These are your rugby headlines on Friday, April 5.
Ospreys sign Cokanasiga
The Ospreys have announced the signing of centre Phil Cokanasiga from Leicester Tigers ahead of next season.
Twenty-two-year-old Cokanasiga, the younger brother of England star Joe, has featured in nine games for the Tigers so far this season, scoring three tries, having joined from London Irish in 2022. He recently gave a player of the match performance in his side’s Premiership Cup semi-final win over Ealing Trailfinders, scoring two tries and making a number of powerful carries.
Announcing the signing, the Ospreys said they were “introducing a new powerhouse to the squad that prides itself on blending emerging talent with experienced prowess.” Describing the England U20 international as a “fast and physical back”, the club said he “possesses an invaluable ability to break tackles and get over the gain line”.
Cokanasiga will join Toby Booth’s side at the end of the season.
Speaking on his move, the back said: “Signing for the Ospreys is an exciting next step in my career. I’ve been keeping tabs on them this season and it’s great to see the performances they’ve been putting in, despite having a young squad.
“After speaking with Toby, one thing that was made clear to me was the team’s ambition and how I would fit in to that. I’m looking forward to getting started and making the most of this opportunity, with a team that has the history of the Ospreys.”
Booth added: “Phil is a talented player with lots of potential who we believe will be an excellent addition to our squad next season. Adding some exciting talent and physicality in our midfield whilst adding to our strength in depth is vital in our progress.
“We have been developing our attacking game and that requires certain attributes and skills. Phil will certainly improve our chances in continuing to grow in this area.”
World Rugby issues apology
World Rugby has issued an apology after it published “misogynistic” guidance on how to coach women and girls, based on an academic review that was nearly two decades old.
The game’s governing body had published guidance on its website that was intended to help coaches “understand how men and women are different”. Based on a literature review from 2006, the framework listed outdated gender stereotypes, detailing how men and women differ in intellectual function and react differently to stress.
The guidance outlined how men use “self-interest, hierarchy and power” as a survival strategy, while women use “relationships, empathy and connections,” Telegraph Sport reports.
Having been flagged by New Zealand-based journalist Alice Soper, who described it as a “steaming pile of misogynistic b*******”, hundreds including professional female players criticised World Rugby for publishing the resource, leading them to remove it and apologise for its publication.
A World Rugby spokesperson told the Telegraph: “Unfortunately, last week a women and girls coaching framework was published on World Rugby’s Passport technical resource site containing language that does not reflect the international federation’s values and known commitment to gender equality.
“While quickly spotted and removed, reference to third party analysis within the resource outlining considerations for coaching the men’s and women’s games should not have been included, and we are deeply apologetic that this was published. World Rugby is passionate about advancing women and girls in rugby as a core pillar of its strategic plan to grow the game and we will work harder to ensure that this does not happen again. We would like to apologise to all who may have been offended.”
Highly-rated Welsh trio sign pro deals
Three promising Welsh talents will join Bristol Bears’ Senior Academy from the start of the 2024/25 season
Bears U18 graduates Aidan Boshoff and Gethin O’Callaghan have signed professional terms after impressive campaigns in the Academy League, while Sam Scott joins from the Midlands Central Academy.
Dynamic wing Boshoff made his senior Bristol Debut in September against Exeter Chiefs and was called up to the Wales squad for this year’s U20 Six Nations at age 18. Meanwhile, powerful centre O’Callaghan, also 18, has impressed in the Academy League this season and will now begin his professional career this summer.
Tighthead prop Scott started all five games for Wales U20 during this year’s Six Nations despite also being just 18-years-old. The highly-rated front row is formerly of the Wasps academy and joins the Bears alongside
Tighthead prop Sam Scott, who represented Wales U20 in all five of their Six Nations fixtures despite still being just 18 years old, signs professional terms having joined from Midlands Central Academy. The highly rated front row forward is formerly of the Wasps Academy and heads to the West Country alongside England U18s lock Ethan Surrey.
“As we build our younger exciting squad for next season, I’m really pleased to welcome these promising young men from their schools and U18 rugby into our Senior Academy programme,” said Bristol’s Director of Rugby, Pat Lam. “I believe with access to our world class facilities, staff and guidance and mentorship from our senior players at the Bears High Performance Centre, these players will have everything they need to achieve their rugby dreams and hopefully will become household names to our fans.”
Saracens sign another fly-half
By PA Sport Staff
Saracens have continued preparing for the departure of Owen Farrell to Racing 92 by signing England Under-20 fly-half Louie Johnson from Newcastle.
Two days after announcing the recruitment of Fergus Burke from the Crusaders, the Gallagher Premiership champions have added further depth at fly-half in anticipation of Farrell’s exit at the end of the season.
Johnson, 20, made his Newcastle debut in 2022 and has gone on to make 16 first-team appearances.
“Louie has shown considerable promise so early in his career,” Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said. “We were very impressed with the maturity with which he handled his exposure to both Premiership and European competition.
“We are confident that we can help him fulfil his clear potential in the years to come.”
Both Johnson and Burke have signed long-term contracts and will join Saracens over the summer