Today's rugby news as star leaves Wales for Super Rugby and 'manic' 103-point Welsh thriller unfolds

The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, October 1.

Dragon signs for Super Rugby side

Former Dragons centre Sio Tomkinson has signed for Super Rugby side Western Force, it has been announced.

The 28-year-old was one of nine departures from the Welsh region this summer, two years after he was heralded a a major signing by the Gwent side. He scored four tries in 21 matches during his time in Wales.

Tomkinson has played Super Rugby before, after previously representing the Highlanders between 2017 and 2022. He also played for New Zealand U-20s in 2016.

SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on behind the scenes.

“I’m very excited to be signing with the Western Force and playing Super Rugby again,” Tomkinson said.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and can’t wait to rip into pre-season with the lads.

“I’m excited about what they’re building in Perth and thrilled to be part of it moving forwards.”

'Manic' Welsh rugby match

By Carl Field

RGC and Pontypool served up a Super Rygbi Cymru classic at Parc Eirias with the Gogs eventually running out 61-42 winners in a brilliant 13-try thriller that's been hailed as one of the best matches on Welsh soil for years. Get the latest Welsh rugby breaking news by signing up to our free daily newsletter here.

Left wing Sam Stoddart bagged a hat-trick and had the final word to put the cap on a seven tries to six victory for RGC, as they also collected the maximum six points on offer.

The hosts had led 39-21 at the pause and then 47-21, but Pooler valiantly fought back to within five points at 47-42 before RGC pulled away in the closing moments.

“What a manic game of rugby; 60 points in the first half, 103 points overall,” said RGC head coach Josh Leach.

“We can be disappointed with some of the tries we let in, but we showed a great response when we got back in the game after their early scores.”

A breathless start saw both sides score two converted tries apiece inside the first 11 minutes, with RGC twice hitting back from the re-start through Dion Jones and then Stoddart after captain Joel Mahoney and Marcus Jones struck early on for Pooler.

Stoddart was sent over for his second – and RGC’s third – try after 15 minutes, this time unconverted before a couple of McBryde kicks at goal edged the hosts further ahead.

Pooler responded with their third converted try after 33 minutes to pull themselves back to within four, before RGC then scored twice further before the break; first through lock Ilan Evans to secure the Gogs their first bonus point and then right wing Rhys Tudor. McBryde converted both.

A further McBryde penalty and a try from number eight Sam Williams after the re-start stretched the lead to 47-21 but Pooler refused to lie down – and hit back with Meek scoring and then converting his own try after 47 minutes before they broke through the RGC defence again through a Dylan Davies try, with Meek converting.

And, when Ioan Duggan went over for the visitors’ sixth try after 68 minutes, converted by Meek, it cut RGC’s lead to just five points and a sensational comeback looked on the cards.

But a couple more McBryde penalties in addition to one from Sam Earl-Jones finally took the game away from Pooler and the last word belonged to Stoddart who collected McBryde’s cross-field kick to complete his treble and secured RGC’s second bonus point of the afternoon.

The two sides meet again at Pontypool Park on Saturday.

Newport top new league

Newport stayed top of the table in Super Rygbi Cymru despite their game at Aberavon being abandoned after Cardiff slipped up at Carmarthen Quins.

The capital club missed the chance to leapfrog the Black and Ambers after returning from west Wales pointless following a 31-19 reverse.

Newport held a slender lead in their game at Aberavon before the weather finally intervened.

The only points in a first half played in weather that was kinder to the ducks than it was to the players was a Carwyn Penny penalty that gave the Black & Ambers a 3-0 interval lead. Then came the inevitable decision to abandon the match, which will be replayed at a future date.

Meanwhile Ebbw Vale bounced back from defeat at Cardiff as they beat Llandovery 38-29 with a bonus point at Eugene Cross Park.

Wing Ewan Bowden scored twice with centre Ethan Phillips also going over to help put the Steelmen 22-15 up at the break, with Evan Lloyd adding two conversions and a penalty.

Lloyd sent over three more penalties in the second half and converted scrum-half Jon Evans’ try to seal the deal.

Meanwhile the Drovers’ defeat on this ground last October was one of only two defeats in the entirety of last season – but Euros Evans’ men have now lost two of their first three games in SRC.

The two sides face off again at Church Bank on Saturday with the Drovers, as the inaugural holders, defending the SRC Challenge Shield for the first time against Ebbw.

The holding club must defend the shield in all home games during the regular season. If the challenger beats them, they will become the new holder of the shield and required to defend it at their next home game.

Llandovery’s first three SRC games have been away from home, due to a new 3G pitch being installed at Church Bank.

Elsewhere Bridgend are off the mark with their first win with Chris Williams’ late converted try sealing a 27-24 win at Swansea.

Lions star lined up as Kolisi replacement

Ireland and Lions back rower Jack Conan is reportedly being lined up to replace Siya Kolisi at French giants Racing 92.

RugbyPass report Conan, 32, is on boss Stuart Lancaster's radar as they look to spend the money freed up by Kolisi's early departure next summer. The Springboks captain had his contract terminated recently after failing to settle in the Top 14 and being publicly criticised by the club's owner.

Conan has 46 caps for Ireland and started all three Tests on the last Lions tour. He has, though, slipped down the pecking order at international level and with club Leinster following the emergence of Caelan Doris.