Who’s hot and who’s not!

David Skippers

It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.

THEY’RE ON FIRE!

Gloucester’s bolstered backline: The return of England international Jonny May ahead of next season is reason for cheer for Cherry and Whites fans. May will run out at Kingsholm once again in 2020/21 and joins a backline already bristling with running talent. Ollie Thorley, Louis Rees-Zammit and Tom Marshall are just three of their options out wide, with Jason Woodward also a top drawer finisher in the back three, so May’s arrival adds to an already strong arsenal of deadly players. May’s form on the international scene has seen him regarded as one of the game’s best so this deal is great news for Johan Ackermann’s men.

News from the Morgans: There’s been an awful lot of negative news to report in recent weeks so it was wonderful to see Cardiff Blues full-back Matthew Morgan post a video tweet of his father coming out of intensive care after being on the mend from coronavirus. Morgan thanked the NHS staff at Prince Charles hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, with his tweet receiving a flood of messages from well wishers which only added to the positivity. Keep up the recovery, Mr Morgan.

Siya Kolisi: The man who led South Africa to their Rugby World Cup triumph in Japan last year is also leading the way off the field with the establishment of his foundation which is helping his countrymen in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The Springbok skipper’s foundation has donated protective gear to South African hospitals with hand sanitizer, face masks and goggles amongst the equipment sent to hospitals in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Confirmation of Steve Borthwick joining Leicester: Although his appointment as Tigers’ new head coach was announced in January already, the news that Borthwick is set to start on July 1 will bring plenty of excitement to the Premiership outfit’s supporters. With the 2019/20 Premiership campaign suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, the England assistant coach could join Leicester before any further matches are played. His arrival should be a shot in the arm for a struggling Tigers side, who are currently languishing in 11th place with a meagre 20 points amassed in the standings from 13 games played.

COLD AS ICE!

2027 World Cup race: While we endorse Agustin Pichot ahead of Bill Beaumont for the World Rugby chairman role, it is hugely disappointing that it appears to be at a cost. With the sport – and particularly Pichot himself – looking to grow the game, taking the World Cup to Argentina would have been an ideal opportunity, but that now looks unlikely. Although the former scrum-half’s official line in apparently ceding to Australia was, “We thought it was not good for us to compete against our partner”, it would not be a surprise should a deal have been struck with the Antipodean governing body, with votes being traded for a shot at hosting the global tournament. In fact, Rugby Australia has already backed Pichot, but it is rather depressing that this race has become a political fight, rather than hiring the best person for the position.

Saracens wage deferral: The irony is not lost on us that the Londoners have announced measures to combat the financial issues caused by the coronavirus crisis, yet they were slow to react following their punishment for salary cap breaches. Perhaps if the Londoners had shown a similar willingness to take action after being deducted 35 points, they may still have a chance of remaining in the Premiership. Instead, the other English clubs were unhappy at Sarries’ arrogance and lack of contrition after the November announcement, resulting in their immediate demotion to the second tier.

Premiership clubs’ poor communication: Although the majority of the clubs in England’s top flight have asked their players to take a 25% pay cut to help with their financial troubles, there’s been a lack of discourse on their part according to Rugby Players Association player liaison officer Christian Day. The former Northampton lock revealed that it has been difficult to deal with the clubs, as most of them are taking their own approach and described the situation as “an absolute mess”. For the issue to be resolved, the clubs’ communication must be better, as their players’ livelihoods are at stake, and hopefully there will be an improvement from their side.

Covid-19 concern for Wales: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac revealed last Friday that two or three members of his squad were struck down by coronavirus but have subsequently recovered. The players were not identified but it was another reminder that this disease does not discriminate, with healthy internationals such as those in Pivac’s camp some of the fittest on the planet. Like everyone right now Wales are hoping to return to action but safety of course comes first.