Tonight's rugby news as Anglo-Welsh league would be 'huge' and international says Wales aren't fit enough

Wales Online

01-05-2025

Tonight's rugby news as Anglo-Welsh league would be 'huge' and international says Wales aren't fit enough
The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond.
Pat Lam appeared on the latest episode of WalesOnline's 'The Welsh Rugby Podcast'.
(Image: (Photo by) )
These are your rugby evening headlines on Thursday, May 1.
Pat Lam in favour of Anglo-Welsh league
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam believes an Anglo-Welsh league would make sense for English clubs.
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Up until recently there had been talks of the Gallagher Premiership and the United Rugby Championship with an Anglo-Welsh conference to be included in that competition.
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Much to the regret of many Welsh rugby fans, talks fell through, but Lam believes an Anglo-Welsh league would work if it ever came to pass.
"I'm probably neutral because I loved it when I was at Connacht playing against Cardiff, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons," the Bristol boss told WalesOnline's Welsh Rugby Podcast.
"For us it makes sense if we've got 10 teams and there's four over there. I don't want to be controversial but I can see an Anglo-Welsh league would be huge as well. That's up for other people to decide but it's on the same island.
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"There's the history as well. People tell me back in the day Bristol used to play Cardiff in midweek and there used to be sellouts here and over there.
"One of the reasons is there's a close affinity between the Welsh and the Bristolians as well. I'm not the guy who decides all these things but if it ever went down to an Anglo-Welsh I could see it being successful."
Hook: Wales are not fit enough
Former Wales international James Hook says Wales Women are not fit enough.
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Sean Lynn's side were put to the sword by Italy in the final round of the Women's Six Nations, losing 44-12 and conceding six tries in the process. They finished the tournament like the men's team did - at the bottom of the table with the Wooden Spoon.
Speaking on a recent Scrum V podcast for the BBC, Hook explained why the team are not yet good enough, alongside presenter Lauren Jenkins and Laura-Jane Jones. "They're not fit, are they?" began Hook. "They don't look fit. That showed in their second-half performances. They lost three or four games by 40-plus points, 60-odd against England.
"Sean Lynn talks about accuracy and intensity, but if you're not fit you can't bring that accuracy and intensity. That showed against Ireland and against Italy in their kick-chase, attacking breakdown, one-up carries, falling off tackles, that's one major issue that needs to be looked out.
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"Six of the eight players that came off the bench played in the Celtic Challenge, the starting XV were all playing in England, that's probably an issue as well." 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
Referees confirmed for Lions tour
The referees have been revealed for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
World Rugby have today announced that Ben O'Keefe, Andrea Piardi and Nika Amushukeli will be calling the shots Down Under.
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O'Keefe is set to referee the first Test, along with the warm-up game against Western Force at the end of June. Piardi will be the man in charge for Test two and the AU/NZ Invitational game, with Amashukeli on the final Test and the First Nations and Pasifika XV match too.
It'll be the first time in Lions history that an Italian and Georgian will referee in the iconic series, with the trio of officials also sharing assistant referee duties throughout the tournament. Australian referee Nic Berry is ineligible to officiate the Lions games, so he takes control of France v New Zealand in Dunedin.
New Zealand referee James Doleman will be the man in the middle for the first match against Argentina on June 20, as well as the game against Queensland Reds. Fellow Kiwi Paul Williams takes charge of the NSW Waratahs match, with Pierre Brousset in control of the ACT Brumbies game.
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Scotland star signs new deal
Scotland international Hamish Watson has extended his stay at Edinburgh rugby for another year.
The 2021 British and Irish Lions tourist will continue his stay with Edinburgh, his only club, for a 15th-straight season. Last year, he became the first back-row in the club's history to reach 150 appearances.
Watson has earned 59 caps for Scotland and will likely line up to face Bath in the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Bath this weekend. "I'm incredibly proud to be continuing my journey with Edinburgh for another season," explained Watson.
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"Pulling on this jersey and representing the club where I've spent my entire professional career still means so much to me. It's a special feeling every single time.
"We're absolutely buzzing for Saturday's European semi-final – it's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the club's last one. It would be an amazing feeling to achieve something special with this club."
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Sean Everitt added: "Hamish continues to be an outstanding player for Edinburgh Rugby. His performances this season have been testament to his dedication – he is the ultimate professional that young players should aspire to be.
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"His commitment to the club and his desire to help develop the next generation of 'Hamish Watsons' is invaluable. We are delighted he will be with us for another season."