Welsh rugby has suffered yet another blow as Ospreys star Michael Collins announces he is leaving Welsh rugby. The full-back/centre’s announcement on social media comes as a surprise, but he is looking forward to his next challenge. Despite qualifying for Wales, Collins is leaving the Welsh game, following in the footsteps of other high-profile departures like Joe Hawkins and Alun Wyn Jones. Collins joined the Ospreys two years ago and was expected to earn a Wales Six Nations call under Pivac due to his hard running style and rugby intelligence. It remains unclear where Collins will be playing his rugby in the future, but a return home to New Zealand may be on the cards.
Elsewhere, former Springbok fly-half Derick Hougaard has opened his eyes after being in a coma for two weeks due to severe inflammation of the lungs. 40-year-old Hougaard won 69 Test points having made his debut during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
In other news, All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala is heading to the Top 14 after the Rugby World Cup. His club side the Blues confirmed that the 31-year-old, who has 45 caps for New Zealand, will make the move after the showpiece. Laulala will be replacing the veteran Charlie Faumuina at Toulouse, with the former All Black set to retire after playing for Samoa at the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Eddie Jones has promised that his Wallabies will go hell for leather in this year’s Rugby Championship as they look to build momentum ahead of the World Cup. The ex-England boss is looking to turn around the Wallabies’ fortunes before this year’s autumn edition, with the best bet being to win the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship, and World Cup.
Finally, England forward Poppy Cleall will not face any disciplinary action after allegedly headbutting an opposition coach during a game. Although the Saracens player was involved in an altercation with the Exeter Chiefs assistant coach Steve Salvin, the RFU has cleared her of any wrongdoing.
