3 hours Ago By [email protected] (John Jones)
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, November 25. Botham: Gatland's right for the job By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent James Botham has given short shrift to those who question whether Warren Gatland should remain as Wales head coach. Wales' 45-12 defeat against Autumn Nations Series opponents South Africa was their 12th Test match loss in succession.
They have gone a whole calendar year without winning a Test, which has not happened to Wales since 1937, and are just over two months away from a Six Nations opener against France in Paris. Get the latest breaking news sent directly to your phone with our free WhatsApp service here. A review into the autumn campaign - it also featured defeats against Fiji and Australia - will begin shortly and be led by Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney.
Gatland has overseen just six victories in 24 Tests since returning for a second stint as Wales boss, which starkly contrasts with a trophy-laden first spell from 2008 to 2019. "Look what he has done in the past," Wales flanker Botham said. "There is a reason he came back into the job.
There is no point in looking to point fingers or blame or say is he the right man? He is here, so of course he is right for the job." Botham made a staggering 28 tackles against the Springboks, being at the forefront of a resilient defensive display that ultimately prevented South Africa from cutting loose. Leading 19-0 inside the opening quarter, and then 26-5 at half-time, it looked as though the Springboks might humiliate Wales.
But a second-half performance highlighted by admirable character and commitment underpinned Wales' best performance of the autumn campaign. Botham added: "It was very physical. But what was pleasing was the way we fought back at the end to get back into their 22 and get the final points.
"There were a lot of positives from it. Overall, I thought the boys showed a lot of heart, and it was good to see. At times, things get hard, but it shows the boys care.
There has been a lot of negativity around recently, but you have got to put that in the back pocket. "I wouldn’t say it’s about proving a point. All teams transition.
Some take longer than others. It is a journey, and we’ve definitely got a few more stops before we get to the final destination. The more we stay together, the better I think we will be.
"The Six Nations is a new competition where we can set new goals. Boys can go away and work on things they need to work on, including myself. "The more you play together, the more you trust one another.
Once we get the cohesion over a period of time, we will be better. It is a matter of turning the corner. When we will do that, no-one knows, but it is definitely going in the right direction.
" RFU statement after Jones abused Eddie Jones claimed he was abused by a fan at half-time of Japan’s 59-14 defeat by England at Allianz Stadium before laughing off allegations made by Danny Care over his management style. Jones’ first appearance at Twickenham against the side he coached from 2015 to 2022 ended in a nine-try rout and the Australian’s afternoon was soured further by a verbal altercation with a supporter. When asked how he felt being back at the home of English rugby, he said: “It wasn’t bad until some clown abused me going down the stairs at half-time.
“He said something, but I’m not going to repeat it here because I’ll get into trouble. Do you want me to get into trouble again? If there’s only one clown in 81,634 that’s not bad.” The Rugby Football Union reacted to the abuse of Jones by stating: “No coaches, players or match officials should be abused for doing their job.
” Jones has come under intense scrutiny for his coaching methods as England boss after Care said in his autobiography ‘Everything Happens for a Reason’ that “everyone was bloody terrified of him”. Care added that Jones oversaw a “toxic” environment and acted like a “tyrant” and “despot”. Responding to the allegations for the first time, Jones said: “I’ll tell you mate, I’ve got a new book deal.
I just signed it today. It’s going to be called ‘Caring about Care’ and you’ll get all the details in there. “I’ve got pre-order forms up here, you can come up and get a pre-order form.
Get them hot. “I’m trying to do a deal with the Daily Mail, but we haven’t come to an agreement yet. If you want to read about it, there you go.
It’ll be a good one. “I’m very serious. I’m very serious, mate.
If you want to read about it, read it in my book. That’s how you get a headline, so I’ll put a whole chapter in there ‘Caring about Care’, just for you.” Knowledge is one thing, but trying to pass that on is another in terms of how you deliver it in meetings and coming up with drills.
” World's best player named South Africa flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit won the world Rugby men’s player of the year title for a second time. He became only the fourth player to land the award more than once, following New Zealand trio Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Beauden Barrett. Ireland captain Caelan Doris was among the nominations, as were Du Toit’s Springboks team-mates Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth.
England and Harlequins full-back Ellie Kildunne was named women’s player of the year. The 25-year-old was top try-scorer during last season’s Six Nations, when England won the Grand Slam, claiming nine tries and winning player of the championship. And her thrilling attacking style has made her a genuine box-office talent in the women’s game.
She becomes the latest England player to win the award, following the likes of Marlie Packer (2023), Zoe Aldcroft (2021), Emily Scarratt (2019) and Sarah Hunter (2016). “I would like to congratulate Ellie on an exceptional year and a well-deserved accolade,” Red Roses head coach John Mitchell told www.englandrugby.
com. “It is truly inspiring to see one of our players from such an outstanding team receive this prestigious recognition. “I know Ellie would be the first to credit the incredible support and dedication of her team-mates, who have been instrumental in her success this year.
” Ireland forward Erin King, meanwhile, won the women’s breakthrough player award just two months after making her 15-a-side Test debut. King, 21, was also a member of the Ireland sevens squad that took part in the Paris Olympics. Kildunne, Du Toit and King were honoured at World Rugby’s annual awards ceremony, held this year in Monaco.
Farrell expects special send-off By Ed Elliot, PA, Dublin Head coach Andy Farrell believes Ireland must produce their best performance of the autumn against Australia in order for him to go into his British and Irish Lions sabbatical on a high. The Englishman is due to temporarily depart his regular role following next weekend's November finale in Dublin as he prepares to lead the 2025 Lions tour against the Wallabies. Ireland dispatched Fiji 52-17 on Saturday after beginning this month with a sobering 23-13 defeat by New Zealand and a stuttering 22-19 success over Argentina.
Australia's upcoming visit, which will bring former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt back to the Aviva Stadium, has been arranged as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Ireland's inaugural international match. "As you would expect me to say, the best is yet to come - it has to be," said Farrell. "We're playing against a buoyant Australian side that play some really nice rugby.
But the week's going to be a special one for us. "It's going to be a marked game for the 150th anniversary. We talk a lot about the shirt and what it means for us.
It's going to be a big week coming up." Having left his coaching position with England in 2015, Farrell relaunched his career as assistant to Schmidt before succeeding him as Ireland boss following the 2019 Rugby World Cup . New Zealander Schmidt has already led Australia to victories over England and Wales this month after replacing Eddie Jones in January.
"He's been very quiet actually," replied Farrell when asked if he has been in contact with his former boss. "He's been busy though. I'm sure when he lands over here we'll touch base.
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