**Wales Rugby: Hook Touts Rising Star for National Cap, US Eyes Six Nations Fixtures, and Exeter Faces Coaching Upheaval**
As the rugby season draws into its later stages, there is no shortage of talking points both within Welsh rugby and across the global game. From bold predictions about emergent Welsh talent to a potential American revolution in the Six Nations, today’s headlines promise to interest fans across the board.
Former Wales and Ospreys fly-half James Hook has voiced his strong belief that back-row prospect Morgan Morse is ‘destined’ to don the red jersey soon. On the BBC Scrum V podcast, Hook argued that Morse’s form not only earns him consideration, but virtually guarantees his inclusion in the Wales squad for the upcoming tour of Japan. “He is destined for a cap. You’d like to think he’d go to Japan,” said Hook, referring to the summer test series, which serves as a vital platform for emerging players.
When it comes to the fly-half conundrum, Hook sees room for both Scarlets’ Sam Costelow and Ospreys’ Dan Edwards to be selected. “Dan has got a longer and better kicking game at the moment, but both have pace and are learning to manage the tempo. I expect to see Dan and Costelow in Japan,” Hook commented, highlighting the transitional nature of Wales’ playmaker options as the side seeks to rebuild.
The debate around scrum-half options is equally robust, with Hook asserting that Reuben Morgan-Williams and Kieran Hardy have earned their tickets. Given expectations that Tomos Williams will be included in the British & Irish Lions squad, Hook feels both Hardy, fresh from a man-of-the-match display, and the impressive Morgan-Williams should head to Japan for valuable international experience. “People will disagree, but, form-wise, not a lot of people can argue with that,” he insisted.
In other major news, the United States is reportedly exploring the possibility of hosting Six Nations matches in the future. With the country confirmed as host for the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the women’s tournament to follow two years later, US rugby officials are pursuing ever-bolder ambitions. American rugby CEO Bill Goren revealed that discussions had already begun on the prospect of staging Six Nations fixtures stateside, telling the Daily Mail: “That doesn’t necessarily help on the high-performance side for USA rugby, but for marketing it does. We’re working with different nations to find the right level of competition.”
Goren added that the wider strategy is about drawing more people into the game, as evidenced by America’s scheduled fixtures next year, including matches against England in Washington and a November visit to Scotland. World Rugby and Six Nations executives have also alluded to the potential of extending rugby’s reach further into the lucrative US market, a move that could transform the sport’s global landscape.
Back in Wales, Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia has rallied his beleaguered squad to ‘embrace’ the daunting prospect of taking on the Stormers and Bulls in South Africa. With injuries mounting and a season of disappointments, Tiatia is focusing on a positive finish. “We have got to get our heads down and get ready to play…the Stormers and a very good Bulls team,” he stated, while outlining the squad’s injury complications and the hope of freshening up certain players before pulling together their final travelling team.
Meanwhile, dramatic changes are afoot at English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs. CEO Tony Rowe cited a “clear disconnect” between coaching staff and players following Sunday’s heavy defeat to Gloucester, leading to the suspension of coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher. Rowe was candid about the upheaval, emphasising Exeter’s traditional values of “togetherness, hard work and shared standards,” and noting that the recent turmoil extended beyond mere results.
Long-serving Rob Baxter has retaken a frontline coaching role, tasked with restoring unity and momentum. Rowe, in his statement, expressed gratitude to the club’s loyal supporters and reiterated his confidence in Baxter’s ability to “write the next successful chapter” in Exeter’s storied journey. The changes reflect the high stakes and demands of professional rugby, where club cultures and results can shift in sharp and unexpected directions.
As Wales head into a summer of change and new challenges, and while rugby’s global expansion gathers pace, today’s news encapsulates both the local battles and the international ambitions at play. The coming months promise fresh opportunities—and new tests—for players, coaches, and fans alike.