The latest rugby news stories making headlines on Tuesday, October 20

Here are the latest rugby headlines this evening following the announcement of the Wales autumn squad.

Five Wales players left at home

Five Wales internationals have been left at home by the Scarlets as the rest of the squad flew to South Africa today for matches against the Stormers and Bulls.

Ryan Elias, Sam Costelow, Eddie James, Ellis Mee and Blair Murray will miss the United Rugby Championship matches as part of planned recovery provisions agreed with the Welsh Rugby Union.

The decision comes ahead of Wales’ autumn internationals and shortly after head coach Steve Tandy named his squad on Tuesday, with player workload considered across both club and international rugby.

Wales squad members Joe Hawkins and Taine Plumtree were on the plane to South Africa, though, and will join up with the national team on their return.

The Scarlets travel with a 30-man squad for matches in Cape Town on October 24 and Pretoria on October 31, boosted by the arrival of new signing Tom Allen and the return to fitness of prop Corey Domachowski.

A club statement on the missing Wales players said: "The decision follows discussions with the WRU and forms part of the player-management and rest provisions of PRA25. Decisions have been made with consideration of each player’s individual playing minutes, cumulative workload and recovery requirements across both international and club rugby ahead of the forthcoming Autumn Nations Championship."

Director of rugby Nigel Davies said the Scarlets were growing in confidence following victories over Benetton and Newcastle.

“We’ve worked hard to strengthen the squad and create genuine competition for places, and I think we’re beginning to see the benefits of that,” he said.

Tandy 'would love' English-based players in Wales

Wales head coach Steve Tandy says he would love more of his English-based players to be plying their trade here in Wales, but added that the learnings they will take from the Gallagher Prem will be invaluable to his side.

14 of Tandy's 39-man squad for the autumn are currently playing in England, with the likes of Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake and Aaron Wainwright having moved in the summer. With the second part of the Nations Championship taking place within the Test window this November, the impact of so many English-based players will not hit Wales as hard as previous years.

In the past, a fourth Test outside of the window has robbed Wales of their English-based stars, but that won't be the case this time around. Their absence from camp ahead of the November matches will only last a couple of days, too.

And while Tandy would rather more players were still based in Wales, he admits it's hard to discount the lessons players are taking from playing over the border.

"It’s great to see that our regions are winning and being competitive," said Tandy. "Then you look at the boys across the bridge, it's been outstanding to see.

"All the feedback from everyone across the bridge has been super positive. Not just their performances on the field either.

"It's what they're adding to the environments. And also what they're learning in those environments. There's different crowds and fixtures.

"For boys like Waino going to Leicester, there's new experiences. Any new experience is a stimulation to learn and better, finding out different things.

"We’d love everyone to be in Wales. But also when they are outside of Wales and they're playing, they’re learning something.

"In fairness to them, they're performing in some big games which is great for us."

Springbok's contract terminated

Double Rugby World Cup winner Kwagga Smith has parted ways with Japanese club Shizuoka Blue Revs after eight successful seasons.

The Springboks flanker’s contract has been terminated by mutual agreement as he recovers from injury, the club confirmed on Tuesday, amid speculation he could return to South Africa.

Smith, 32, has captained the side in recent seasons and was named in the league’s team of the season five times. He was also voted Japan Rugby League One Player of the Season in 2023.

The club paid tribute to the 63-cap South Africa international, who joined in 2018 when the team were known as Yamaha Jubilo.

“Since joining Yamaha Jubilo in 2018, he has been a key player for the team for eight seasons,” the statement read.

It added: “Kwagga Smith is an important figure who has built the club’s history and is a true representative of the league. We express our utmost respect and gratitude for his achievements to date and sincerely wish him continued success in the future.”