Your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, April 3.
Welsh youngster dwarfs Taulupe Faletau
Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins has spoken about the impact of the young players at the Arms Park this season, revealing that Mackenzie Martin already towers over Wales talisman Taulupe Faletau.
Martin has burst onto the scene this season, going from semi-pro rugby to making his Wales debut, and he will now be looking to learn from Faletau as the Lions No. 8 returns from injury.
“With Macca, he’s very different. He’s a big, physical athlete,” he said on the Sportin Wales Podcast.
“You don’t realise how big he is until you stand next to him. He played his first game and Toby Faletau presented him his jersey and he’s stood next to Toby who is a big man and Macca is dwarfing him.
“If Toby can have some influence on Macca, that would be great because Toby, in my opinion, is the GOAT (greatest of all time). He’s not getting any younger and we need someone to step in and I think Macca is definitely going to be one of the ones in the mix to do that.
“He’s big, he’s fast, he’s physical. He likes to think he’s tough. He talks about how he’s from Ely and you don’t want to mess with him!
“He has impressed me this season. He’s got some work to do in terms of learning the game and some softer skills but what was it that Gats said? ‘You can’t coach 6’5’’ and 19st’. He’s an exciting prospect.”
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Rees-Zammit will have to 'change whole lifestyle'
Louis Rees-Zammit has been warned he will have to “change his whole lifestyle” after joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
The former Wales rugby star has signed a three-year deal with the reigning Super Bowl champions after wowing scouts at his NFL Pro Day last month. Over 12 teams were interested in Rees-Zammit, who impressed with his athleticism, speed and footwork during his trial, before the Chiefs won the race for his signature.
According to NFL analyst and former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter, the Welshman is in the perfect place at Kansas City and he has the raw talent and mindset to succeed, but he will still have to make major adjustments if he is going to keep defying the odds.
“I don’t think he could have landed a better team to be with,” she said. “If you’re going to come into a new sport, would you not want to go to the actual pinnacle of the sport and learn what it takes to get up to that level?
“Head coach Andy Reid is an unbelievable teacher and you’ve got an incredible quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who understands what it takes to be great. I think this is a perfect match for him.”
“I would say to him, take these next two to three years and just develop,” Schecter added. “Be on the practice squad and understand what it takes to be a great athlete.
“His whole schedule is going to change now. We start our first meeting here at 6.30 in the morning and you’re there until 6pm at night as an athlete. He’s going to have to change his whole lifestyle.
“One of the things that really stands out from talking to his coaches who were with him at IMG is he has the determination to win. He’s curious, he wants to do more, he wants to get that perfect rep and he’s really going to need that when he’s in the middle of the season.
“He’s like the new kid in secondary school, there’s a lot of resilience that he’s going to need to carry with him but I think he has the minerals to that.”
England flanker pens new contract
Former Ospreys flanker Sam Underhill has signed a two-year contract extension with Bath Rugby.
Despite the raft of England internationals departing the Gallagher Premiership in favour of a move to the Top 14, Underhill has cemented his place in the English domestic game.
The 27-year-old's contract is up at the end of the season, so Bath supporters will be more than pleased to see their star man has put pen to paper on a fresh deal.
Underhill drifted to the fringes of the England starting XV in 2023, but recently played in every single game of the Six Nations for his country.
The back-rower first signed from Ospreys in 2017, having studied at cardiff-university>Cardiff University during his time in south Wales. Much like an English Tommy Reffell, Underhill has become one of the most dangerous jackallers in the Test match arena.
Speaking on the new deal, Underhill said: "I’m really pleased to be staying here. Bath feels like home and it’s an incredibly special place to play.
"This group has loads of potential and I’m excited to see where we can go."
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Ireland legend commits to Munster future
British and Irish Lions scrum-half has penned a new deal with province Munster.
The 34-year-old signs a one-year extension to his current deal along with team-mate Jack Daly. The veteran is a club legend, but rising prospect Craig Casey has cemented his position as the starting scrum-half.
Nevertheless, Murray's experience will prove vital for Munster as they look to build on their United Rugby Championship success from last year, where they won the league.
Murray has earned 116 caps for Ireland and has been on three Lions tours. Most recently in 2021, Murray stepped up as captain of the Lions in the absence of Alun Wyn jones, who was injured in the first warm-up game against Japan in Scotland.
Welsh Premiership scrum-half gets pro chance
Pontypool scrum-half Morgan Lloyd has signed a two-year deal with Dragons RFC, reports South Wales Argus.
The 21-year-old bagged nine tries in 17 games for the Indigo Welsh Premiership outfit, and will now get his opportunity at the professional level with the Newport-based region.
Speaking on the contract news, head coach Dai Flanagan explained: "Morgan is a talented and very driven young man who has benefitted from a full season at Pontypool and who has caught the eye with his performances.
"Because of injuries his game time has been limited in recent seasons, but now he’s involved in a season where he will be pushing 20 games, and he has kicked on and shown his potential as a result.
"We’re looking forward to seeing how Morgan continues to develop by playing more senior rugby and being a part of our environment."
Lloyd will have to contest with the likes of Gonzalo Bertranou, Rhodri Williams, Lewis Jones and Dane Blacker for the starting role at nine.
