Tonight's rugby news as international jailed for 'appalling attack' in Cardiff and top coach to quit
These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, February 6.
Rugby international jailed for 'appalling attack'
Ugandan rugby international Phillip Pariyo has been jailed after raping a woman in Cardiff.
The 32-year-old, who previously represented Uganda's sevens team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, sought asylum in Wales after being falsely accused of being a homosexual - a criminal offence in his home country - and represented a number of semi-professional clubs in Cardiff.
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On Thursday, Cardiff Crown Court heard how Pariyo had "invaded [his victim's] body by force" despite her "fighting and begging for her life". The court heard that the victim had visited a flat in Cardiff when she woke up to find Pariyo next to her and he asked her for sex, before raping her.
The victim began "fighting" with the defendant, shouting "stop, stop, stop it right now" but he ignored her pleas and carried on attacking her. Following the attack, the victim locked herself in the bathroom and later messaged the defendant to tell him that he had raped her.
At the time, Pariyo, of The Boulevard, Canton, admitted having sex with the victim but then denied any sexual activity between himself and her when the case came to trial.
In a victim personal statement heard by the court, the victim said: "The wound inside me I can never completely recover from. It has left lasting impacts on me, and has felt like an open wound that I can never heal from.
"In the blink of an eye my world changed in the worst possible way. I felt numb, dirty and used, he invaded my body by force and branded himself from within."
Pariyo was later found guilty by a jury of rape following a trial and on Thursday was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment, of which he will serve two thirds in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.
Sentencing, Judge Celia Hughes said: "This was an appalling attack and physical violation of the victim. Someone with your physical strength and your participation at a higher level in sport should act as a role model for others, especially when dealing with people far less physically strong than you... You were sexually greedy and had the physical ability to get what you wanted."
Schmidt to leave after signing new deal
Joe Schmidt has signed a new short-term deal to stay on as Australia head coach but will leave his role later this year.
The 59-year-old joined the Wallabies in 2023 as he took over from Eddie Jones, with his previous deal seeing him depart following this summer's three-Test series with the British & Irish Lions, which ends in August.
However, after agreeing a new deal, the former Ireland head coach will now step down in October, following the culmination of the Rugby Championship. So far in his stint with the Australian side, he has helped them to six victories in 13 games.
In a statement, Peter Horne, Australia's director of high performance, confirmed that Schmidt had "made it clear" he wanted to spend more time with his family and, as a result, was not interested in a longer-term deal which could have seen him remain in post until the 2027 World Cup and lead the Wallabies into a home tournament.
The union also confirmed that the process of finding Schmidt's successor - the fifth Wallabies head coach in six years - will now begin.
“We are delighted Joe will continue to coach the Wallabies beyond his current contract,” said Horne. “After noting the positive impact Joe has made with the Wallabies playing and coaching staff, we were keen that he stay on after the Lions series.
“Joe expressed to us that he was enjoying his work with the Wallabies while also making clear his need to spend more time at home with his family.”
Schmidt himself added: “I am very much enjoying my time with Australian Rugby. The British and Irish Lions is our immediate focus but, with the Rugby Championship following so closely after the Lions Series, I understand the need for continuity heading into two away Test matches against South Africa.”
Italy name side to face Wales
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made just one change to his side as they prepare to face Wales in Rome on Saturday.
After threatening a comeback against Scotland at Murrayfield on the opening weekend, Quesada's side has a familiar feel, with Niccolo Cannone replacing Dino Lamb at lock in the only change to the starting team.
A powerful matchday squad sees the Italy coach opt for a six-two split between forwards and backs, with flanker Michele Lamaro leading the side as one of eight Benetton players in the starting team.
In the pack, Simone Farrari, Giacomo Nicotera and Danilo Fischetti make up the front row with Federico Ruzza and Niccili Cannone both named as locks and Lorenzo Cannone and Sebastian Negrin joining Lamaro in the back row.
As for the backs, Paolo Garbisi and Martin Page-Relo make up the half-back partnership, with last year's player of the championship Tommaso Menoncello alongside Juan Ignacio Brex in midfield. Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane are on the wings, with Tommaso Allan named at full-back after kicking 14 points against Scotland.
The only other change in the 23-man matchday squad sees wing Jacopo Trulla named among the replacements in place of the injured Simone Gesi.
Italy: 15. Tommaso Allan, 14. Ange Capuozzo, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Martin Page-Relo; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro, 8. Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: 16. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17. Luca Rizzoli, 18. Marco Riccioni, 19. Dino Lamb, 20. Manuel Zuliani, 21. Ross Vintcent, 22. Alessandro Garbisi, 23. Jacopo Trulla
Feyi-Waboso in line for surprise return
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso could make a surprise return to England action before the end of the Six Nations, his club coach believes.
The Exeter Chiefs wing suffered a dislocated shoulder before Christmas, but decided not to undergo surgery following talks between his club and England, instead taking a "conservative rehab route".
Chiefs' director of rugby Rob Baxter says that Feyi-Waboso could now be set for a potential return in time for the latter stages of the Six Nations.
"If the next two or three weeks go really well, whether he'll be back around the tail-end of the Six Nations, I wouldn't like to be the person who makes that call," he told BBC Radio Devon. "But obviously the elements of when it got sorted were delayed for various reasons, and that's just created this kind of scenario where we're now on a week-by-week [basis], see where he goes.
"This morning again he looked very good, he said his shoulder's feeling strong. He's very optimistic about how quickly things are moving on, so we'll just have to see when he gets back to full fitness."
