Tonight's rugby news as Welsh coach set to take French club job and famous Welsh team concede 100
The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond.
Gareth Baber reportedly has a new club.
(Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency )
Your rugby evening headlines on Saturday, May 3.
Welsh coach gets new gig
Welsh rugby coach Gareth Baber has reportedly agreed to join Stade Nicois ahead of the new season, according to L'Equipe. The former Fiji Sevens coach previously played for Bristol and Dragons before moving into coaching, and will now aim to guide Nicois to promotion. He'll be supported by backs coach Barry Maddocks and forwards coach Emiliano Bergamaschi.
Current Ospreys and Wales fly-half Owen Williams is also joining, along with former Scarlets and current Bayonne number eight Uzair Cassiem.
Baber led the Fiji Sevens side to glory at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which was followed by a short stint working with United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh Rugby.
Baber also previously worked at Cardiff Metropolitan University as Director of Rugby Systems. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Gareth Anscombe enters talks with new club
Wales international Gareth Anscombe has entered talks with Bayonne ahead of next season, according to RugbyPass.
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The 33-year-old fly-half is leaving Gloucester at the end of the current campaign and had been linked with moves to Leicester Tigers and Provence Rugby, with the latter being where ex-team-mate George North plays.
Gloucester have signed Ireland international and Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne ahead of the new season, and he'll be partnering up with Tomos Williams in the half-backs in 2025/2026.
Bayonne are favourites to sign Anscombe due to the fact veteran Camille Lopez is hanging up his boots at the end of the season. Currently on the books at the French club are former England star Manu Tuilagi and ex-Scarlets man Cassiem.
Nigel Owens makes return
Nigel Owens made his return to refereeing on Saturday afternoon.
The legendary official picked up the whistle again as Lampeter RFC took on London Welsh in a 150th anniversary match. Writing on social media ahead of the game, the Welshman said: "BREAKING NEWS: I'm back. After 4 years I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. Hope the legs will last the 80 mins."
It was a glorious day at Lampeter RFC's North Road fields with spectators lining the touchline. Owens and the players were welcomed onto the field by youth players as supporters clapped and took pictures of the famous referee.
The final score was 60-24 to Welsh, who played the second half with a side comprised of second and third-string players. The club described it as a "great day for all to celebrate" and it was "great having Nigel back from retirement for it as well."
The last time Owens refereed a match was France v Italy in the autumn internationals five years ago, which was also his 100th Test as a referee. Since putting down the whistle, Owens has worked as a mentor for new WRU referees, as well as a World Rugby expert. He spends much of his time on his farm out in west Wales.
Neath hammered 105-0 by Merthyr
Neath were put to the sword by champions Merthyr on Saturday afternoon, finishing 105-0.
It was the last game of the WRU Premiership season for the two teams, and was a jaw-dropping 66-0 at half-time. Merthyr ran in their tries with ease at The Wern and didn't take their foot off the gas in the second half.
A total of 16 tries were scored by Merthyr, with one of those a penalty try.
Neath went into the game in third place, but suffered the full wrath of the leaders.
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The newly-crowned champions' performance paid testament to the fact they've lost only two games all season. They clinched the title with a 48-24 victory over Brecon recently, with Pontypridd's defeat to Ystrad Rhondda contributing to their glory.
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Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. One advantage of a potential swoop for Vardy would be his status as a free agent, possibly enabling greater investment in wages. It wouldn't mark the first occasion Wrexham have attempted to secure a major signing during the current window either. The ambitious outfit previously pursued former Manchester United star Christian Eriksen. While they were ultimately unsuccessful, the Danish playmaker's representative Martin Schoots described Wrexham as a "hugely impressive project." Director Humphrey Ker responded to rumours surrounding the club's supposed interest in Vardy back in May. 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