Tonight's rugby news as Pat Lam Wales update issued and four Lions being monitored
Tonight's rugby news as Pat Lam Wales update issued and four Lions being monitored
The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Pat Lam, Bristol Bears' Director of Rugby
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Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, June 9.
Gatland replacement target to stay in club rugby
Director of rugby Pat Lam will be at Bristol Bears for the "foreseeable" future despite links to the vacant Wales head coach role. The club were beaten in the Gallagher Premiership semi-final last Friday by rivals Bath, but chief operating officer Tom Tainton insists that their head coach remains committed to guiding the Bears to a first final.
"I think it's testament to what Pat has achieved here at Bristol Bears that he's in the conversation," Tainton told BBC Radio Bristol.
"In terms of that Wales role I can say with absolute confidence that Pat Lam is contracted to Bristol Bears and will stay that way.
"We know that there is a lot that we have still got to achieve for the remainder of his contract up until 2028.
"I'm certainly happy to say that Pat is going to be at Bristol Bears for the foreseeable."
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The likes of Steve Tandy, Franco Smith and Simon Easterby remain the frontrunners for the Wales job.
Four Lions to be assessed ahead of final
British and Irish Lions squad members Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Josh van der Flier are all injury doubts for Leinster's United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls this weekend.
Furlong, Ringrose and Keenan are nursing calf injuries while Van der Flier's hamstring issue will be assessed before Saturday's game at Croke Park.
Tighthead prop Furlong - who has started the last six Lions Tests - hasn't played since 3 May. The Lions have already lost one tighthead, with Scotland prop Zander Fagerson ruled out. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Centre Ringrose has also been out since May, while back-row van der Flier sustained his hamstring problem in the URC quarter-final win over Scarlets.
Full-back Keenan also missed last weekend's semi-final win over Glasgow, having been player of the match against the Scarlets.
All four are set to join up with the Lions next week.
Dickson lands first Premiership final
Former scrum-half Karl Dickson will take charge of his first Gallagher Premiership final, nearly a decade after moving into refereeing.
The ex-Harlequins player will officiate the clash between Bath and Leicester Tigers at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The 42-year-old has already taken charge of 24 Test matches, including the last four Six Nations and the 2023 World Cup.
Dickson will be assisted on the day by Luke Pearce and Adam Leal, while Ian Tempest is the TMO.
European finalists appoint new coach
Champions Cup finalists Northampton Saints have confirmed the appointment of Jaco Pienaar as their new scrum coach.
The 42-year-old, who has previously coached with the Sharks and in Japan with NEC Green Rockets and Suntory Goliath, joins the Saints ahead of next season.
'When we met Jaco, he spoke very clearly and succinctly about what he believes is important at scrum time, and he had some really interesting ideas about different facets of the game more broadly as well,' said Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson.
'So, he's definitely going to bring more to our coaching set-up than only looking after the scrum, but we felt like his views on the set-piece in particular would really resonate with our group and fit well with our existing coaching philosophy.
'I've known Jaco for several years. I visited the Sharks when I first became Saints' Forwards Coach in 2018, and I was really impressed with him then as a character.
'I felt he had a lot to offer, and since then he's been all over the world and been one of the most driven, development-focused coaches that I've come across.
'Matt Ferguson has had a massive impact for us over the last few years in this space, and it was clear to see in the knockout stages of this season's Investec Champions Cup how well our scrum performed, but change is a natural and positive part of any squad's evolution.
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'You need some variety in the messaging and the environment to keep people engaged and improving, so we felt it was time for a new direction, and I think Jaco will be a huge asset for the Club.'
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
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Andy Murray has stadium named after him as tennis icon apologises to fans during unveiling
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANDY MURRAY was in attendance at The Queen's Club this morning for the unveiling of the 'Andy Murray Arena' ahead of the 2025 HSBC Championships. A decision was made last summer to re-name the centre court at the historic English venue following the tennis icon's retirement. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Detail view of the signage of the Sir Andy Murray Arena at The Queen's Club Credit: Getty 3 A general inside view of the venue Credit: Alamy 3 He was given a hero's welcome on the centre court Credit: Alamy Murray is a five-time singles champion at the tournament and also lifted the doubles title alongside Spain's Felicano Lopez in 2019. The two-time Wimbledon champion returned to the court for the first time in a year to commemorate the special occasion. It's a venue which holds many memories for the Dunblane star, who said when addressing the crowd: "I've obviously missed being out here. First time not being involved in a grass court season in a while, but I've got a new life now and enjoying being away from the sport. 'It's cool, this tournament and this court has had many special moments for me. It's the place, the tournament not the court, where I won my first match on the ATP Tour, 'It was my most successful event; I always love coming back here at the start of the British summer. "I'm very proud of the results I had here. I'm very grateful and thankful for whoever it was who decided to name the stadium this was.' He was given a guard of honour by the ball kids as he made his way out onto the court. Murray was then joined by former British tennis player and tournament director of the HSBC Championships WTA event, Laura Robson, 10-year-old Gloria Pearce from the Queen's Club Foundation and seven-year-old Jay Ikanone from Greenhouse Sport for a quick doubles match. But before he even picked up his racket, Murray, 38, admitted he was feeling rusty after a year out. He joked: 'My tennis is diabolical nowadays so apologies for what you're about to witness but I'll give it a go'. Moment Andy Murray holes stunning putt from off the green in challenge match with brother Jamie - but rivals have last laugh Murray ended up winning both points with his partner Gloria. He was then given the honour of doing the coin toss for the first match of the WTA 500 event between Petra Kvitova and Beatriz Haddad Maia. It was a highly-anticipated match as it's first time in 52 years that a women's event has been held in London. Haddad Maia came out on top over three sets, winning the second and third set 6-4 after losing the opener 6-2. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
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‘Nervous' Emma Raducanu enjoys win with Katie Boulter in rare doubles outing
Raducanu had before this played doubles just once, partnering Clara Tauson in round one of the 2022 Washington Open, and alongside Boulter was fully backed by the home crowd on the packed and more intimate Court One. The WTA 500 event marks the first time in 52 years Queen's has hosted women's tennis, and while the pairing of British number one Boulter and number two Raducanu were not quite ready to submit their entries to Wimbledon, there were hugs and fist-pumps aplenty as they got their grass court seasons underway. 'I was actually very nervous before the match,' said 2021 US Open champion Raducanu, who will take on Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa in her opening singles match on Tuesday afternoon. 'I don't know if you could tell, but, yeah, probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn't necessarily know what to do. 'I'm really happy once we got out there, Katie made me feel so comfortable, and I'm just so pleased to get a win.' This Queen's partnership, Raducanu revealed, came 'spontaneously', after a few close calls where she and Boulter nearly joined forces at Madrid, Paris and Miami. Asked it could extend as far as Wimbledon, Raducanu replied: 'We haven't spoken about it. It worked pretty well, so we're just going to keep on trying to do as best we can this week.' Boulter joked: 'Scrap what she said – we're going for the Wimbledon title! No, I'm just kidding.' Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter were in good spirits (John Walton/PA) The British pair claimed an early break in the first set and extended their lead to 4-2 before Wu and Jiang drew level at 4-4. Boulter and Raducanu broke back and eventually claimed the opening set, converting their second set point. Momentum in their favour, the Britons made quicker work of the pair from China and Chinese Taipei in the second set, sealed emphatically by Raducanu's volley. Fans on social media were quick to complain that the match was not available to watch in full on the BBC, who did occasionally cut to the British pair but focused on the action on the newly-christened Andy Murray Arena, where the three-time grand slam winner was honoured in a morning ceremony. The PA news agency understands contractural considerations between a number of stakeholders – including the WTA and LTA – contributed to the contest being held on the smaller court. PA has contacted the BBC for comment. Raducanu did not mind the venue, adding: 'I think sometimes on the smaller courts youb get a bigger feel for the match, the atmosphere and the environment, because it's a lot closer, more intimate, and you hear the support more. 'For me, I love playing on those smaller, outside courts where you really feel the support and the crowd gets into it. I was filling my bottle up, and I was literally having a chat in the stands because that's how close it is.' Elsewhere, British number three Sonay Kartal got her singles campaign off to a winning start with a 6-1 3-6 6-3 victory over Australia's world number 16 Daria Kasatkina.
