Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, April 22. Deadline day arrives for Cardiff Y11 deal A pivotal day has arrived for Cardiff Rugby, with Wednesday marking the final deadline for the proposed takeover by Y11 Sports & Media. The American-based group have been in talks to purchase the region from the Welsh Rugby Union since January, with an initial 60-day exclusivity period followed by a further 30-day extension. But as things stand, the deal now hangs in the balance — with today’s deadline expected to determine whether the takeover goes ahead or collapses. If no agreement is reached, the WRU will retain control of Cardiff, having stepped in to rescue the region from administration last year. JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more The uncertainty has cast a long shadow over the Arms Park in recent months, though head coach Corniel van Zyl insists his players have learned to live with the situation. “The uncertainty hasn’t gone away,” he said this week. “But it’s something we’ve almost got used to, so we just crack on.” The timing is far from ideal, with Cardiff preparing for a huge URC Welsh derby clash against the Ospreys on Friday night, a fixture now loaded with added off-field intrigue given the link between the two sides. Ospreys are owned by Y11, the very group attempting to buy Cardiff, further complicating an already delicate situation. With little clarity forthcoming from boardroom level, much of the responsibility for addressing the issue publicly has fallen on coaches. Van Zyl admitted communication has largely been handled internally within the squad, with players leaning on each other and external bodies for updates. “We discuss things as a group and the players are very organised in how they communicate,” he said. “It’s more among themselves, and the WRPA also keeps them informed, as does the club with whatever they know. “So between those channels, we get what we need.” Dragons make big overseas signing Dragons RFC have confirmed the signing of New Zealand back-row forward Terrell Peita ahead of the 2026/27 season. The 25-year-old will arrive at Rodney Parade following the conclusion of his current spell with Super Rugby Pacific side the Auckland Blues, becoming the region’s latest overseas addition. Peita, who can operate across the back row, has built a reputation as a powerful and dynamic forward, having featured for Northland, Auckland and Manawatu in New Zealand’s domestic competitions. He was named Northland’s Forward of the Year in 2025 after an impressive campaign. Standing at 6ft 2in and weighing 106kg, he also brings experience from a stint in the United States, where he played for Major League Rugby outfit New England Free Jacks. The move makes him the Dragons’ second signing ahead of next season, following the capture of Anzelo Tuitavuki, as the club continue to reshape their squad. Peita has also enjoyed success on the international pathway, captaining New Zealand Maori Under-18s and earning selection in the country’s training group for the 2020 World Rugby Under-20 Championship before the tournament was cancelled. Speaking after agreeing the move, Peita outlined his excitement at the prospect of joining the Welsh region. “I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Dragons RFC for the upcoming URC season,” he said. “It’s a proud moment for me to represent such a passionate club with a strong history and loyal supporters. “This move is about more than just rugby. I’m coming here not only to grow and develop as a player, but also to become a better person off the field. “I want to contribute positively to the environment, learn from those at the club and give everything I can back to the team. “Being part of a club means representing something bigger than yourself, and I’m committed to making a meaningful impact. I can’t wait to get started and give my all for the jersey.” Forrest: Time to banish setbacks By Anthony Brown, Press Association Scott Forrest has called on Glasgow to banish their recent setbacks by coming to the fore in Saturday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Stormers. The United Rugby Championship leaders are reeling after their Champions Cup defeat against Toulon was followed by a 54-12 thrashing at the hands of Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. Warriors have a chance to reassert their authority in the race to secure home play-off ties, however, when they visit second-placed Stormers, who suffered a frustrating loss of their own at home to Connacht at the weekend. “Despite not performing well against Lions and not getting many points in that game, we still go to Cape Town on Saturday top of the log,” said assistant coach Forrest. “So that type of motivation kind of takes care of itself. We’ve played a lot against the Stormers over the last couple of years, we know exactly what we’re up against, a very physical team with a lot of flair in their backline. “These are the games that in some ways are quite easy for the players to get motivated for because it’s the ones everyone wants to play in. “I think Leinster (currently third) are coming to form at the right time and they’ll probably look at their run-in and feel that they’ve got an opportunity (to finish top). “But I think the difference for ourselves and Stormers, and certainly the conversation that we are having is that right now it’s in our hands. It’s within our gift to finish the top of the log.” Glasgow are set to restore several of their senior players this weekend, including captain Kyle Steyn, while stand-off Adam Hastings comes back into contention after sitting out the Lions match due to a head injury. “Obviously we rotated quite heavily last weekend for the Lions and then the plan was always to then change back,” said Forrest. “In terms of boys that are injured, George Horne, Scott Cummings and Matt Fagerson are still not 100 per cent but we’re going to give them as much time as possible. “Anyone that can be involved is going to be good for us, so we’ve held off naming the team just to give these players as much time as possible to be fit and available.” Forrest also confirmed that Sione Vailanu is set to leave Glasgow this summer amid reports that the Tongan back-rower is being lined up for a move to Biarritz. “Unfortunately it’s one of those ones that, just around the balance of our squad, there’s a good chance that Sione will move on at the end of the season,” he said.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.walesonline.co.uk