Rugby evening headlines as Faletau challenge welcomed and players get brain MOTs

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, April 27.

James Ratti says he is relishing the competition he will face from Taulupe Faletau when the Wales and Lions star joins Cardiff next season. The 89-cap Faletau is making the move to the Arms Park from Bath, so will become a rival to Welsh squad colleague Ratti for the No 8 jersey.

“He’s a tremendous player,” said converted lock Ratti. “I took a lot from training with him through the Six Nations camp.

“Healthy competition is what you want, driving each other on. I can use the experiences as well to take a lot from his game. He is very dynamic with ball in hand and has good offloading ability, so it will be good to work with him next year.”

Ratti didn’t feature in any of the Six Nations matches, so remains uncapped, but says: “It was a tremendous experience. The environment was so elite and it was a different challenge, just with the intensity of training. You have got to be at the top of your game when you are there. Everything you do matters, on and off the field. You have got to be switched on all the time. I took a lot of positives from it, while there are obviously work-ons in terms of improving my footwork and my ball-playing skill.”

Next up for the 24-year-old is Cardiff’s United Rugby Championship clash with Munster in Cork on Friday night. Then, come this summer, he will be hoping to be part of Wales' squad for the tour of South Africa, once more alongside future team-mate Faletau.

Six Nations CEO Ben Morel has ruled out the prospect of prize money in the Women's tournament over fears it would make England stronger.

Despite securing a new sponsor in TikTok this year, Morel insists that any performance-related financial reward would only widen the gap -