Rugby Union Today: AWJ injury and Champions Cup teams

Colin Newboult
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Wales' Alun Wyn Jones (centre) with the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.

Another busy day in the rugby union game as it was revealed that Alun Wyn Jones was will miss the next few weeks due to a knee injury.

What’s on the site

Captain Alun Wyn Jones injured his knee in Wales’ game against Italy last weekend and scans have revealed that he will spend “weeks not days” on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, the 2020/21 Champions Cup begins on Friday where Courtney Lawes will make his return from injury in Northampton Saints’ clash against Bordeaux-Begles. A number of stars will take part in the two matches with Jacob Stockdale and Antoine Dupont among those to start as Ulster face Toulouse.

Continuing the European theme and we have looked back to one of the greats of the game in Trevor Leota, who starred in Wasps’ run to the Heineken Cup title in 2004. The Samoan hooker excelled during that campaign and scored the winning try in their semi-final victory over Munster.

What’s in the news

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has signed a new deal with Scottish Rugby, which will keep him as boss of the national team until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile, there’s been more reaction to the debate over head injuries in rugby, with Bath’s Charlie Ewels stating that he trusts the concussion protocols and Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter insisting that the sport has made huge progress.

What’s on social media

At the age of 36, Morne Steyn is still going strong.

What’s on TV

After the Autumn Nations Cup action, the focus turns to European matters and the start of the Champions Cup pool stages. The matches will be shown on BT Sport, with Northampton Saints and Bordeaux-Begles kicking things off at Franklin’s Gardens this Friday.

Meanwhile, with the seasons in New Zealand and Australia over following the denouement of the Tri Nations, the attention has switched to South Africa where the Currie Cup continues on Sky Sports. That begins on Friday with Western Province versus the Pumas.

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