Today's rugby news as Lions make shock new call-up and All Blacks legend dies
Today's rugby news as Lions make shock new call-up and All Blacks legend dies
The latest rugby news stories from around the world today
Sale Sharks' Asher Opoku-Fordjour
(Image: 2025 CameraSport )
These are your rugby headlines on the morning of Monday, June 9.
Lions make shock call-up
Sale's tight-head prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been called up to train with the Lions squad, it has been reported.
The 20-year-old has only played once for England and is a shock addition to Andy Farrell's party, according to the BBC, as they head to Portugal for a training camp ahead of facing Argentina in Dublin prior to the tour of Australia. It follows news that former England captain Jamie George has also been drafted in to plug holes in the squad.
The Lions are without 16 players currently who are all playing in end-of-season finals next weekend and are set to be left out of that warm-up match against the Pumas in 11 days' time. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Tighthead prop is one of the big issues, with Leinster's Tadhg Furlong and Bath's Will Stuart unavailable, while Scotland and Glasgow's Zander Fagerson is recovering from a calf strain and hasn't played any rugby since April.
Opoku-Fordjour has been one of the breakthrough players of the season and was nominated for the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Season award.
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All Blacks legend dies
All Blacks legend Stu Wilson has died in his sleep at the age of 70.
Wilson played wing for New Zealand from 1976 to 1983, scoring 19 Test tries for his country and played a crucial role in two series victories over the British & Irish Lions in 1977 and 1983.
He was also a Wellington legend where he scored 54 tries in 89 matches before becoming a well-respected broadcaster after retiring.
Wilson was also a key member of New Zealand's 1978 grand slam tour where they beat England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The victory over Wales in Cardiff is still mired in controversy because with just seconds remaning the hosts led 12-10 before Andy Haden infamously jumped out of the lineout.
This led to English referee Roger Quittenton to award a penalty for the All Blacks which allowed Brian McKechnie to kick the winning points which broke Welsh hearts.
At one stage Wilson held the record for most tries scored in a Test match for the All Blacks before he was overtaken by the legendary Sir John Kirwan in 1988. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
'When I started playing, Stu was the benchmark in world wing play," Australian legend David Campese told Planet Rugby.
"He was the man we all wanted to be – cocky, clever, blisteringly quick and brilliantly intelligent. As a player, Stu made rugby look easy and earned huge respect as captain in 1983.
"He had a swerve to beat anyone, extreme pace, intellect and power, able to break through tacklers, making him a try-scoring machine.
'I made my debut against him in 1982 in the Bledisloe in Christchurch and grabbed my first Test try against him.
"We became very great pals, playing together in invitation games. I still have his jersey from that first Test match and it's one of my most cherished possessions as he represented the standard I wanted to attain."
Rugby chief quits overnight
By PA Sport Staff
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson has resigned and will officially leave his post at the end of 2025, the organisation has announced.
NZR chairman David Kirk thanked Robinson for his 'great service' to the organisation and the sport over six years.
'On behalf of the Board, I'd like to recognise Mark for his great service to NZR and the sport,' he said in a statement.
'He has led with a passion for rugby and we thank him for his commitment over the past six years.
'Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the Board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this. Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis.'
He added: 'Mark will continue to lead for the remainder of the year as we conclude key projects, and the Board will now commence recruitment for the new role.'
In a statement, Robinson said he was leaving the role to join his wife and children, who have relocated to Australia.
'My family have been based in Australia for the last few months with all three of my children studying there,' he said.
'My wife is already there supporting them and, ultimately, I will be joining them early next year.
'The past six years have been a period of rapid change, or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic, and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures. I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away, but I firmly believe the foundations of our organisation are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future.
'Our vision is to inspire and unify through rugby and that opportunity has been an easy motivator for me every single day, from the community game right through to the international level.'
The 51-year-old called his tenure a 'privilege' and said his focus was on 'supporting the Board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England'.
He added: 'We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar.'
Robinson took up the role in January 2020, having previously served on the organisation's board for seven years.
His playing career included nine Tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2002 and appearances for the Bristol Bears and Japanese side Kobelco Steelers.
Anscombe signs off
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe has signed off on his time at Gloucester ahead of his new adventure to France.
Anscombe spent one season playing in front of The Shed at Kingsholm and heads off to join French side Bayonne for the 2025/26 campaign.
His combination with fellow Welshman Tomos Williams in the nine-10 axis was a roaring success but the 33-year-old has decided to move on to pastures new.
"Loved my time down at @officialgloucesterrugby for the year, the support we got every time at holm was something special," he wrote on Instagram." "Many thanks to everyone I met along the way, most of all the lads, made some great mates along the way and I'm going to enjoy watching the youngsters tear it up over the next few years. "Bit of down time now and then it's on to France."
Bayonne said in a statement last month: "Having played for the Auckland Blues, the Chiefs, and Gloucester, Gareth will bring his experience to our talented line-up.
"Gareth Anscombe has also played in two Rugby World Cups for Wales! He will join the club for one season."
O'Gara points finger at himself
Ronan O'Gara admitted "the main culprit is me" after La Rochelle failed to reach the end-of-season play-offs.
This is the first season in his tenure they haven't made the business end knockouts and the Irishman was clear where the blame should lie.
An 18-32 defeat to Pau on Saturday meant they slipped out of the top six, finishing the campaign in seventh.
O'Gara admitted: 'The coach was especially missing. We talk about discipline all week, but when the coach is suspended, he can't have any impact. The main culprit is me. I'm frustrated, angry, disappointed. And I'm sad for the fans after all the bad games they have had. I'm sad for Brice (Dulin), I'm very sad for Tawera (Kerr-Barlow). He deserves much more than this.'
He added: 'I didn't expect that. I ask myself: how can you play like that in a match of this importance? It was more like the team of February or March than the one of the last few weeks.
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'There was a lot of hesitation at every level when it came to running, kicking, passing… We had won five matches in a row to secure a place (in the top six) and it was as if we thought we were going to arrive and get the job done. But sport, fortunately or unfortunately, isn't like that… Congratulations to Pau.'
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