Tonight's rugby news as George North returns and France suffer major blow ahead of Wales Six Nations clash
These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, January 7.
North returns to training
George North is edging closer to making his debut for Provence after returning to training following months on the sidelines.
The 32-year-old joined the French Pro D2 side on a two-year deal ahead of the new season, but is yet to make an appearance having suffered a serious Achilles injury in his final game for Wales at the end of last year's Six Nations.
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However, 10 months on from that cruel blow, North is back on the field with his new side sharing footage of him in training. The video, posted on the club's Instagram account shows the Welshman taking part in a number of drills with the caption claiming he is "already a leader by example" and has "[brought] back a great energy".
"The return, and therefore the beginning of George North's story in Provence, is not far away," the caption read. "And with him, that presence that inspires. Already a leader by example, listened and respected. After months of patience, resilience...
"So North has returned to the field, bringing back a great energy."
Provence currently sit fourth in the Pro D2 table, having won eight of their 15 games so far this season.
France suffer big blow ahead of Wales clash
France flanker Charles Ollivon has been ruled out of the Six Nations with a season-ending knee injury.
The Toulon captain was forced off early during his side's win over Racing 92 at the weekend, with a scan on Tuesday morning confirming that he is set for around six months on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL in his right knee.
A report from French publication Midi Olympique reads: “Injured in the right knee last Saturday, Charles Ollivon underwent an MRI this Tuesday morning to determine the exact nature of the problem. The imaging confirmed the fears: a torn cruciate ligament. It puts an end to his season, with an absence estimated of at least six months."
Even before he underwent the scan, Ollivon suggested he was set for a lengthy spell out of action, as he wrote on Instagram: “Sharing this moment with you is difficult… I have to stop doing what I love for the moment and I will have surgery soon.
“How can I not be touched by all your messages of concern and your unfailing support? Thank you. Now, I am 200 per cent behind the team before being able to join them next season.”
It is the latest setback for the 31-year-old, having also spent significant time on the sidelines with a series of shoulder injuries before tearing the ACL in his left knee in 2021.
The loss of Ollivon comes after experienced France teammates Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty were also ruled out of the Six Nations with thumb and knee injuries respectively.
Fabien Galthie's side kick off their campaign in the tournament opener against Wales at the Stade de France on January 31.
Club to remove flags from shirts
Gloucester Rugby are set to remove international flags from players' shirts following criticism.
The Gallagher Premiership side came under fire over the weekend for printing the Russian flag on the back of prop Kirill Gotovtsev’s shirt, despite the country's widespread exclusion from international sport following the invasion of Ukraine. Since 2022, Russia has been banned from multiple global sporting event, with the Test rugby side not playing a match for nearly three years.
A Gloucester fan raised the issue during their 36-20 win over Sale, writing on X: "As a [Gloucester] supporter & grandson of Ukrainians I find it wrong that Gotovtsev is allowed to wear a Russian flag on his shirt, especially in a city that has a prominent Ukrainian community very poor.”
Gotovtsev has won 15 caps for his country but will reportedly no longer have their flag printed on his shirt. The same will go for all of his team-mates, including the Welsh quintet of Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Max Llewellyn, Josh Hathaway and Freddie Thomas.
RugbyPass report that the club has decided to scrap their policy of printing flags on the back of their capped players' jerseys, which has been in place since 2021.
The publication says it has seen a response from the club to a complainant that confirms the change and reportedly adds: "It was never our intention to cause any upset to our community and we apologise if that has been the case in this situation."
Care commits to 20th season
By PA Sport Staff
Former England scrum-half Danny Care has revealed he will complete his 20th season at Harlequins by staying at the club for another year.
Care, 38, who joined the Gallagher Premiership club from Leeds in 2006, retired from international rugby in March last year, but said he was not yet ready to hang up his boots.
He told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast: "I will be at Harlequins next season, I ain't leaving - I love it too much, I can't give it up yet. Hopefully a few Quins fans will be happy with that."
Care made a record-extending 386th appearance for Harlequins in their recent 34-34 draw with Leicester.
"That game probably reminded me again just how lucky I am, fortunate, to still play this game we love and to still play for the club that I love," he added. "I'm not going to give it up while I enjoy it."
Care has won two Premiership titles with the London club - in 2012 and 2021 - and the European Challenge Cup in 2011.
He became the sixth player to make 100 appearances for England in last year's Six Nations win against Ireland and made his 101st and final international appearance in their 33-31 defeat to France.
