Today's rugby news as Feyi-Waboso 'should be playing for Wales now' and Welsh legend 'excited' for debut

These are your rugby headlines for Friday, May 3.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 'should be playing for Wales'

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso should be playing for Wales right now, Cardiff Rugby academy boss Gruff Rees has said.

Feyi-Waboso shocked Welsh rugby in early January when he joined up with the England rugby squad ahead of the Six Nations, turning down Wales, where he was born and raised.

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The Cardiff-born winger's decision was largely motivated by his academic ambitions. The 21-year-old is currently a medical student at Exeter University, and due to the Welsh Rugby Union's 25-cap rule, he would have to move to a Welsh region to continue representing Wales once his Exeter contract expired.

It still gripes for Rees, who had him in the Cardiff pathway as a teenager. He wishes Welsh rugby could have held on to him, but ultimately understands the Exeter wing's decision.

“I said when asked about him a few years ago that he was a special talent,” Rees told RugbyPass. “He came in when he was 17 and did a vertical jump test to measure lower-body power and he was the best in the building, ahead of all our internationals. It was extraordinary.

“Had he stayed with us, he’d be playing for Wales by now. He should be playing for Wales by now.

“That said, I speak to Immanuel a lot and understand his situation fully. I have a lot of pride in him and respect for him and his family and how they see the world. The route he’s taken has become the obvious one for him, unfortunately.”

The trouble is, a lot of Welsh talent continues to cross the Severn for both rugby and educational purposes at that important young age. Rees, however, is encouraged by the word regions continue to do in difficult financial circumstances.

“We are running programmes but get limited resource from outside to do that, but, to be fair to the Welsh Rugby Union, there’s a three-to-six-year vision on developing players and if we can all buy in collectively, that could help," he added. “Internally, I’m encouraged by what we’ve done and what we continue to do.”

Halfpenny brings Gorseinon to Super Rugby

Leigh Halfpenny has brought a touch of Gorseinon to the Crusaders ahead of his long-awaited Super Rugby debut.

On Friday, he and his team-mates took part in their final training session in Christchurch ahead of their clash with the Reds tomorrow. During the captain's run, the players had to don their club shirts and Halfpenny wore the jersey of his beloved Gorseinon.

Halfpenny's time in New Zealand has so far been blighted by injury. There had been fears Halfpenny may even miss the entire season after he ripped his pectoral muscle on the European pre-season tour but he has fought back diligently and will now play a key role over the coming weeks as the defending champions try and salvage their faint play-off hopes after a difficult season.

The Wales legend has been named at full-back for the game on Saturday, alongside former Wales and Scarlets team-mate Johnny McNicholl in the back three.

Posting his training photo on social media, Halfpenny said he was "excited to get out there with the boys tomorrow".

Millard signs new Cardiff deal

Harri Millard has agreed to extend his stay at Cardiff Rugby.

The former Wales Under-20s and Sevens player re-joined the club earlier this term, having been released at the end of last season owing to budgets tightening.

But the 27-year-old versatility back has impressed at the Arms Park and has earned himself a new deal to stay in the Welsh capital beyond this season.

“I’m very happy to sign another contract with Cardiff. We are playing a great brand of rugby, which everyone is buying into and enjoying," Millard said.

“I have loved every game I’ve been involved in this season and the fans have been absolutely brilliant, packing out the Arms Park and creating an amazing atmosphere.

“It is also great to have so many youngsters coming through, playing so well and getting international honours.

“I’m now really looking forward to the rest of this season and continuing to build as a group under Matt Sherratt and the rest of the back-room staff.”

Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt said: “I’m really pleased to keep Harri here beyond the current season. I have said previously that I was convinced he would be a breakthrough player during my first stint at the club.

"Injuries really impacted those years but he has great ability, which he has regularly displayed this season. He can beat people one-on-one, he is very fast, and I think he’s surprised people with that this season, is explosive and physical.

“What has impressed me most this season though, has been his sheer work-rate in things like kick-chase, his defensive work and fight for the team, which typify all the characteristics we want to see in this team.”

Willis relishing Toulouse role

By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent

England international Jack Willis admits he immediately "fell in love" with Toulouse's relentless desire to win trophies after joining the French heavyweights.

Willis, who moved to France following Wasps' demise, already has a Top 14 title in his portfolio.

But a whole lot more could be just around the corner, with Toulouse lying second in France's domestic league and hosting Investec Champions Cup semi-final opponents Harlequins on Sunday.

Toulouse are two wins away from a sixth Champions Cup crown, which would extend their record tally in the competition, while they are also chasing a remarkable 23rd French title.

Willis has fitted seamlessly into a star-studded squad headed by the likes of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, and it has turned into a dream move for the 14 times-capped flanker.

"We want to win things and I think that is the thing I love about being here. I fell in love with that the minute I got here," he said.

"I was fortunate enough to win the Top 14 last year here and I think that feeling certainly didn't feel like I had fulfilled everything by winning that.

"All it made me want to do was want to win it again, and win more. I think the structure they put in place here is incredible - from the president all the way down to us players - and the standards are always kept high.

"With the standard of playing and coaching here it really tests you as a player because it is so competitive. You have got to be at your absolute best to be getting picked and I love having that pressure on me week to week."

The 27-year-old says he has also learnt to take some pressure off himself - helped by working with highly-regarded performance psychologist Katie Mobed - and allow himself a mental freedom that he is relishing.

"It probably got to a point where I was putting a lot of pressure on myself daily, which can get quite exhausting and probably bog you down a little bit," Willis added.

"I feel a lot freer mentally. The work I have been doing with Katie has been incredible. She is brilliant and a big support to me. I think it frees me up going into games and that's quite important. If you feel bogged down mentally, that does make a big difference.

"I am not saying I was in a bad head space at all, but I think you just have lots going through your mind and you need to organise things correctly. I certainly feel a lot freer on the pitch."