Today’s rugby news as RAF duty rules star out of big match and update on long-term absentee emerges

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Friday, April 18.

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Friday, April 18.

Cardiff lock misses Judgement Day for RAF clash

Cardiff second-row Josh McNally will miss Judgement Day this weekend to play in the RAF’s Inter Service Rugby Championship clash with the Royal Navy in Northampton this Saturday. The former Bath second-row, who has proved to be an inspired signing by the Blue and Blacks this season, is also a Royal Air Force weapons technician – having been in the RAF since 2009.

He began his playing career with the RAF before being spotted by London Welsh. The once-capped England lock also had spells with London Irish and at the Rec, before moving to the Welsh capital last summer.

However, rather than running out at the Principality Stadium this weekend, the RAF sergeant will instead be at Franklin’s Gardens.

“He’ll be playing for the RAF,” said Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt. “When we signed Josh, he still had to fulfil some fixtures with the RAF.

“He’s earned the right to be fulfilling his obligations with them. Also, that’s what he’ll do after rugby so it’s a good fit for him. We’ve got enough respect for him to help him fulfil that.

“He’s been good. He’s been more than I could have hoped for. Obviously I know the Bath coaches well and they gave him very good references.

“But working with him, a lot can be said about his leadership, but he’s been brilliant on the field. We’ll miss him at the weekend. But we knew the deal before he came.”

Beyond McNally’s absence, Sherratt admitted that Cardiff were “probably the healthiest the squad has been for a while”. However, they remain without long-term absentee Mason Grady – who was forced off injured in Wales’ autumn opener against Fiji back in November. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

Sherratt confirmed that the versatile back would not feature again this season, but didn’t rule out a place in Wales’ summer squad to tour Japan in July.

“He’ll be next season,” Sherratt said on Grady. “I’m not sure if he’ll be fit for any summer tour.

“I’m not 100 per cent. But for Cardiff, it’ll be next year.”

Wales fly-half back in training after surgery

Wales and Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow has returned to training after three months out with a broken collarbone.

The 24-year-old required surgery after being injured on club duty in January. He isn’t expected to play any part in Judgement Day, but is nearing a return.

“I’m not sure if he’ll be available this week but he’s training well so it’s good to see him back on the training pitch,” said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

“It’s important to make sure he’s right and confident. It’s good to see him back in the fold and when the time is right he’ll be put back in definitely.”

However, the west Walians will be able to welcome back Wales back-three player Tom Rogers for the clash with the Dragons at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

He hasn’t featured since suffering a thumb injury against Scotland in the Six Nations – with his return boosting the Scarlets’ play-off hopes heading into the final four matches

“It’s very tight in the middle of the league so points are important at this stage of the season,” added Peel.

“There are four games left and it’s all to play for. For us it’s about staying in that fight and putting ourselves in the best position.”

Lions ‘truce’ predicted for Russell and Sexton

Bath coach Johann van Graan has predicted a truce between Finn Russell and Johnny Sexton on the British and Irish Lions tour if the Scotland fly-half is chosen to travel to Australia.

The former Ireland playmaker has been added to Andy Farrell’s Lions coaching staff, raising questions over what it could mean for Russell.

Russell has previously acknowledged that he didn’t have a close relationship with Sexton, whom he toured ahead of in 2021.

And, last November, Sexton called Russell and Marcus Smith “flashy” 10s as he said Owen Farrell would be his preferred choice as Lions fly-half. While he backtracked on Smith, he opted not to on the Scottish playmaker.

However, Bath coach van Graan, who coaches Russell as the Rec, believes there will be no issues if Russell is selected.

“I’m sure if Finn gets selected for the Lions that there will be no issue,” said van Graan.

“I think one of the things that we’ve got in our game is respect. It doesn’t matter what team you’ve played for, or what country you’re from… if you just look at the Barbarians, they’ve got this ability to just tie people together within one day or one session.

“They’ll combine very well for the Lions because the Lions are one of the coolest teams in my book in world rugby.”