Today's rugby news as game rocked by top star's sudden death at 25

These are your headlines on the morning of Tuesday, June 18.

Maori All Black dies

Highlanders' Super Rugby star and Maori All Black Connor Garden-Bachop has died aged 25.

In a statement released on Monday, New Zealand Rugby said Garden-Bachop died as a result of a “medical event” at the home of a relative.

Christchurch police said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the coroner."

“Connor was a fantastic young player, an exciting New Zealand age-grade representative and a proud Maori All Black,” the statement from New Zealand Rugby said. “Wherever he played, he was a committed and popular team-mate with infectious energy and someone who could light up the room.

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“Most importantly, he was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him.”

The statement was also signed by the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association.

Garden-Bachop had represented the Highlanders for the past five seasons but was not re-joining the side for next term. He posted on Instagram at the weekend, saying: “thank you @highlandersteam for an unforgettable five years. Thank you to everyone in the south for making me feel at home and thank you to the boys I have been honored to share the field with. It’s been a pleasure. I will miss you all. Till next time.”

Garden-Bachop was the son of All Blacks and Samoa representative Stephen Bachop and nephew of All Black Graeme Bachop.

Gatland to name team

Warren Gatland will name his Wales side this lunchtime to face South Africa at the weekend.

The head coach yesterday called up Cardiff Rugby’s James Botham to his squad ahead of the clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

Following on from Eddie James’ inclusion last week, the Kiwi now has 38 members from which to choose from.

He will then cut his squad to 34 after the date with the Springboks, before Wales head to Australia for a two-Test tour.

With this fixture falling outside of World Rugby’s international window, Gatland will be without his English and French-based players.

The likes of Dayfdd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza will be missing, meaning a different captain from the Six Nations will be named. Jac Morgan, who performed skipper duties at the Rugby World Cup along with Dewi Lake, is likely to return to lead his country against Rassie Erasmus’ world champions.

You can follow live updates of the team announcement here.

URC tournament ‘flawed’

Former Scotland international Andy Nicol believes the URC is “flawed” after the finalists for the competition were confirmed.

Nicol, now a respected TV pundit, was commenting after the participants of the competition’s Grand Final were sealed on the weekend.

South African side the Bulls will face Glasgow on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa.

Nicol pointed out Warriors fans will now face a huge ask to travel to the southern hemisphere for the showpiece event. The issue surrounding travelling support in the URC is not a new one, with away fans frequently facing improbable away trips at significant costs.

Nicol wrote: “I’m sorry, but this tournament is flawed when a team and its fans have only a week to try and arrange to travel 9000 miles to play in the final. #justsaying.”

The Bulls beat Leinster 25-20 to reach the final, while Glasgow edged out Munster 10-17..

Welsh-qualified duo picked by England

Welsh-qualified stars Ioan Jones and Kane James have been selected for England's U20 World Championship squad.

The pair, who starred for the Red Roses in their Six Nations-winning campaign earlier this year, are part of Mark Mapletoft's 30-strong English contingent heading to South Africa this summer.

Back-rower James, who scored a crucial try against Ireland during the Six Nations, is part of the Exeter Chiefs academy but originally hails from Haverfordwest and began playing rugby at the age of seven for St Peter's Rugby Club in Cardiff. Touted as a star of the future, he has U18s honours but was called up by England ahead of the Six Nations.

Meanwhile, Jones, who scored two tries at the tournament earlier this year, including one against Wales, is thriving at Gloucester after coming through the development pathway programme at Kingsholm. However, despite starring for England, he still qualifies for Wales through his father.

Mapletoft has named seven uncapped players in his squad, with Bath's Arthur Green, Exeter's Benjamin Coen and Harlequins' Lucas Friday set to make their bow alongside Leicester Tigers pair Cameron Miell and Ollie Allan and Saracens duo Jack Bracken and Angus Hall.

Exeter issue statement

Exeter Chiefs have issued a statement after a Reform UK election candidate distributed flyers featuring an image of themselves wearing club merchandise.

The club says the unnamed candidate did not contact them prior to the flyers being distributed. They have now demanded that the flyer in question be removed from circulation, adding that they “profoundly disagree” with the use of their brand in association with any political messaging.

The statement, issued by chairman and CEO Tony Rowe, reads: “Exeter Rugby Club has been made aware of a flyer being circulated by a political party featuring a candidate wearing an item of club merchandise.

“Exeter Rugby Club does not endorse Reform UK or any other political party. The club was not contacted by the candidate before the image was circulated and we have demanded that the organisation in question immediately removes the flyer from circulation.

“The use of our brand in association with any political messaging is something which we profoundly disagree with, we maintain strict brand guidelines and this falls far outside of these,” it continued.

“Exeter Rugby Club will continue to monitor and act upon any unauthorised use of our brand, we would ask all supporters to make the club aware if they see any instances of the brand being used for promotional or political means.”