Your rugby evening headlines on Thursday, April 11.
Wales centres go head-to-head
Wales internationals Keiran Williams and Max Llewellyn will go head-to-head on Friday night as Gloucester Rugby face Ospreys in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
The two sides will lock horns at Kingsholm Stadium, with both centres vying for a place on Wales' summer tour of Australia in front of watching Welsh selectors. With George North retired, a vacant position in the outside centre channel has been created and Williams and Llewellyn will be hoping to fill that gap as they wear 13 against each other.
Wales will face Australia twice and Queensland Reds once during their summer tour. There will also be a Test against South Africa at Twickenham Stadium in June, ahead of these matches.
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Williams has earned one cap for Wales, which was against England in a Rugby World Cup warm-up game. Llewelyn picked up two caps against South Africa and England in the same set of warm-up matches. The son of former Wales captain Gareth Llewellyn has impressed this season in the English Premiership and is tipped for a call-up.
Gloucester have named a side that includes Scotland international Adam Hastings, Pembrokeshire-born Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney and former England star Jonny May.
Justin Tipuric captains Ospreys, Owen Watkin partners Williams in midfield and Wales international Gareth Thomas starts at loose-head prop.
GLOUCESTER: 15. Santi Carreras 14. Jonny May* 13. Max Llewellyn 12. Seb Atkinson 11. Jake Morris* 10. Adam Hastings 9. Stephen Varney 1. Jamal Ford-Robinson 2. Seb Blake 3. Kirill Gotovtsev 4. Freddie Clarke 5. Freddie Thomas 6. Ruan Ackermann 7. Lewis Ludlow 8. Zach Mercer.
Reps: 16. Santi Socino 17. Mayco Vivas 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Albert Tuisue 20. Jack Clement 21. Caolan Engelfield 22. Charlie Atkinson 23. Chris Harris.
OSPREYS: 15. Jack Walsh 14. Luke Morgan 13. Keiran Williams 12. Owen Watkin 11. Keelan Giles 10. Owen Williams 9. Reuben Morgan-Williams 1. Gareth Thomas 2. Sam Parry 3. Tom Botha 4. James Ratti 5. Adam Beard 6. Harri Deaves 7. Justin Tipuric (C) 8. Morgan Morris.
Reps: 16. Lewis Lloyd 17. Nicky Smith 18. Rhys Henry 19. Huw Sutton 20. Morgan Morse 21. Luke Davies 22. Dan Edwards 23. Max Nagy.
Dragons fly-half pens new contract
Fly-half Angus O'Brien has signed a new contract with Dragons RFC.
The 29-year-old has put pen to paper on a "multi-year contract", and the former Scarlets man is looking forward to reaching a new milestone for his hometown club.
O'Brien said: "I’m really pleased to agree new terms with my home club. It’s been a tough and frustrating season for me personally due to injury, but now I’ve re-signed with Dragons I can look forward to more games and hitting a century of games soon. My focus is my recovery and I can’t wait to get back out on the field in front of our fans because I am massively excited about the next few years ahead of us."
The former Wales U20s man came through the Dragons academy pathway and went on to make 70 appearances for the region in his first stint, notching up 305 points in that time. O'Brien signed for Scarlets in 2018, but made his return to Rodney Parade in 2022.
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan is pleased to have another one of his star players on the books for next season, and is excited to see O'Brien back out on the field after some injury troubles.
Flanagan explained: "We’re all really pleased that Angus has signed a new contract as he is a very important figure within our squad. Angus has impressed in his second spell with the club, deservedly winning the player of the season award last term. We’ve missed both his ability and presence on the field this season, as he has been unlucky with the injuries he’s picked up. However, Angus is determined to get back out on the field before the end of the current campaign and continue to show he is a leader for Dragons."
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Premiership legend to retire
Saracens have confirmed that Premiership legend Alex Lewington will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The winger spent 15 years at the highest level of the game, and is one of the top-try scorers in Gallagher Premiership history.
The 32-year-old first started out at Leicester Tigers as a youngster, and made his first big impact in England whilst at London Irish four years later. Lewington notched up 100 appearances for Tigers before signing for Sarries in 2018.
Lewington went on to make 130 appearances for the London-based club, bagging 45 tries in the process, making him the 12th top try-scorer in the Premiership since records began.
His statement read: "All good things must come to an end! I’ve decided to retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season. I can’t express what the sport has given me; friendships, purpose, happiness and the chance to live my dream.
"I’d like to thank Leicester Tigers, Nottingham Rugby, London Irish and Saracens. At Leicester I was brought into a professional environment which demanded I grew up fast and was a brilliant place to learn. Playing for my hometown team of Nottingham was very special to me and my family. London Irish gave me the chance to express and test myself in the Premiership and Saracens has shown me the highest levels this game can truly be played at. It’s where I’ve created a home.
"I’d like to thank my family for all the support they’ve given me. To my parents, thank you for allowing me to follow my dreams. Your unconditional love and support has meant the world to me. To my wife Laura, thank you for being an incredible sound board and locking things down at home when I’ve been away. Whether times have been good or bad, you’ve always had my back and I’m so grateful.
"I’ve had the privilege of playing with some amazing players and meeting some brilliant people. There’s been so many amazing days on the pitch but I’ve also loved every second of everything that comes with it.With that being said, there’s plenty of rugby to be played over the remainder of this season and I’m looking forward to ripping in with this special Saracens group."
Bulls leave out 11 Springboks ahead of Euro clash
Vodacom Bulls have left out a staggering 11 South Africa internationals ahead of their Champions Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints.
Bulls battered Lyon 59-19 in the round of 16, and now boss Jake White has opted to field a second string side to take on the Gallagher Premiership title challengers.
The most notable absentees include Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie. Other capped 'Boks include: Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortje. Marco van Staden is injured.
Bulls are currently third in the URC table and it appears White is choosing to prioiritise their success in the league rather than a hunt for European glory.
