Today’s rugby news as Welsh rugby stalwart officially leaves and star to miss Wales’ Six Nations opener

Cardiff: Big news in the rugby world today! Gafyn Cooper, a true legend for Cardiff Rugby, has officially left the club to take on a new role with Leinster as their team operations manager. He’s been with Cardiff since 2006, and it’s a big change for him.

Cooper got a heartfelt send-off after their recent draw with the Ospreys. The team shared some lovely photos showing their appreciation for his years of service. He’s been a key figure in the club for nearly two decades, and it’s clear he’ll be missed.

On another note, France’s Gael Fickou is going to miss the start of the Six Nations. He recently had surgery on a broken thumb and will be out for six to eight weeks. This means he’ll miss the opening match against Wales in Paris, which is a bummer for fans.

Fickou has been a mainstay for France, and it’s tough to see him sidelined. He’s hoping to be back in time for the match against Italy later in the tournament.

In other news, England is gearing up for a tour to Argentina this July, their first visit to South America since 2017. They’ll play two Tests against the Pumas, which should be exciting!

Lastly, Bristol Bears have reported a pre-tax loss of £5.5 million, which is a bit concerning. They’re working on cutting costs and focusing on homegrown talent to turn things around. It’s a challenging time for many clubs, but they’re doing their best to stay afloat.