Here are the rugby headlines for Thursday 30 November.

Ashton: Pharrell is the most resilient person I know

Chris Ashton described Owen Farrell as “the most resilient man” he knows and told England’s other senior players to step up in his absence.

Farrell shocked rugby on Wednesday afternoon by announcing his decision to retire from international rugby in the near future, ruling himself out of the 2024 Six Nations tournament. The solution is to “prioritize his mental well-being and that of his family”.

Farrell has been criticized on social media in recent years following a series of on-field incidents and disciplinary issues. His performances for England were also scrutinized like no other. Following the news, English football great Lawrence Dallaglio harshly criticized the “disgusting” insults he received.

“Owen Farrell is one of the strongest and most mentally determined people I have ever met. “If he is ready to retire from international rugby, it shows the strain he has had to endure as England captain,” Ashton wrote in the Telegraph.

Ahead of the Six Nations, Ashton believes Ellis Genge could be next to win the captain’s armband. He added: “We don’t have many captains who can push everyone like Owen does. With Courtney Laws retiring, I think Ellis Genge is next in line. “He has a good working relationship with Steve at Leicester.” and can establish an emotional intensity like Owen does.

“Jamie George and George Ford are also players Steve trusts and they both know how to lead a team. Any remaining veteran players will have to take on much more responsibility.

“I really hope it benefits everyone in the long run. “Steve will see how other players handle this leadership responsibility, I hope Owen comes back even more reinvigorated and maybe, just maybe, people will learn to appreciate him as a player and as a captain.”

Meanwhile, Farrell’s former England teammate Luther Burrell praised the Saracens defender’s decision to retire from Test rugby. Burrell, a former Northampton Saint who played with Farrell for England, told Sky Sports: “To be honest, it was a surprise. But after thinking about it, it actually makes sense to me.

“A player of Owen Farrell’s class and leadership shows true bravery and a true testament to his character in carrying out this act of bravery. But when you look deeper, you can almost see why he got to this point. 60,000 fans booed him in Marseille. Rugby players are not robots, we have emotions and I think that is sometimes forgotten.

“He’s been under a lot of scrutiny over the last decade and his playing has been analyzed by people at their keyboards, so I’m not too surprised that it’s gotten to this point. I’m just disappointed with how he views his time away. If there’s one player who has had time off, it’s Owen.

“My thoughts and concerns are truly with him and his family. “This should be a turning point.”

Indigo Premiership game canceled early

This weekend’s Indigo Premiership match between RGC and Pontypool had to be postponed due to Pooler being unable to be in the front row for the game.

Of course, the Pontypool front row is a famous institution in Welsh rugby, but the club wrote in a statement that it was “disappointed” to learn that the trip to Colwyn Bay had to be canceled due to the large number of players in the squad. .specialized area. position unable to play. The results of new sanctions are awaited.

“Pontypool RFC are sad to announce that their scheduled Indigo Premiership match against RGC next Saturday afternoon has had to be postponed,” the Gwent club posted on social media.

“Concurrent injuries and the absence of several specialist frontline players mean they are unavailable for selection for the match. Therefore, following consultation with the WRU, the match had to be postponed for health and safety reasons. The club wishes to acknowledge that this will disrupt the travel plans of fans traveling north with the team this weekend.

“Obviously, postponing a scheduled game is not something the club wants to do in any circumstances other than exceptional and unavoidable circumstances. We await the outcome of discussions between the WRU and RGC regarding any sanctions or rescheduling of the next match. “

The RGC responded by writing: “We are extremely disappointed that the proposed match against @PontypoolRFC this weekend has been postponed because they are unable to get front row seats. The new match date will be announced later.”

Pontypool are currently third in the league standings with 11 games played. RGC is tenth, but has two games in hand.

Lowes: I’m tired of England

Courtney Lawes insists he is “done” with England but will heed the Lions’ call if selected in 2025.

The defender ended his England career after his 105th cap ended in a 16-15 semi-final defeat to South Africa at the World Cup. He did not compete in the third place match against Argentina, which England won.

The 34-year-old has not decided what will happen to his Northampton Saints contract, which expires next year, but would answer the emergency call if the Lions pick up the phone in 2025.

“If the Lions called me again, I probably would, yes,” Laws said. “There are two years to go and as it is in Australia I would definitely bring them [his family] throughout the trip. But then he might not play rugby, who knows? We’ll see what happens.”

However, Lowes insists he will not wear an England shirt again because he wants to be there for his four children. Asked if he would go to England when he retires, Lowes said: “No, to be honest I’m done. I didn’t stop playing internationally because I thought I couldn’t play or couldn’t make the team, I stopped playing because I needed to be here to help my family.

“I want to be here for my little ones and that hasn’t changed. I know the last line may have changed a little, but it hasn’t. I’m lucky that we have a rearguard crisis when I’m actually healthy, because I’m usually part of the rearguard crisis. I hung up my old boots.

“My wife did an amazing job, as always. They’re 10, eight, and we have almost six-year-old twins, so we’re ready. I need to stay and make sure I’m “raising them right.”

Santos are “desperate” to keep Ludlam

By the PA Sport team

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dawson says the Saints are desperate to keep captain Lewis Ludlam at the club. Ludlam, a member of the World Cup squad, is strongly linked to joining the exodus of English players abroad.

Ludlam, who is currently sidelined through injury, is believed to be attracting a lot of attention from top 14 club Toulon.

Former Ludlam Saints colleague David Ribbans is in Toulon, former Harlequins center Joe Marchand joined Stade Francaise, Jack Willis is in Toulouse and Henry Arundell moved to Racing 92 after the Copa of the world.

Current Rugby Union rules mean that players who play outside of England are not eligible for international selection.

In Arundell’s case, however, he could be available for the Six Nations later this season after joining Racing 92 following the collapse of London Irish.

“We’re desperate to keep him,” Dawson told BBC Radio Northampton. “I have seen the reports and I am not surprised that Lewis is a very wanted man. “We are trying to make a convincing offer and we will try to keep you here as our captain.”

Ludlam’s versatility and experience in the backline – he has played in the last two World Cups – will be a loss to England manager Steve Borthwick if he moves to France next season.

However, if he regains full fitness before the Six Nations, Ludlam could really play a big role, especially with winger Tom Curry’s season-ending hip injury and Saracens’ Ben Earl currently sidelined due to a knee problem.