-Credit:Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd
These are your rugby headlines on Tuesday, January 14.
Gatland calls Parry to settle row
Warren Gatland revealed he spoke to Sam Parry last week and hopes to put matters behind them after the 33-year-old was included in the Kiwi’s Six Nations squad.
The Ospreys man had been part of Gatland’s 36-man training squad prior to the summer tour of Australia last year, but decided to leave the camp after being informed he was only acting as cover.
READ MORE: The verdict on Wales’ Six Nations squad as muddled thinking and problem position remain
READ MORE: Wales squad announcement: Warren Gatland makes big changes for Six Nations
Parry spoke last month confirming he was available for selection. Gatland, who at the time of Parry’s exit said no disrespect was intended to the front row, said he had spoken to him and had a “pretty honest” conversation about where they both stood.
“WillGriff John, he’s been on the bench, hasn’t had a lot of game-time,” Gatland said when asked on BBC’s Scrum V podcast about his front-row dilemmas.
“But we are limited in the options at tight-head. We spoke about Dillion (Lewis), but again he hasn’t been playing. He’s had some injury issues as well with his back.
“That is one position that has caused us headaches. It was disappointing to lose Leon Brown, I wish him all the best in terms of his retirement, he worked so hard to try and get back. Unfortunately the neck problem he had wasn’t able to go away.
“I spoke to Sam during the week, we had a chat. I said look, one of the things about me is that I don’t hold grudges in terms of that, we were pretty honest with each other in terms of let’s put what happened behind us and move forward.
“I always respected him in terms of him as a player, particularly the experience he’s had and set-piece and stuff, he’s always been good in the squad, so hopefully we can draw a line under that. We had a good chat in the week.”
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Gatland: I know I’m gone if things don’t improve
Warren Gatland has admitted he knows he will be out of a job if Wales don’t improve during the Six Nations.
Wales lost every single Test match in 2024 and have lost a record 12 games on the bounce. Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney revealed they came close to sacking Gatland after the Six Nations but there won’t be a second stay of execution if Wales don’t start winning over the next couple of months.
“I had some discussions with the family and spoke about the challenges,” said Gatland. “The questions I was asking myself ‘was I at that stage where I needed the negativity in my life or do I just hang up my boots and go to the beach and enjoy myself?’
“I suppose when I looked at it, I’ve thrived on challenges, I’ve thrived on in the past when people have written us off and haven’t expected us to do well and we’ve done exceptionally well.
“I’m proud of the achievements that I’ve had in sport, whether it’s my time at Wasps or with Wales or the Lions. In particular in World Cups where there’s been four campaigns where I think we’ve done pretty well, in terms of being unlucky not going further than the semi-finals and potentially making finals.
“I suppose when I looked at it and the challenge of it all in terms of accepting that and feeling that you could make a difference.
“The other thing too is I think, potentially by leaving now and walking away, what sort of difference or what change was going to – how would that affect the change in a relatively short period of preparation for anyone else taking over.
“I’m conscious and well aware that if things don’t improve, then there’s likely to be a change from the Union. I’ve been pretty straight up about it, but for me it’s about rising to the challenge of making sure we go out there and perform well.”
Despite Tierney revealing there will be another review after the conclusion of the Six Nations, Gatland insists he hasn’t been given a target in terms of how many wins they need.
“Obviously this tournament is about winning, we can’t hide away from that fact that we’ve got to go out there and play well and give a real performance,” said Gatland.
“That’s what we need to do as a group and as a coaching team as well. I’ve never been given targets before in the past. There has never been a number that’s been set about ‘you’ve got to win so many games’.
“It’s the way it has always been. It’s an incredibly tough tournament to win.
“You get such limited preparation time, you win a couple of games and you create that confidence and momentum and you can go and do well, you lose a couple and it’s easy to be at the other end of the table as well. They haven’t set any targets that you’ve got to win so many games or whatever.
“I’m aware that it’s about results, but I think for us it’s about also making sure that we put in performances.”
Morgan signs new deal with Ospreys
Wales and Ospreys skipper Jac Morgan has signed a new contract with the Swansea.com Stadium club.
Morgan, who was yesterday named as captain for Warren Gatland’s 2025 Six Nations campaign, has committed his future to the team he has made 43 appearances for.
The 24-year-old has been a standout performer for club and country over the past 18 months and news of his new deal will provide the Swansea-based side with a real boost.
Head coach Mark Jones said: “There’s not much I can say about Jac that has not been said already. He is one of the most consistent and dedicated performers I have worked with, and that translates from the way he trains to how he conducts himself on game days.
“We are absolutely delighted that he has chosen to extend his stay with us. He exemplifies the values and spirit of the Ospreys jersey, and his leadership qualities are second to none. His commitment to improving every day rubs off on the young squad we have, and we’re all excited by what lies ahead for the club, with Jac as captain.”
Morgan himself said: “I’m excited to continue my journey with the Ospreys, this club has always felt like home to me, ever since I first pulled on the jersey. With the players and staff we have in the building, the move to St Helen’s next year, it’s an exciting time to be part of this club.
“I’ve loved playing for the Ospreys and feel I’ve improved as a player since joining here. I want to continue that progress by getting better every day and contributing in whatever way I can in getting this club to where it needs to be.”
Townsend pays tribute
PA staff
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has paid tribute to former national team captain Peter Brown following his death at the age of 83.
Brown’s family announced that he had “passed away peacefully” on Sunday after being admitted to hospital in Edinburgh following a fall at home earlier in the week. He had undergone several years of chemotherapy for myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
Known as PC because of his first two names being Peter Currie, Brown won 27 Scotland caps and played eight Test matches for the Lions in the 1970s. His younger brother Gordon, who died in 2001, also featured in 12 of those Scotland internationals.
The number eight delivered 66 points for Scotland – a record for a forward that still stands. He enjoyed five wins over England plus victories against South Africa and Australia, and was part of the Scotland team that drew 0-0 with New Zealand in 1964.
Townsend said in a statement: “PC was great company and his passion for Scottish rugby and the game in general always shone brightly. His exploits on the field have gone down in legend, being a key contributor in some Scotland famous wins during his international career.
“A goal-kicking captain playing in the forwards must have been a unique achievement before Jon Eales did something similar with the Wallabies a few decades later.
“He continued to be involved with rugby after he retired from playing, being involved with Gala then on the international stage once again with his work on various disciplinary panels over the years. He will be sadly missed.”
The accountant and former Scottish Building Society chair remained heavily involved in rugby long after his playing days ended. He was a referee and then a coach and committee member with Gala, a Scottish Rugby Union board member and a member of disciplinary committees at home and abroad.