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Tonight's rugby news as Wales star in tears and top match called off amid tragic news
@Source: walesonline.co.uk
These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, May 8. Tomos Williams has admitted he "shed a tear" after learning he had been selected by British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell for this summer's tour of Australia. The Wales scrum-half has been phenomenal for Gloucester this season since his move from Cardiff last summer, and his fine performances have seen him named as one of two Welshmen in the squad alongside Ospreys star and national team captain Jac Morgan. Together, they make up the lowest Welsh contingent on a Lions tour in nearly 90 years, but Williams was rightly still blown away by the honour as his name was read out by Lions chair Ieuan Evans at the squad announcement ceremony at the O2 in London on Thursday afternoon. Appearing at the ceremony via video call after the full squad was announced, the 30-year-old looked emotional as he described what being picked for the Lions means to him. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "I've got to admit I did shed a tear," said Williams. "I'm very proud. The last two days, I've been an emotional wreck. "I'm just grateful for my parents, my partner Laura and everyone who has helped me this far. I can't put it into words. It's the top of the mountain. "You can't get much higher than this achievement," he added. "To put all the work in throughout your life. I'm lost for words." Gloucester later shared a video of Williams' teammates assembled to watch the squad announcement, with cheers and applause ensuing as his name was read out. The scrum-half's hometown club, Treorchy RFC, also paid tribute as they spoke of their pride in watching him reach "the pinnacle of British rugby". "Congratulations Tomos you are a Lion!" read a statement on the club's social media channels. "We have loved seeing your journey from a budding mini rugby player to the international star you have become. "How proud are we to share that our club has played a part in supporting one of our own to the pinnacle of British rugby." This weekend's Top 14 match between Castres Olympique and Clermont has been postponed following the tragic death of Castres wing Josaia Raisuqe. The 30-year-old Fijian back was killed in a road accident while travelling to training on Thursday morning, with several French media outlets reporting the car he was travelling in was struck by a train at a level crossing near his team's training centre in Saix. It has also been reported that several of Raisuqe's teammates were at the scene of the accident and saw the incident happen, with a psychological unit set up at the club to provide support to players and staff. Castres had been due to face Clermont in the Top 14 on Saturday afternoon, but the governing body of French club rugby, Ligue Nationale Rugby, has now confirmed that the match has been postponed. In a statement, it also confirmed that tributes would be paid to Raisuqe - who also played for Stade Francais and Nevers and had agreed to join Brive ahead of next season - at all Top 14 and Pro D2 matches this weekend. "The LNR extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt thoughts to Josaia Raisuqe's family, his loved ones, the entire Castres Olympique team, and all the friends and clubs that supported Josaia throughout his career, Stade Français Paris and USON Nevers," the statement read. "A tribute will be paid to Josaia Raisuque on all TOP 14 and PRO D2 pitches this weekend. The match for the 23rd day of TOP 14, scheduled between Castres Olympique and ASM Clermont Auvergne, this Saturday at 2:30 p.m., has been postponed." Ospreys head coach Mark Jones has made just one change to his side for their URC clash with the Sharks in Durban on Friday night. The region are currently 11th in the URC table but three points off the play-off spots and know that they must beat the Sharks and defeat the Lions in Johannesburg in order to keep their outside hopes of finishing in the top eight alive. Jones has stuck to his guns for the first game of the South African double-header, with prop Tom Botha coming in to replace Ben Warren, who drops to the bench. "There is a chance now on tour to South Africa to try and get ourselves in the play-offs, or certainly make life uncomfortable for others if they do slip up," the head coach said. "It is an awesome place to tour and we are playing in some good venues. What a way to finish off the season." "We know the Sharks are a high-quality outfit with a lot of household names, but they've also got some great depth with their young talent coming through as well. "We've prepared as well as we can for them, but we've put a lot of focus on ourselves for these last two games," he added. "The key for us to be the best version of ourselves on the night, when we've done that this year, we've been a tough side to play against." Ospreys : Jack Walsh; Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Will Spencer, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse. Replacements : Sam Parry. Steffan Thomas, Ben Warren, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.
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