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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star diagnosed with stage four arthritis and audio reveals what sparked row
Today's rugby news as Wales star diagnosed with stage four arthritis and audio reveals what sparked row The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond Wales international Rhys Webb (Image:) Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, June 7. Wales scrum-half told he needs knee replacement Wales international Rhys Webb has revealed he's been diagnosed with Stage four arthritis and told he needs a knee replacement at the age of just 36. Webb suffered with numerous knee problems throughout is career, including undergoing three ACL reconstructions. His rugby career appears over after he was banned for four years in July, 2024 after testing positive for a growth hormone while playing in France. He now lives and works in Dubai and has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Stage four arthritis is often referred to as severe or advanced stag and is characterized by extensive joint damage and significant limitations in daily activities. This stage involves severe pain, stiffness, and a notable loss of mobility. Posting pictures of him in hospital in Dubai, Webb wrote on social media: "After 3 ACL reconstructions, no meniscus, no cartilage, and battling osteoarthritis for the last 10 years my knee has finally waved the white flag. Over the last few months, it's really gone downhill. Some days I can barely walk properly. "Got it scanned… outcome: Stage 4 arthritis. The knee's had it. A full replacement is needed—but at 36, I'm not ready for that just yet. "So I've gone for one last clean-out. The joint's basically like my dad's old toolbox bolts, screws and all sorts floating around causing pain. Hopefully this gives me another 10 years. That's the target. Then I'll deal with the replacement. "But as you know this won't slow me down. I'm going to smash these next few weeks and get my knee back to the best it can be. This is going to be good "Massive thanks for all your messages it really does mean a lot. I'm all good. Just want to stay fit and healthy so I can keep chasing after my kids." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below A statement through is lawyer at the time of the ban last year said: "The sanction imposed on Rhys Webb is not final, and we have immediately instructed a lawyer at the Conseil d'Etat to lodge an appeal to overturn the AFLD's decision. "In the meantime, Rhys wishes to reaffirm his innocence, pointing out that he has never undergone any other disciplinary procedure, of any kind, during his long career as a professional athlete and has never used any doping product, growth hormone in particular." The statement went on to identify what Webb and his legal team believe are "incompetencies" in the AFDL's testing process. Ref mic audio reveals unheard comment that led to row Irish pundit and former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman has revealed new information about the enraged reaction of Munster's Jack Crowley in last weekend's controversial penalty shootout loss to the Sharks. The young fly-half exploded with rage when Sharks and Springboks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse went down with apparent cramp as Crowley prepared to take a crucial shot at goal during the shootout. Hendrikse winked at Crowley amid the furore as the Irish man complained to the referee and swore at a Sharks member of staff helping to treat the South African player. Now, Jackman has revealed ref mic audio sheds light on a comment made to Crowley ahead of the shootout that appears to have sparked the tense situation. Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, Jackman revealed he has now been sent audio of the remarks directed at Crowley before his kick. 'I've actually been sent the ref mic audio from earlier on for the first kick and someone says to Jack that he's a 40% kicker,' said Jackman. 'That's obviously why Jack was so fired up. But to be fair, it didn't impact the result — Jack nailed both his kicks, Conor [Murray] got his, and unfortunately Rory [Scannell] didn't.' Jackman wasn't overly impressed with referee Mike Adamson's handling of the whole situation. 'To be honest, the officials are struggling to control things they see every week, so in a shootout that happens once every few years, it was never going to be properly marshalled," he said. 'Scannell was kicking right beside the Sharks' bench — unless they're incredibly disciplined, there's always going to be something said.' Whiffin finds positives in England collapse Wales U20s coach Richard Whiffin said he learned a lot about his young side after their late collapse against England in their first World Championship warm-up match. Just five of the side that beat England in the Six Nations started at Pontypool Park, but Wales still found themselves leading 14-7 at the break. However, five tries in the final 13 minutes saw England win 47-14. "We were decent for the first 50," said Whiffin afterwards. "I thought we managed the game well. "Our kicking game was strong. We won some aerial battles and our set-piece was good. It gave us the opportunity to be right in the hunt. "Then that last 25 minutes, we lacked a bit of energy. The boys looked tired and we coughed up some soft tries, some intercepts, that blew the scoreboard out. "Disappointed with our energy in that back 20 minutes but pleased with what we put on the field in the first 50 minutes. "We controlled the game and probably left a few tries out there. But I was pleased with our half-backs. They put us in the right areas of the field. "Our set-piece dominated really well. It gave us those opportunities to get scores. There's always the other side of the half and we didn't bring the energy we needed in that second-half. "We've seen the first-half group execute the plan really and we've seen guys put their hand up in that space. We've also seen guys struggle at the level. It gives you a good picture of where guys are at and helps with selection." Finn Russell only dealing with cramp as Bath reached final – Johan van Graan By PA Sport Staff Bath head of rugby Johan van Graan reassured Bath supporters that it was 'only cramp' that forced him to replace Finn Russell before the end of their 34-20 Gallagher Premiership play-off victory against Bristol. The British & Lions fly-half kicked four conversions and two penalties in Bath's comeback win that sent them into next weekend's final at Allianz Stadium Twickenham. 'Multiple parts of his body are cramping,' he said. 'He put in some effort, I thought. His goalkicking was phenomenal, the chases that he put in too. He was still cramping in the changing room but there's no reason to suppose he won't be fine. 'It was amazing how many guys on both sides went down with cramp. It just showed the effort that both teams put in. We worked incredibly hard to get into this position, to get back to Twickenham.' He added: 'That's a Premiership semi-final for you. We knew this was going to be a tough game and we picked a 23 that we believe will get the job done. 'I thought at 34-13, we got some momentum but Bristol is a good team. They kept on attacking and it's never dead on 34-20. 'It was some game of rugby. We knew that we were going to be stretched but we actually defended pretty well. 'At half-time we spoke about our game and composure. It shows that we are a team that is fluid and adaptable. We made one or two tactical changes and then our fitness came through, our hunger, our will to win. 'At 13-6 we had a penalty. Many teams would have kicked for the posts but we went straight for the kill and made it 13-0. 'How good was the crowd! They gave us so much energy so we dominated them in the second half. 'I'm incredibly proud of this win and that we did this not only for ourselves but for the city. The people of Bath were amazing tonight.' Bristol were 13-6 in front at the break and it could have been more. The try of the match was scored by their lock James Dun after Fiji wing Kalaveti Ravouvou set off from his own line, leaving four Bath defenders in his wake. Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: 'Firstly well done to Bath. They've had a phenomenal season and they thoroughly deserve to be there in the final, if you take what they've done throughout the year. 'We got on the wrong foot with the referee at the very beginning when (Ellis Genge) Gengey got pushed and said a few things. We got turned over and the boys were phenomenal in holding them out.' Lam conceded that the third quarter was decisive: 'At 13-6 we missed the kick-off receipt and off the back of that they got down there and scored. 'We missed some high balls and the penalty count was 5-1, 10 minutes after half-time so we were down there again and they scored. The second yellow card on Kieran Marmion was not ideal in terms of our attack shape.' But he added: 'Man, I'm so proud of the boys coming back at the end there. Article continues below 'It was a great game and, as I said, Bath thoroughly deserved their place in the final. Theirs is a really complete game and we wanted to disrupt that. 'Don't get me wrong – we are disappointed but we gave it a really good go and we missed out to a quality team.'
Local France
7 days ago
- General
- Local France
Marine Le Pen loses latest round of legal battle against ban from politics
On Wednesday the administrative court in Lille ruled against her appeal contesting her automatic resignation as a local councillor in the Pas-de-Calais département, following her conviction in March for embezzlement of millions of euro of public funds. The Lille ruling is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Rassemblement National leader, who was banned from holding political office in France for five years after her conviction. Crucially, judges in her trial ordered that the ban begin immediately, rather than waiting until she has exhausted the appeals process. Most attention has focused on her eligibility to run for president in 2027, but the ban also affects other offices that she holds. At present she retains her position as MP for Pas-de-Calais, but was dismissed in April from her role as a local councillor in the northern département of Pas-de-Calais. Advertisement The Lille tribunal ruled that the electoral code requires "the Préfet to automatically declare the resignation of a departmental elected official declared ineligible by the criminal court, by a provisionally enforceable judgement". Le Pen is appealing against her conviction for embezzlement of public funds in the 'fake jobs' case , but she is also challenging the legality of applying the ban before she has exhausted the appeals process. Her lawyers have posed a question prioritaire de constitutionnalité (QPC) to the Conseil Constitutionnel - France's highest authority on electoral matters - to consider the legality of banning a candidate who has been convicted by the courts, but who has not yet exhausted the appeals process. Because appeals can take years, the answer to this question essentially determines whether Le Pen can stand in the 2027 presidential elections. READ ALSO Who's who in the 2027 French election The Lille court's ruling may be appealed to the Conseil d'Etat within one month, which would suspend the compulsory resignation.
Local France
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Why do French ministers love to send 'circulaires'?
In France, you might see headlines about government circulaires from time to time, particularly if a new minister wants to signal their priorities to the public. A circulaire is an administrative document that is meant to inform members of the French bureaucracy of a policy, in English we might describe it as a memo. Many of them cover mundane topics, like the head of the education ministry sending out a circulaire to workers explaining how school trips should work moving forward. Alternatively, a circulaire can be an opportunity for a French minister to signal their priorities to the public. Advertisement For example, in early April, the French interior minister said J'enverrai très prochainement aux préfets une circulaire pour durcir les conditions de la naturalisation (I will soon send local authorities a 'circulaire' to tighten the conditions of naturalisation). However, in terms of the actual power of a circulaire, it is really meant to clarify the existing law to public servants tasked with enforcing it, rather than bringing in any major changes. READ MORE: French interior minister to 'toughen up conditions for citizenship' So what is a circulaire and what power does it have legally? A circulaire is not the same as a loi (passed by parliament), décret (a regulatory act issued by the president or prime minister), or arrêté (issued by another administrative authority aside from the president or prime minister, like a local town hall). According to the LegiFrance fact sheet , "a circulaire does not have more or less value than a 'note de service' (administrative note sent out to employees)" and it has "no legal impact in itself". In order to be legal, a circulaire must follow existing law. The idea of this document is to help with the organisation of a public administration or body by listing measures to be implemented within the bureaucracy. A circulaire can be sent by any government minister or the head of a public administration body without having to gain the approval of parliament. This explains why ministers like them - they allow them to garner headlines by appearing to 'get tough' on something, without having to go through the time-consuming process of submitting it for debate in parliament and getting it passed in both houses - as they would need to do to actually change the law. What happens if a circulaire is controversial? There have been a number of controversial circulaires in the past. In 2010, under former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the French interior ministry sent out a circulaire to local authorities across the country instructing them to 'evacuate 300 illegal camps or settlements, with priority to those inhabited by Travellers or Roma'. Advertisement This led to international outcry, as well as immigrants' rights groups appealing to the Conseil d'Etat to annul the circulaire for targeting one specific community. For a long time - until 2002 - French law approached the two types of official, government circulaires differently. A circulaire interprative, sent out to explain to members of the bureaucracy how to implement a law or decree that has been passed, would not be seen as creating any new rules and thus could not be challenged in court. In contrast, if the material included in a circulaire did introduce new rules or requirements, then it could be challenged in court. This would be called a circulaire réglementaire. However, in more recent years, French courts have been shifting in their understanding of the power of circulaires and whether or not people can appeal against them. Nowadays, the courts have widened their qualifications for when courts can strike down circulaires . For example, circulaires interpratives can also be appealed against if they contain any 'mandatory' provisions and if they have 'significant effects on the rights or situations of French citizens', according to Vie Publique . Can I consult government circulaires ? French law requires that all government circulaires be published. A ministerial circulaire should be uploaded to the Légifrance website . In fact, if the circulaire is not published there it cannot be seen as applicable or enforceable, and if it is not published within four months of being signed, then it is considered automatically repealed. According to Vie Publique, more than 1,000 circulaires were published yearly between 2012 and 2018, but the number has been decreasing since 2019. In 2023, there were only 65 circulaires published.
Local France
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Local France
High court challenge against France's 'dysfunctional' residency permit website
Sooner or later most non-EU citizens living in France will have to interact with the Anef website - the online portal to which France is gradually moving the administration to get or renew a carte de séjour residency card. But since its inception in 2020, the site has been dogged with technical problems. Last year the rights body Défenseur des droits revealed that it was dealing with a 400 percent increase in complaints relating to residency permits since the website was launched. Now a group of 10 charities, organisations and human rights groups have launched a joint complaint with the Conseil d'Etat. Advertisement Announcing their legal action, the group say that repeated problems with the Anef site "hinder foreigners' access to the job market, exacerbate their precarious situation and heavily penalise the associations and companies that support or employ them." READ ALSO 9 tips for dealing with the Anef website They added that the result was "life paths shattered, people prevented from working, companies deprived of employees, associations exhausted by dysfunctional procedures and préfectoral services struggling to unblock situations". They also note that while there have long been problems in securing a carte de séjour , in recent years there has been a sharp rise in problems with renewing the card. France's Conseil d'Etat has a dual role - scrutinising new laws and acting as an arbitrator in disputes between the government and the people. Individuals can bring their own private cases, but it's more common for groups or representatives to bring a case about an issue that affects a large number of people. Explained: How France's Conseil d'Etat works In this case the groups bringing the case say they are acting after repeated appeals directly to the Interior Ministry - responsible for immigration processes - have been ignored. In December 2024 Défenseur des droits - issued a 40-page report , detailing the many problems that foreigners in France face when using the ANEF website. Some of the most common problems included information not being passed on to the préfecture dealing with the application, applications not being 'closed' properly, preventing people from being able to renew their card and not being given the correct type of récépissé while they were waiting for their application to be dealt with. In a separate issue, many foreigners in France have reported problems with getting an appointment at their local préfecture to collect the card once the application has been dealt with. The legal case before the Conseil d'Etat accuses the state of "fault through failure to act" on the complaints received. Have you had problems using the Anef wbsite? Share your experiences in the comments section below
Ya Biladi
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Macron invites King Mohammed VI to French agriculture fair
French President Emmanuel Macron has extended an invitation to King Mohammed VI to attend the prestigious Salon de l'Agriculture in Paris, set for February 22 to March 2, 2025. Morocco has been designated as the guest of honor for this edition, mirroring France's role as the guest of honor at the upcoming Salon International de l'Agriculture de Meknès (SIAM), scheduled from April 21 to 27. According to Le Monde, the Moroccan monarch has yet to respond to this official invitation. Should King Mohammed VI accept, this would mark his first visit to France since 2018, symbolizing a significant step towards strengthening ties between the two nations. This invitation follows France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, announced during the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day. The recognition was part of a series of diplomatic gestures, including President Macron's state visit to Rabat from October 28 to 30, 2024. During Macron's visit, the two countries signed 22 agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors, notably agriculture. Additionally, King Mohammed VI and President Macron endorsed a «Partnership of Exceptional Strength», designed to tackle shared challenges effectively. The upcoming Salon de l'Agriculture in Paris is expected to host a substantial Moroccan delegation. Le Monde reports that agricultural trade between the two nations has been flourishing, buoyed by increased French cereal exports and rising Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports. Organizers of SIAM 2025 have previously emphasized that selecting France as the guest of honor underscores «the excellent relations between the two countries». Macron's invitation also coincides with tensions in the agricultural sector, as French farming organizations have initiated legal proceedings against what they term as «unfair competition» from Morocco. Earlier this year, the Conseil d'Etat dismissed the Confédération Paysanne's attempt to ban imports of cherry tomatoes and melons from the Charente region, labeled as originating from the Sahara. The Court of Cassation ruled that «the prohibition measure requested by the association falls within the remit of the European authorities, and that the ministers responsible for the economy and agriculture could not legally prohibit» these imports into France.
