Your rugby headlines for Friday 24 November.

Danny Cipriani publicly destroys the Sun

Former England international Danny Cipriani spoke publicly to The Sun following an article published on Friday.

The first outer half was recently announced as part of the line-up for the Christmas edition of Strictly Come Dancing, and the news comes shortly after the former Wasps man confirmed he and wife Victoria Rose had split.

Today, The Sun published photos of Cipriani and his new dance partner Jovita Przystal, writing in

Cipriani and Rose married in 2021, but their relationship broke down in recent weeks following the publication of her autobiography, Who Am I?

Quoting The Sun’s X, Cipriani said: “The disgusting way you, this country’s newspaper, are behaving is only helping to keep this country in ruins. You dramatize, sensationalize, and outright lie to make money. Your reports have nothing to do with the truth. You don’t care if you harm innocent lives.

“And our nation has learned to troll because of the derogatory use of words. I made a life decision that was best for Victoria and me. There was no foul play. And then try to bring the wonderful Jovita or my friend Iza. (Personal training partner of Isa Yasmeen), the story you created out of thin air is simply incorrect.

“I had a great day learning to dance and Jovita is a great teacher. His false narrative shows that he learned nothing from the tragedies he caused. But you keep trying to distort the public’s mind and make everyone gossip, judge and point fingers at your culture. I’m learning and doing my best to improve every day.

“I also do everything I can to help people feel better. Maybe you’ll finally take these comments seriously and contribute to them. Thanks”.

South Africa’s World Cup stars return to face Wales

South African club Sharks have brought their opponents to face the Welsh Dragons in the United Rugby Championship.

Eben Etzebet, Luhanyo Am, Jayden Hendrickse and Makazole Mapimpi have been called up to face Dai Flanagan. There are even more Springboks on the bench as Ox Nche and Grant Williams look to make an impact.

As if playing away against a South African team wasn’t difficult enough for the Dragons, they now had to face multiple World Cup champions.

Defender Ollie Griffiths has been named captain of the Dragons, a team that sees four changes from the team that beat the Ospreys in the Rodney Parade derby last weekend.

The only change in defense is that Dane Blacker has come in at scrum half. Samoan international Aki Seiuli and tighthead Chris Coleman will act as props and sit alongside Welsh player Bradley Roberts, who was actually born in Durban (the Sharks’ home region).

The latest change sees George Knott facing off against Matthew Screech. The in-form Rio Dyer continues to play on the wing, while fellow Welshman Kai Evans plays the full-back role.

SHARKS: Afelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Luhanyo Am (C), François Venter, Makazole Mapimpi, Kerwin Bosch, Jayden Hendrickse, Ntutuko Mchunu, Fez Mbatha, Koeni Oosthuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Emil van Heerden, James Venter, Fepsi Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

Substitutions:Daniel Joste, Ox Nche, Hanro Jacobs, Korn Rahl, Lappis Labuschagne, Grant Williams, Boeta Chamberlain, Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

DRAGONS: Kai Evans, Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser, Will Reid, Dane Blacker; Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Knott, Sean Lonsdale, Ollie Griffiths (c), Aaron Wainwright

Substitutions: James Benjamin, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Harry Caddy, Rhodri Williams, Steph Hughes, Ashton Hewitt

Fiji appointed new coach following Simon Raiwalui’s departure

Fiji has appointed Senirishi Seruvakula as interim coach of the men’s national team.

Simon Raivalui resigned after a successful Rugby World Cup campaign, leading the team to the quarter-finals.

A statement from Fiji read: “Fiji Rugby is pleased to announce Senirushi Seruvakula as interim coach of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians. FRU administrator Simione Valenitabua said after considering all options, the Fiji Rugby Union Board of Directors decided to appoint Seruvakula as president in the role, which will last until January next year.

He further added that an advertisement for the Fiji coaching position will be announced soon. Seruvakula has achieved many milestones since joining Fiji Rugby in 2016.

The statement read: “His current achievements include: 2016-2019 World Rugby Pacific Challenge Trophy champions with the Fijian Warriors; 2017-2019 Australian National Rugby Championship Champion with Fijian Drua; 2019 – Assistant coach for the Flying Fijians in a trial match against the Barbarians; 2022 – Super W Champion with Fiji Drua; 2022 – Oceania Champion among women; 2022 – Rugby World Cup head coach with Fijiana 15; 2023: Assistant coach of Fiji at the Rugby World Cup.”

Seruvakula is already eyeing the next World Cup: “With new players arriving in Drua, Fiji and some outstanding performances in our local competitions, I will definitely be charting and projecting the path to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia” .

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The Premier League club announced record turnover

Northampton Saints have announced a club record turnover of £21.96 million.

However, at the end of June 2023 report, the club suffered a total pre-tax loss of £1.1 million, after making a profit of £300,000 in the previous 12 months. Despite the interruption in the game calendar, ticket revenue increased.

The Saints have made it clear they are in a good position despite the game’s current financial difficulties, which have recently seen the collapse of Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish.

Northampton chairman John White explained that the club is proud of this, but that there is still a long way to go: “The 2022-23 financial year has presented new challenges for Northampton Saints and the Premier League as a whole.

“At Santos our model has always been very clear; We are committed to working with our own resources, and although we are proud of our efforts, we still have a long way to go.

“We are in a good position, we have experience in responsible financial management and we have a clear plan for the future.

“However, we need our fans and partners to continue to support us in the coming years and we need to generate money as quickly as possible to avoid the problems that other Premier League clubs will face in 2022. 23.

“It is difficult in this challenging environment, but we have complete confidence in our approach.”

Saints are currently sixth in the Gallagher Premiership table and will face Saracens at StoneX Stadium on Saturday.