Today's rugby news as players get 'absolute tuning' from coach and legend baffled by star's Wales snub

Here are your rugby headlines for Wednesday, May 15.

Ospreys players got 'absolute tuning' from coach

Wales wing Alex Cuthbert has explained that Ospreys players got "an absolute tuning" for their performance against Leinster.

The Swansea-based region were battered 61-14 by their Irish opposition, meaning Toby Booth's side have now conceded 122 points in two URC games.

Speaking on the Sportin Wales podcast, Cuthbert, who last night was named among the players leaving the Ospreys, was asked about how much it will mean to the club if they make the play-offs and he said: "It will be massive. They had an absolute tuning this morning from Mark Jones, the defence coach.

"He pulled up a lot of clips of boys maybe not quite putting in the effort in certain areas where we set our standards all season, which is probably why we have put ourselves where we are.

"We dropped significantly against the Bulls and Leinster. We're playing the Dragons, if we lose to them on Saturday, they've done the double over us.

"I can't imagine that's happened too many times at Ospreys. We've got a standard and that's where the boys will have to get back to this weekend."

Ospreys face Dragons at home on Saturday, May 18.

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Wales star returns for farewell

Callum Sheedy is back available for Bristol Bears this weekend as he prepares to say farewell ahead of his move to Cardiff Rugby next season.

The Wales fly-half, who will join Cardiff after 10 years at the Gallagher Premiership club, hasn't been in Bristol's matchday squads in recent weeks, with AJ MacGinty deputising in his stead.

But Sheedy will want to end his decade-long association with Bristol in fine fashion and a crunch clash against Harlequins this Saturday awaits the returning outside-half.

It's sixth plays seventh, with The Stoop side sitting one place and one point above Bristol and just three points separating fourth and seventh, but Pat Lam will be pleased to have Sheedy's experience to call on – particularly when his opposite number is likely to be Marcus Smith.

Lam said: "Callum’s available for selection which is good. The beauty is we've got good depth in some positions. AJ has been superb for us this season, but to have Callum's experience and having him competing as well is great, and he's played well for us at times this year too.

“We are blessed to have two very good fly-halves to choose from. I think probably the biggest similarity between the two is the fact that they both have a great understanding of the game and they drive our game well. They're different as players as far their individual skills and what they can do, but certainly as far as generals of our game they both have great knowledge of our game and great experience.”

Shane baffled by star's Wales omission

Wales legend Shane Williams is baffled that Morgan Morris has been overlooked by Warren Gatland.

Back-row Morris, 25, has consistently impressed for the Ospreys this season, displaying his impressive ball-carrying week after week. And pundits and fans alike have questioned why he has not been in the Wales fold for neither the World Cup nor the Six Nations.

Speaking on Sportin Wales about the former Wales under-20s international, Williams said of the Ospreys: "Good to see Jac Morgan back on the field. Morgan Morris as well... what a player he is. I have no idea how he's not being looked at in Welsh colours at the moment!"

There were very few positives, granted, but Williams was happy to see Wales skipper Morgan back on the pitch after a lengthy injury lay-off, while Morris once again drew praise.

But Keelan Giles was also worthy of a mention from Wales' record try scorer, who believes the wing is having the "season of his life".

"Keelan Giles is having the season of his life," he added. "Brilliant - good to see him on form. Looked sharp, looked strong in the tackle. Defensively in the right place.

"Good performances, few weeks now they've had a couple of tunings. But still we've got to say they are the best region in Wales at the moment and there is probably more to come from them next season. It's going to be tight but the season isn't over yet."

England could face TV blackout for Japan game

England's match against Japan could be facing a TV blackout and streamed on the RFU's website, according to The Times.

Steve Borthwick's side take on Eddie Jones's Japan in Tokyo in five weeks' time, on June 22, and it could well be the first men's Test in decades not to be broadcast live on TV.

The Times report that the RFU are still yet to agree a deal with a broadcaster for the match and, if that proves to be the case by the time the fixture comes around, they might have to resort to showing it on their own website.

Sky Sports are showing England's other two July Tests against New Zealand, but the broadcaster's deal was struck with the southern hemisphere's governing body Sanzaar. Therefore, that deal does not cover the one-off match with the Japanese.