By Ben James

Copyright walesonline

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, October 8. R360 have issued a response after a number of the world’s leading unions said they would ban players who joined the rebel league from international rugby. A host of rugby’s governing bodies joined forces on Tuesday to deliver a significant blow to the proposed breakaway league by declaring any player involved will be barred from international selection. An unprecedented statement released by all the Six Nations unions – except Wales – as well as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, was scathing of the rebel competition, urging “extreme caution” to anyone considering signing up. The Welsh Rugby Union, while unable to sign the statement given the ongoing certainty, said they did support it and that they “reserve the right not to select men’s and women’s players for international duty if they participate in this competition”. The united stance from unions comes as a blow to R360, which is spearheaded by Mike Tindall, but the league remains undeterred as they issued a response, questioning why the unions would stand in players’ ways. “It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential for any sport to grow,” read R360’s statement. “So many players love what R360 can do for them and the game, and we can’t wait to kick-off next year. Player welfare is one of the key reasons for creating our global series, which will greatly reduce player load and capture the attention of a new generation of fans globally. “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar. The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts. “Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would the unions stand in their way? “We look forward to submitting to the World Rugby Council for sanctioning next summer as planned.” Ospreys head coach Mark Jones says he’s excited to see what comes from the review into Welsh rugby. The WRU’s consultation process officially ended last week, with the board now set to decide this month on the number of teams. “It is tough for the players to have that in the background,” Jones told reporters in South Africa following the Ospreys’ defeat to the Stormers. “I think it is great that Welsh rugby is having a good look under the stones. It is easy to get complacent and there are areas in the Welsh game where things and people got complacent. “When you are winning Grand Slams and Six Nations titles, like Wales did in the last 20 years, sometimes you don’t quite see what is in front of you. “I am pleased there is thorough exploration around the whole game, not just the regional level – also looking at the international level, the pathways. “I am excited about what will come out of the review. Everybody has had a good input, so hopefully there is some good food for thought. He added: “If you look at the region, the clubs and the junior sides and the professional team, the quality of the internationals that have come through. “Our region, has produced more British and Irish Lions than any other team in Wales. “With us moving to our new stadium [the revamped St Helen’s Sports Ground] next year, the future is really bright for the Ospreys.” The Scarlets have opened up on the travel hell that saw their URC clash with Connacht postponed. The west Walians saw their flight diverted due to Storm Amy last Friday, resulting in Saturday’s fixture in Galway being called off. “It was a long day for everyone, and a long morning because we got back home around 6.30 to 7am on Saturday,” said head coach Dwayne Peel. “It was disappointing from a rugby perspective not to get over and play the game, but it was not great preparation the day before to be stuck on a flight for that long. “Fortunately for us it was a Friday so we had Saturday and Sunday to recover. The boys came in on Monday in good spirits considering and have trained well for what is a big game.” The Connacht game has yet to be rearranged, with the Scarlets facing the Stormers next. “We were revved up and excited to right some wrongs from Munster,” said Wales centre Johnny Williams, who was due to captain the Scarlets for the first time against Connacht. “We didn’t get that opportunity and it was far from ideal what happened, but it means that we are fresh from having no game. We are ready to rip into Stormers.” Wales hooker Dewi Lake is targeting silverware with the Ospreys despite the ongoing uncertainty in the Welsh game. A decision has yet to be reached on the number of professional teams in Wales, but Lake – who skippered Wales in the summer – is adamant the Ospreys can challenge in the URC this season. “We know we can be within touching distance of making those play-offs,” Lake told the Ospreys’ website. “We did the previous year and were probably two games shy last season. We know where we fell apart in terms of those games. I think we have got a good enough squad and a good enough coaching group and staff behind the players to get there. “And I have no doubt that once we are in the Play-offs, we are good enough to win three games in a row and push for a bit of silverware.”