Tonight's rugby news as Welsh team win by 107 points and fans 'shocked and gutted' by seismic news
The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, April 9.
Welsh team win by 107 points
Cardiff University Women's team blew away their Varsity rivals Swansea as they triumphed 114-7 with a 18-try display at the Principality Stadium.
In a match that was moved from Cardiff Arms Park at the eleventh hour due to "exceptional circumstances", the home side ran riot as they went into the half-time break 78-0 up after crossing 12 times in the opening 40 minutes.
It took just 90 seconds for Cardiff to get off mark through Eva Lewis, with further tries from Gabriella Della-Savina, Cara Ottaway and player of the match Jocelyn Stirzaker putting them 26 points clear with just over 10 minutes played.
Eight more tries meant the game was finished as a contest even before the half-time whistle, but after two more tries from Stirzaker and Zoe Cross shortly after the break, Swansea did well to weather the Cardiff storm and even hit back with a score of their own through Anna Stowell.
It looked as though Cardiff would fall short of the 100-point mark as the game entered the final five minutes, but three late tries - two from Cross and a fifth of the match for Stirzaker - sealed a mammoth win for the home side.
Cardiff University have also ensured they retain the Varsity Shield for another year, as they lead Swansea 36.5-13.5 at time of publication.
Cardiff fans 'shocked and gutted' by seismic news
Cardiff Rugby fans are "shocked and gutted" by news that the region are to file for administration.
The region announced on Tuesday that it intened to serve a notice of intent to appoint an administrator, with the Welsh Rugby Union on the verge of completing an emergency takeover of the club.
In response to the news, Lynn Glaister, chair of independent supporters group the CF10 Rugby Trust, said that "questions have to be asked" about what went wrong with last year's takeover by Helford Capital, and added that fans had been left "shocked" and "gutted" by the news.
"We now need to look to the future," she told the BBC on Wednesday. "Cardiff Rugby has been around since 1876 and we need to ensure we are around for our 150 year anniversary and for many decades beyond."
While she was left shocked by Tuesday's announcement, Ms Glaister added that she feels optimistic about the club's future, and is confident that the WRU's takeover will help safeguard the region's future.
"The reaction to the news yesterday was shock like everybody else, how could this happen?," she continued. "Since then, I've spoken a lot to the CEO of Cardiff Rugby and had contact with Abi Tierney, the CEO of the WRU, and I've come in today confident that we're going to survive.
"It's our 150th anniversary next year and we will be there for that. The games will be played next week and the rest of the season, our staff, our players and coaches will all be taken in under a new body that will be a safe harbour for us until it can be sorted. So, I'm optimistic today, really.
"Everybody is keen that Cardiff - with our history and everything - it's important that it survives as part of the rugby fabric in Wales. I think people recognise that and we are pleased that has been recognised and that we will survive."
Williams named Player of the Month
Wales star Tomos Williams has been voted the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month for March.
The scrum-half had another fine month for Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership, setting up three tries and scoring one of his own, to bring his season tally to seven tries and eight assists.
Williams claimed 56 per cent of the public vote to scoop the award ahead of Sale Sharks fly-half George Ford and Bath duo Will Muir and Finn Russell.
He is the second successive Gloucester star to win the award after Santi Carreras was named the league's best player in February.
Mark Holmes, Managing Director, Swindon and Gloucester at Gallagher, said: “Tomos has played brilliantly and has been an integral part of the team’s overall performance so far this season. It is a pleasure to present him with the trophy for Gallagher Player of the Month."
Leicester miss out on fly-half amid Anscombe links
By PA Sport Staff
Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley has signed a two-year contract extension with Munster to end speculation over a move to Leicester.
Crowley will remain tied to the Irish Rugby Football Union until 2027 as he continues his battle with Sam Prendergast for the national side’s number 10 jersey.
The 25-year-old had been linked with Leicester as the Gallagher Premiership club search for a replacement for Handre Pollard, who returns to South Africa at the end of the season.
Crowley has accumulated 305 points in 65 appearances for Munster since making his debut in the 2020-21 campaign and he helped the province win the United Rugby Championship in 2023.
He has won 24 caps, scoring 129 points, but has seen Prendergast installed as Ireland’s first-choice fly-half since the autumn.
While they have missed out on Crowley, the Tigers have been linked with a move for Wales star Gareth Anscombe, but face competition from French side Provence. The Premiership side have also previously been linked with Welsh internationals Sam Costelow and Sam Davies.