Today's rugby news as Welsh club make doping statement and coach 'disappointed' by Wales star's axe
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, January 16.
Welsh club make doping statement
Newport RFC have made a statement after Rynard Landman tested positive for a banned substance.
The UK Anti-Doping Agency announced on Tuesday that the South African former Dragons captain has been banned for three years after admitting the presence of anabolic steroid, nandrolone. You can read the full details here.
READ MORE: Tonight's rugby news as young Welsh star's season wiped out and Wales' rivals make announcements
READ MORE: Taulupe Faletau 'touch and go' for Wales Six Nations opener in worry for Gatland
Making a statement online, Newport RFC, who Landman, 38, plays for, provided their response.
"Newport RFC has been informed that one of our players has tested positive for a banned substance and has been handed a three-year suspension under anti-doping regulations," they wrote.
"First and foremost, Newport RFC is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compliance with the rules of our sport. We fully support the rigorous anti-doping system in place, which ensures a level playing field and protects the values of rugby.
"We accept and support the outcome of the disciplinary process, and have taken necessary action.
"The player has acknowledged the violation, and we are conscious of their welfare during this challenging time, as they rebuild their future beyond the game.
"As a club, we reaffirm our commitment to education and awareness around anti-doping regulations. We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and other governing bodies to strengthen the education programs and ensure all players understand their responsibilities.
"Newport RFC remains dedicated to promoting clean sport and supporting our players in making informed, ethical decisions."
Sherratt 'disappointed' about Winnett axe
Cardiff Rugby boss Matt Sherratt has said he's "disappointed" by Cam Winnett's omission from the Wales squad.
Winnett was one of the notable absentees from Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad, especially given he has set up more tries than anyone in the United Rugby Championship this season. Sign up to our Welsh rugby newsletter here.
He looked to have matured on the Test arena last year, so Winnett being left out surprised some, including his club boss Sherratt.
“I am disappointed for Cam and he was as well because he wants to play for Wales but he quickly flipped that into a positive and that is his mindset," Sherratt said.
“Because he has been going from week to week, while he has not injured, he has been picking up little niggles as you would with 27 games, he is looking it as a chance to develop individually.
“I think he played 27 games last year. A year before that it would have been about a dozen mixed with Cardiff RFC, a couple for us and some for Wales Under-20s games.
“His short-term development has been quite stratospheric, a massive straight line up from Cardiff RFC to a couple of regional appearances to pretty much starting every game for Wales and playing very well.
“The nice thing about Cam is he is very level-headed so how he is on the pitch where he is very consistent and there is no fuss is what his personality is like.
“Cam sees it as a chance to maybe take a breath, work on his physical conditioning and some of the little bits and pieces he needs on his technical stuff."
Hook: Why I like Dan Edwards
Former Wales fly-half James Hook has revealed the key attribute he feels can make Dan Edwards an international-standard outside-half.
Edwards, 21, is one of the uncapped players alongside Scarlets' Ellis Mee to be called up to Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad and, given Ben Thomas is the only other recognised fly-half in the squad, the Ospreys man is likely to get a significant amount of game-time.
And Hook, who knows exactly what it takes to be a top-class Test 10, said he admires the way Edwards goes about his game.
"He's a young 10. He probably has the most touches in a game along with the scrum-half," Hook said on the Scrum V podcast.
"He's going to make errors - he's young. But what I love about Dan is if he misses a kick at goal or goes for broke with a kick to touch, and misses then he'll still go for it again next time.
"It won't affect him. He'll shrug it off and go again. I think that's really key for an international 10. You're going to make errors. But it's about coping and getting on with the next job and I think he's very good at that.
"There are only two 10s, he's going to be in the squad every game."
Sharks bring stars for Cardiff clash
Hollywoodbets Sharks will be bringing their Test match stars to face Rugby at the end of the month.
The South African team have named their 28-man touring squad for the United Rugby Championship clash at the Arms Park on January 25.
The squad includes Springboks such as Lukhanyo Am, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse and Bongi Mbonambi. Cardiff's Wales stars will be in international camp ahead of the Six Nations, so the region will be significantly underpowered.
Included in the Wales squad are Cardiff players such as Ben Thomas, Teddy Williams, Josh Adams, Ellis Bevan, Keiron Assriatti, Evan Lloyd, James Botham and Taulupe Faletau.
Wallaby legend returns to rugby
Wallabies legend Michael Hooper has returned to 15s rugby at the age of 33.
The former NSW Waratahs flanker has signed a short-term deal to play for Toyota Verblitz, who he played for in 2021. He's been drafted in by the club after Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit sustained an injury in the opening month of action in Japan One.
Hooper will link up with All Blacks legend Aaron Smith at the club, and will be coached by former All Blacks coaches Ian Foster and Steve Hansen.
The Test match star was shockingly left out of Australia's 2023 squad, coached by Eddie Jones, and started playing Sevens shortly after that, hoping to end his career in the Olympics.
In June last year, Hooper announced his retirement from Australian rugby after missing out on selection for the Olympics. His transition from the 15-a-side game had been an injury-plagued one, and it didn't quite work out. However, now he has an opportunity to finish on a high with Verblitz in Japan, returning to the 15-a-side game.
Maher: Rugby needs culture change
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Ilona Maher says that rugby union has to shift culture and mindset if it is going to evolve as a sport.
With more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, 28-year-old American international back Maher is the world's most followed rugby player on social media.
She rose to fame on social media through combining messages of body positivity and female empowerment with her signature sharp sense of humour, and was also runner-up on Dancing with the Stars - the American equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing.
Currently playing Premiership Women's Rugby with Bristol Bears on a three-month contract, Maher hopes to be part of the United States' World Cup squad in England later this year.
And she has already made a considerable impact in the west country, helping to attract a club-record crowd for a women's game when she made her debut against Gloucester-Hartpury at Ashton Gate.
"It is great having all these record numbers, but what we want is for them to keep coming back for the next game. One and done is not enough," Maher said during a press conference that had a local, national and American media presence.
"I am sprinkling a little bit here. But we need people to keep coming. It is not just me alone.
"There is something special happening not just in England, but around the world in women's sport and women's rugby. My message is if I am what gets someone to experience rugby, then great. I want more people to play and watch.
"We are a very stoic sport in a way. I would love to see more personalities in the men's game.
"You see it a little bit with a player like Joe Marler, but I can't think of many others who have that. I wish they could show that more.
"There is a culture in rugby we need to shift. It's an amazing sport, but also an old sport where the same things have been happening for years.
"We keep talking about how do we get young people into the game. Those people are online. We have to shift our mindset if the sport is going to evolve."
