Here’s the latest rugby news for Wednesday, December 21st.

secret santa claus

United Rugby Championship team Benetton found themselves at the center of racist outrage after a black player revealed he was given a rotten banana as a gift during a Secret Santa swap.

Prop Sheriff Traore, 28, came forward after being deeply upset about the gift, which made many of his mates laugh. His statement sparked outrage on social media and the club released a scathing statement condemning the actions of others.

The Guinea-born Italian international wrote: “Christmas is coming and according to the team’s tradition, it’s Secret Santa time. It’s a fun and hilarious moment. The moment when you can give your colleagues anonymous gifts, even if sharp and ironic. Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana in my present. A rotten banana in a garbage bag. Besides finding the gesture offensive, what offended me the most was that I saw most of my colleagues present laughing as if everything was normal.

“I’m used to it, or rather I had to get used to it, that every time I hear racist jokes I have to put on an angry face to try not to get too close to my enemies. However, yesterday was different. Fortunately, some colleagues, mainly foreigners, tried to support me.

“Outside of Italy, such a gesture is seriously condemned, even in small realities, and this time I want to give my opinion. I stayed up all night. There were also children of various backgrounds in this Secret Santa Claus. I decided not to be. silence this time to make sure episodes like this don’t happen again so others don’t end up in my current situation in the future. And I hope the sender learns a lesson.”

A Benetton statement said: “With reference to the post that appeared this morning on Sheriff Traore’s social profiles, Benetton Rugby would like to reiterate that it has always strongly condemned any form of racism and/or discrimination. They are not part of our culture and do not they represent our identity and our values. We have always shown this not just in words but in actions, and we will continue to support you.

“This type of behavior has nothing to do with sport and in the face of episodes like this, Benetton Rugby will always bet on respect for people, their culture, their ethnicity, their faith and their dignity.”

Williams is not ready yet

Wales defender Liam Williams is not quite ready to return to Cardiff for the Boxing Day clash with the Dragons but is close to completing his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury he picked up on his debut in September.

He is now due to play Ospreys at Cardiff Arms Park in the new year.

Chief Dai Young said, “I don’t want to name my squad today, but we think Josh Adams is fine. He had problems at the start of last week and this week, but now he’s more or less 100 percent. Liam Williams was the one we were hoping to introduce this week, but it’s probably still a week too early. We see him involved in the derby, but not in the Dragons game, to be honest.”

Meanwhile, number eight James Ratty will be sidelined for three weeks, while Max Llewelyn, who will leave the region at the end of the season, faces a three-month layoff with an ankle problem that will require surgery. You can read more about it here.

Eddie Jones has no regrets

Eddie Jones has no regrets about his World Cup priority as he looks back fondly on his seven-year reign with England.

Jones was sacked two weeks ago in response to England’s worst results since 2008 and has now been replaced by Steve Borthwick, his former protégé who led Gallagher’s Leicester to the Premier League title last season.

While six defeats from 12 Tests was a dire statistic that forced the Rugby Football Union to act, there was also frustration with Jones’ approach to the World Cup at the expense of immediate success.

“You have to be competitive in the Six Nations, not just every four years at the World Cup,” Chief Executive Bill Sweeney said on Tuesday.

England have lost three of their last five Six Nations, finishing fifth in the table on two of those occasions, but Jones insists he was right to focus on France 2023 when his contract expires.

“There are two points of view. Of course the next game is important, nobody is saying no. But the World Cup is also the ultimate trophy,” said Jones, who confirmed that he has been in talks with other unions about possible positions.

Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today program what he would do differently, Jones said: “I wouldn’t do anything different.

“I was sure we were on the right track for the World Cup, and I still am. But if others don’t share, it’s up to you.

“There are always processes you think about in the past. I thought I was training well.

“I am delighted with the number of players who have supported him. The fact that players talk about it now, when they don’t gain anything from it, probably shows that I trained well.

“But sometimes the results don’t turn out as expected and you pay for that. I know that better than anyone, so I don’t regret what I did.

The England veteran has signed a new contract

Danny Care has signed a new contract with Harlequins that will keep him at Twickenham Stadium for the 2023-24 season.

Kehr is approaching two decades at the club, having joined from Leeds in 2006 and was a key figure in Gallagher’s Premiership victories in 2012 and 2021.

The 35-year-old, one of the most dangerous strikers in the league, won the last of his 87 caps during England’s tour of Australia in July.

“Wearing a Quins jersey has been and remains one of the proudest parts of my career and I am delighted to be re-signing with the Harlequins,” said the veteran scrum-half.

“I have been at this club for almost two decades and I have incredible memories of what we have achieved so far.

“Winning the Challenge Cup in 2011 and the Premier League titles in 2012 and 2021 are some of the highlights of my career and I know this group is capable of producing moments of the same caliber.”

Cardiff has been dealt a severe blow as the star center has been ruled out for three months following the impending exit to the fore.

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Wales are launching a new rugby competition with Scotland and Ireland in an attempt to resolve an egregious problem.