Tonight's rugby news as Six Nations plan for radical change and Halfpenny releases classy statement

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, July 10.

Six Nations discuss major change

The Six Nations could be set for radical change from 2026, with bosses discussing plans to scrap Friday night and Sunday matches and make every weekend a 'Super Saturday' event.

The BBC report Six Nations chiefs believe the move would be welcomed by fans and also now appeal to broadcasters. The lowest viewing figures for Six Nations matches are consistently Sunday games. In the 2024 Championship, the seven most-watched games all took place on a Saturday.

Friday night matches were introduced in 2009, with only Wales and France hosting them amid logistical excuses raised by the other nations.

France are scheduled to host Wales in the opening match of the 2025 tournament on Friday, January 31.

Next season will be the final year of the current joint BBC and ITV broadcast deal. The competition could then go behind a pay wall, with the UK government refusing to give it protected status, like the Rugby World Cup.

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Halfpenny's classy statement

Leigh Halfpenny has bid an emotional farewell to New Zealand side Crusaders on social media.

The Wales legend joined the Super Rugby outfit on a one-year contract after retiring from international rugby in 2023. His last games for Wales were in the World Cup, with a final match against Barbarians shortly after.

With his Scarlets contract also up, Halfpenny took up a playing opportunity in New Zealand, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing in Super Rugby.

Although his stint with Crusaders was initially marred by injury, he valiantly fought back and pulled on another famous red jersey in early May. He was even filmed performing a haka in the pre-season.

Now back on Welsh soil with his wife Jess and two girls, Halfpenny has taken the time to reflect on his chapter in New Zealand, taking to Instagram to voice his thoughts.

"The end of an unbelievable chapter for us as a family with Crusaders," he wrote. "Incredibly grateful and privileged to have had the opportunity to represent this special club and to have met and played alongside a top group of lads. I can’t thank the club and the fans enough for making me and my family feel so welcome and for making our time in Christchurch so enjoyable.

"To be part of the Crusader whanau is a huge honour and is something I’ll always be proud of. I look forward to continuing to support the boys and wish the club all the success in the future

"Diolch and Thank You. #290 #crusadeon"

Crusaders themselves and Halfpenny's team-mates took to the comments to thank the Welshman for his contributions.

"Absolute pleasure to lace them up with you," said All Black David Havili.

"One of the greats. All the best with what’s next!" said All Black Sevu Reece.

"Blessed to call you family," wrote Crusaders.

Halfpenny included a selection of pictures from his time in Chirstchurch, which included a snap with Wales internationals Johnny McNicholl and Rhys Patchell. The latter spent a season with Highlanders, whilst McNicholl left the Scarlets with immediate effect a few months ago to join up with Halfpenny at Crusaders for the closing stages of the season.

Jonathan Davies: Time is only solution to Wales woes

Legendary Wales centre Jonathan Davies says time is the only way Wales will get better.

Warren Gatland's team lost 25-16 in the first Test on July 6, and will face the Wallabies again this weekend - Saturday July 13.

Davies, who is a regular co-presenter on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, explained how Wales can become a competitive team again.

"They are trying to simplify the game," explained Davies. "They're picking Grady at 12 to try and get some gain line. There were opportunities on the weekend where the boys would hit the middle, whether that be Wainwright or Grady, and then the boys would try to take the edge out wide with our back three.

"We coughed up the ball a couple of times. We are getting momentum like that, but it's that consistency of retaining the ball, building pressure, imposing your game plan on the opposition, not allowing them to dictate it with coming off the line and slowly the ball down.

"I say time... I don't know. It's really tough at the moment. Like you said, Welsh rugby is in a bit of a pickle. We're ranked 11th, the lowest we have been for a number of years. I do think time is the only way we are going to get better as a team".

Ireland injury update

By Ed Elliot, PA

Ireland have no further injury concerns ahead of Saturday's series finale against South Africa after losing Dan Sheehan and Craig Casey during a bruising opening Test defeat.

Prop Andrew Porter required treatment on a cut hand in the 27-20 loss in Pretoria, while Jamie Osborne (leg), Bundee Aki (shoulder), James Lowe (thigh) and Robbie Henshaw (concussion) also suffered knocks.

All 35 members of Andy Farrell's squad trained on Wednesday, including Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan and uncapped Ulster back Nathan Doak, who flew out to replace stricken pair Sheehan and Casey.

Ireland will attempt to level the two-match series against the world champions on Saturday evening in Durban.

"Everyone trained today," said Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby, quoted by the Irish Times.

"Heff (Heffernan) and Doaky (Doak) came in and took part in the session. Everyone apart from Dan and Craig were available and training."

Ireland improved following an underwhelming first-half display against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld Stadium but were ultimately beaten by a late penalty try during a frantic finish.

Easterby has been impressed with the group's response to a first loss to the Springboks since 2016 and feels there is plenty of reason for optimism going into this weekend's rematch.

"We didn't expect anything different from the lads," he said. "When you put in a performance that doesn't match the levels the lads have put in across the last couple of seasons, then there is clearly disappointment.

"There is no better group to take responsibility for that, to get a second opportunity this weekend.

"We grew massively into the game, and we finished strongly. We will take a lot of confidence from that.

"You can't give a side like South Africa the type of space that we allowed because they have too many quality players to put you under pressure and take advantage of that space."

While head coach Farrell must make at least two changes to his starting XV, which is due to be announced on Thursday, Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has stuck with an unchanged 23.

"That's obviously a vote of confidence after their victory and it's not unusual I guess," Easterby said. "It gives those guys a chance to back up with another performance.

"We expected a similar type of team and they've gone with the same 23, which probably makes it a little easier previewing them because we know a lot of their individuals and we're aware of a lot of strengths in their team."