D2 club issued a statement confirming an internal investigation following an incident where a player was "violently attacked and injured" by a fellow team member.
The statement read: "Biarritz Olympique confirms that a serious incident occurred outside its facilities and outside any framework organized by the club involving one of its players. The incident occurred while a second player was trying to calm the situation, before being violently attacked and injured, requiring medical attention.
"The club takes this event very seriously and has immediately taken the necessary measures: An internal investigation is underway to establish the facts precisely; full cooperation is ensured with the relevant authorities; and appropriate sanctions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation."
It was soon revealed that the assailant was the three-cap Fiji international, who allegedly assaulted Pagès while the latter attempted to defuse a confrontation between Dakuwaqa and another player. Following the altercation, the hefty 122kg back-row was apprehended and placed under police custody.
Biarritz have released a statement on Monday confirming the dismissal of their star, once of Toulon and Montpellier. The club announced: "Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque announces the immediate termination of Masivesi Dakuwaqa’s contract.
"Following the internal investigation conducted by the club, the facts alleged against Masivesi Dakuwaqa made it impossible for him to continue his engagement with the club. It was mutually agreed to end his collaboration with the BOPB."
"The BOPB wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the values of the club and will not make any further comment on this decision."
The former Olympic gold medallist with Fiji is scheduled for a court appearance in May 2025.
Haskell: I love Gats but something has to change
James Haskell, who was coached by Warren Gatland both for Wasps and the Lions, believes the time has come for change at the top of Welsh rugby.
Gatland has over seen 14 Tests without victory following the defeat in Italy at the weekend, with his immediate future to be decided in the coming days.
And former England flanker Haskell, speaking in a Telegraph Q&A, says he remembers when England cut ties with Stuart Lancaster before bringing in Eddie Jones and he feels Wales have come to a similar point.
"There’s no silver bullet here," he said. "There are no secret players no one knows about hiding down the back of the sofa. I love Gats but something is not working there, which you have to take on board. At some point, that has to change.
"You saw the same thing with Stuart Lancaster that with the same set of players Eddie Jones can win a Grand Slam. You have to look at the whole structure of the game, but they won’t be able to sort everything out so I imagine it will just keep eating itself."
