Warren Gatland has hailed Alun Wyn Jones as “an incredibly special player” following the decision of his former captain to retire from international rugby. Jones and Justin Tipuric both chose Friday afternoon to announce the end of their time as Wales players just four months before the Rugby World Cup campaign begins.

The back door entry into the Heineken Champions Cup for the Welsh regions is set to close next season. The Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff have all had the opportunity to qualify for Europe’s top tier tournament by winning the Welsh Shield – a contrived competition amongst themselves – but that route now looks over.

Dan Lydiate believes he can add some worldly wisdom to the Dragons after returning to the club following his release by the Ospreys. Vastly experienced forward Lydiate – recently named in the preliminary Rugby World Cup squad for Wales – will return to his first professional club and Rodney Parade this summer.

Wales prop Nicky Smith has rejected interest from English clubs to re-sign for the Ospreys. The 28-year-old loose-head – who has won 41 caps – has re-signed for his region in a significant boost following a raft of departures from all four of the Welsh sides.

Wales international Joe Hawkins is “gutted” to miss out on the World Cup after prioritising his “professional development, personal development and financial security” by agreeing to join Exeter. The 20-year-old centre – who will join the Chiefs from Ospreys at the end of the season – said he has been deemed ineligible to play for his country, with his five caps falling short of the 25 required by the Welsh Rugby Union for players playing outside Wales.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has promised seven-times capped England prop Henry Thomas will “bring something different” to their preliminary World Cup training squad. Montpellier tighthead Thomas, who has played for Sale and Bath in the Gallagher Premiership, was capped by England between 2013 and 2014 and has served World Rugby’s stand down period of three years to represent another country.

Warren Gatland has warned that Wales’ top teams – including the national side – need to become more successful or else more players will follow Joe Hawkins out of Test rugby. The Wales coach believes the three regions and Wales all need to improve, otherwise young players like Hawkins could decide to put club before country.

The season could well end for the Welsh regions on Saturday, if the Scarlets are unable to beat Glasgow in their European Challenge Cup semi-final. For many, there would be a sigh of relief. But within the trauma and turmoil, Daniel Parker claims there can be some reason for optimism – youth will have its fling.

Thomas Young took a starring role in the absence of his dad as Cardiff beat the Ospreys 38-21 to clinch the Welsh Shield and Heineken Champions Cup qualification in their final URC game. Director of Rugby Dai Young wasn’t at the Principality Stadium for the Judgement Day showdown having been suspended by the region ahead of the game.

Keiran Williams has admitted it could be an emotional Judgement Day for the Ospreys on Saturday as he and his teammates brace themselves for a number of departures. The centre will go up against fellow new Wales squad colleague Mason Grady as the Ospreys attempt to beat Cardiff with a bonus point to pip their great rivals to the Welsh Shield and a place in the Heineken Champions Cup next season.

Cardiff have offered no explanation to their supporters over what has happened to their director of rugby, Dai Young. The Arms Park region have confirmed that Young will not attend Saturday’s “Judgement Day” fixture against Ospreys at the Principality Stadium but declined to comment on reports the 55-year-old has been suspended.

Wales flanker Jac Morgan has signed a new deal with the Ospreys – bucking the trend of recent internationals to move elsewhere. The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a fresh agreement to continue with the region he joined from the Scarlets, although the length of the deal has not been revealed. His decision is a major boost for the Ospreys who have recently lost Wales centre Joe Hawkins and flanker Ethan Roots to Exeter.