Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, January 7.

Welsh coaches backed for Lions tour

Former England and Lions international Brian Moore has tipped a number of Welsh coaches to be appointed by Andy Farrell for this summer's tour to Australia.

Farrell will spend the next couple of months visiting each of the Six Nations camps to assess players and coaches. Moore believes he should look to sign up candidates from different nations, rather than rely on his Ireland contingent.

READ MORE: The Welsh-qualified players in England now being monitored as Gatland considers Six Nations shock

READ MORE: Wales international signs for Cardiff Rugby with immediate effect

Among the prospective candidates are a number of Welsh candidates, who all have Lions pedigree. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free

Writing in his Telegraph column, Moore said: "Paul O’Connell is seen by many as the outstanding candidate for forwards coach, but will Simon Easterby, Ireland’s temporary head coach, want him on hand to manage his national team in Farrell’s absence? Farrell might look at Graham Rowntree and Robin McBryde, both of whom are ex-Lions and the former possessing comprehensive knowledge of most probably a large contingent of Irish Lions players.

"As attack coach, the left-field pick is Ronan O’Gara, but that would probably cost the Lions a lot of money. Gregor Townsend is an outside bet as there could be many Scottish backs. Mike Catt has worked with Farrell before and his role with the Waratahs gives him inside knowledge of the current state of Australian rugby and its players.

"If Farrell wants Scottish input, [Welshman] Steve Tandy works as defence coach, while Felix Jones is available after rejuvenating England’s previously porous defence. Romantics might wish to see Shaun Edwards unite with Farrell, but that is extremely unlikely.

"Jonny Wilkinson as kicking coach has been mooted, but Neil Jenkins has far more experience and the outstanding choice in strength and conditioning is Paul Stridgeon, who already has four Lions tours to his name."

Rugby star 'flees UK'

Rugby league star Keven Appo has reportedly fled the UK after being charged with rape.

Appo, who played for Bradford Bulls, was given conditional bail at 4pm on Nov 26, Bradford magistrates were told. At 8:40pm that evening, he boarded a flight to Dubai from Manchester before taking a connecting flight to his home country, Papua New Guinea, the BBC report.

An arrest warrant has now been issued for the 25-year-old, who is accused of rape, sexual assault and assault.

The BBC report an extradition process was under way to return Mr Appo to the UK. He had been due to appear for a hearing at the court on Monday.

Mr Appo joined Bradford Bulls in 2023 and made 61 appearances for the West Yorkshire club. He joined after Papua New Guinea reached the quarter finals of the Rugby League World Cup in 2022, and was sacked after he was charged with the offences.

In a statement, the club previously said they had “cancelled Keven Appo’s playing contract”.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “We are aware that magistrates have issued an arrest warrant for 25-year-old man from Halifax who was due to appear in court today charged with rape, sexual assault and assault.”

Feyi-Waboso out of Six Nations

England have suffered a hammer blow as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was reportedly ruled out of the entire Six Nations after opting for shoulder surgery.

The Daily Mail report the Cardiff-born 22-year-old has now undergone a procedure on the dislocated shoulder after initially considering a non-surgical option. He is now out for up to 12 weeks after a second scan revealed the severity of the problem.

Feyi-Waboso scored five tries in his first eight Tests last year and has been tipped for a place on this summer's Lions tour to New Zealand.

Ireland star to learn fate

Mack Hansen will discover his fate this week over his heated remarks aimed at match officials following Connacht's loss to Leinster. His critical comments are now under scrutiny with a disciplinary hearing set for Wednesday by the URC after he made claims of "b******t" bias against his side.

The Irish wing expressed frustration after the 20-12 defeat, saying: "To be honest, it felt like we were getting reffed out of the game for the first 40 minutes, pretty much. We're not a team for excuses, but that's what I feel. I feel like the first bit we were getting pressured from what seemed like 16 men against us instead of 15, to be honest."

When Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins was queried on his view regarding Hansen's observations, Hansen interjected: "Can I say something real quick about the situation? Like, I feel like we get this every week. We never get any calls, ever. I've been feeling this for years now."

The URC's disciplinary code includes a reference to attacking, criticising or disparaging match officials in the media or on social media.

Wilkins was in touch with URC referees' boss Tappe Henning immediately after the press conference to inform him of what had been said, with the Connacht supremo saying he was opening the lines of communication on the issue.