Today's rugby news as Shanklin bemoans absence of overlooked Welsh duo and club issue defiant statement

These are your rugby headlines on Monday, April 29.

Shanklin laments duo's absence

Former Wales international Tom Shanklin has lamented the absence of Rhys Carre and Morgan Morris on the international stage, describing them as "two of the best carriers" in Wales.

Carre, who is re-joining Saracens this summer, explained in Cardiff's match programme this weekend that he was leaving Welsh rugby having "gone backwards in his international career". He has not featured for Wales since being publicly axed from Warren Gatland's training camp for failing to hit "performance targets", which included a weight target.

Morris, meanwhile, has been a consistent performer for the Ospreys for the last few seasons, taking home several player of the match awards so far this season, but has never had a look-in for Wales. The uncapped star has impressed his team-mates, opponents, pundits and rival coaches but is yet to be called up by Gatland.

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The departure of Carre was a hot topic on Sunday night's BBC Scrum V and Shanklin - who has previously expressed his bewilderment about Morris' international exclusion in particular - described the two overlooked stars as "the best ball carriers in Wales".

"He's not the finished article as a prop," he said of the Cardiff loosehead. "I think there are better scrummagers than him in Wales, but his carrying game is far greater. You look at two of the best carriers in Welsh rugby, he's one.

"There's not many props you use in the middle of the field off a lineout, he comes round on peels all the time, always gets over the gain line. Him and Morgan Morris are probably two of our best carriers, but yet we don't see them in a Welsh shirt".

Fellow pundit James Hook also admitted it was "a shame" to lose Carre from Welsh rugby. "We lack ball carriers in Wales and he's a huge ball carrier," he said. "I think Matt Sherratt deserves a huge amount of credit because he's got the best out of him, he's always wanting to get his best ball carriers on the ball, Grady, Halaholo, Mackenzie Martin and he's done that really well with Carre this season."

Wales Women legend Elinor Snowsill added: "It is disappointing. I think there are a lot of people who would probably like to see him in a red shirt. However, when it comes to the national level, coaches want a certain thing, whether that's culture on or off the pitch.

"You have to choose as a player whether you agree with it or not, you decide whether you're going to change how I am to fit in and win those caps or you stay true to yourself and accept the consequences."

Welsh club issue defiant statement

Neath RFC have issued another defiant statement 10 days after missing out on the final place in Welsh rugby's new Elite Domestic League.

The Welsh All Blacks submitted a renewed application after being initially turned down in what they described as a "grossly unfair" omission, but even with a huge social media campaign, their second bid also lost out with Cardiff RFC awarded the place after a rigorous application process.

Immediately after they missed out on the licence, Neath issued a statement saying it was "no surprise" and aimed a dig at WRU executive director of performance and former Cardiff player Nigel Walker, who announced the decision. But over a week later, the club have had more to say, claiming that they "are to rugby as a mouth is to eating" and that they are "here to stay".

The statement, issued on social media, read: "We applied on time and within the rules of the WRU for the EDC, but we were told no. We wish the 10 teams who have been awarded entry all the very best and hope that the structure works and that they thrive. We attempted to work with the WRU to grant entry, but this wasn't to be.

"We move forward as a hugely successful, financially stable club with an 'everyone's second team' mentality. At the end of the day, our squad has stuck together in spite of not knowing which league they were to play in. We are all truly positive about our status in the Premiership next season.

"Morale is huge within and around the club and we now regroup, rebuild and focus on all the positives from this season," the statement continued. "Neath FC has significantly raised the profile of Premiership rugby. We have actively engaged our supporters, celebrated with an epic end of season party and achieved over one million impressions on Twitter in April alone. The support from rugby superstars has been overwhelming and it has been noted that 'there are pro teams who could only dream of such a cut through on social media'.

"Huge things are happening and will continue to happen at the Lextan Gnoll and this historic club will continue to cut the tracks, do things our way and change the game. We will secure our future and aim to develop our ground with both private and public funds, something which is in motion. Neath are as important to rugby as a mouth is to eating. We are here to stay.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing fans, sponsors, volunteers, his players and coaching staff and the wider rugby community who came out in droves to support our cause. Diolch."

Healey: Feyi-Waboso can become world-class

Austin Healey believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has what it takes to become a world-class winger after he starred again for Exeter.

The England international shone for the Chiefs against Gloucester, scoring his seventh try of the season as his side earned a crucial 38-17 bonus-point victory. It comes after a breakout campaign for the 21-year-old, who starred for Steve Borthwick's side at the Six Nations after choosing them over the country of his birth, Wales.

At the full-time whistle, Healey heaped praise on Feyi-Waboso and claimed that while he still has plenty of room for improvement, he has the "natural ingredients" to become one of the best in the world in his position.

“If you look at how he played and how he sits behind the ball, he was in behind the ruck and the 10, and that’s what I like about him,” Healey explained. “A lot of wingers, particularly young guys, will get on the right wing, stay there and maybe wait for the ball.

"But he goes hunting for it, and he’s so good in those close areas. He can take on forwards, tight five guys. He’s got a low centre of gravity. Defensively he’s getting better, he’s reading plays very well.

"He’s so young, and he’s got a lot to learn on the wing," he added. "But he’s got the natural ingredients that can turn him into a world-class winger, one of the best that we’ve produced in a long, long time.”

England legend sends message to Hogg

Former England captain Will Carling has sent a message of support to Stuart Hogg after he revealed he had spent time in rehab.

The ex-Scotland full-back issued a powerful statement on Sunday night revealing that he had attended a rehabilitation centre to help him overcome his demons after going through "the darkest times". He had been subject to significant online abuse following developments in his private life, as his marriage broke down and he went public with his new girlfriend days after his wife gave birth.

Hogg added that he had accepted his mistakes and taken accountability for them during his "time away from the spotlight". He says he is now able to "see the world differently" and is excited for his future.

After the Scotsman posted the statement, Carling replied: "Brave to admit to yourself, to seek help and to work to solve. Hope very much that you feel happier about life going forward."