The Ospreys have signed former Wales U20s prop Louie Trevett on a short-term loan deal from Bristol Bears, while Andy Goode has slammed England's failure to hire Shaun Edwards. Meanwhile, Bristol have left Louis Rees-Zammit at home for their European opener.
Ospreys bring in Trevett on loan
Mark Jones' side have been hit with injury concerns at loosehead in the opening weeks of the season. Garyn Phillips is currently sidelined, while both Gareth Thomas and Cameron Jones have had knocks in the early stages of the campaign.
The academy prop previously spent some time on loan at the Scarlets last year. Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam said: "This is a great opportunity for Louie to get some valuable game time back home in a strong URC competition. Playing senior rugby at that level will be hugely beneficial for his development, and we're looking forward to seeing him make the most of the opportunity."
Goode criticises England over Edwards
Andy Goode has slammed England's failure to hire Shaun Edwards. Edwards was brought in to help out England Women's side as a consultant following his departure from France. But the men's side missed out once again, with Argentina announcing last week that they had hired Edwards up to the end of next year's World Cup.
Goode, who has previously called for England head coach Steve Borthwick to be replaced, says he is perplexed by the decision. "I just can't understand it," Goode told Planet Rugby. "I can't get my head around how he's gone in to help one team which is run by the RFU and they have not even had a conversation about him helping the other.
"It's mind boggling why you wouldn't at least have the conversation. Imagine the feel-good factor around English rugby and the fan base if Shaun Edwards was appointed. He could have been in an England tracksuit, instead, he could now be the undoing of our World Cup chances."
Goode added: "The Red Roses are world champions, the best in the women's game, a team unbeaten for four years. Frankly, they did not need Shaun. Still, the RFU went to the trouble of getting him in but they did not think, do you know what, a guy who transformed France's defensive discipline would be really good for the men's team as well.
"Do I think they have blundered? 100 per cent. He's there, he's available, a man who has won seven Six Nations titles and had an impact on every team he's coached. The England setup, with all due respect to the coaches they have, does not have a wealth of experience and the World Cup is less than a year away.
"The only reason I can think is that Steve doesn't want him. I don't know that for a fact but, logically, that's the only reason; he doesn't want a character like Shaun in there."
Rees-Zammit left at home for European opener
Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has been left at home as Bristol head to South Africa for their opening Champions Cup fixture. The Bears head to Cape Town this weekend to take on the Stormers, but will be without a number of big names - including Rees-Zammit - as they prioritise the Gallagher Prem.
Untimely injuries to the likes of hooker Gabriel Oghre and Scotland international Tom Jordan have informed Pat Lam's decision to focus on the league, rather than their opening European fixture. As well as Rees-Zammit, Welsh centre Max Clark has also stayed in Bristol after picking up a leg injury against Saracens.
The absence of Rees-Zammit and Jordan provide a slight headache at full-back, with Noah Heward already out for the season. As for Oghre's absence, it leaves Bristol without their first and second choice hookers, given Harry Thacker is also out injured.
"Tom Jordan's still recovering from that niggle, a little leg strain," Lam told Bristol Live. "Gabriel Oghre picked up a calf strain in that game as well, so he's recovering from that. At the moment they are [fairly minor], but it's week-by-week, and we'll see if they're available next week or not."
The club have even had to redirect the flight of new signing, English-qualified hooker Bryn Gordon, to compensate for injuries. Having finished up in the NPC with North Harbour this week, Gordon was due to fly from New Zealand to Bristol. However, he has instead headed to South Africa to be travelling reserve this week. "He just arrived a couple of hours ago [on Thursday], so he's got a bit of jetlag he has to deal with," added Lam.
Graham makes shock early return for Edinburgh
Scotland's Darcy Graham will make a surprise return to action for Edinburgh in Friday night's European Challenge Cup match against Toulon at Hive Stadium. The British and Irish Lions winger has made a quicker-than-expected recovery after tearing a bicep in September and initially being ruled out until Christmas.
It is a timely return for the 29-year-old, who will now be hoping to force his way into Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend's plans for next month's Nations Championship fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has made one other change to the starting XV following last week's 29-12 United Rugby Championship win against Zebre in Italy, with flanker Tom Currie making his first start of the season. Scotland second-row Grant Gilchrist has recovered from injury and hopes to make his first appearance of the season off the bench.
Everitt said: "The energy around the squad this week has been great, as we move into our first European match of the season. Toulon are a huge club, and with a big crowd expected at Hive Stadium we can't wait to get stuck into the match in front of our home fans.
"Toulon bring with them a huge pedigree in Europe, and we know the challenge that will bring, but we're excited to meet that challenge head on."
