Tonight's rugby news as club boss issues response over Stuart Hogg signing and Lions great dies

Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, May 19.

Falcons chief responds to Hogg rumours

Newcastle Falcons' consultant director of rugby, Steve Diamond, has responded to reports that Stuart Hogg is in talks over a sensational return to rugby with the club.

The Test centurion retired from rugby with immediate effect last July prior to the World Cup in France. Since his sudden retirement, the 31-year-old has been blighted with legal problems and negative headlines.

Scotland's record try-scorer is facing a trial in July after pleading not guilty to a domestic charge of acting in an abusive manner towards the mother of his four children. He has also denied a charge of stalking.

In recent weeks, the three-time British and Irish Lions tourist also revealed that he had stayed in rehab in a statement. RugbyPass reported that Hogg had held initial talks with Newcastle, however Diamond has now had his say on the matter.

When asked whether Hogg was to return to rugby with the Falcons, Diamond said there was “no truth whatsoever” in the reports.

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Ireland and Lions great dies

Tributes have flowed for Ireland and British and Irish Lions great Tony O'Reilly, who has died at the age of 88.

O'Reilly, who was also known for being one of Ireland's leading business figures and a media magnate, died in St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin on Saturday.

In a statement, O'Reilly's family said: "In the coming days, there will be many worthy tributes made to Tony O'Reilly's unique and extraordinary achievements in the fields of business and sport.

"As well as to his extraordinary philanthropic vision which was best evidenced by the establishment of the Ireland Funds at a dark time in this island's history. But, for us, he was a dearly-loved dad and a granddad. He lived one of the great lives and we were fortunate to spend time with him in recent weeks as that great life drew to a close."

Born in Dublin in 1936, O'Reilly made his international debut for Ireland in rugby in 1955 and soon became the youngest player to be selected for the Lions. The winger played in two Lions tours and still holds the record for the most tries scored with 37. He also played 29 games for Ireland.

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to O'Reilly, saying: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Tony O'Reilly.

"Mr O'Reilly was a giant of sport, business and media and left permanent legacies in all three. He was a trailblazer who aimed big on the international business scene."

O'Reilly was knighted in the 2001 New Year Honours by the late Queen Elizabeth II "for long and distinguished service to Northern Ireland".

In his business career he pioneered the dairy brand Kerrygold, turning it into one of Ireland's best-known global consumer brands.

He later became the chairman of the food giant Heinz and in 1973 took control of Independent Newspapers, publisher of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and Evening Herald.

He was also known for his philanthropy, setting up The Ireland Funds, which gave money from US donors into reconciliation projects around the Irish border.

Exeter too emotional after captain's family tragedy

By PA Sport Staff

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter felt his players may have been too emotional in the 40-22 defeat at Leicester that snuffed out their Gallagher Premiership play-off hopes.

In truth, results elsewhere meant the outcome at Welford Road was academic, although Exeter did not help themselves with an ill-disciplined and unstructured display.

Leicester, on the other hand, produced an impressive performance that ended what has been a trying season for them on a high, with a red card for Jasper Wiese in his final game for the club the only negative.

Baxter said: "We turned up here very emotionally driven, threw a lot of energy into the early part of the game, but did we really have a cast-iron direction and accuracy? No.

"We threw a lot of emotion into the game and with things like what happened with [the death of] Jack Yeandle's dad this morning, and the players knowing about that, it really meant a lot to them to try and put a big performance on the field.

"I just said to them 'I know you really care about what's happened, I know you've really been emotive about it, I know this is really hurting you, but let's make sure we learn this lesson'.

"One of the best ways for me to describe our performance was at one stage it looked like we had 15 guys on the field all trying to win the game on their own."

Club boss pays tribute to retiring Lions star

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has paid tribute to Sean Maitland after the Scotland wing announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The 2013 Lions tourist has become a fan favourite at the StoneX Stadium, having won three Premiership titles and two European trophies in his time there.

Speaking about his impact ahead of his final play-off run with Sarries, McCall called him an "outstanding competitor".

“We feel very fortunate to have shared the last eight years with Sean. He has been an outstanding competitor on the field and a brilliant team mate off it," he added.

“Sean is loyal, humble, fun and in his own quiet way has played a key role in driving the values we hold dear. He is respected by everyone and will be greatly missed by us all.

“We would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution to the club and wish him, Nava, Lucy, Lilly and Louis all the best for the future.”