Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, June 19.
Ospreys star set for English Championship
Ospreys full-back Max Nagy is on the verge of signing for English Championship outfit Ealing Trailfinders, WalesOnline has learnt. The 27-year-old announced he is leaving the Ospreys earlier this week after five seasons at the club.
Nagy came through the ranks at Northampton Saints and had a spell playing in New Zealand before getting spotted by the Ospreys while playing for Swansea University. Originally hailing from Buckinghamshire, Nagy qualified for Wales on residency but despite speculation he would be called into the national squad it never came.
The Ospreys have signed Wales international Tom Rogers from the Scarlets while Australian Lawson Creighton and Iestyn Hopkins can also play full-back. WalesOnline understands Nagy's next move is likely to be to Ealing.
Henry Pollock admits he's 'far from the finished product'
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
Henry Pollock admits he is a work in progress but the England star is doing everything possible to accelerate his development. Pollock played an influential role in Northampton reaching Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final against Exeter at Allianz Stadium by spearheading the forward assault in the play-off victory over Leicester.
A month earlier the 21-year-old, known for his flamboyant try celebrations, was criticised for a conspicuous cameo off the bench in a 41-17 rout by the same opponents at Welford Road that saw him become embroiled in several flashpoints. Saints boss Phil Dowson highlighted how quickly he learned from that afternoon by adjusting his approach to on-field confrontations and how he talks to referees, changes that contributed to his stellar performance against Tigers last Friday.
"A lot of flack came Henry's way after the game at Welford Road," Dowson said. "He's under more scrutiny than probably anybody else potentially in the league and he's dealt with it really well." Pollock is determined to evolve his game while staying true to the larger-than-life persona that has made him one of rugby's most recognisable figures in just two seasons.
"I concentrate on learning and adding to my game," Pollock said. "There are lots of different aspects to my game which can be better. In the Welford Road match we didn't play very well as a team and there was individual stuff as well, but I'm always going to the coaches' office and having conversations with the coaches. I would say I'm able to adapt to the situation in front of me faster. My mindset going into games is more clear in what I need to do in my role. I'm still very young and I'm still learning. I'm trying to be like a sponge and absorb as much information as I can. I'm very, very far from the finished product. The main thing is enjoyment. I'm enjoying myself at the minute. I feel like I play my best when I am enjoying it and being who I am."
Scarlets tie down huge Wales U20s prospect
Scarlets have secured the future of one of Welsh rugby's most promising young forwards after Wales Under-20 international Will Evans signed his first senior contract with the region. The 20-year-old second row will step up into the Scarlets' senior squad ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Evans, who stands at 6ft 6in and weighs 125kg, is regarded as one of the most exciting young forwards to emerge from the Scarlets development pathway in recent years. The lock has already earned international recognition and was this week named in Wales' squad for the upcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Georgia. Despite seeing his progress disrupted by injury during the 2025-26 campaign, Evans remains highly rated within the Scarlets set-up. A series of setbacks prevented him from making his United Rugby Championship debut, but his performances for Llandovery RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru underlined why the club are so keen to invest in his long-term future.
Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies believes Evans has the attributes to develop into an important player for the region. "We are hugely excited about Will and what he can become," said Davies. "Players with his physical profile don't come along every day. He has genuine size, power and athleticism, but what I like most about him is his mentality. He enjoys the physical side of the game, he enjoys the confrontation and he wants to compete. Last season was frustrating for him because injury restricted his opportunities, but I have to credit both Will and our medical and performance departments for the work they have put in to get him back to a position where he is ready to move forward again. When he came back into training towards the end of the season you could immediately see the impact he had. He brought energy, physicality and a competitive edge that lifted the group around him."
Evans is the latest player to commit his future to the Scarlets as the region continues to build towards the 2026-27 season. The club have already secured new deals for Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Gareth Davies, Jac Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi and Harri O'Connor, while Corey Domachowski, Harvey Cuckson, John McKee, George Roberts, Isaac Murray-Macgregor and Alex Groves have been recruited ahead of the new campaign.
England duo passed fit for Prem final
By Press Association Sport Staff
England duo Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Alex Mitchell have been passed fit for Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final at Allianz Stadium. Feyi-Waboso has recovered from a facial fracture sustained at the end of last month and lines up on the right wing for Exeter. Mitchell, meanwhile, has overcome a pulled hamstring and has been picked on Northampton's bench with Archie McParland continuing as starting scrum-half.
England head coach Steve Borthwick was involved in the decision-making over whether they were to play in the final given next month's international schedule. It gives both players the opportunity to prove their fitness ahead of the July 4 showdown with world champions South Africa.
