Your rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, May 6. Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has backed full-back Blair Murray for a shock place on the British and Irish Lions tour when the squad is announced on Thursday. Murray has been tipped as a possible bolter by a number of pundits now, with Peel admitting it would be some achievement for the New Zealand-born star after just one season in northern hemisphere rugby. The 23-year-old has played down his chances himself, but a superb Six Nations and strong recent performances at regional level mean he is in with a genuine shout when Andy Farrell reveals all. "He couldn't have done much more," said Peel. "He offers a bit of flexibility in terms of playing wing and full-back and he has played a bit at 10, although not that much for us there. "Who knows what Andy and the coaches are thinking, but from my perspective it would be amazing. "He stood out in the Welsh team. He was really good in that full-back role and since he's been back, he's been beating men, and I thought he was good last week [in the win against Leinster]." Like the other Welsh teams, the Scarlets will be out in South Africa when the announcement is made ahead of matches against the Lions and Sharks. Peel added: "I'm sure we'll be glued to the TV when we get to Johannesburg," added Peel. "If he's fortunate enough to get in it will be brilliant for himself and also brilliant for us as close friends of his, and also the region." Welsh Rugby Union head of player development & performance pathways John Alder says talks are taking place with the RFU and Championship about a Tier 2 Anglo-Welsh Cup competition - although nothing will be in place before 2026/27. The WRU had previously intimated at the start of Super Rygbi Cymru, which replaced the Welsh Premiership, that cross-border matches with English clubs was on the agenda. Next season will seen England's Championship expanded to 14 teams, with reborn Worcester Warriors and National 1 champions Richmond joining the 12 existing teams. That will help offset the loss of cup fixtures, with the Championship not involved in the Premiership Cup from next season, as could any future Anglo-Welsh fixtures. “Conversations are still ongoing with the RFU and the Championship clubs; they have picked up again, but obviously we missed a window for this season,” Alder said during a guest appearance on the Super Rugby Cymru podcast. “What we do want to do next year is make the Cup as interesting and as exciting as possible.” Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Ireland winger Mack Hansen is out for five weeks through injury. The 27-year-old will miss the remainder of Connacht's regular season in the United Rugby Championship, due to a five-week ankle injury lay-off. It's unlikely Connacht will make the URC play-offs, with the Irish province currently in 14th place, third from bottom, which means he's most likely played the last of his club season. The British and Irish Lions squad is being announced on Thursday, May 8, and Australia-born Hansen is hoping to make the cut, along with a plethora of his Ireland teammates. Hansen's injury shouldn't be a problem, with the first game against Argentina on June 20, which gives him plenty of time to recover from the injury. The winger's teammate Caelan Doris' hopes took a huge blow on Monday after Leinster announced he needs a shoulder operation. By PA Sport Staff Callum Chick revealed his ambition to play for England again is behind his decision to move from Newcastle to Northampton at the end of the season. The back rower, who won England caps against the United States and Canada in 2021 and played against the Barbarians the following year, will end a 16-year association with his boyhood club this summer. The 28-year-old has made more than 150 senior appearances and has started in all 15 of Newcastle’s Premiership Rugby games this season, but the number eight says he is ready for a fresh challenge. “I feel the time is right for me to move on,” said Chick, Newcastle’s club captain. “I have aspirations to get more England caps, and in order to do that I feel like I have to experience something new. “Northampton feels like a perfect move for me. I enjoy the brand of rugby, and they have some great coaches and players. “Moving was a no-brainer and Northampton being that choice was an easy decision. I think that I will fit in well and I am excited to get started. “The standard at Northampton across the board is great, but in particular the back row has got some fantastic players. “I am looking forward to learning from them and putting that into my game. Competition for positions brings the best out of everyone, and, for myself, that is something I am looking forward to.”