Tonight's rugby news as Wales told to pick 'real deal' this summer and Lions contender suffers injury scare
The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, May 4.
Farrell's Lions hopes take a bang
Owen Farrell's hopes of getting selected for this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia suffered a blow after he was forced off the field in the 19th minute of Racing 92's 29-15 Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Lyon. The 33-year-old is no longer eligible to represent England after leaving Saracens for French big spenders Racing 92 last season, is one of the most experienced playmakers in the game and has been on the previous three Lions tours.
Farrell is in contention for a call-up with his father, Andy, head coach for this summer's tour but the way things panned out in Lyon won't have helped his cause with the likes of Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley all vying for a place on the tour. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Farrell looked good in the opening exchanges before being forced to leave the field injured in the first quarter.
His absence proved a big blow to Racing 92 with Vincent Rattez and Beka Saghinadze scoring tries for Lyon which sets up a final against Bath at the Principality Stadium.
Uncapped wing tipped for place on Wales tour
Mark Jones has tipped Ospreys wing Keelan Giles for a place on Wales' summer tour of Japan.
The 27-year-old has been in good try scoring form for the Ospreys and is one of the most dangerous finishers in the Welsh game. Giles has yet to win a cap for his country but was an unused replacement in Wales' narrow victory over Japan all the way back in 2016.
But Ospreys head coach Jones believes Giles should be in consideration to tour with Wales this summer.
"He looks the real deal, he looks a top class attacker," Jones told The Rugby Paper.
"I would be surprised if he's not around a tour in the summer because he is right at the top of his game. He has really grown his aerial work over the last 18 months since I have been at the club."
Jones has also been very impressed with wing Daniel Kasende who joined from the Cheetahs at the start of the season and believes he compliments Giles well.
"Those guys are a strong point of difference for us aerially," said Jones. "They are obviously different in stature. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"Keelan is a lot slighter than Dan, but equally effective in the air. Their effort and their work-rate to chase kicks is incredible and they are phenomenal in loose play.
"We want to try and get the ball in their hands as much as we can in space.
SRC last four confirmed after exciting quarter-finals
Cardiff will face Newport in the semi-finals of Super Rygbi Cymru after Bridgend 31-19 at the Arms Park.
The Blue & Blacks ran in five tries with Tom Harper, Matty Young, Dewi Cross, Alun Evans and Joseff Williams touching down as Cardiff edged past the spirited Ravens. Newport were made to work hard but eventually ran out 40-25 victors over Aberavon.
The Black & Ambers trailed 13-15 at the break but second-half tries from Jac Lloyd, Iestyn Galton and a quickfire brace from centre Dai Richards put Newport through to a mouthwatering semi-final against arch-rivals Cardiff at the Arms Park.
Elsewhere, Ebbw Vale won a thrilling 45-35 encounter against Carmarthen Quins thanks to a hat-trick of tries from captain Joe Franchi. Three first half tries from Louis Rees, Jac Howells and Lucca Setaro fired the west Walians into a 24-14 lead at the interval.
But the Steelmen turned it around in the second-half with Sion Parry, Gruff Tough and a penalty try along with Franchi's hat-trick enough to get them over the line. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Ebbw Vale will host Llandovery in the semi-finals after the Drovers beat Pontypool 39-20. This match was nip and tuck throughout but tries from Harri Doel (twice), Morgan Jones, Jamie Hughes, Jac Davies and Grant Williams got them over the line.
Leinster boss insists he's the right man to lead Irish giants
Leo Cullen remains adamant he is the right man to lead Leinster despite the Irish giants slipping to a remarkable 37-34 Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in Dublin.
Leinster were overwhelming favourites to beat the English champions but fell flat on their faces as they were beaten by a Northampton side inspired by their outstanding openside Henry Pollock.
Despite being one of the best resourced side's in the game Leinster have failed to win the Champions Cup since 2018 and Cullen's position as head coach has been questioned as a result.
“Yeah, I think I am. Yeah. I believe that I am, yes,” said Cullen when asked if he was the best man for the job.
“I think we’ve worked hard to try and improve the group year-on-year and I think the group is very strong right now. As I said, that’s not something that’s just created last week, it’s year-on-year – and I think we’ve a stronger group now.
“We’ve lost three finals over the last three years, yeah, but I believe we’ve a stronger group now than we’ve had and that’s the way I will continue to approach the day-to-day in terms of preparing the short term, medium term, long term. So, yes. And I’m very committed to that as well.”