**We start today’s Media Watch in South Africa where Toyota Cheetahs flanker Gerhard Olivier has announced that he is hanging up his boots with immediate effect.** The 27-year-old made 53 appearances for the Cheetahs, having made his debut for the franchise as a replacement forward in a Super Rugby game against the Waratahs in 2015. But following a neck injury sustained earlier this year in a Guinness PRO14 encounter against the Dragons in Wales, Olivier has decided to [retire from professional rugby on medical grounds](http://www.rugbypass.com/news/cheetahs-flanker-gerhard-olivier-has-retired-with-immediate-effect-pro14/). He said: “I injured my neck 15 minutes into the last game that we played in the PRO14. It was against the Dragons. I was tackled from behind and I was kind of pegged head first in the ground. “I kept on playing, but the neck injury was way worse than what we expected. I expected to make a full recovery being back in training with the boys now. “With a mindset where you think everything is fine and then it is not, it is pretty devastating.” Elsewhere, Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt has been talking about his experience of racism when he was younger following the Black Lives Matter protests across the world. Following the death of George Floyd in the United States, sports stars have been speaking out about their experiences and Hewitt says he normalised “lifelong” racism. The [Dragons player told ITV News](http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-06-11/welsh-rugby-player-ashton-hewitt-believes-education-is-key-to-eradicating-racism-in-wales/) that the movement isn't just about America and that it has "shed light as to what's going on in the UK. There's a lot of similarities." Hewitt, 25, who grew up playing rugby in Newport, said he has had abuse from "children and parents as well, as bad as monkey chants… I must have been 11 or 12 years old.’' Staying in Wales, talks are underway which could see the international side play their Autumn Tests at either the [Cardiff City Stadium, the Liberty Stadium or Parc y Scarlets](http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12004964/wru-in-talks-to-move-wales-autumn-tests-if-principality-stadium-remains-unavailable). With Wales’ regular home venue, Principality Stadium, being used as a field hospital by the NHS it could be unavailable for scheduled matches against New Zealand, Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in November. But Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies has confirmed that discussions to find an alternative venue, if required, have already begun. Over in Scotland, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh players are scheduled to return for voluntary, socially distanced [training sessions at BT Murrayfield on June 22](http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53012922). Players will be cleared to start back on that date if the Scottish government has moved into its second phase of easing lockdown, with a review on June 18. Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson said: "The most welcome sign of change is the fact that from June 22 we have invited the players back to Murrayfield, subject to moving into phase two to commence individual training. "Glasgow and Edinburgh players will be invited into voluntary fitness sessions, making sure we keep players fit for a potential resumption of contact rugby at the end of August/beginning of September." Meanwhile, Denis Hickie has been reflecting on Leinster’s 2006 Champions Cup quarter-final win away to Toulouse on the Champions Rugby Show podcast this week. Hickie scored an iconic try in the famous 41-35 victory over the then reigning European champions and he details the [struggles Leinster had winning in France before that game](http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/toulouse-denis-hickie-2006-quarter-final/). Finally, Connacht have revealed their academy intake for the 2020/21 season, with Ireland U20 internationals Charlie Ward and Ciaran Booth among the eight new players included. Donnacha Byrne, Hubert Costello, Eoin De Buitléar, Cathal Forde and Darragh Murray have also come on board with Connacht saying further additions [“may be confirmed in the coming months”](http://www.the42.ie/connacht-academy-intake-2020-5120387-Jun2020/). **Enjoyed this article? Get the latest news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter [here](https://xtra.pro14rugby.org/).**
