Today's rugby news as boss tells WRU to change structure and Williams has big chance amid 'worry'

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Today's rugby news as boss tells WRU to change structure and Williams has big chance amid 'worry'
The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Tomos Williams of the British & Irish Lions
(Image: Getty Images )
Here are your rugby headlines for Friday, June 27.
Peel: Welsh rugby needs structure and identity
Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel has told the WRU they must get the structure right and create an "identity" for Welsh rugby if the national team is to shine in years to come.
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A decorated former Wales scrum-half, Peel is now tasked with leading the Scarlets in adverse circumstances, with budgets slashing and the ability to compete becoming harder by the season. That being said, the Parc y Scarlets outfit enjoyed a stellar European campaign last season, defying the odds in doing so.
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But on the Test scene, Wales have lost 17 in a row as they touch down in Japan hoping to end that drought. But Peel believes the problems are systemic and must be resolved at the top. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"From an international point of view, the structure in Wales has to be right for the game to flourish," he told the Daily Mail. "We need to find a DNA as our national sport.
"When I look at other sports in Wales, like the football team, I think they've got an identity behind them and a feelgood factor about who they represent. That can be a big driver. There is good talent in Wales.
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"We always produce good rugby players. The next Wales coach will have an opportunity to bring those players through. The regions have a role to play in that.
"I do get frustrated at what is happening. But I do see positivity and there is an opportunity to get things right. We're a proud country. Over the last 20 or so years, Wales has been a successful rugby nation.
"We're on a bit of a blip currently, but we need to keep striving to get back to where we belong. A high-speed tempo suits Welsh rugby and always has.
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"Wales were in a quarter-final of a World Cup three years ago. Sometimes, you have to go through bad periods. As a proud Welshman, I'm sad when Wales lose. But I don't think we're at a dead loss from any perspective. There is opportunity out there, we just have to get it right."
Woodward: Williams has great chance amid Gibson-Park 'worry'
Sir Clive Woodward has told Tomos Williams to take his chance tomorrow against the Western Force amid "concern" over the injury to Jamison Gibson-Park.
The Wales scrum-half will start his first game for the Lions after impressing following his introduction off the bench in the defeat by Argentina in Dublin a week ago.
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Williams has now taken the nine shirt off Alex Mitchell, who started against the Pumas, and has a chance to prove to head coach Andy Farrell that he is the man who can step in should Gibson-Park, who has long been tipped to start the Tests, not return to full fitness before the Wallabies matches begin.
"One concern is that Jamison Gibson-Park isn't included," Woodward wrote in his Mail column. "The Lions keep saying he's progressing well from a glute injury.
"But until we see the No 9 on the field, he's a worry. I'm looking forward to seeing Tomos Williams, who gets a great chance to impress at scrum-half in his place."
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Woodward, who took charge of the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand two years after steering England to World Cup glory, does disagree with Farrell over one selection in particular this weekend.
Woodward feels that tour captain Maro Itoje, who has not been selected, should have started against the Western Force in order for him to get his first win under his belt. However, Dan Sheehan will be the man to lead the Lions out in Perth.
"After the defeat by Argentina, I'd have thought it would have been important to give Lions skipper Maro Itoje the chance to get off to a winning start in Australia," he added.
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"I'm surprised he's not in the team to face Western Force. If I was in Andy Farrell's shoes, I'd have started the England captain in Perth on Saturday."
Farrell defends 'pest' Pocock
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth
Andy Farrell insists Henry Pollock has the temperament to thrive on the biggest stage after giving the England star his first start for the British and Irish Lions.
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Pollock made his Lions debut as a replacement in the 28-24 defeat by Ireland that opened the tour and has now been promoted to number eight for Saturday's first fixture on Australian soil against Western Force in Perth.
At 20-years-old the swaggering Northampton back row is the squad's youngest player and less than six months ago he was playing in the Under 20 Six Nations.
Maro Itoje described his England team-mate as a "pest" when he was called into the senior camp during the Championship and Farrell has urged him to remain fearless.
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"Henry's not been a pest, definitely not! He's been great," said Farrell, who has given Pollock permission to continue doing his famous try celebrations.
"He's hungry to learn and that's perfect because you can see that he's got a real point of difference.
"He sees things quickly and acts upon that. His line running is pretty good. His awareness of space, how sharp he is in his mind and his athletic abilities are up there with the other lads in the squad.
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"He's hungry to make a difference the whole time. But he also understands what parts of his game he needs to improve. He's got a great attitude.
"He's certainly not overawed. I mean, I love that. You want kids to be themselves and he's just being himself. He doesn't know any different.
"But he's a humble kid as well. He doesn't think he's got it all, far from it. You want people with confidence and belief because that helps when he takes the field.
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"You don't want a kid to go under the radar and in three weeks' time just settle into a side. You pick him for a reason.
"He's a Lion just like the eldest player. There's no difference whatsoever. His character is infectious to everyone. He's a great lad."
Itoje led the Lions against the Pumas in Dublin but the England captain has been stood down against the Force, resulting in Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan being placed in charge with Scott Cummings and Joe McCarthy forming the second row partnership.
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"It's a matter of giving people a chance. If leaders of the squad fall over along the way you have got to have plans," Farrell said.
"We have got a lot of good second rows and Maro is a team player, he knows people have to get going and people have to show their hand as well. That competition will make him and the rest of the players fight a little bit harder."
Finn Russell, the early favourite to take the fly-half duties for the first Test against the Wallabies on July 19, makes his first appearance of the tour, forming a half-back partnership with Tomos Williams.
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"Finn's game understanding and game control are top drawer. He has an ability to see space that allows him to think quicker than most," Farrell said.
Hugo Keenan, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Ryan are all expected to recover from minor injuries in time for Wednesday's clash with the Reds while Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn should arrive into camp on Monday.
Scrum-half Lewis heads for Chicago
Wales international scrum-half Ffion Lewis has joined the Chicago Lions women's sevens side following her departure from the Welsh Rugby Union's professional setup.
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The 29-year-old, who earned 33 caps for her country, was released from her contract earlier this year and left the national squad midway through the 2025 Women's Six Nations to prioritise her mental health and explore opportunities abroad.
Lewis has now signed with the Chicago Lions, one of the most successful women's sevens teams in the United States, competing at both Midwest and national levels.
Her move comes after she was informed her Wales contract would not be renewed under new head coach Sean Lynn. In a post earlier this year, Lewis suggested she was 'closing the chapter' on her international career, but stressed she was 'nowhere near done with the game'.
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After making her Wales debut in 2018, the former Bristol Bears player faced setbacks in recent seasons, including a serious knee injury and debilitating effects of endometriosis.
Her move to the U.S. marks a new phase in her rugby journey, one she hopes will reignite her passion for the game away from the intense pressures of the international stage.