Tonight's rugby news as Wales v Fiji star summoned after match and Anscombe says players hurt

Your evening rugby headlines on Monday, November 11.

Fiji star faces disciplinary hearing after Wales red

Fiji international Semi Radradra faces a disciplinary hearing after being given a red card against Wales.

Former Bristol Bears man Radradra was initially branded with a yellow for a reckless shoulder-to-head tackle on Wales full-back Cameron Winnett. However, after review, it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

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The Foul Play Review Officer has decided that Radradra's act is worthy of an independent hearing. The 32-year-old will attend a video conference before an independent disciplinary committee consisting of Phillipe Cavalieros – chair (France), joined by Valeriu Toma (Romania) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).

It will take place on tomorrow, Tuesday, November 12, at 4pm.

Scotland star Scott Cummings will also attend a hearing following supposed dangerous play at the ruck against South Africa. He will sit before a separate committee at the later time of 7pm.

The 20-minute red card has been introduced as a trial by Six Nations Rugby for the Autumn Nations Series.

Anscombe: We will be better

Gareth Anscombe is adamant Wales' best performance will be enough to beat a resurgent Australia this weekend.

Wales slipped to a 10th-straight Test match defeat against Fiji yesterday which equals their worst-ever run of losses. On the flip side the Wallabies turned the formbook on its head with a sensational 42-37 victory over England at Allianz Twickenham on Saturday.

But despite Wales' lacklustre performance against Fiji, Anscombe insists they do have what it takes to knock over Australia on Sunday. "I still think our best performance is good enough to beat Australia next week," said Anscombe.

"I think we fully believe that. I think if we can grow another 10-20% in some little areas then we've got a real chance.

"Without a doubt the Wallabies are growing in confidence so it's going to be a great challenge but we've had success against them in the past here. So, if we get the little pullers right then there's no reason why we don't give ourselves a chance next week.

"This has got to hurt and it should hurt. We are playing at home and we should back ourselves to win. It's going to hurt and it's going to sting for a couple of days but you can't dwell on it for too long at this level.

"We've got to find a way to pick ourselves back up. I truly believe we'll be a lot better for playing this week.

"A few of us have been away for a while and things were a little bit clunky at times but I think the longer this group spends together we always get better."

Wales even-money for Wooden Spoon

Wales are priced at even-money with William Hill to finish bottom of the table in the 2025 Six Nations.

Following their disappointing loss to Fiji, Warren Gatland’s side are much likelier to land the Wooden Spoon (EVS) than the Six Nations title (33/1).

Ireland and England also suffered defeats over the weekend, but the former remain well-fancied for next year’s tournament as the 11/10 favourites, while England are a 7/2 chance.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Northern Hemisphere sides had a tough weekend in the Autumn Internationals, none more so that Wales who shockingly fell to Fiji, and as such we now make them even-money to pick up a second consecutive Wooden Spoon at next year’s Six Nations.

“It would be the first time in their history that the six-time victors have finished bottom of the pile in back-to-back years, with Italy – who have 18 Six Nations Wooden Spoons to their name – only a shade shorter (4/5) than Warren Gatland’s side.

“Wales’ chances of landing a seventh title in 2025 don’t look great at 33/1, whilst Ireland seek to make it three in a row and we make them favourites to achieve that feat at 11/10, ahead of France (5/2) and England (7/2).”

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Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ruled out of England’s clash with South Africa

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

England must take on world champions South Africa without Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after their star wing was ruled out of Saturday’s Allianz Stadium showdown.

Feyi-Waboso suffered a head injury while trying to prevent Australia from scoring a try in the 50th minute of the 42-37 defeat and has been withdrawn from the 36-man squad that will prepare for the Springboks’ visit to south west London.

The second loss of England’s Autumn Nations campaign has taken a heavy toll, with Tom Curry already confirmed as unavailable after he was knocked out in the act of making a tackle against the Wallabies.

Bath’s Ted Hill has been called up as back row cover to fill the void created by Curry’s absence while Tom Roebuck of Sale has been summoned to provide a back three alternative to Feyi-Waboso.

Losing Feyi-Waboso and Curry for the main event of the autumn – a grudge rematch of last year’s World Cup semi-final – is a major setback to head coach Steve Borthwick, who is seeking to end a run of four successive defeats.

Feyi-Waboso only made his debut in the Six Nations but is already one of the first names on the team-sheet due to the cutting edge he gives England’s backline, which is reflected in his strike rate of five tries in eight appearances.

England led Australia 15-3 when Curry left the field after being struck by Rob Valentini’s knee and their control of the game faded without their most effective breakdown operator.

Ben Curry and Sam Underhill will now compete for the number seven jersey with Ollie Sleightholme, who crossed twice as a replacement against the Wallabies, in pole position to take over from Feyi-Waboso.

England must rescue their autumn by toppling the Springboks with Japan visiting Twickenham a week later to close the schedule.

Scotland star: We must take positives after Springboks loss

By Anthony Brown, PA

Ewan Ashman believes Scotland can draw plenty of encouragement from their valiant effort against South Africa on Sunday as they build towards next year’s Six Nations.

The Scots went down 32-15 to the double world champions at Murrayfield after dominating long periods of the second half and threatening to get their noses in front.

Gregor Townsend’s side – who played 20 minutes of the first half with 14 men following Scott Cummings’ red card – got within four points of the Springboks just after the hour and were within a converted score until the 74th minute, when the visitors started to close the game out.

Despite the frustration at missing out on a first victory over South Africa since 2010, hooker Ashman feels the Scots can be buoyed by the way they played as they prepare for two more Autumn Tests against Portugal and Australia before kicking off their Six Nations campaign at home to Italy at the start of February.

“Everybody’s disappointed because that was an opportunity for us and we let it slip,” he said.

“We probably won’t have another crack at them for two or three years. But there’s still a massive pride amongst the lads, and I think it’s just like a fire of confidence for us.

“You look at the positives of the game, like the defensive performance, the effort, that’s something that we can take forward into the next couple of games, into the Six Nations.

“We were playing 14 men against the best-stats Springboks team, world champions. Obviously we need to learn and we need to be more clinical, but we can also take the positives and build on that.”