Today's rugby news as Warren Gatland told to 'look at himself' after squad furore

These are your rugby headlines on Sunday, June 23

Gatland 'should look at himself'

Former Wales international Derwyn Jones has told Warren Gatland he needs to "look at himself" in the wake of the Sam Parry controversy, claiming there is growing public negativity against the Wales coach.

Jones was speaking in his role as a BBC Radio Cymru pundit, while his player agency also represents Parry. Gatland said he was "disappointed" the player's agent had been "vocal" around the situation, insisting he had not disrespected the player.

Parry walked out of the Wales squad on Monday after being told he was only there as cover for Elliot Dee, who was carrying an injury.
Jones said he had not spoken to Parry about what happened, but was critical of Gatland's handling of the affair, which came to light on Friday in a Daily Mail article.

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He said: "Warren [Gatland] has never been somebody who communicates a lot with players. These days I feel you have to be really detailed with how you deal with players and how you talk with players.

"From what's been mentioned in the Daily Mail, Gatland said to Sam Parry, 'thank you for coming to train with the team', but he was named in the 36-man squad in the first place, so that's a bit disrespectful to start with. Then he had a meeting with the whole squad and said Wales have three strong hookers to compete with South Africa, and of course Sam Parry is training as well.

"If you don't deal with players by showing respect, something is going to happen. Sam has left the squad and since then, Elliott Dee picked up an injury and Efan Daniel has been called up to the squad.

"Gatland should look at himself and say 'I was wrong', but unfortunately, the talk is, and what he's saying is, he feels he hasn't done anything wrong and 'the door is open for Sam to talk with me', which is a bit typical of Warren Gatland."

Gatland says he wishes Parry had spoken to him about his concerns rather than just walking out on the squad, revealing he would have been on the plane to Australia now Dee has been ruled out.

Jones believes the Wales coach's stature is slipping in the eyes of public opinion, adding: "I think there's a bit of momentum against Warren Gatland at present.

"It can be difficult to come back for a second time but you just feel there's a bit of negativity towards him. I don't know what the future holds, and I imagine a lot depends on those games in Australia.

"By the end of the year, if we're not winning games, I think people might be calling for change."

Wales stars victorious

Wales may have lost to South Africa but there was plenty to cheer about for some Welsh internationals today as Gloucester-Hartpury won the Premiership Women's Rugby title by beating Bristol Bears in the final.

With a matchday squad containing Wales Women captain Hannah Jones, as well as Lleucu George, Bethan Lewis, Kate Williams and Sisilia Tuipulotu, the reigning champions sealed back-to-back titles with a 36-24 win at Sandy Park.

Jones got on the scoresheet as Gloucester-Hartpury mounted a second-half comeback, having found themselves 17-7 down at the break. Further tries from Natasha Hunt, Pip Hendy, Emma Sing and Mia Venner saw the Cherry and Whites to victory.

However, Gloucester's win also meant heartbreak for Bristol's Welsh contingent, with Keira Bevan, Alisha Joyce-Butchers, Jenny Hesketh and Courtney Keight - who scored the opening try on her 50th club appearance - ending up on the losing side.

Glasgow crowned URC champions

By PA Sport Staff

Glasgow Warriors landed the United Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2015 after a hard-fought 21-16 victory over the Bulls at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld.

Having beaten the Stormers, the 2022 winners, and defending champions Munster to reach the Grand Final, the Warriors avoided a third loss in the showpiece with a fantastic performance in Pretoria.

A pair of Johan Goosen penalties separated the sides before Marco van Staden's try, converted by Goosen, gave the Bulls - beaten by the Stormers in the 2022 final - a 13-0 lead.

Glasgow hauled themselves back into the game on the stroke of half-time when Scott Cummings powered his way over the line, with George Horne adding the extras. Goosen's third penalty extended the Bulls' lead to nine points but tries from George Turner and Huw Jones, both converted by Horne, ensured the Warriors would emerge triumphant.

The Bulls, who had lost only one of their last 12 URC matches at this venue, led inside 100 seconds through Goosen's penalty.

A second successful kick followed before Wilco Louw was denied a try by the TMO, who deemed he was held up by Rory Darge. But the Bulls were not to be denied moments later when Van Staden barged his way through the Glasgow defence, with Goosen landing the conversion.

Glasgow responded well and gave themselves a lifeline moments before the break when Cummings went over and Horne converted.
Buoyed by that score, Glasgow came out strong in the second half but another Goosen penalty brought some relief to the Bulls.

A few minutes later, though, the Warriors cut the deficit to just two points when Turner, on his last appearance for the club, went over from a maul, which Horne converted. Jones then grabbed Glasgow's third try, with Horne again successful from the tee, to lead for the first time in the game before Jack Dempsey was denied another by the TMO.

Horne was just short with a long-range penalty attempt but Glasgow had to see out the final moments with 14 players after Tom Jordan was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Francois Klopper. The Scottish side survived late Bulls pressure to be crowned champions.

May helps Baa Bas edge thriller

By PA Sport Staff

Former England wing Jonny May claimed two tries as the Barbarians beat Fiji 45-32 in a thrilling Killik Cup clash at Twickenham.

May touched down either side of scores from team-mates Lachlan Boshier and Chay Fihaki in a first half which finished level at 17-17, before registering his second 10 minutes after the restart.

New Zealand international Leicester Fainga'anuku and flanker Boshier also crossed twice for a team captained by All Blacks great Sam Whitelock, while Zach Mercer's try sealed victory late on.

May was joined in the Baa-baas side by the likes of Danny Care, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Ben Youngs and Jonathan Joseph, plus France pair Gael Fickou and Cameron Woki.

The star-studded selection was pushed hard by Fiji, with Epeli Momo claiming a hat-trick of tries and Kemueli Valentini contributing 10 points, including adding the extras to his own second-half score.

Fly-half Caleb Muntz kicked the Flying Fijians other seven points, while Barbarians full-back Fihaki landed four of his five conversion attempts before Japan hooker Shota Horie slotted the final two points of an entertaining contest.