Rugby evening headlines as WRU deny discussions over coach's future and in-form centre relieved after horror six months

Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, 18 April.

The WRU have denied discussions have taken place over the future of Wales Women's coach Ioan Cunningham.

Reports in the Mail on Sunday claimed Cunningham was to leave the role after this year's World Cup and replace Byron Hayward as Wales U20s men's coach.

Cunningham is credited with helping to start turn around the fortunes of the women's game this year and has been widely praised by players for the environment he has created following the introduction of professional contracts for 12 players. Wales U20s, meanwhile, endured a difficult Six Nations, winning just one game.

Responding to the reports a WRU statement said: "Ioan Cunningham was appointed in the autumn for 12 months to lead Wales Women to the RWC. Since then, discussions have not, as yet, taken place regarding his role post World Cup."

A standard review is expected to be held after the women's Six Nations finishes at the end of the month.

In-form centre Jack Dixon insisted Dragons never lost the belief in each other as they secured a long-awaited second victory of the season.

Dixon was to the fore in the win over the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets, scoring an early try on his way to man of the match. Speaking afterwards, he was thrilled to finally secure a second win of the URC season.

“I’m feeling pretty banged up after that one,” he said. “We didn’t help ourselves at times, our penalty count was too high, they were very good at the contact area.

“But we were desperate to get that win so we came down here all guns blazing and got it done.

“It’s been a tough period, the last couple of weeks and the trip to South Africa.

“But as a group of boys we all stuck together and kept believing in each other.