Today's rugby news as Welsh team 'most underrated' in URC and Wales stars bullish after omissions

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, June 5.

Munster boss: Ospreys 'most underrated team in URC'

Munster defence coach Denis Leamy believes the Ospreys are one of the "most underrated sides in the URC" ahead of Friday's quarter-final clash.

The Irish side welcome the Swansea-based team to Thomond Park on Friday night for what promises to be a mouthwatering clash. And former Ireland international Leamy has heaped praise on Toby Booth's side ahead of the meeting.

"Friday is our first home quarter-final in some time so we are hoping the fans get behind us once again. It's a huge game and Ospreys deserve a huge a amount of respect and they are probably one of the most underrated sides in the URC.

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"Similar to us they have a great spirit, they have a number of fantastic players and they are going to present challenges right across the park for us."

Munster came out on top the last time the two sides met in the competition — a 27-17 win back in March — and Leamy remembers how tough an opponent the Ospreys were that night.

"We seemed to fall off our game plan for periods of that game and luckily we finished well again, Ospreys were very challenging that night," he added.

"We are really looking forward to it, you have to give respect to Ospreys for getting this far in the competition. We were in their position last year traveling to these games and now the narrative has flipped and it's slightly different for us in 2024 but we will embrace the challenge and hopefully come away with a win."

Adams '1000% ready to go' for next season

Wales wing Josh Adams has said he will be "1000% ready to go" for next season after he was omitted from Warren Gatland's squad this summer.

Adams, after a campaign that has seen him drain blood from his knees on a weekly basis to turn out for club and country, will enjoy his first rugby-free summer in five years.

Explaining his absence, Gatland said: "Josh was one was where really, he's got a few niggles. He hasn't been 100% fit and it was about getting himself right, having a good break.

"And I said, look, ‘We can take you to Australia. We know we can manage you during the week. Even if you're at 85%, you probably could do a job for us with your experience and the way that you can play.’

"But the best thing for him was to get his body right. In the Six Nations, again, he was probably at about 85% of where he could have possibly been.

"In the past, there's one or two opportunities that I would have expected him to score, the chances that he had with the ball. He's aware of that and understands that, and so by him having a break and getting himself right, hopefully, we can see him come back fully charged and ready to go at the start of the season, and be available for the autumn campaign."

And Cardiff Rugby fans will also want a fully-fit and raring-to-go Adams next season, too. Cardiff Central Podcast wrote on X: "Josh Adams being rested is also quite positive for Cardiff. Means he’ll be in and around the club all pre-season working with Theo Cabango, Tom Bowen, Iwan Stephens, Gabe Hamer-Webb and hopefully then be fit and firing from the off in 24/25."

Adams replied: "I 1000% will be ready to go."

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Alex Mann 'gutted' how season ended

Alex Mann has reflected on a breakthrough campaign which saw him gain his first cap for Wales – but end in injury frustration.

The Cardiff Rugby back-rower broke onto the Test scene this year with two tries in his first two matches for Wales, but, like Adams, was left out of the squad for this summer's matches.

Having missed the last few weeks of his breakthrough campaign for Cardiff, it seems a sensible call to give him a pre-season before he tries to bulk up a bit and back it all up in the second season, with Gatland saying he should hit the gym in pre-season and put on some size ready for next year.

And Mann wrote on Instagram: "What a season it’s been. Playing for both Cardiff and Wales. A huge honour being able to represent my country in this year's Six Nations. Topping it all off by being awarded breakthrough player of the year with Cardiff.

"Gutted that my season was cut short, but I’m already looking forward to the next."

Championship clubs fear bankruptcy risk

By Ed Elliot, PA

Championship clubs fear they would risk potential bankruptcy by agreeing to current Rugby Football Union proposals regarding the future of the domestic game.

According to a joint statement issued by the 12 second division sides, they have been given a deadline by the RFU to accept certain terms or "effectively be removed from the current professional game structure".

The RFU has been in discussions with Premiership Rugby over a new Professional Game Partnership (PGP) as the existing eight-year deal is set to expire, in addition to working with stakeholders on a redesigned Tier 2.

With proposals scheduled to be presented to the RFU Council on June 14, the national governing body said it would be "disappointed" if Championship clubs opt to "disengage in the process".

Championship clubs support a Tier 2 league as "part of a whole-game solution" but feel it will only work with "appropriate governance", a fairer approach to promotion and relegation, and a sustainable funding model. They have called for the RFU Council to intervene and request a review of their position.

"The Championship clubs have recently been issued with a deadline by the RFU to accept certain terms or effectively be removed from the current professional game structure," read the joint statement.

"After nearly two years of discussion, which have been characterised by the RFU agreeing positions, sometimes unilaterally or in separate negotiations on the Professional Game Partnership - from which we have been excluded - we have now been presented with a proposition which we cannot accept as to do so would risk potential bankruptcy for Championship clubs and would also further isolate the Premiership to the detriment of the game in England.

"Like anyone who wants to see the game grow, we need to challenge the current RFU position."