Tonight's rugby news as five Wales stars selected in same English team and landmark deal struck

These are your rugby headlines on the evening of Friday, October 25.

Five Welshmen in Gloucester XV

English Premiership side Gloucester have named five Welshmen in their starting XV to face Newcastle Falcons at Kingsholm tomorrow.

Josh Hathaway, Max Llewellyn, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams and Freddie Thomas - all fresh from their call-ups to Warren Gatland's autumn international squad earlier this week - will take the field together for George Skivington's side.

Anscombe returns at fly-half having missed last weekend's narrow defeat to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road due to HIA protocols.

He links up with Williams in a half-back pairing many are predicting will also face Fiji at the Principality Stadium in two weeks' time.

Thomas, who was among two uncapped call-ups this week, will look to continue his fine early-season form in the pack. Llewellyn, who scored a hat-trick last weekend, lines up in midfield.

With no George Barton in the ranks, Anscombe may be in line for kicking duties against the Falcons.

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Breakaway group agree deal

By Jamie Gardner, PA Chief Sports Reporter

A breakaway organisation led by England stars has agreed a wide-ranging four-year contract with the Rugby Football Union.

Team England Rugby (TER) is a first-of-its-kind player-led organisation which has England stars Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler and Anthony Watson on its board.

It has brokered a new Elite Playing Squad (EPS) agreement covering all aspects of playing for the national team, including commercial and welfare considerations.

The deal begins with immediate effect and runs through to 2028.

The England men’s team’s fees and commercial deals had previously been negotiated on their behalf by the Rugby Players Association (RPA) but it was announced in January that relationship was ending, with the last RPA-brokered deal ending in the summer.

TER was set up as a not-for-profit organisation in January to represent the team’s collective views on all playing and commercial matters, address welfare concerns, ensure more tailored management of elite players and to work collaboratively with the RFU and other stakeholders towards the growth of the overall game.

Aki in Toulon talks

Ireland and British & Irish Lion Bundee Aki is reportedly in talks with Top 14 side Toulon.

French outlet Midi OIympique state the Connacht man has met with French representatives via a video call.

There is, however, some confusion over his contract status, with his deal set to expire in either 2025 or 2026, depending on which source one cites.

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According to Independent.ie, the latter is correct, meaning the south of France outfit would need to shell out a transfer fee to acquire the 34-year-old's services.

They explain that while Aki is contracted until 2025, as officially announced in 2023, the IRFU have a clause to extend the deal by 12 months - an option which they state has been exercised.

Toulon are looking for a replacement for Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is heading back to New Zealand at the end of the current campaign.

In-form Ireland wing rested for Welsh visit

Ulster's captain Iain Henderson has been brought back into the starting line-up for their visit to Cardiff on Saturday (7.35pm kick-off).

The skipper, who was recently recalled to Andy Farrell's Ireland squad for the upcoming November Test series, has successfully completed the return to play protocol following a concussion sustained during a match against Connacht.

He returns to the matchday squad after missing last week's victory over the Ospreys. Head coach Richie Murphy can make use of five of his seven Ireland call-ups for the trip to the Welsh capital, with Henderson and Nick Timoney returning to the side after missing the Ospreys game, alongside Stuart McCloskey, Tom O'Toole and Cormac Izuchukwu.

The two players not included are hooker Rob Herring, who is still recovering from a long-term calf injury but is expected to be fit for the All Blacks clash on November 8, and in-form winger Jacob Stockdale, who is taking a break for the first time this season after starting Ulster's first five games.