By Glen Williams,Jon Doel

Copyright walesonline

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, September 19. Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin has warned “it could be the end” if the WRU go through with their “optimal plan” of cutting four professional teams down to two. It is currently the midway point of the WRU’s consultation process, with the governing body currently speaking to a number of stakeholders to decide the best way forward for Welsh rugby. But the idea of halving the number of pro teams has been met with real pushback, with the Dragons calling for the WRU to change course. The Welsh Rugby Players Association also came out with a statement saying the players did not support the two-club model. There has been a mixed response from former players in the media , while there is an acceptance that things do need to change in order to reset Welsh rugby on a course to success. Shanklin, who won 70 caps for Wales, is vehement in his view that cutting the number of teams is the wrong way to go. “I don’t want to see Welsh rugby go down to two teams,” he told Dragon Sports. “I’m worried that it could be the end if we do. “That is based on the fact that two teams will work if we win, and I’m not sure we are in a position right now where we are going to be competitive in the league. Even with two teams. “Not at the top. Not with the Bulls, not with the Stormers, with Leinster, Glasgow. “It’s also the factor of them needing further investment as well. What the two teams are going to look like – there are a lot of questions which aren’t answered. “What is the branding going to look like? Where are the teams going to be playing? What are they going to be called? Who is going to amalgamate with who? “I hope a lot comes from this process of consultation. But I really, really would not like to see it go down to two teams.” Welsh winger Regan Grace has been training with English PREM Rugby side Sale Sharks as he continues to look for a new team following his injury nightmare. It had been suggested the 28-year-old was set to leave the sport and return to rugby league amid interest from York, but it now appears he is hopeful of giving union one shot after being plagued by problems since crossing codes in 2022 and signing for Racing 92. RugbyPass report he has been with Sale Sharks over the summer and is prepared to be patient, with Newcastle Red Bulls and clubs in France touted as possible options The wing made his name with St Helens, before switching codes in a bid to become a real force in the sport he played as a youngster with the Ospreys youth team. But serious injury stopped him making an appearance for Racing 92, before short spells with Bath and Cardiff amid a series of cruel fitness twists. Grace actually made the Wales squad for last year’s summer tour of Australia, scoring and impressing on his debut against Queensland Reds, but suffered a hamstring injury. It had been hoped he could become a genuine star at international level but he has been unable to play any sort of consistent rugby due to his fitness problems. By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent Alex Matthews insists England are determined to show their killer instinct against France in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final at Ashton Gate. The Red Roses are “ready for a fight” according to their forwards coach Louis Deacon – and their two most recent Allianz Stadium collisions with their Six Nations rivals show why that means playing until the final whistle. On both occasions England built commanding leads only to crumble when France staged electric comebacks, triumphing 38-33 in 2023 and 43-42 in 2025 but each time saved by the final whistle. A 16-Test winning run in the fixture dating back to 2018 is evidence of their mastery over Les Bleues, but the near misses have been referenced by head coach John Mitchell as they target a place in next Saturday’s final at Twickenham. “It’s something we have addressed,” said Matthews, England’s veteran number eight and 2014 World Cup winner. “We spoke to Mitch about how we had put a ceiling on how we play, but actually if the game plan is working then don’t take the foot off, just keep going. “Don’t get bored with what is going well. It’s definitely something we have addressed. “France are a very physical and emotional team. It’s just always such a brilliant battle and that why I love playing them, whether that’s first cap or 50th cap. “It’s these games you thrive off and you do all of that hard work to play in. You want those battles, you want to be beaten up in those little moments.”