Tonight's rugby news as Aussie giant signs for Welsh region and Wales star goes under the knife

These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, May 3.

Aussie giant returns to Welsh rugby

Australian lock Steve Cummins has signed for the Dragons, the club has confirmed.

The 32-year-old will move back to Wales from Pau ahead of the 2024/25 season, as he reunites with coach Dai Flanagan, who he worked with at Scarlets. Cummins, who is 6ft 7ins and weighs 119kg, spent three seasons in Llanelli, playing over 46 matches, and was part of the side that reached the 2018 URC final.

He moves to Rodney Parade on a multi-year contract, becoming the Men of Gwent's third signing this week as he follows Waratahs centre Harry Wilson and Tongan back-row Solomone Funaki to Newport.

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Former Australia U20s star Cummins said: “After speaking with Dai, I’m really excited by the project and ambitions of the club. It’s clear there’s a good mix of established senior players and talented youngsters coming through at Dragons, which bodes well for the future.

“I loved my time in Wales previously and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to return. I also can’t wait to reunite with old team-mates, such as Steff Hughes, Dane Blacker and Angus O’Brien.”

Flanagan added: “It’s fantastic news that Steve joins us as he adds real experience to our pack and depth to our second row resources He’s a big man, a presence in any team, and has massive leadership skills that will benefit our squad.

“Steve is superb professional and a winner, someone who’s been part of successful set-ups, and a player who drives standards here and demand the very best from those around him.”

Wales star goes under the knife

Welsh international Joe Roberts has undergone knee surgery as he prepares for a long spell on the sidelines.

In March, the Scarlets centre was ruled out until the beginning of next season in a big blow to both Dwayne Peel and Warren Gatland, with the injury ruling him out of Wales' summer Test against South Africa and the tour of Australia.

The 23-year-old, who made his international debut against England last summer before starting against France during this year's Six Nations, shared a photo on his Instagram story of him lying in a hospital bed with a bandaged and supported knee after undergoing the operation in London.

Roberts' injury, which he suffered on Wales duty, was described as a "tough one" by Peel, with the centre already suffering two other serious knee injuries in his short career. He previously missed the start of the 22/23 season along with the 2019-20 season.

"He’ll be out for this season, the summer, and into next I’d imagine,” said Peel back in March. “It’s a tough one for him, he’s one who’s had some bad luck with injury, to lose him for the next while is a tough one for us.

"He’s obviously disappointed, he feels like he’s made the step and he wants to keep continuing on this trajectory. He needs to get the operation done with a long-term view on it because you can go from game to game and week to week with an injury and then it’s hard work and tough.

“At some point you have to bite the bullet and get the operation done and come back a stronger, better player and that’s where his mindset is and where ours is too," the coach added. He’s one who’s important to the future of the Scarlets. We need to make sure he comes back and is good to go for however many years to go as well.”

Memorial match for ex-WRU president

A memorial match is set to be held later this month in honour of former Welsh Rugby Union secretary and President, Dennis Gethin.

Gethin, who held the role of WRU president from 2007 to 2019, having previously been WRU secretary between 1998 and 2002, died in October last year at the age of 79.

As a player, he turned out at full-back for for his home club Seven Sisters, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Glamorgan Wanderers, as well as representing Cambridge University on two occasions.

Now, Gethin, whose 12 year stint as President made him the second longest serving person in that office, is set to be honoured at a memorial match held between Seven Sisters and Glamorgan County on Saturday, May 18 (KO 2pm)

The proceeds of the match are to be donated to the Welsh Rugby Union Charitable Trust for injured players, a trust which was near to his heart as Patron. Tickets for the game are £5 each and will be available at the gate on the day, with the option to consider making a donation of £10 also available.

Wales name side to face England

Wales Women U20 head coach Liza Burgess had selected her squad to face England in tomorrow's Anglo-Welsh clash.

The match, which kicks off at 2pm at Dings RFC, Shaftesbury Park on Saturday, is the culmination of a 10 week training block for Burgess' squad. Of Wales' matchday squad, 17 of the 23 players have represented Gwalia Lightning or Brython Thunder during this season's Celtic Challenge, with Lightning centre Jenna De Vera named captain and second row Erin Jones her vice-captain.

“Jenna has been outstanding and shown great leadership qualities throughout the sessions we have had together,” said Burgess. “She epitomises everything we’re trying to do both on and off the field. Erin has also been brilliant; she does the hard work on the field and is a leader in her own right.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s encounter, which is free to attend and is being streamed live on England Rugby's YouTube channel, the Wales boss added: ““It’s a great opportunity to play against England as an end to this first training block of 10 sessions which started in April.

“In this first block we have been concentrating on individual skill development and working to get to know each other as part of the team. The girls’ effort and application throughout this first block of training has been excellent and the game against England is an opportunity to work on the things we have introduced the players to and see what kind of performance we can put out on the field.

“We have another block to look forward to and we are building towards that.”

Wales Women U20s to face England: 15. Eleanor Hing, 14. Kim Thurlow, 13. Savannah Picton-Powell, 12. Jenna De Vera (capt), 11. Amy Williams, 10. Freya Bell, 9. Seren Singleton; 1. Chloe Thomas-Bradley, 2. Rosie Carr, 3. Lowri Williams, 4. Milly Summer, 5. Erin Jones (vice capt), 6. Lily Terry, 7. Lucy Isaac, 8. Jess Rogers

Replacements: 16. Mollie Crabb, 17. Maisie Davies, 18. Madi Johns, 19. Robyn Davies, 20. Catrin Stewart, 21. Katie Bevans, 22. Molly Anderson-Thomas, 23. Gabby Healan