Today’s rugby news as Welsh team sanctioned and ex-Wales international comes out of retirement
Dragons head of performance Dan Baugh has been handed an official one-game ban by the United Rugby Championship after grabbing referee Ben Whitehouse during last weekend’s Welsh derby against the Ospreys. The Dragons have also been sanctioned.
Baugh was fined £2,500 and banned for four games, three of which will be suspended for the duration of current season.
Referee Whitehouse withdrew Baugh from his water-carrying responsibilities during the Ospreys’ victory after the player yelled at him and made an attempt to take his arm.The incident can be viewed here.
Additionally, for failing to “exercise reasonable and proper control over their players and staff,” the Dragons have been fined £5,000 with a suspension.
“The United Rugby Championship has made it clear to its clubs and their match-day operations that
day personnel and squads that unsporting or disrespectful behaviour towards match officials will not be tolerated,” read the statement.
“The league feels that this is an uncommon and isolated incident that is out of character with the club’s positive reputation, and it thanks Dragons RFC for their compliance and understanding during this process.”
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan, who stated: “I just know it’s been dealt with in house, I know Dan has phoned and apologised, obviously the Union as well because we represent the WRU and there’s been some conversations there too,” had already disciplinary action taken against Baugh.
“My players and staff represent me, and Dan is aware that you are not allowed to touch an official.”
Davies out of retirement
Bradley Davies, a former Wales international, is returning to the Welsh Premiership to play with the Bridgend Ravens.
After hanging up his boots after a distinguished career, Davies joined Bridgend as assistant coach for the 2023–2024 season. In the age-grade setup, he coaches the Ospreys as well.
He will, however, be back on the field this coming Saturday as the Ravens attempt to win three straight games at home against high-flying Pontypool at Brewery Field. On September 9, Davies made his Bridgend debut against Aberavon.
After announcing his decision to quit playing at the end of last season, Davies said: “I am really excited and privileged to be able to join the coaching staff at Bridgend Ravens. Bridgend has a massive place in Welsh history and some great players have played here over the generations.
“I’ve played professional rugby for the best part of 20 years and my next step and real passion is coaching. I have a real passion for set piece, especially the line-out. I am a very ambitious, and forward thinking person. I feel that Bridgend Ravens is the place I can come an add real value while also learning the trade alongside the outstanding and young group of coaches we have, but my most important job and goal is making us an excellent set piece team with a pack of forwards that are feared and respected thought out the league and ultimately helping us get to top end of the Welsh Premiership and bringing exciting winning rugby back to Bridgend.”
Cardiff coach ‘under the desk’ during dramatic win
By the time Cardiff defeated the Stormers in dramatic fashion, coach Matt Sherratt was jokingly ‘under the desk’.
With numerous swings and turns in the closing minutes, Arms Park overcame a 14-0 deficit to steal a thrilling 31-24 victory over the South African team.
Ben Thomas missed a penalty kick that would have given Cardiff the lead. But after Rhys Litterick’s late attempt, it didn’t really matter.
Sherratt made the following statement after the event: “It’s much nicer than the last few weeks.” We’re unquestionably offering the fans value for their money.
“No one is leaving early, that’s for sure. It’s not doing my health much good. But I’m just pleased for the players.
“I was under the desk at the end. It had gone to the end again. It wasn’t Ben’s finest kick. The gremlins start appearing. They’re a good team, they’ll go from anywhere.
“Will today be another one of those days? I’ve been telling the boys that we’ll have some luck if we stick with the fight. You begin to think, “Hopefully we do.” That was sent to us today. One of them will take you out if you stick with the fight and don’t give up points.
“I never imagined that we would be that amazed at home. We weren’t playing well, and I knew the Bulls were a club capable of scoring a few points like that.
Tomos Williams made a pretty good point last week when he said that we should never play with a chip on our shoulder. Man
for man, they’re more powerful than most teams so we have to be right on mentally and play with a chip on our shoulder every week to be in games. I knew the group would respond so I knew we’d be in it.”
Roberts targets next World Cup
Dragons hooker Bradley Roberts admits being left out of Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad was difficult to take, but is now targeting the 2027 tournament.
Roberts scored a try in an impressive cameo in Wales’ final Six Nations match against France back in March, but didn’t even make Warren Gatland’s extended training squad. The hooker has continued his impressive form into this season, though, scoring a superb try in victory over the Ospreys last time out.
Regarding his exclusion from the World Cup, he said: “It was difficult.
“I played well for 30 minutes against France to close out the Six Nations on a high note. Everybody aspires to be globally recognized. I never experienced it during a World Cup.
“It was difficult because you always want to make the squads. You have to focus on the good things, and after a demanding season, I needed some downtime.
“It would have been a dream come true but there’s always the next one.”
Ireland Player of the Year nominees revealed
The Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards candidates have been announced.
Caelan Doris, Bundee Aki, Hugo Keenan, Jonathan Sexton, and Andrew Porter are on the shortlist for the Men’s 15s Player of the Year award.
For Doris, Keenan, Sexton, and Porter, it was a Grand Slam triumph, the Champions Cup final, and the World Cup semi-final. As Aki was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year and went on to win the Grand Slam.
The Women’s 15s team is made up of Sam Monaghan, Nichola Fryday, Neve Jones, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, and Aoife Dalton.
The following teams have been nominated for the Dave Guiney Team of the Year award: the Ireland Men’s 15s, the Munster Men’s team, the Ireland Under-20s side, and the Ireland Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams.
Munster enjoyed success last season as they secured the United Rugby Championship, putting away three teams in the knock-out stages after enjoying a fine finish to the season.
The awards ceremony will be held in January
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According to a URC statement, Mr. Baugh is not allowed to be around the pitch and technical parts of the playing enclosures due to his ban, but he is still allowed to sit in the stand, visit the dressing room, and/or use the coaches box during this weekend’s game in Durban between the Dragons RFC and the Hollywood Bets Sharks.
“Mr. Baugh will have to serve the final three games of his suspension if he commits this offense again or any other behavior that is judged inappropriate for the remainder of the season. In this case, Mr. Baugh will also be subject to a £2,500 fine.
