Second-half showing highlights need for squad strengthening
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BBC News
a few seconds ago
- BBC News
Wales' sisters doing it for themselves (and Nant)
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v WalesVenue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds You will be hard pushed to find a prouder rugby club in Wales right now than Nant north Wales club has produced not just one but two sets of sisters for Wales women's 2025 Rugby World Cup and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Sean Lynn's 32-player group which will kick-off their campaign against Scotland later this while the Pyrs sisters are getting used to packing down together, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to make her senior debut. "I'm lost for words to be honest, everything that's happened in the past year has been a whirlwind," said Branwen."I haven't trained much with the squad yet, but it's been really great coming into this environment, I'm learning a lot as I go."Everyone is really nice and it's nice to come in as a young player with all these experienced players."Asked who she looks up to in the camp, Branwen said: "Definitely Al Cal [Alex Callender] and Kate Williams, they're just role models, the way they play, the way they talk, I just want to be like them."Hopefully I can make a breakthrough at some point, I'm just trying to learn at this time."Nel said she was delighted for her not so little sister."The family is buzzing," she said."People have asked 'how do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder. I've seen how hard she has worked, she deserves this."I would say I do look out for her [in camp] and check she's ok, but she can handle herself, everyone has been pretty welcoming." Humble beginnings Wales is no stranger to having siblings run out together, Horgan twins Claire and Louise both won international honours against France in two sets of sisters is something quite special, even more so when they all come from the same grassroots Alaw, Nel and Branwen all got their start at Nant Conwy, a community rugby club nestled between the villages of Llanrwst and Trefriw."They are always so supportive of us whatever we do," said Nel."It's just everything about Nant, it's not just a club, it's the whole community, everyone knows each other."That sense of belonging is underlined by Branwen: "Growing up we were probably there every day," the younger Metcalfe adds."The club has been such a big part of, not just our journey, but our whole family. It's really nice that we can do this together."The siblings will find out if they will play alongside each other when Wales announces its team to face Scotland next Thursday. Nant Conwy RFC chairman Marc Jones said it was with a "heartfelt sincerity" that they celebrated the success of their former players."Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said."Their success is intrinsically linked to their coaches, staff and our whole club ethos. "Being part of the Nant Conwy community, it was only a matter of time that major representation was achieved. They will through their achievements, I'm sure, be a catalyst for all of our players moving forward."Tudor Roberts leads the girls section, Ceirw Nant, and he too is "immensely proud" of the girls for making the Wales squad from "humble beginnings". "It certainly spurs the young ones on, and shows that the pathway is there and through hard work and commitment it is possible," he said. "We wish them all the best of luck and will be cheering them on for sure."The standard of girls rugby in north Wales has bloomed, with quality games being played weekly. It's only a matter of time before more girls from north Wales start putting their hand up for selection."
Reuters
3 minutes ago
- Reuters
Broncos Ring of Fame WR Lionel Taylor dies at 89
August 14 - By Field Level Media Lionel Taylor, a member of the Denver Broncos' Ring of Honor and the first pro receiver to make 100 receptions in a season, died on Aug. 6 at age 89, the team announced on Wednesday. Taylor also was the first Black man to hold a coordinator job in the NFL, according to NFL Films, when he served as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator in 1980 and '81. Taylor made eight appearances for the Chicago Bears in 1959 before jumping to the new American Football League in 1960 with the Broncos. He played seven years in Denver, winning first-team All-Pro honors four times and making the Pro Bowl three times. In 1960, he had an AFL-high 92 catches for 1,235 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games, then followed up by logging 100 receptions for 1,176 yards and four scores in 14 games the next year. Taylor topped the AFL in receptions five times during his stint with the Broncos. He concluded his playing career by playing for the Houston Oilers in 1967 and '68. In nine AFL seasons and 113 games, Taylor amassed 567 catches for 7,195 yards and 45 touchdowns. He still ranks among the Broncos' all-time top five in each of those categories as he totaled 543 catches for 6,872 yards and 44 scores for Denver. Taylor was the Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receivers coach for two Super Bowl championships in the 1970s before heading up the Rams' offense. The Broncos inducted Taylor into their Ring of Fame as part of the inaugural group in 1984.
BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Newport must hit high standards at Grimsby
Newport County cannot let their standards drop when they travel to Grimsby Town in League Two, says boss David Exiles have made a promising start to life under Hughes by taking four points from two league games, drawing with Notts County and winning at Crawley also beat Barnet on penalties in the Carabao Cup before putting in a spirited performance when knocked out 1-0 by Championship Millwall on who left his role as Manchester United Under-21s coach for the job this summer, is encouraged by what he has seen in advance of Saturday's fixture at Blundell Park (15:00 BST)."The reaction from the supporters was really positive around the levels of intent and purpose in our play, that's really important that the crowd are with us," said the manager after the Millwall game."That's the benchmark for us, we need to know when we start a game what the expectations are and the standards that underpin the performance."Newport made eight changes to their XI to face Millwall and were also boosted by the return from injury of defender or midfielder Ciaran Brennan and winger Michael Spellman off the have made an unbeaten start to the season with an opening day 3-0 win over Crawley, 3-3 draw at Harrogate and 3-1 cup win against Shrewsbury on Tuesday.
