Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, December 18.

Wales hopeful can be 'club legend'

By Simon Thomas

Cardiff and Wales lock Teddy Williams has been told he can become a club legend as he sets the standard in the URC.

READ MORE: Why Toby Booth's Ospreys reign ended so abruptly as exit plan went wrong

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Williams is having a fine season and has made more tackles and won more lineouts than any other player in the competition, while he’s been on the field for more minutes than any other forward in the entire league.

His excellent form saw him earn a deserved call-up to the Wales squad for the autumn internationals and he’s recently had the honour of captaining Cardiff for the first time, at the ripe old age of 24.

He has started all nine of their matches in the BKT URC and EPCR Challenge Cup this term and has been on the field for 682 minutes out of a possible 720.

The athletic Williams has developed into a real lineout technician, as demonstrated by him topping the tally of takes in the league this season, with his 40 successful leaps putting him ahead of Leinster back rower Max Deegan (37) and Ospreys lock Adam Beard (35).

When it comes to tackles made, he is well clear on 123, with club colleague Alun Lawrence second on 105, followed by Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan (99), Glasgow flanker Rory Darge (98) and fellow Arms Park lock Josh McInally (91).

On the international front, Williams made his Wales debut as a replacement against South Africa in August 2023 and added a second cap during an eye-catching showing off the bench in this year’s Six Nations clash with Scotland.

Having been somewhat surprisingly omitted from the original squad for the recent autumn Tests, he was then called up as a replacement for the injured Ben Carter, but didn’t get on the field.

Cardiff forwards coach Corniel van Zyl feels he has returned to regional duties even more motivated.

“I think the disappointment of not being selected for Wales initially was a little bit of a drive for him to just go to the next level,” said the former Italy lock.

“He has come back with a great attitude and just wants to get better.

“Teddy is really working hard on his game, not only on the field, but off the pitch. His work ethic is at the top level, which is just what you need, and he’s a smart player.

“I think he’s got all the qualities to become a real Cardiff legend.”

Government warned clubs 'teetering on the edge'

The Government has been warned to keep a close eye on Gallagher Premiership clubs “teetering on the edge” after a new report set out the cost to taxpayers of three top-flight clubs going under.

In total, Premiership clubs received £123.8million in loans from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) designed to help the sports and culture sectors manage the financial shock of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) said that £41.6m of that went to London Irish, Worcester and Wasps, out of £46.1m that was handed to entities that are now insolvent.

The NAO report says DCMS does not expect to recover up to £29m of that figure, and a further £11m in interest payments that will not now be made.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said in response to the report: “Although progress has been made in recovering initial repayments, it is concerning that up to £29million of taxpayer money could be lost from borrowers who have since gone under.

“DCMS should continue to keep a close eye on English rugby union clubs that have been teetering on the edge.

“Given the public money at stake, the department has more to do to show it has a long-term plan for managing and recovering loans across the sectors.”

The NAO report states DCMS has recovered £9.8m from the administrators of Worcester, plus £300,000 from the administrators of Wasps. DCMS expects to recover between a further £7.3m and £11.1m from all the loan book insolvencies.

The money loaned to Premiership clubs amounted to 26 per cent of the overall total.

In June last year DCMS appointed two independent advisors to help the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby stabilise the future of the sport.

The report added: “Acknowledging its ongoing role as a key stakeholder, DCMS is closely monitoring the remaining Premiership clubs to identify any which may be behind on their repayments and facing financial difficulties. In doing so DCMS is monitoring the risk it faces to protect its investment on behalf of taxpayers.”

'Standout' captain signs new deal

Cardiff Rugby's club captain Liam Belcher has signed a new contract with the club.

The hooker has committed his long-term future to the team he has largely been with since his teenage years, either side of a single season with the Dragons.

"I'm really happy and grateful to extend my stay at Cardiff - the club I have come through since I was 15 years old," said Belcher.

"I am enjoying my rugby and feel like we are building something here and heading in the right direction.

"I want to remain a part of that process and believe we can put the club in a stronger position and begin competing for silverware."

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt added: "Over the past few years he has been a standout, consistent performer and he deservedly picked up the Peter Thomas Player of the Year award after his performances last season.

"He was an obvious choice as captain, following the retirement of Josh Turnbull, and continues to lead by example both on and off the pitch.

"Technically, he is very good and this is combined with a detailed understanding of the game, his explosive athleticism and ability on both sides of the ball."

England star a major Six Nations doubt

By PA Sport staff

George Furbank could miss the start of England’s Six Nations campaign after fracturing his arm in Northampton’s victory over the Bulls on Saturday.

Furbank has been told that he might require an operation to repair the damage sustained half an hour into the 30-21 Investec Champions Cup win in Pretoria.

The 28-year-old full-back started three of England’s four Tests last month, losing his place to Freddie Steward for the defeat by South Africa, and is now a doubt for the opening rounds of the Six Nations.

“George has fractured his arm. It can vary so there’s nothing concrete on how long that will take,” Northampton head coach Sam Vesty said.

“It is a big loss, he is a fantastic rugby player. He is our club captain and has really grown into that leadership role over the last couple of years.”