Tonight's rugby news as Williams offers Gatland hope and Welsh star released by English club

Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday 7 May.

Australia door open for Williams as Young ruled out for rest of season

Cardiff have confirmed the extent of Thomas Young's injury, while opening the door for Tomos Williams to still tour with Wales this summer.

Openside flanker Young went off in Cardiff's last match against Edinburgh, with head coach Matt Sherratt confirming he would miss the club's remaining three matches.

Gloucester-bound scrum-half Williams and No. 8 Taulupe Faletau will also play no further part in the remainder of the season - although the former could still tour Australia in July.

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When the scrum-half was ruled out with ankle ligament damage, it was doubtful if Williams would travel with Wales at the end of a lengthy World Cup season. However, with Wales in need of someone to nail down the jersey and Williams expected to be back fit in June, it now seems more likely than not that Gatland will take him.

"They're all not going to play again this season," said Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt. "Tomos was ankle ligaments so I think he should be fit just after the season finishes.

"No real timeline on Toby but hopefully he'll be fit for part of pre-season ahead of next season. Thomas Young ruptured his bicep so he'll miss the rest of the season as well but he'll be back for pre-season."

Welsh back-rower released by English club

Welsh back-rower Dan Thomas is one of 17 players leaving Bristol at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old has made 144 appearances for the Bears and is one of the standout names to be released. His departure follows the already confirmed exits of Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy, who is joining Cardiff, as well as the likes of Piers O'Conor, Kyle Sinckler and Magnus Bradbury.

Thomas, who had been linked to Cardiff earlier in the season and has previously spent some time on loan with the Scarlets, will bid farewell to Ashton Gate after Bristol's final home game of the season against Saracens this weekend.

Speaking about the numerous departures, Director of rugby Pat Lam said: “This time of the year is always difficult as we say farewell to some great people who have contributed significantly to the club, on and off the field, throughout their time with the Bears.

“We thank them for their hard work and commitment to our vision, and they can all be very proud of their efforts and achievements here. Once a Bear, always a Bear."

Referees announced for summer Tests

Wales have learned who will referee their summer Test matches.

Irish official Chris Busby will take charge of the Twickenham clash against South Africa, with Englishmen Christophe Ridley and Adam Leal his assistants and fellow Irishman Mark Patton the TMO.

Then, in their first Test in Australia in Sydney, Frenchman Pierre Brousset will be in possession of the whistle. New Zealand duo Ben O'Keeffe and James Doleman will be the assistants, with South Africa's Marius Jonker the TMO.

For their second Test in Melbourne, Georgia's Nika Amashukeli will referee, with Brousset and England's Matthew Carley serving as assistants. New Zealand's Glenn Newman will be the TMO.

In terms of Welsh officials, Craig Evans will referee the clash between Georgia and Fiji in Batumi, while he's also act as an assistant for the Fiji v Barbarians, South Africa v Ireland and South Africa v Portugal matches. Ben Whitehouse will serve as a TMO for South Africa's clash with Ireland.

Elsewhere, French official Mathieu Raynal will referee his 50th and final test, having already announced his retirement. Raynal will be in the middle for Chile v Scotland in Santiago on 20 July to become the fourth Frenchman and 13th official in total to referee 50 tests.

And the South Africa v Portugal match will also see Hollie Davidson become the first woman to referee a Springboks match.

Wallabies centre turns down English deal

Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami has reportedly turned down a deal in England to stay at the Queensland Reds.

Last week, there had been reports that the 26-year-old was set to join Exeter Chiefs on a long-term deal in a move that would have proven a massive blow for Australian rugby.

The suggestion was that Rugby Australia were initially only willing to offer Paisami a one-year deal, but that has since been amended to two years, according to The Roar.

Having struggled for form last year, Paisami has enjoyed some of the best rugby of his career this year and seems likely to face Wales in some shape or form this summer, either with the Wallabies or the Reds.