Farrell shows his hand - but who needs a big game?
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Rhyl Journal
26 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Matt Sherratt wants Wales' win against Japan ‘to be the start of something'
A hard-fought performance saw Kieran Hardy score two tries along with efforts from Josh Adams and Dan Edwards as Wales held off a second-half Japan comeback to clinch the win at the Noevir Stadium. It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴 Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt took over as interim head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February and he hopes Saturday's win can help his successor start with a clean slate. 'A very passionate group of players and staff. There's some real talent as well,' Sherratt told a post-match press conference. 'Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something. 'The next guy coming in – the big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck. 'That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work's got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions, lets get into the regions and help develop a good young group of players.' 🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇯🇵10-21🏴 A brace from Hardy & a Josh Adams score gives us the lead at the break. #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt had overseen four of those 18 defeats coming into Saturday's contest and expressed his delight for Wales' players and staff to finally earn a win as emotions ran high at full-time. He added: 'For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. 'I'm not around it being win or loss. I'm more around I know what the group has put in – I've been around for four games, but I see what it means to them, what it means to the staff. 'I was so pleased for this group, there's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with, so it was pretty emotional. 'I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check because as you'd seen, I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.' Wales took a 21-10 lead into half-time thanks to efforts from Adams and Hardy, before Shuhei Takeuchi scored before the break. Edwards' penalty extended the visitors' advantage, but they suddenly found themselves in trouble when converted tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley closed the gap to two points. However, Wales were able to see the game out after a brilliant piece of individual skill from Taine Plumtree saw him fire a reverse pass into Edwards and the fly-half dived over the line to wrap up the win. Reflecting on the game, skipper Dewi Lake added: 'I'm over the moon, it's been a long time coming. 'I look back at tough results we've had over the last 18 months, couple of one-pointers, couple of two-pointers. We were probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. 'To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.'
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
British & Irish Lions suffer major injury scare with Luke Cowan-Dickie a doubt for first Test against Australia
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Women's Euro 2025 live: England and Wales set for ‘derby' as possible quarter-final opponents revealed
England are building up to their Euro 2025 'derby' against Wales as the Lionesses look to reach the quarter-finals with a victory over their neighbours in Switzerland. The holders kept their tournament defence alive with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands and will be through to the knockout stages with a win against Wales, who are all-but out after defeats to France and the Netherlands. Tournament debutants Wales will be desperate to spoil England's plans and ensure they do not come home empty handed, while England's Lauren Hemp has vowed that the Lionesses won't be complacent. England's possible quarter-finals opponents could be revealed tonight as Germany and Sweden clash in Group C. Both teams are already through but Sweden can claim top spot with a draw while Germany need to win. Should England beat Wales and France avoid defeat to the Netherlands, the Lionesses will play the Group C winners in their quarter-final clash in Zurich. Follow the latest from Euro 2025 below Lauren Hemp vows England won't be complacent in Women's Euro 2025 'rivalry' against Wales Lauren Hemp has vowed England won't be complacent against Wales and said the Lionesses are treating the Euro 2025 clash as a 'derby' as the holders look to advance to the quarter-finals. 'We definitely won't go into the game complacent,' Hemp said. 'Wales have done well this tournament, they deserve to be here and we've got so much respect for them. They've got a lot of great players who I have experienced playing week in week out in the WSL, so they've got a good team.' Hemp vows England won't be complacent in 'rivalry' against Wales England have only won consecutive games once in the past year but need to win to reach the quarter-finals Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 11:49 When is England v Wales? Women's Euro 2025 kick-off time and TV channel England face Wales at Euro 2025 as the British rivals clash with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Holders England could have been out if they lost to the Netherlands on Wednesday but produced an excellent performance to win 4-0 and spark their tournament into life. The Lionesses are guaranteed to reach the quarter-finals with a win of any kind while Wales need to win against England and hope other results go their way. Wales, who have lost both of their games, need to win and for France to beat the Netherlands but the tournament debuts also require a huge goal swing to advance. Here's everything you need to know When is England v Wales? Women's Euro 2025 kick-off time and TV channel England's players have been building up to a 'derby' against Wales as the Lionesses look to reach the quarter-finals Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 11:48 Why England v Wales will reveal how far the Lionesses will go at Women's Euro 2025 If there was any question about how England would prepare for Sunday's 'derby' against Wales, Sarina Wiegman actually revealed it the moment the build-up started. The coach had been asked whether goal difference had been a consideration in the minutes after the 4-0 win over the Netherlands. 'No,' Wiegman responded. 'We discussed how to play at our best.' As classically simple as that sounds, and as different as this game is to the Dutch, it does illustrate the mentality running through the squad now. Why England v Wales will reveal how far the Lionesses will go at Women's Euro 2025 The Lionesses don't want to just beat Wales, but lay down a statement and put on a 'convincing' performance to reach the quarter-finals Miguel Delaney 12 July 2025 11:48
