Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, June 15.
Welsh star leaves Top 14 side
Welsh No 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu is searching for a new club after leaving Top 14 outfit Pau. The 24-year-old is a former Wales age-grade international who at one stage was touted in Welsh rugby circles as the long-term successor to Taulupe Faletau. Tuipulotu spent eight years at the Scarlets, making 48 appearances while also spending a short time on loan at Saracens before signing for Pau in February 2025. He has played well for Pau but has been unable to nail down a regular starting spot this season due to the strength in depth in the squad. Tuipulotu's contract has not been extended and he has previously been linked with a move to PRO D2 outfit Biarritz Olympique. Announcing his exit, he said: "Thank you to my teammates, staff, supporters and everyone involved with this special club. I leave with memories for life and brothers for life. The next chapter is still unknown, but I’m hopeful for what’s ahead." He is the son of former Ebbw Vale and Tonga No 8 Kati Tuipulotu and the cousin of Bath hooker Kepu and Wales Women prop Sisilia.
Itoje left out of England squad
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent. Maro Itoje is missing once again as England named an enlarged squad to resume preparations for a summer schedule that begins with a non-cap international against France on Friday. Itoje could be rested for all or part of the July tour and the prospect of the England captain being stood down for the Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina moved a step closer following his omission from the 33-man group named by Steve Borthwick. Players from losing Gallagher Prem semi-finalists Bath and Leicester have become available following the weekend’s action, resulting in the addition to the squad of Itoje’s fellow second rows Ollie Chessum, George Martin and Charlie Ewels. It gives Borthwick options in the position, providing the scope to rest Itoje if it is felt he would benefit from having the summer off. Only Northampton’s Alex Coles of England’s front line locks remains in Prem action. Bath flanker Sam Underhill has been omitted amid the possibility he might need an operation for an undisclosed injury. Underhill’s club colleagues Ben Spencer and Ollie Lawrence are also absent, but Max Ojomoh is recalled in the hope of playing a role against France in Vannes. Named among a trio of players who were rehabilitating injuries at England’s training base last week, star wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is now back at Exeter. Feyi-Waboso underwent surgery for a facial injury sustained against Leicester on May 31 and was expected to be unavailable until the Nations Championship opener against South Africa on July 4 at the earliest, but his return to Sandy Park raises the prospect of an early comeback in Saturday’s Prem final. One player hoping to compete with Feyi-Waboso as a wing option is Noah Caluori, who could make his England debut at the Stade de la Rabine. Teenage try machine Caluori was last week named the Prem’s breakthrough player of the season and ends the 2025-26 regular campaign as the competition’s leading try scorer with 18. Assisting in his pursuit of becoming an international is Itoje, his Saracens team-mate and captain who has been providing advice. Caluori said: “In my first England camp last year, in the first high intensity training session, Maro said ‘a lot of players come into this camp and don’t make the most of it’. They just let it go by, just cruise through so they don’t make any mistakes. He said ‘don’t be one of those players. I know you are not one of them’. I just went out and did me, really. He’s amazing. A man full of knowledge, a man full of experience, and it is incredible to be captained by him. I’m hoping to get the opportunity to get my first cap. When I am on, I just want to be able to perform and make the most of that opportunity.”
England squad (33) – Forwards: J Blamire (Leicester Tigers), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), T Curry (Sale Sharks), T Dan (Saracens), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), B Earl (Saracens), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Bath Rugby), N Isiekwe (Saracens), J Kenningham (Harlequins), G Kloska (Bristol Bears), G Martin (Leicester Tigers), B Obano (Bath Rugby), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), V Sela (Bath Rugby), H Tizard (Saracens), A van der Flier (Leicester Tigers). Backs: C Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), N Caluori (Saracens), G Ford (Sale Sharks), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), C Murley (Harlequins), M Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), R Quirke (Sale Sharks), A Radwan (Leicester Tigers), H Randall (Bristol Bears), T Roebuck (Sale Sharks), M Smith (Harlequins), F Steward (Leicester Tigers), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).
Wales Women name raft of new faces
Sean Lynn has named a 33-player squad for Wales Women’s clash in a double-header with the Barbarians Women at Allianz Stadium, on Saturday, June 27th (KO: 5pm). Wales men’s senior side face the BaaBaas ahead of the women’s game in a unique double-header which sees both Wales senior side’s play in London. A new-look Wales squad sees a host of new faces for the uncapped international against a Barbarians squad packed with experienced internationals from across the globe. The Wales squad includes 14 players who look set to wear the senior Wales jersey for the first time and 24 players who have played Celtic Challenge rugby for Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning. The likes of teenage scrum half Lily Hawkins, who scored on her Lightning debut in the Celtic Challenge, centre Hanna Tudor, who was in the GB Sevens squad, and prop Crystal James will train with the Wales senior squad for the first time. A host of Wales senior internationals played for Gloucester-Hartpury, Saracens and Ealing Trailfinders in the PWR semi-finals on Sunday. The Welsh internationals in the Gloucester-Hartpury squad who played in the PWR semi-finals on Sunday will meet up with the squad and be assessed on Thursday. Wales head coach Lynn said: “This is a great opportunity for the players, coaches and staff, and no other nation has the chance to play again straight after the recent Six Nations campaign. It’s a real opportunity to continue to build our playing philosophy and to have a look at the exciting young talent now coming through our pathway and through the Celtic Challenge teams, Wales U21s and Wales U18s. All the players have been told there is a real opportunity to play against an experienced Barbarians side and not to assume that they will or will not play. The door is open for selection, and this is a good opportunity for our younger players to taste what is expected at international level. We will be without a number of players due to the PWR semis and final, but this is real opportunity to see what players we have and to build our strength-in-depth.”
Wales Squad v Barbarians. Backs: Keira Bevan, Seren Lockwood, Lily Hawkins, Kayleigh Powell, Hanna Marshall, Courtney Keight, Freya Bell, Kelsie Webster, Jenna De Vera, Hanna Tudor, Nikita Prothero, Jasmine Joyce, Amy Williams. Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Kath Baverstock, Crystal James, Shanelle Williams, Molly Reardon, Molly Wakely, Kendall Waudby, Elan Jones, Stella Orrin, Jenni Scoble, Tilly Vucaj, Natalia John, Branwen Metcalfe, Chiara Pearce, Alex Callender, Bryonie King, Lucy Isaac, Alisha Joyce, Anwen Owen.
