Sand dunes and sumo - Wales' brutal pre-season
True grit
For those fortunate enough never to have partaken, it is a fitness test that involves timed shuttle runs over increasing distances."We came in on day one looking at the bronco testing, it's what our lead S&C [strength and conditioning coach] wanted to measure us on," said Lynn."It's really exciting because one of our young pathway players absolutely smashed it, and came top of the forwards league table which is really pleasing to see."Testing has not just been confined to sweltering indoor training barns - the squad headed to Merthyr Mawr on Friday where they endured the energy-zapping 'big dipper' - the largest sand dune in Wales."When you're in these tough situations, it's about making sure that we're all in it together," said Lynn."It's a combination of making sure that we are digging in deep and working hard for each other."We want to be a hard team to beat."
As well as welcoming back prop powerhouse Sisilia Tuipulotu, Lynn has stayed true to his word by including a handful of pathway players in his 45-player squad.And they are not just there to make up the numbers with Lynn saying they are "very much in the mix" for selection this summer."It's lovely to see the PDCs [player development centres] at the moment and you can see their fruition."We're seeing a real big emphasis on these girls. They are not drowning, they are swimming very nicely in these waters."
Back-row Chiara Pearce and scrum-half Seren Lockwood have both come from Wales Under-18s."It's been challenging physically and mentally, but it's a great feeling training with all the big guns, because you see them on telly," Pearce said."I feel confident in everything I'm doing, just because he [Lynn] is on my back saying 'you can do it, just believe in yourself, we're all here together and we're all helping you'."Lockwood added: "We are here for a reason, so it's up to us to prove ourselves now."It's crazy to think about it, I'm 18 years-old, it [selection] would be a dream, but it is in reach, I've just got to fight for it now and see what happens."It is also a first camp for loose-head prop Katherine Baverstock who said it is certainly a "step-up" from under-20s, but they "want to train well and put our names out there".
Baby sharks
While impressing the coaches, Pearce, Lockwood and Baverstock admit to being daunted by some of the senior players, especially when they do the 'shark bait' contact drill."Basically we fight each other, it's like sumo wrestling and you've got to get each other out of the circle. It gets pretty intense," explained Baverstock."I had Abbie Fleming, I got in the ring and I was shaking, I was like 'oh no'," said Pearce.But at the same time the young trio are more than ready to fight for shirts."I'll have no problem putting myself in the mix and fighting for that position because I know how bad I want it," said Pearce."They've already represented and I haven't yet."
That is just the sort of healthy competition Lynn wants before he whittles the squad down to 30 players before heading down under to take on the Wallaroos in Brisbane on 26 July and then in Sydney on 1 August.Wales beat Australia for the first time in their history at Rodney Parade in a warm-up last September before succumbing to a heavy defeat at WXV2 a week later.On their return to the UK, Wales will have just over three weeks to shake-off the jet lag and get ready for what promises to be the biggest ever Women's Rugby World Cup, with the 10th edition being held across eight different venues in England.Wales' opening game is against Six Nations rivals Scotland on Saturday, 23 August.
Wales' World Cup Pool B fixtures
Scotland v Wales: Saturday, 23 August, Salford Community Stadium,14:45 BSTCanada v Wales: 30 August, Salford Community Stadium, Saturday, 12:00 BSTWales v Fiji: Saturday, 6 September, Sandy Park, 14:45 BST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Red Roses star Wyrwas backing World Cup to inspire next generation
John Mitchell's side will go into the 37-day-long festival of rugby as favourites to be crowned world champions come September 27 thanks to their dominance in recent years. England, currently the number one ranked side in the world, are enjoying a 25-game winning streak that has yielded seven consecutive Women's Six Nations titles as well as victories in the new WXV competition. And while avenging the defeat suffered at the hands of New Zealand in the showpiece three years ago will be the main goal, Wyrwas is hopefully a positive showing by England will inspire the next generation to take up the game. 'The sport is in such a different place now to what it was five years ago when me and my teammates were coming through,' she said, as part of a new LG OLED TV collaboration ahead of this summer. 'When I was at school, I did not play rugby, there was not that much visibility of women's rugby on TV. 'You had to look for the inspiration, whereas now the inspiration is there for all to see. It is our responsibility to be really positive role models and guide that next generation into what is such an exciting time for women's sport. 'It's a massive opportunity to inspire the next generation.' The women's game has grown exponentially in the last few years, with the strength of Premiership Women's Rugby - England's top domestic league – one of the major success stories. That has helped momentum gather around this summer, and with every game of the tournament being broadcast live on free-to-air TV across the UK, Wyrwas believes that exposure will draw in new fans and make the sport more accessible. 'There's a lot of people that will look to watch our games and will be searching to find our games on TV or online if they are being streamed. 'It is such a good opportunity to inspire and engage with people who do not know much about or do not usually watch women's rugby. 'There is a chance to really create a whole new fanbase. When people like me were learning to play rugby, we did not really have the easy access to watch women's sport, or to be inspired by female athletes generally. 'But with increased TV coverage and an increased social media presence, it makes women's sport accessible for girls, which is so important. 'Girls are already overcoming barriers in sport, and we've got to make things as smooth as possible for them to be inspired.' LG is helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs. Life's Good for sport fans as LG's leading technology provides an unmatched immersive sporting atmosphere thanks to incredible OLED picture quality, Motion Pro technology for the smoothest action possible and unbelievable soundbar surround sound to bring the stadium feeling home. Wyrwas, who made her international debut in March 2023, is particularly looking forward to playing in front of home crowds up and down the country this summer, with eight venues across England set to play host. And the Saracens scrum-half said England will be unwavering in their attempts to make the most of the strong home support. 'Rugby is such a big sport in England,' added Wyrwas. 'To have a home tournament in a country that already so heavily supports that sport is pretty special. 'We've been speaking about it a lot and not many teams will get to experience that, so, we're just taking in every moment and hoping it goes our way.' Members of the Red Roses England women's rugby team joined a recent training session with LG and girls from Turing House School in Whitton, Richmond as part of the leading TV manufacturer's ongoing partnership with the RFU. The LG All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport. Together we can grow support through fandom and audience numbers to inspire new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything. For more information, go to
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby stalwart leads team of teachers and bankers to Rugby World Cup
Welsh rugby stalwart leads team of teachers and bankers to Rugby World Cup The former back rower is hoping his new team will become the darlings of the next World Cup in Australia Evans swapped Wales for Hong Kong after retiring (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency) Former Dragons back rower Lewis Evans says Hong Kong China are hoping to become the "darlings" of the 2027 Rugby World Cup after helping them to qualify for the tournament for the first time. Evans retired from professional rugby in 2021 after spending 15 years with the Dragons and representing Wales at all age-grade levels, as well as in Sevens outfit. A well-respect name across Welsh rugby, he has since taken his expertise to Asia, helping the Hong Kong China team to make history. The 38-year-old from Newport was part of the management team as they won their sixth successive Asia Rugby Championship title, courtesy of an emphatic 70-22 win over South Korea last month. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. That victory not only secured them the championship but also saw them qualify for the 2027 tournament in Australia, which has been expanded to include 24 teams. Speaking to the BBC, Evans explained that while Hong Kong China know they aren't going to be lifting the Webb Ellis Cup come the end of the competition, they are hoping to emulate the likes of Portugal, who became tournament favourites in France in 2023. "We aren't going to win the World Cup, but look at what Portugal did last time, we want to be the darlings of the tournament," he said. Article continues below "Winning one game will be a challenge and so would be staying competitive given that we are going up against top teams. Facing South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, England would be very tough, but if you can't build yourself up for that… "Give us another year with a full-time programme and we will show that we've got good players who deserve to go up against quality teams. Expansion of the World Cup is important to give emerging nations the chance to be on that big stage trying to compete." While Evans' team - who are currently ranked 23rd in the world - will be coming up against some of rugby's biggest names, they have only recently secured 22 players on a full-time basis. "Since the Chinese New Year we have had 22 players who are full-time and that has got them physically fitter and working to a game plan," the coach added. "We are in a good place to build and are able to utilise sevens boys, who are full-time, while other players are on a hybrid model. We have personal trainers, teachers, bankers and our starting 12, Tommy Hill, is a crypto solicitor who has made a lot of sacrifices." Speaking about swapping Wales for Hong Kong in 2021, Evans explained how it was a big jump, considering he had "never lived further than three or four miles from the M4." Article continues below The initial plan was to spend two years in Asia before returning home, but Evans has now been out there for four years and has just signed a two-year extension. "It will be a six-year mission that I have loved and leaving my comfort zone has been massive for my coaching development," Evans explained. "Hong Kong is a brilliant place for a young coach because you get experience of international rugby, but also work alongside coaches from around the world and are exposed to different ideas and thinking."
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
The world-class Welsh talent Steve Tandy must build his team around
The world-class Welsh talent Steve Tandy must build his team around The 20-year-old is Taulupe Faletau's likely long-term successor Morse is considered one of the finest talents in Welsh rugby (Image: Gruffydd Thomas/Huw Evans Agency) The date is January 1, 2024 and, midway through a Welsh derby between the Ospreys and Cardiff at Bridgend's Brewery Field, teenage No.8 Morgan Morse fields a kick. In horrible conditions, Morse uses his footwork, explosive power and pace to step past three defenders before running in a try from 45 metres out. It is a try which leaves spectators gobsmacked and underlines why the then-18-year-old had long been viewed as a special talent by those working within Welsh rugby's pathway. When this writer interviewed former Wales prop Paul James - who is now a coach within the Ospreys pathway - a couple of years ago, he had no hesitation in identifying Morse as the talent to watch out for. "The clear standout is Morgan Morse who is going to be special," James told WalesOnline at the time. Morse, who is now 20, is reminiscent of Jac Morgan at the same age, not in terms of style, but in the fact he is a class above others in his age bracket. The former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil has everything needed to develop into a high end Test player and Steve Tandy should waste no time in bringing Morse into the senior Wales squad. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below His omission from Wales' summer tour of Japan along with the U20s World Championship was met with widespread criticism on social media. "On the Morgan Morse one, I actually think he's going to be a hell of a player," explained Matt Sherratt, who was interim head coach at the time. "He's got power, he's quick and he's got a point of difference. "In normal circumstances, he may be a player that comes on the plane. "I just feel he's really an out-and-out No. 8. And with Toby Faletau and Aaron Wainwright coming, is it time really, with the position Wales are in, to be gambling with that? I'm sure in six months time, Morgan Morse will have an experience." Fair enough, but, come the autumn, Wales needs to start turning its thoughts towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Despite putting an end to a wretched run of 18 Test match defeats on the bounce with victory over Japan, Wales remain in the doldrums and there is currently a lack of quality in Welsh rugby. What Tandy needs is a wave of potentially elite talent coming in to strengthen the squad from the U20s over the next couple of years. Morse is one player with an extremely high ceiling who has the long-term potential to develop into a quality international class loose forward. One rugby expert told this writer he sees a touch of England and Lions backrower Ben Earl in Morse, in that he can play six, seven and eight with equal effectiveness. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free There are too many players in Wales who are reliable but without the point of difference needed to make an impact at the highest level. Morse has plenty left to learn but is a special talent with the physicality to thrive but can also have big moments and key interventions which can turn the result in his team's favour. There is no doubt about it, Morse is Taulupe Faletau's long-term successor. Morse will have a battle on his hands getting into an Ospreys backrow containing the likes of Ross Moriarty, Morgan Morris and Jac Morgan to begin with but competition for places is a good thing. When Tandy takes the helm in September the Welsh public need to be patient with the former Ospreys boss because it will take time to turn around Wales' fortunes. It wouldn't have mattered if the Welsh Rugby Union had appointed Rassie Erasmus or Michael Cheika as the head coach the reality is they both would have struggled to begin with at least. That doesn't mean he should be given a free pass but there needs to be an acknowledgement this is a long-term project. One potential dilemma for the new coaching team is whether they select experience over potential to try and grind out a couple of wins or does he opt for players who are rawer but with a high ceiling? Do you go for someone who is never going to be above a six out of 10 at Test level or decide to go with a rookie who could reach eight or nine out of 10 in a few years time. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below Morse falls into the latter bracket as do the likes of Scarlets centre/wing Macs Page and Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards. While Test match rugby is about winning Tandy needs to approach the next couple of campaigns with an eye on the World Cup.
