Wales legend Jonathan Davies has challenged Louis Rees-Zammit to show more hunger after the wing was dropped from the starting XV for the second round of the Nations Championship. Head coach Steve Tandy opted to select Scarlets wing Ellis Mee in his place after an impressive cameo in the victory over Fiji last weekend.
Davies, speaking on the Scrum V podcast, said: "His pride will probably be dented so when the opportunity comes off the bench hopefully we see someone who doesn't want to relinquish a starting spot. Ellis Mee has shown more of an appetite to get on the ball. Rees-Zammit has X-factor when he gets the ball in his hands but Ellis has worked off his wing to get more touches."
Davies: Rees-Zammit must work harder to get touches
Davies emphasised that Rees-Zammit cannot expect the ball to find him on the wing. "If Rees-Zammit is our most dangerous player then why aren't we encouraging him to get on the ball? I am sure the coaches are doing that and you can't expect the ball to find its way to the wing. Shane Williams always used to work hard, we always tried to get George North and Alex Cuthbert on the ball as much as we could. I want to see more hunger from Louis to try and get his hands on the ball, and not just on the wing."
Cardiff to face Northampton in Champions Cup opener
Cardiff will begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a trip to Franklin's Gardens to face English champions Northampton Saints in their opening pool-stage fixture on Sunday, October 18 at 5.30pm. This will be Cardiff's first appearance in the Champions Cup for two seasons. They will then host Bath at home on Saturday, December 12 at 8pm.
Corniel van Zyl's side faces a French double header in January: Stade Francais in Paris on Saturday, January 9 at 8pm, followed by hosting Challenge Cup winners Montpellier on Friday, January 16 at 8pm.
Welsh regions in Challenge Cup
The other three Welsh clubs are in the Challenge Cup. The Dragons take on Perpignan at Rodney Parade on Friday, October 16 at 8pm, then face the Cheetahs on Sunday, December 13, before hosting Bayonne on Friday, January 8 and travelling to Ulster on Saturday, January 16.
The Ospreys kick off with a trip to Georgia to face Black Lion on Saturday, October 17. They host Harlequins at St Helen's on Saturday, December 12 at 1pm, then travel to Toulon on Saturday, January 9 at 1pm, and host Vannes on Saturday, January 16 at 8pm.
The Scarlets start at home against Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday, October 17 at 8pm, then face Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday, December 12 at 7.30pm. They host Lyon on Saturday, January 9 at 8pm and conclude pool stages with a trip to Castres on Saturday, January 16.
Young Ospreys backrower signs new deal
Promising Ospreys backrower Gwylim Evans, 23, has signed a new contract to remain at the club. He made his debut last year against Glasgow in the BKT URC and made eight appearances last season. After impressing for Aberavon in Super Rugbi Cymru, he quickly emerged as a player to watch.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: "I’ve been really impressed with how quickly Gwil has acclimatised to professional rugby. It was hard to ignore his performances in the SRC and it just goes to show how valuable the league has become as a pathway to senior professional rugby. Gwil has the rugby DNA that is very typical of an Ospreys backrower; tenacious, hardworking and punches well above his weight."
Evans added: "It’s been a season to remember for me. I made my first start for the club and ended up pulling on the jersey a few more times. This is a class club with a lot of great players and coaches, so I’m really happy to be continuing my career here."
All Blacks to cap first German-born player
German-born forward Anton Segner, 24, will make his All Blacks debut against Italy in Wellington on Saturday. Born in Frankfurt, he moved to New Zealand at age 15 to attend Nelson College, then joined the Auckland Blues. He will start on the replacements bench. "I've experienced it first hand that rugby in New Zealand is like football in Germany," Segner told the BBC. "It's a rugby-crazy country and that's all I wanted. To make this squad now is definitely a dream come true."
Farrell urges uncapped Ireland players to 'rip into' Japan
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has urged his uncapped players to "rip into" Japan on Saturday. He selected Connacht backrower Sean Jansen to start, while Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, and Bryn Ward are on the bench in a heavily rotated side. "I'm really excited about this one for all sorts of reasons," Farrell told the BBC. "Obviously, it's always a special occasion when you give one person a debut, never mind four. Really looking forward to how they apply themselves to attacking the game."
Former Scarlets star Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland for the first time. Farrell said: "The milestones in Tadhg Beirne captaining his country for the first time, he typifies everything we'd want within a captain of Ireland. How he goes about his job, how he understands what we're after as a team, driving standards, he thoroughly deserves that."
