Tonight's rugby news as legend tells Gatland to look at dual-qualified star and terminally ill Welsh hero honoured
These are your evening rugby headlines on December 31, 2024.
Gatland told to look at dual-qualified star
Australia legend David Campese has encouraged Warren Gatland to take a look at Leicester Tigers' back row Olly Cracknell ahead of the upcoming Six Nations.
The 30-year-old has been in fine form for the Premiership side in recent weeks and was outstanding in their 34-34 draw with Harlequins at the weekend. With his powerful carrying display, he caught Campese's eye as part of a back row that also featured Wales star Tommy Reffell, and the Wallabies icon has suggested they could soon be international team-mates too.
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While he was born and raised in Leeds, Cracknell is dual-qualified, with his grandfather hailing from Llanelli. Formerly of RGC 1404, Cardiff RFC and the Ospreys, the powerhouse back row made six appearances for Wales U20s and was called up to Gatland's Six Nations squad in 2017, only to go unused and then seemingly be forgotten about.
Given Wales' current strength in the back row, whether Cracknell makes a return to the international fold in 2025 remains to be seen, but Campese says Gatland could "do worse" than look at the Tigers man ahead of selecting his squad.
"The big eight is doing his best to fill the massive shoes of Jasper Wiese," he said of Cracknell as he selected him in his Premiership Team of the Week for Planet Rugby. "Given Wales’ issues, they’d do worse than look at him since he’s dual-qualified."
In the same article, Campese added that Wales star Dafydd Jenkins is also getting back to his best after returning to action earlier this month, following five months on the sidelines having undergone knee and shoulder surgery.
"Just as England need a firing [Jonny] Hill, so Wales need Jenkins back to his very best and he was close to it on Sunday," he wrote.
Terminally ill Welsh hero honoured
Former WRU commercial director Craig Maxwell has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list.
At the age of 40, Maxwell was cruelly given a diagnosis of stage four, incurable and inoperable lung cancer in 2022, and the following year was told he had between 10 and 18 months left to live. The rare form of genetic lung cancer, EGFR+, had also spread to his bones.
While the heartbreaking news was devastating for Maxwell, his wife Tracey and their two young children Isla and Zach, his response to the diagnosis has been nothing short of remarkable, carrying out inspirational charity endeavours to raise funds and help others.
Earlier this year, he spent 26 days walking the length of the Wales Coast Path as part of a fundraising challenge, which culminated in him arriving at the Principality Stadium to a hero's welcome and carrying the Wales v France match ball onto the pitch having carried it on his back throughout the challenge.
The OBE recognises his extraordinary service to voluntary and charitable services and improving outcomes for people with cancer.
Coach hits out at 'disturbing' Saracens act
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Steve Diamond has hit out at Saracens after they questioned the extent of an injury suffered by one of his players.
Centre Sammy Arnold suffered a significant knee ligament injury after being illegally cleared out by Sarries lock Hugh Tizard during the Premiership clash between the two sides at the end of the November. Tizard was then red-carded for the incident, which saw him come in from the side of a ruck.
The disciplinary process that followed saw Saracens contest the verdict of the Falcons' medical team that Arnold would be ruled out for three months due to the injury he sustained, instead calling for a second opinion from an independent orthopaedic surgeon. However, that surgeon also backed up Newcastle's stance.
Ultimately, Tizard was banned for six weeks - a sanction reduced from 12 weeks due to his remorse and disciplinary record - after accepting a charge of dangerous play, with the panel concluding that while the act was "reckless", he had not intended to hurt Arnold. He will be free to play again from January 14 having already missed four matches under provisional suspension.
“I have never come across this before and Saracens can do what they want, can’t they? As always,” said a frustrated Diamond. “The reason this has taken so long is that Saracens suggested our medical staff were over-egging the injury.
“I find it quite disturbing that another medical team can do that without even seeing the player. It went to a Andy Williams, a well-known orthopaedic knee specialist and he suggested 14 weeks before Sam is back.
“So we have got a 14-week loss of a player. He [Tizard] got 12 weeks reduced to six and I think we should be taking that sort of action out of the game and it seems about the right sanction," he added. "Sam will be back for the league games in March. He is a big player for us.”
Bristol sign Ireland fly-half
Bristol Bears have confirmed the loan signing of Ireland fly-half Harry Byrne.
The 25-year-old moves to Ashton Gate on a three-month deal, with the Premiership side needing cover for AJ MacGinty, who is set to spend four months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Byrne has made 75 appearances for Leinster and represented Ireland four times, scoring six points in his debut off the bench against MacGinty's USA in July 2021.
"It was important for us to bring in some additional cover at fly-half," said Bristol boss Pat Lam. "Harry is a quality international player who is very experienced at domestic and European level, representing one of the top clubs in world rugby.
"His style of play is well suited to the Bears Way, and I would like to thank Leo Cullen and Leinster Rugby for allowing Harry to join us.
"When I spoke to him, he was excited to come and play for the Bears and his experience will be valuable on and off the field as we head into a busy period of Premiership and Champions Cup rugby."
