Today's rugby news as former England star says it was 'always going to be Wales'
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, January 26.
Former England U20s star says it was 'always going to be Wales'
Josh Hathaway has said he was always going to pick Wales over England ahead of his first Six Nations in the red jersey.
The 21-year-old, who featured off the bench for Gloucester days before Wales' tournament opener against France on Friday night, had previously turned out for England U20s.
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However, the wing committed his future to Wales last year, having won two caps last year.
"It was always going to be Wales," he told MailOnline.
"Growing up in a little town like Aberystwyth, to be honest I didn’t really understand there was any other country! I lived in the middle of nowhere really.
"Shopping centres were an hour away on the train. I had a stint playing for England Under-20s and it massively helped me in my career.
"I’ll always be very grateful to England and Alan Dickens, who was my head coach, for that.
"I’ll never say I wish I hadn’t done it. It’s been a part of my journey, but I’m equally grateful to Warren Gatland and Rob Howley for calling me in with Wales. I can’t thank them enough."
Welsh youngster tipped for 'bright future'
Cardiff winger Tom Bowen has been tipped for a bright future after a starring role for the Blue and Blacks against the Sharks on Saturday night.
The Arms Park side came out on the wrong side of the 42-22 scoreline, but Bowen was superb throughout. As well as crossing for two tries, he had a hand in the other Cardiff scores and caused problems throughout.
Having made his Cardiff debut before Christmas, the elusive 19-year-old was named in Wales' squad for the U20s Six Nations earlier this week.
"He's an exciting player," said Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt. "Probably the best thing for me is he's just done at senior level what he's done at school and Cardiff RFC.
"I think the longer you can keep players playing the way they've been brought up, the better. We don't over-coach him really.
"I don't want him to come out with any fear. I think he's shown that. He's got a bright future."
Cheika unhappy with Six Nations referee
Leicester Tigers coach Michael Cheika has questioned the use of Six Nations referee Ben O'Keeffe in their 38-31 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Gloucester.
O'Keeffe will take charge of England's Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin next Saturday. However, Cheika wasn't thrilled with his appointment for the clash at Kingsholm the week before.
“I am not going to have a go at anyone, but I am not sure why they are bringing in the international referees this weekend,” Cheika said.
“I didn’t like it from the start when they said it was happening. It is clear there is a difference in interpretation in how the ball is played on the ground.
“We got affected by the penalty flow, and we have got to be better to resist those moments when they come, even if they are numerous.”
He added: “I thought we deserved more than we got out of that game.
“The scrum penalty in the corner, I am not sure why we are penalised there. And it went from there – maybe somebody said something, I am not sure – but it went against us from there and went against us hard.
“We weren’t able to get any territory because we were continually being penalised.”
Ireland handed Six Nations fitness boost
By PA Sport Staff
Dan Sheehan made a try-scoring return as Leinster claimed a 36-12 United Rugby Championship bonus-point win over the Stormers, joining team-mate James Lowe in providing Ireland with a Six Nations fitness boost.
The URC leaders maintained their unbeaten form at the Aviva Stadium, aided by stand-in captain Sheehan’s seasonal debut and Lowe’s first appearance since October.
Ben Loader’s 20th-minute try meant the Stormers were only 15-7 behind at half-time, but Leinster cruised clear for their 10th-straight league victory.
Jordie Barrett notched his first URC score, while player-of-the-match Sheehan and Jamie Osborne completed their braces as Evan Roos scored a late consolation effort for the Stormers.
In front of an attendance of 18,892, Ross Byrne opened the scoring with a third-minute penalty. Barrett then provided the assist for Osborne to dive over, eight minutes later.
However, Byrne’s well-struck conversion proved to be Leinster’s last score until a late attack saw Sheehan surge over, just before the interval.
In between – after a couple of false starts – the 11th-placed Stormers landed a high-quality try off first-phase ball.
Playing with a penalty advantage, they attacked at pace and winger Loader was the beneficiary of a good set-up involving Manie Libbok and Warrick Gelant. The Springbok fly-half also converted.
However, the visitors lost Libbok to injury just before Sheehan showed his pace to finish off neat combination work between Henry McErlean, Barrett and Lowe.
Despite Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba earning an important turnover penalty, they could not keep Leinster out.
Scott Penny slung a low pass away for a diving Barrett to strike in the 57th minute and Byrne’s conversion made it 22-7.
Ahead of their flight to Portugal on Sunday to join Ireland’s training camp, a well-judged Lowe kick teed up Sheehan to go over on the left and, with the bonus point secured, Byrne converted again.
Lowe missed out on a breakaway try due a Max Deegan knock-on in a tackle, but Osborne intercepted a pass to rub salt into the Stormers’ wounds.
Lowe prevented Herschel Jantjies from running in what would have been a superb counter-attacking try, yet the visitors’ persistence paid off late on when Roos muscled over from a maul.
