Today's rugby news as Wales international announces exit and Gatland boosted in problem position

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, June 10.

Wales receive boost in problem position

Wales' tight-head options are set to be boosted for the South Africa clash after Henry Thomas' French club Castres missed out on the Top 14 play-offs.

Castres defeated Bayonne on the final day of the season, with Thomas on the bench for the victory. However, results didn't go their way elsewhere - with Will Rowland's Racing 92 finishing in sixth place ahead of Castres despite the two clubs finishing on the same number of points.

While disappointing for Castres, it does at least mean that Thomas, who is set to join the Scarlets next season, should be available for the Springboks clash on June 22.

Warren Gatland has named five tightheads in his summer squad - with the position clearly one with more questions than answers.

English-based duo Dillon Lewis and Archie Griffin won't feature at Twickenham, with Keiron Assiratti and Harri O'Connor the Welsh-based duo available for that South Africa match.

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Hadleigh Parkes leaves Japanese club

Former Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes has left Japanese club Black Rams Tokyo after two seasons.

The ex-Scarlets centre headed to Japan back in 2020, joining Panasonic Wild Knights in a move that ended his Wales career.

After two years with the Wild Knights, the 29-cap Parkes has then spent two more years in Tokyo.

Following his departure, Parkes said: "Thank you very much for this amazing experience over the past two seasons. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on and off the pitch and have made some lifelong friends.

"I wish everyone the very best and I look forward to supporting Black Rams to achieve big things in the future.

"Thank you so much for the amazing experiences I had over the past two seasons. I had so much fun on and off the pitch and made some lifelong friends. I wish everyone the best and look forward to supporting Ricoh as they achieve great things in the future."

Lawes holds Lions dream after fitting farewell

Courtney Lawes says he is dreaming of another Lions tour after signing off at Northampton Saints with a second Gallagher Premiership winners medal.

Ahead of his move to France this summer, the 35-year-old captained Saints to a 25-21 victory over Bath at Twickenham on Saturday as his 17-year career at Northampton came to a fitting end.

The former England skipper joins ambitious Pro D2 side Brive next season, linking up with 2017 Lions team-mate and Wales international Ross Moriarty at the club next season.

But even in his mid-thirties, Lawes has been delivering high quality performances - raising the prospect of him heading on a third Lions tour next year when Andy Farrell's side head to Australia.

“I’d love to be involved with the Lions again,” said Lawes, who was part of the 2017 and 2021 series against the All Blacks and Springboks.

“The reason I retired from international rugby is that I didn’t want to be away every couple of months for months on end.

“The Lions is for two months, I can bring my family out and we can have a good time. Having said that, I’m not expecting it. But if I do get that opportunity I’d be there.”

Scotland to call up former England U20s scrum-half

Former England U20s scrum-half Gus Warr is set to be called up to Scotland's summer squad.

The Manchester-born nine has been a key figure for Sale this season and is set to be rewarded with a place in Gregor Townsend's squad for the Tests against Canada, USA, Chile and Uruguay.

The 24-year-old has played for both England and Scotland at Under-20 level but Mail Sport report he will be part of Scotland's squad.

It's understood that Warr has been in regular conversation with Townsend over a senior call-up. The Scotland coach had held similar conversations with Cardiff full-back Jacob Beetham, before he was called up to Wales' summer squad.