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Tonight's rugby news as dropped Wales star told to be patient and top coach quits in shock move
These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, October 29.
Dropped Wales star urged to be patient
Cardiff star Mackenzie Martin has been urged to be patient after being left out of Warren Gatland's squad for the autumn internationals.
The 21-year-old has had an incredible rise to Test rugby over the last year, with the number eight going from semi-professional rugby to playing in the Six Nations, taking on the Springboks and featuring on Wales' summer tour of Australia in the space of 12 months.
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However, Martin's journey has now come full circle, as he represented Cardiff RFC against Bridgend just days after missing out on a place in Gatland's squad. That appearance came at his own request, and while he has been impressed with his player's mentality so far, Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has reminded the Wales international of the need to be patient so early in his career.
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"Mackenzie doesn't have to be brilliant now," said Sherratt. "I see him as a Cardiff player for the next 11 or 12 years so we have to be patient with his development. He has not played as much as he would want but he started the season late, after being away with Wales, and wasn't fully fit."
He added: "It's a massive credit to Mackenzie that he asked to play for the Rags [Cardiff's semi-pro team] on Saturday, a lot of players who have appeared for Wales would see that as a big step down. He will get rugby but we have Alun Lawrence playing the best rugby of his life, James Botham and Ben Donnell can both play number eight and we have Taulupe Faletau in the background, so it's a very competitive position.
"But I have weekly conversations with him about his long term development and making sure his training week is consistent in getting him better Monday to Friday and not being obsessed with his name being on the team sheet on weekends."
Sherratt continued: "I speak a lot to the young players about progress in rugby and it's very rarely a straight upward line, the reality is that there are ups and downs along the way. Between the age of 19 and 23, you go from being among the best in your age to competing against the likes of Taulupe Faletau, so you're going to have drop offs with injuries and not being selected.
"Its really interesting to see how players react to that period because for some it may be the first time they've experienced not being selected. Mackenzie is in that period of his career. He played well for us last year, deserved his Wales call and did brilliantly, but it's about building these players for the long term."
Rowntree leaves in shock move
Munster have announced that head coach Graham Rowntree has left the Irish province by mutual agreement.
The 53-year-old was promoted to the role from forwards coach in 2022, leading them to the URC title in his first season in charge before a table-topping campaign last season.
However, he has now left the club after three consecutive league defeats, with head of rugby operations Ian Costello taking over as interim head coach while a permanent replacement is found.
After his departure was announced, former England prop Rowntree said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Munster working with a very talented group of players and coaches.
"I would like to thank the wider Munster family for all the support they have shown me in my time here but now is the right stage for my family and I to look forward to a new chapter."
Munster chief executive Ian Flanagan added: "We would like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Munster Rugby over the past five years, and I would like to wish him and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster Rugby.
"With the All Blacks XV coming to a sold-out Thomond Park this weekend and a number of big games on the horizon in November and December, our focus will be on continuing to support the coaches and the players for the season ahead."
Flanagan: We must make next block count
Dragons coach Dai Flanagan says he is frustrated to have ended the first block of the URC season near the foot of the table and called on his players to return from their autumn break raring to go.
The Rodney Parade side got off to a winning start in the new campaign as they claimed a last-gasp victory over the Ospreys, but they have since lost all of their next five games. The latest, a 31-7 defeat away to Connacht, leaves them one-from-bottom in the league table with one win and three losing bonus points to their name.
Flanagan's side will return to action after the autumn Tests as they take on Cardiff on November 30, with that clash followed by meetings with Montpellier and Newcastle in the Challenge Cup and festive derbies against Cardiff and the Scarlets.
The coach knows he should be boosted by the return of the likes of Elliot Dee and Solomone Funaki for that next block and has told his players to make it count and get some wins on the board.
“The message now to the players is to regroup and reset,” he said. “We have a chance to freshen up the group with some players coming back for this next block.
"The next block is the Welsh derbies and Europe, it’s the highlight of the season for many, so we have got to ensure we make it count and get both performances and results.”
England side to face All Blacks announced
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Henry Slade has convinced England boss Steve Borthwick he is ready to take on New Zealand after being picked at outside centre for Saturday's clash at the Allianz Stadium.
Slade made his first appearance of the season in Exeter's defeat by Harlequins on Sunday having undergone shoulder surgery, completing 55 minutes before being withdrawn. That run out is deemed enough to give him the nod ahead of the in-form Alex Lozowski, with the Chiefs playmaker an influential figure in the team's aggressive 'blitz' defensive system.
The three-way battle at scrum-half has been won by Ben Spencer, who will make his first start for England having won all six previous caps in a five-year Test career off the bench. Harry Randall edges Jack van Poortvliet as back-up cover on a bench that features a six-two split between forwards and backs, with George Ford the replacement fly-half.
Chandler Cunningham-South is present at blindside flanker after Ollie Chessum was ruled out against the All Blacks - and most likely the entire autumn programme - because of a knee problem. Cunningham-South has enjoyed a stellar debut year for England and is preferred for the back row vacancy ahead of the more experienced Sam Underhill, who is also overlooked for a substitute role.
Ellis Genge and Will Stuart are the starting props who will be rotated out for Fin Baxter and Dan Cole early in the second half. Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt are the replacement back five forwards.
England were edged by the All Blacks in two hard-fought Tests in July and are seeking a first Twickenham victory over Saturday's visitors since 2012.
"We're excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby," Borthwick said. "We'll need to be accurate, keep our discipline and maintain a level of intensity throughout the match, from the first whistle to the final moment.
"With just two games at Allianz Stadium in our last 15, it's fantastic to be returning to play in front of our home crowd again. The energy and passion of our supporters always gives the team an extra lift."
England: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Spencer; Genge, George (capt), Stuart; Itoje, Martin; Cunningham-South, T Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford.
