Here you have the latest rugby news for Saturday 23rd December.

The All Blacks nominate a Welshman

The All Blacks have named Welshman John Gardner as their new coaching staff for 2024.

The Welsh specialist joins international rugby’s most famous team after previously working with new New Zealand coach Scott Robertson at the Crusaders.

Pontypridd-born Gardner has built a strong reputation in the world of performance analysis and Robertson sees this as an important appointment as he takes on the biggest role of his career.

He has been in New Zealand since 2015 after previously playing for the Dragons in Wales under Lyn Jones. Get the latest Welsh rugby news straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter

The Dragons are struggling to retain Dyer and Wainwright.

The Dragons say they will fight to retain key players Rio Dyer and Aaron Wainwright, with both Wales stars attracting interest in England and abroad.

Both have been in great form this season but will be out of contract at the end of the season and will make a decision on their future in the coming weeks. Dyer has perhaps the biggest option of all as he would be ineligible to play for Wales if he rejected an offer from Wales and moved to England or France. So far he has played 14 games, 11 less than the 25-game rule.

“We want to keep our best players, it’s that simple,” Dragons coach Dai Flanagan said.

“To this end, we will make fair and honest offers that allow them to make the best decision for themselves and their families.

“I’m sure we could lose players along the way, but hopefully not the ones we want to keep.

“Guys like Aaron and Rio are playing very well and the Dragons should take part of the credit for the way we manage the players and the group.

“We are very focused on individual development. We will never be able to sign players like Leinster or Racing, but hopefully we can take players to a certain level and take them to the next.

“Maybe one day they will surpass us, but I hope the club grows to a level that it will not grow in the future.

“I would say to both players, if you look at where you are in your careers, how you are developing and peaking now, we are the place to keep doing that and I’m sure you realize that. “.

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The Welsh duo are impressive

Welsh international duo Sam Davies and Tyler Morgan are currently included in the season’s French Pro D2 team.

Since joining Grenoble in the summer, Davies has been the best goalkeeper in the entire tournament and has regularly received praise for his performances despite Grenoble’s relative problems. In the current season he scored 148 points, but Grenoble is currently in 14th place.

Morgan, who played as a defender for Wales at the 2015 World Cup, also impressed for 15th-placed Biarritz.

Vann currently leads the competitive league, with Thomas Francis’ Provence Rugby in second place, aiming to climb into the top 14 before George North’s arrival in the summer.

Wakatawa sensational since returning from heart problem

Bristol manager Pat Lam praised the contribution of Virimi Wakatawa on his return as his side beat Newcastle 21-13.

After an 11-game losing streak, the Falcons got the game back on the road to the Bears and were within a 7-6 game in the second half.

But Wakatawa’s goal helped the visitors pull away and Lam praised the Fijian-born star, who came out of retirement to play in the Premier League.

The French international was forced to retire from the sport last year after doctors at French giants Racing 92 refused to allow him to play due to a heart problem.

“The saying goes: ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’ and he is a classy player,” Lam said.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with his head, I think he’s had a year off and I don’t think many rugby players are going to come out of that and do that again.

“But he showed signs in every game. [that] He’s getting better and better and last week he loosened up and did more.

“The coaches said he feels more comfortable with the guys, with the way we play, and he was really, really good today.”