Your rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, December 17.

Welsh derby takes fresh twist

The west Wales derby has taken a twist after it was announced head coach Toby Booth has left his role on Tuesday.

After two weeks of European rugby, clubs turn their attention back to the United Rugby Championship, with Scarlets facing Ospreys at the Swansea.com Stadium on December 21.

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Mark Jones has taken over as head coach with immediate effect and will be in charge of Ospreys for the clash in Swansea this weekend. He will hold his first press conference on Thursday.

Speaking ahead of the game on Saturday, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel recognised that it may be the final time the game is played at Swansea.com, with Ospreys relocating to St Helen's in the not too distant future.

"It is a big week ahead of us," said head coach Dwayne Peel. "It is potentially the last at the Swansea.com Stadium, so it's going to be a great occasion.

"A festive derby is great for everyone and something people in west Wales can get behind."

Wales and Scarlets loosehead prop Kemsley Mathias also recognised the significance of the clash.

"We know how important an Ospreys derby is, so it's important we get our heads right," said Mathias. "It's special. There are a few new boys in the fold so we need to make sure they know the importance of next weekend. It's definitely a must win for us."

Rugby community reacts to Booth departure

The rugby community has reacted to the news that Toby Booth is leaving his role with Ospreys.

It was revealed earlier in the season that Booth was to depart at the end of the campaign, but the shocking news about his early exit broke on Tuesday morning.

Mark Jones has taken over as head coach with immediate effect, and Ospreys thanked Booth for his contributions to the region.

Many fans expressed their surprise, given his popularity, while others thought the outcome was inevitable after it was announced at the start of the season he would be stepping down in the summer. Many supporters thanked Booth personally on social media.

"Shall never understand why any club-region begins the season by announcing that the head coach will leave at the end of it," wrote rugby writer Peter Jackson. "After four years in the madhouse of Welsh rugby, crazy enough without the Ospreys' chronic casualty list, Toby Booth leaves with his reputation enhanced."

"Best of luck to Toby Booth in his next role," wrote rugby writer Paul Williams. "He's done an absolutely incredible job at the Ospreys. Genuinely incredible. Delivered rays of sunshine, in a very gloomy Welsh rugby landscape. Hat tip for Mr Booth."

Habana: Six Nations crucial for England

Springboks legend Bryan Habana says England's performance in the Six Nations will be a telling marker for where they are as a team.

Despite swatting aside Japan 59-14 on the final weekend of the Autumn Nations Series, England lost all other matches against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

However, despite their poor results, Habana thinks that England are going in the right direction, but they must pull off something decent in the upcoming Six Nations.

“I really do think the Six Nations will be a telling marker of where this England side is and Ireland might have a little bit of a dip with Andy Farrell leaving for the Lions,” the Springboks legend said on For the Love of the Game with Laura & Ally on Discovery+.

“But there are definitely a few players who will know to get a Lions position for the tour of Australia next year, you are going to need to perform at some point in the Six Nations.

“So are they far off? Definitely not, they’ve lost against number one and two teams in the world by a few points, I’ve lost to Japan and I’ve lost 49-0 against Australia.

“This England side is in an OK place – it’s not that bad."

Habana also mentioned that their losses were lessons to be learned against the big three of the southern hemisphere.

“Against New Zealand, they were in a position to win, South Africa they got a really good lesson around the world champions and Japan was always a big game with Eddie Jones coming back.

“The margins at the highest level are so small, this England team is in a bit of a transition, Steve Borthwick has had a lot of pressure. He got a team that was still very much divided when Eddie left and that was an absolute debacle a couple of months before a World Cup to try gel a team,” he continued.

“Then Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, Courtney Lawes, and Mako Vunipola, these incredible, experiential, phenomenal players leave so to fill those gaps isn’t easy.”

Bundee Aki and James Ryan commit to Ireland by signing new deals

By Duncan Bech, PA

Bundee Aki and James Ryan have signed contract extensions with Ireland.

Aki has agreed a new one-year deal that will keep him at Connacht until the end of the 2025-26 season while Ryan has signed on for a further three years with Leinster.

Aki, 34, has been a key figure in Ireland’s midfield since making his debut in 2017 and has gone on to earn 60 caps, winning two Grand Slams and an additional Six Nations title.

“I’m delighted to extend my contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union and am excited about competing for Ireland and Connacht for the coming seasons,” Aki said.

“I love playing rugby in Ireland and believe that this is the right environment for me to progress as a player.

“I would like to thank the IRFU for their support and I’m excited for what the future holds in green in the years ahead.”

Ryan, 28, has made 67 appearances for Ireland and has also captained the national side.

“I am delighted to sign a new contract with Leinster and commit my long-term future to the IRFU,” Ryan said.

“Playing in ambitious set-ups is a big driver for me personally and I know how committed everyone in Irish Rugby is to work hard and achieve success.

“It is a privilege to play for my home province and my country and, with the talent coming through the academy systems, I am excited about what the future holds in blue and green.”