Farrell shows his hand - but who needs a big game?
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North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Jess Fishlock still believes as Wales throw Netherlands loss ‘in the bin'
Wales fell flat on their major tournament debut and sunk to the bottom of Group D following goals from Vivianne Miedema – her 100th at international level – Victoria Pelova and Esmee Brugts on Saturday. However, the lowest-ranked team in the competition have no time to wallow as they head to St Gallen to take on a France side buoyant after a 2-1 win over England. Thank you/Diolch, I have never experienced anything like the reception our @Cymru fans gave us today. Our group is tough, our opposition some of the best in the world, we WILL keep fighting. Two more opportunities to give it all we've got. #Togetherstronger #Cymru — Rhian Wilkinson (@rhirhi8) July 5, 2025 Fishlock, Wales' most capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, insisted a top-two finish remains in their own hands but only if they quickly draw a line under what happened at the weekend. 'I know us as a group, we will refocus, we will learn really fast and we're really excited to get back on the field on Wednesday,' the 38-year-old told BBC Sport Wales. 'If you're going to ask me if I still believe that (Wales can reach the knockout stages), then I will say, wholeheartedly, I still believe. 'The biggest message is not to dwell too much on the game and the loss. I think we really need to take what we need to take from it, move forward and throw the rest in the bin. Diolch Y Wal Goch ♥️ You played your part in history with incredible support. It means everything to us. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 5, 2025 'That's my favourite saying: take what you need to take and throw the rest in the bin. It's not going to help you and if it's not going to help you, it's just going to hurt you.' Fishlock was adamant Wales, who will be able to call upon Ceri Holland after she went down with cramp against the Dutch, will not be going out all guns blazing at the Kybunpark in order to prove a point. 'We don't have to win it in the first five minutes,' she added. 'We have to stay in it as long as possible and use the players that we have. We have some fantastic players that can cause damage to any team.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Josie Green column: Wales still have belief at Euro 2025
In her latest BBC Sport column at Euro 2025, Josie Green discusses Wales' first major tournament match against the Netherlands and looks forward to their contest against France in St Gallen as Rhian Wilkinson's side aim to stay in the competition. Our first game at the European Championship is in the books and obviously we are all disappointed to have lost against the Netherlands.I don't think I will be able to fully process the emotional side of what it means to represent Wales at a major tournament until after it has finished = it was a real goosebumps moment.I think the key for us now is obviously focusing on the results, having played that first game and gone through everything, the emotions and the pride, because a lot of us have never experienced an atmosphere like that. I think it will really help us to have got that under our against a quality side like the Netherlands was an invaluable experience for us and despite the defeat, I do think there were positives we can take from the game. France another tough test All our attention is now on the France game. It is no surprise to us that we are going to be playing in a really difficult game because our group is really, really know we are in the deep end at this tournament, but we have better depth than we have ever had and we know that no-one is going to work any harder than here is so important and so valuable to us and we trust every single person in this group and we're adaptable as a team.I think you have to be adaptable in tournament football and it's going to be key for us moving forward - we're always a team that finishes strongly in key for us is staying in the game as long as we reviewed the Dutch game, we have learnt lessons, and hopefully moving on into the next match, we know that we can frustrate something that's in our DNA and that we've done consistently throughout the Nations League, in tough games against Sweden, Denmark and Italy - three teams who are also at this huge bonus for us ahead of the France match is the fact that Ceri Holland is fit to she went down I think probably a lot of people feared the worst, but thankfully she's a brilliant footballer and her work-rate for the team is off the was a huge relief when we saw her get up and we knew it was just cramp. We really lucky to have a healthy squad at the moment and touch wood, that will continue throughout our time in outside will write us off, we know that, but the belief within our group remains as strong as ever. Grateful to our friends, families and amazing fans I caught up with my family after the game and on Sunday the Football Association of Wales organised a day for the squad to spend time with our friends and is lovely to experience everything with them. I think they were also blown away by the occasion - it just means so much to us all. It was lovely for them as it was for us.I feel overwhelmed with gratitude towards our supporters, both those who have turned up to support us here in Switzerland and everyone back we want to do is put football in a better place for people in Wales and feeling their love and support is really spurring us on as a team and as a group and is a massive motivation for will have so many memories from the occasion of the opening game, the way our supporters sang to us before we had even left the hotel, their march to the stadium and then the incredible noise, the anthems, the sea of red behind the goal - it was was such an incredible, incredible atmosphere in Lucerne, the energy and emotion our fans gave us was are all feeling very grateful to be able to put Welsh women's football on the biggest stage. It gives me goosebumps to even try to write about it - it is hard to articulate and put the emotions into words.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
‘Open-minded' Andy Farrell says Lions Test places still up for grabs
Maro Itoje returns as captain for the Canberra showdown to lead a starting XV full of players considered first choice in their positions, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. The Brumbies are the strongest of Australia's Super Rugby franchises, having finished third in the table, and the fixture is being treated as a dry run for the series opener against the Wallabies on July 19. Our team to face the Brumbies in Canberra! 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 7, 2025 But Farrell insisted his Lions stars still have to earn the jersey after leaving the door open for others to stake their claim, with Saturday's match against an AUNZ Invitational XV the final opportunity to impress. 'The truth of the matter is we have got a good side that's going to take the field on Wednesday and I will tell you what I said to the team,' the head coach said. 'There's always going to be speculation, but it's up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in with regards to the chance they have got on Wednesday and on Saturday. 'Players can play themselves in and players can play themselves out, but we are looking for a cohesive team performance and that is what we are trying to achieve. 'There has to be movement in selection. The nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded. 'We play on Saturday after this and have four weeks worth of training, so you have to stay open-minded. A closed book is not good for anyone. 'I wouldn't call it a blank slate, you have always got ideas, but you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games.' Providing X-factor on the bench are back row Henry Pollock and versatile playmaker Marcus Smith in an opportunity for both England stars to prove they are viable options against Australia. In normal circumstances flanker Tom Curry and prop Tadhg Furlong would be assured of Test places, but they need big games following underwhelming tours so far. Prop Ellis Genge, flanker Ollie Chessum and full-back Blair Kinghorn must also put their best foot forwards amid fierce competition for places. The likes of Dan Sheehan, Itoje, Gibson-Park, Russell and Jack Conan are nailed-on starters. After a disappointing performance against the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday, the Lions are looking to build momentum before heading to Adelaide for their penultimate midweek game. The Brumbies were the only provincial side to beat the Lions in 2013 and are dangerous opponents. Team is in for @lionsofficial 🦁 The Hooper brothers could play together for the first time in a professional capacity. Prop Cameron Orr has also been drafted in for this game and could also make his Brumbies debut from the bench. Read more: — ACT Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) July 7, 2025 'There is a real sense of excitement because there's a lot of history that goes with this fixture,' Farrell said. 'The last two occasions we have played the Brumbies there have been four points in it, for and against. We know the challenge ahead and it's something we have been looking forward to. 'I have heard reports of how enthusiastic and good training has been for the Brumbies as you would expect when the Lions are coming to town.'
