Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, December 12.
Phillips fundraiser hits £50k
The fundraiser for Ospreys and Wales Under-20 international Ifan Phillips has hit the £50,000 mark.
Earlier this week it was revealed the 25-year-old had suffered life-changing injuries in a road traffic collision in Swansea.
Yesterday he was pictured smiling from his hospital bed as he recovered from surgery.
“We’ve hit half way goal @50k within 3 days. Thank you all for your support. Let’s keep it going, amazing work!” an update read on Phillips’ Just Giving page.
More than 1,500 people have pledged money to support Phillips and his family, with the total on Sunday morning standing at just under £51,000.
A statement from the Ospreys issued earlier this week said: “Ospreys can confirm hooker Ifan Phillips was involved in a serious road traffic accident in Swansea on Sunday afternoon and is now being treated at Morriston Hospital.
“Ifan is in a stable condition and he is uppermost in the thoughts of all of us at the Ospreys
“On behalf of his team-mates, coaches, staff, all Ospreys supporters and the rugby community, we want to extend all our love and support to Ifan, his family and his friends.
“Ifan’s family are overwhelmed and very grateful for the support they have received in the last few days.”
The JustGiving page for Ifan can be found here.
Cardiff send letter to British government
Cardiff have sent a letter to the British government asking them to rescue their players from “appalling” treatment amid their Covid problems.
A legal letter has been sent to Westminster over fears six returning from a 10-day quarantine in South Africa now face another 10-day stint in London, meaning a return home just two days before Christmas
“It beggars belief what some of the boys are having to go through,” chief executive Richard Holland told the Rugby Paper.
“They could be kept in quarantine until December 23. Given that they have already been quarantined in South Africa, that’s appalling.”
“We are concerned about a few fragile cases,” he continued.
“We are getting text messages from individuals saying they are struggling to cope. That’s understandable because they are not being treated fairly.
“They are professional sportsmen going about their business and look what’s happening to them. It’s not fair on any of them.
“They are no risk to public health. It’s madness.
“We cannot understand why they are being treated they way they are. We have sent a legal letter to the Government Department of DCMS (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) in the hope that something will be done urgently.”
Cardiff boss delighted with players
Gruff Rees talked up a “remarkable effort” from his hastily-assembled Cardiff team following a 39-7 defeat against Heineken Champions Cup holders Toulouse.
The Arms Park clash took place against a backdrop of more than 30 Cardiff players and a number of staff, including boss David Young, isolating until next week.
Cardiff academy manager Rees headed the coaching operation in Young’s absence, and he said: “Looking at the effort that went on, we were in that game for certain moments.
“At 20-7, there could have been a score either way, but then you are undone by three or four class moments from the world player of the year (Antoine Dupont).
“There are so many individual stories behind every player on that pitch today.
“It was a remarkable effort, and I am chuffed we put some good rugby on show against a team that we flustered a little bit and made it scary for them, and we can be proud of that.”
Toulouse, were made to work every inch of the way for what was ultimately a bonus-point victory, although they did not secure a five-point maximum until 12 minutes from time.
Borthwick delighted with Tigers stars
Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick talked up the courage of his players as they overcame periods of intense pressure to claim a 16-13 Heineken Champions Cup victory away to Bordeaux.
The Tigers have now won 13 competitive games in succession and this was a significant opening win to their cup campaign but they had to dig deep to overcome the Top 14 leaders, with a late George Ford penalty sealing the triumph.
“I’m proud of these players,” said Borthwick. “When Bordeaux kicked the ball into the corner at the end, I thought, ‘regardless of what the outcome is, I’m proud of the players’. They came here to Bordeaux and had a real go.
“They had the courage to play a little bit different and the courage to have a go.
“Bordeaux are a brilliant team, with threats all around the park. We wanted to challenge them in a different way so that they’d have to think a little bit differently.
“There’s a lot of potential to be a good team. They’ve got an attitude in wanting to get better and, from my point of view, it’s a pleasure to coach them.”
George Ford kicked 11 points for Leicester with Guy Porter scoring their only try, while Jean-Baptiste Dubie touched down for Bordeaux as Maxime Lucu added eight points.
Leinster smash Bath
Seven-try Leinster proved too strong for league strugglers Bath with a 45-20 Champions Cup victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster led 31-13 at the end of a free-flowing first half which saw them bag a bonus point within 24 minutes and were never going to let their grip go.
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