Rugby Union Today: Loose Pass and Kieran Read retirement

Colin Newboult

Kieran Read during the Test Match 2018 between Italy and New Zealand at Stadio Olimpico on November 24, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/NurPhoto/Sipa USA)

Another busy day in the rugby union game as Loose Pass returned to discuss the World League, while Kieran Read announced his All Blacks retirement.

What’s on the site

It has been an interesting week in the sport with World Rugby proposing a new competition, which has been widely condemned, and Loose Pass added its voice to the conversation.

Elsewhere, Kieran Read has announced that he will step down from All Blacks duty after the World Cup and head to Japan where the number eight will join Toyota Verblitz.

Finally, Leinster hooker Sean Cronin has paid the price for a poor display against Italy after being dropped from the 37-man Ireland squad for the upcoming encounter with France.

What’s in the news

The saga engulfing Welsh rugby continued with the Scarlets confirming that a merger between them and the Ospreys is “off the table” and appearing to partly blame the Swansea-based outfit for the breakdown in talks.

In the Six Nations, Charlie Ewels and Ollie Thorley have remained in England camp as cover for Maro Itoje and Jack Nowell respectively, who are struggling with injury ahead of this weekend’s encounter against Italy.

Meanwhile, the first Super Rugby teams were named for Round Four as the Highlanders brought back a few key players and the Rebels named Wallaby lock Adam Coleman in the XV.

What’s on social media

It was an interesting day in Welsh rugby with the Scarlets releasing a statement over their proposed merger with the Ospreys, which is now “off the table.”

However, the Ospreys soon responded and once again blamed the governing bodies for their inability to find a resolution to the current mess.

What’s on TV

The Six Nations returns this weekend with the BBC showing the opening game of Round Four between Scotland and Wales. England v Italy and Ireland v France then follow and they will be televised on ITV.

Despite that annual competition restarting, the Premiership continues with BT Sport airing Bath v Saracens and Harlequins v Gloucester.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports will broadcast all the Super Rugby encounters which take place this weekend, starting with the Hurricanes taking on the Highlanders in an all-New Zealand clash.