Today's rugby news as Adam Jones makes shock Wales selection and WRU in showdown with regions
Today's rugby news as Adam Jones makes shock Wales selection and WRU in showdown with regions
The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
Adam Jones is part of the Wales coaching team once again
(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency )
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, May 21.
Adam Jones influenced shock Wales pick
Surprise new Wales call-up Chris Coleman made it into the summer squad on the recommendation of tighthead legend Adam Jones.
The Dragons tighthead has been a constant for the Men of Gwent this season, taking on the brunt of the load following the retirements of Leon Brown and Lloyd Fairbrother, as well as injuries to Dmitri Arhip and Luke Yendle. The 26-year-old, who previously played for Wales U20s, has started 15 times for the Dragons this season - with four more appearances off the bench.
And as Matt Sherratt announced his 33-man squad for the tour of Japan, he revealed it was former Wales and Lions prop Jones - who will once again work with the national team on secondment from Harlequins - who had identified Coleman as worthy of a first call-up. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"I'll be honest with you, Adam Jones had a big say on that," said the Wales interim coach. "He did a lot of work in terms of looking at his footage.
"He spoke to Sam Hobbs and Filo (Tiatia) with what he's got to offer.
Article continues below
"I think everything that came back was that, with the right coaching and if his mindset is in the right place, he could be one for the future.
"I think he's someone who has fallen into the bracket of 'let's have a look at him'.
"He's started a lot of regional games. He's a big man.
"He could be one for the future. Adam Jones is pretty excited by him.
"That's always the challenge (stepping up from club level). But there's only one way of finding out as well."
WRU and regions showdown
WRU bosses will face the Welsh regions for the first time today since walking away from discussions over a new Professional Rugby Agreement and announcing there will no longer be four evenly funded teams in Wales.
The move at the end of last week has plunged the game into a new level of turmoil, with a strong likelihood Wales will end up with three teams rather than four, as things stand.
The process of how this all plays out begins today, with the first Professional Rugby Board meeting since the explosive developments that have led to accusations and recriminations.
Essentially, the WRU no longer believes the PRA agreement they have been negotiating for a year is viable amid a worsening financial climate. After the Scarlets and Ospreys refused to sign the deal that was on the table, the Union walked away and insist they won't be coming back.
A tense exchange of views will be aired when bosses meet today, while a number of options will be explored going forward, including the possible merging of two teams.
Welsh regions discover URC fixtures
Wales' four Welsh regions will discover their full fixture lists for next season at midday today, and have already revealed who and when they play in their opening home matches.
The Scarlets, who are still in the hunt for this year's title when they travel to Leinster in the play-offs on May 31, will begin next season's campaign at home to Munster on September 27.
Cardiff are also at home on the opening weekend, hosting the Lions on the evening of the same date at the Arms Park. They travel to Munster the following week.
The Ospreys' first home game won't be until October 11 when they welcome Italian side Zebra. The Dragons' first home game is against the Sharks on October 3.
I've had to hold back Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on England return – Steve Borthwick
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is poised to make his England return this summer after Steve Borthwick revealed he has been forced to hold back the Exeter wing in training.
Feyi-Waboso has been called up by Borthwick for the first time since November, having been unable to play in 2025 because of a dislocated shoulder that required surgery.
Now present in a 33-man training squad for a two-day camp that begins preparations for the summer tour to Argentina and the United States, the 22-year-old is close to full fitness after five months on the sidelines.
Rather than give him the summer off to be in the best possible shape for next season, Borthwick believes the 'world-class' threequarter with a strike rate of five tries in eight Tests needs to play.
'Manny has been doing team and individual training. He looks really good. I'm delighted to see him back on the grass,' England's head coach said.
'A number of times I had to step in and pull him back because he wanted to do more. I had to go and stand on his wing and remind him! That's a positive sign of where Manny is at.
'He's a world-class player and is raring to get stuck into things. He's a young man and these players are just desperate to play.'
Feyi-Waboso was a strong contender for the British and Irish Lions squad bound for Australia this summer only for the shoulder injury sustained against Sale on December 21 to rob him of the chance to press his claim in the Six Nations.
His recovery was delayed while England and Exeter discussed his treatment options, and because of a tooth infection.
The Exeter University medical student's time in camp this week will be limited to one day as he must return to Devon to take an exam on Wednesday.
He could be ready in time to face Sale in the final round of the regular season on May 31, although it remains to be seen whether Borthwick wants him to be risked in a game where there is nothing at stake for the Chiefs.
'Manny looks really good. The medical teams are really pleased with his recovery. You get a sense from the player of how he's feeling and there's a really positive energy coming off him,' Borthwick said.
England's squad does not include players selected for the Lions or those from Northampton and Bath, who are involved in this weekend's European finals.
Powerful Sale centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White features in a senior England squad for the first time as he continues to enjoy a breakthrough season.
The 22-year-old, son of former Tongan international Viliami Ma'asi, is seen as a candidate to provide the ball carrying muscle that England have lacked in midfield since the Test retirement of Manu Tuilagi last year.
Article continues below
Veterans George Ford and Jamie George are present in the group after being overlooked for the Lions tour by Andy Farrell.
Borthwick confirmed lock George Martin and centre Ollie Lawrence will play no part against the Pumas or Eagles because of respective knee and Achilles injuries.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
29 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Dragons prop Chris Coleman hunting first Wales cap in Japan
The 26-year-old from Garndiffaith was last week selected as one of three tightheads in the 33-strong squad for the summer tour. It was reward for another strong campaign in which he played in 19 of 22 games, with 15 of them as a starter. Coleman established himself as first choice on the right-hand side of the front row after the retirements of Leon Brown and Lloyd Fairbrother, plus injuries to Dmitri Arhip and Luke Yendle. He racked up the minutes and, after returning from the Dragons' double-header in South Africa against the Stormers and Bulls, was ready to clock off for the summer when he got a pleasant surprise on squad announcement day. REWARD: Dragons prop Chris Coleman has been named in Wales' summer squad (Image: Gareth Everett) 'I was in the house on my own, went on my email and one had already been there for around half an hour,' said Coleman, who made his Dragons debut in 2018. 'It said congratulations on making the 33-man squad, I thought it might have been someone having me on and but on the CC list you could see the others that it had been sent to. 'I realised it must be true and rang my dad, mum and girlfriend to tell them all before the announcement. It was a nice moment for the family.' Coleman has already taken part in the optional sessions for those not involved in play-off games; working up a sweat at the Vale Resort rather than soaking up the sun on the Aegean Sea. He said: 'I'd booked a cruise to the Greek islands for my girlfriend's 30th, she was happy that I had got in the squad but it caused her a lot of stress trying to sell it! I'll have to rebook it.' Coleman will hope to go on holiday as a Wales international by featuring on the two-Test tour, with clashes against the Brave Blossoms on July 5 and 12. He will work closely with legendary former Wales and Lions tighthead Adam Jones plus ex-Dragons forwards coach Danny Wilson, a man who is notorious for his detail at the set piece. 'Adam Jones is a legend of the game and one of the best props that there has ever been, so I am looking forward to working with him and so many others,' said Coleman. 'I'm excited about what camp will be like and I'll try to take it in my stride, work hard and show my best rugby. I definitely want to push on and get that first cap, I don't want to just come in and train.' SELECTED: Chris Coleman will join Dragons teammate Aaron Wainwright in the Wales squad (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) He will have stiff competition for the 3 jersey next season from Wales international Dillon Lewis and South African Robert Hunt, whose arrival from the Cheetahs is yet to be confirmed. Coleman has taken his tally of Dragons appearances up to 81 – more than Brown managed – and has totted up 16, 20, 12 and 19 outings in the last four campaigns. Time in the middle has served him well and put him in with a chance of playing for his country. 'I've been aiming for this since I was young and there has been a lot of hard work to get to this point,' he said. 'At times it has been a tough slog but I always enjoy my rugby at the Dragons, and feel there is a lot more to come from me when I come back for next season. 🏴 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙞'𝙧 𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣 🙌 💥 A look at him in action for @dragonsrfc👇#WelshRugby — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) May 28, 2025 'Others have been unlucky with injury but that has almost been a good thing for me – I have played a lot of games and I have never seen that as a burden. 'I've had the opportunities to play and that is the best way to learn, so I want to keep getting the games in. 'There are definitely plenty of hard times as a prop – especially with the South African teams in the league now – and I am still relatively young. 'I am looking forward to the summer but also coming back to try and kick on personally and as a team to get some results.' And Coleman would love to be part of a 23-man squad that ends Wales' Test losing streak at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu.
South Wales Argus
30 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Sam Scarfe signs new Dragons deal after Pontypool exploits
The 21-year-old enjoyed a strong campaign in Super Rygbi Cymru with Pontypool, making 14 appearances for the play-off quarter-finalists. Scarfe, who made his Dragons debut in his old position of flanker at Glasgow in February 2024 because of an injury crisis, enjoyed a solitary outing for Filo Tiatia's side against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup clash in Newport. The combative forward has agreed fresh terms and is now looking to push Elliot Dee, Brodie Coghlan, James Benjamin and Oli Burrows for action next season. Scarfe said: 'I've played lots of minutes and learnt a lot from Pooler this year with the help of top players and coaches, which has been great for me. 'Dragons is my home club and I want to represent the badge as much as possible. The club is in a good place so it would be great to get the minutes down at Rodney Parade. 'Filo (Tiatia) has helped me a lot this year in understanding the game in a different way and seeing the opportunities available. I've also enjoyed picking the brains of our experienced senior boys as I continue to develop.' Sam Scarfe crashing over for Pontypool (Image: NCR Photography) Scarfe, who came through at Penallta, provides the Dragons with a different option at the heart of the front row thanks to his back-row background. 'Sam converted to hooker from seven about four or five four years ago,' said forwards Coach Sam Hobbs. 'He was a very good seven and his body type is suited to being a modern-day physical hooker. 'With Pontypool, he played a huge amount of rugby in the Championship, which was a tough education, but now in the SRC he's become a dominant force there and an outstanding prospect winning numerous player-of-the-match awards. 'I'm excited and believe next year will be a big season for Sam. His contact area is his superstrength and he's developed his ball carrying while his set-piece is going really well.' Head coach Tiatia added: 'We've been pleased with Sam's progress and the minutes he has also been able to secure for Pontypool in the SRC. 'He's a hard-working young man who wants to keep improving, so we look forward to his continued development in our senior environment.' Scarfe is one of the Dragons' many promising prospects who will back up the experienced figures in the squad next season. Centre Joe Westwood, flanker/lock Ryan Woodman and hooker Brodie Coghlan grew in influence last season, while centre Harri Ackerman would have were it not for injury. Full-back Huw Anderson, scrum-halves Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, lock Barny Langton-Cryer and tighthead Luke Yendle got more opportunities while there were debuts for wing Harry Rees-Weldon, fly-half Harri Ford, props Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Owain James, lock Nick Thomas and back row forward Evan Minto. The aim will be to balance more Dragons chances with learning in the middle for Newport, Ebbw Vale and Pontypool in SRC.
South Wales Argus
30 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
URC: Tonga centre Fetuli Paea becomes Dragons' ninth signing
The 30-year-old will head to Rodney Parade from Italy on a two-year contract and is the ninth confirmed signing of an extensive rebuild after a nightmare season. Paea has long been on the radar of Filo Tiatia and the head coach name-checked the former Crusaders and Highlanders back as a dangerman ahead of February's United Rugby Championship clash in Parma. The 12-times capped Tongan then went on to score a (contentious) try in a victory that all but cemented the Dragons finishing bottom of the URC. Paea, who can play inside and outside centre, made 17 appearances for Zebre and three for his country alongside fellow new recruit Fine Inisi. 'He's a very talented centre who has played international rugby for Tonga and Super Rugby for Crusaders and the Highlanders. He'll bring a wealth of experience to the group,' said Tiatia about the centre, who made 45 successful carries in the URC. 'Fetuli is a player I've followed closely for some time. He has good footwork pre-contact, is a gain line winner and will be eager to bring success to our club.' The Dragons currently have Aneurin Owen, Harri Ackerman, Joe Westwood and Harry Wilson on the books for next season as options at centre along with wingers Jared Rosser and Inisi. Wilson is under contract but there is the possibility of him leaving early after failing to hit the heights in his first season in Europe following a move from the Waratahs. However, the Paea move was in the pipeline before any potential departure for the Australian. The centre is excited about the chance to become the third Tongan at Rodney Parade alongside Inisi and back rower Solomone Funaki, who is yet to play for the club after an injury nightmare in 2024/25. Paea said: 'The move to Dragons has my family and I excited about being in a new environment and atmosphere. 'I've decided to make the move to put myself in a position where I'm able to continue to learn and gain more experience. 'I'm eager to take on the new challenge, meet the Dragons family and our loyal fans and get started.' The Dragons have confirmed the signings of centre Paea, wing Inisi, fly-half Tinus de Beer, loosehead Wyn Jones, tighthead Dillon Lewis, locks Seb Davies and Levi Douglas and flankers Thomas Young and Harry Beddall. South African tighthead Robert Hunt has been lined up from the Cheetahs and a scrum-half and potentially another back rower are also on the shopping list, while signing another centre could be explored if Wilson leaves.
