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Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star bows out in heartbreaker and Welsh duo say goodbye
Today's rugby news as Wales star bows out in heartbreaker and Welsh duo say goodbye These are your latest rugby headlines on Saturday, May 31. Gloucester's Gareth Anscombe (right) (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. ) These are your latest rugby headlines on Saturday, May 31. Wales star bows out in heartbreaker Ross Moriarty's final game for Brive ended in heartbreak as the French side lost their Rugby Pro D2 semi-final play-off against Montauban. The match ended 13-29 and brought the curtain down on Wales star Moriarty's time in France, with a move back to Wales and the Ospreys agreed for next season. Defeat for Brive ruled out a showdown with Sam Davies' Grenoble in the second division play-off final next week, with a place in the Top 14 up for grabs next term. Moriarty, who has been capped 54 times for Wales, will now head to the Swansea-based club for the 2025/26 campaign. The move could potentially reignite his international career, with the national side in need of big and abrasive forwards. Anscombe, Halfpenny, say goodbye Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe is set to play his final game for Gloucester this afternoon as they take on Northampton Saints in the final round of the regular Gallagher Premiership season. The 33-year-old has impressed during his time at Kingsholm having moved there last summer, but his future as part of George Skivington's squad looked uncertain when the club confirmed the signing of Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne ahead of next season. After speculation around his future, it was confirmed earlier this month that Anscombe will move to French side Bayonne ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The Top 14 team announced the move in a brief statement, saying: "Having played for the Auckland Blues, the Chiefs and Gloucester, Gareth will bring his experience to our talented line-up. "Gareth Anscombe has also played in two Rugby World Cups for Wales! He will join the club for one season." He is set to bow out in front of a home crowd at Kingsholm later today, having been named in the starting line-up to face the Saints alongside fellow Wales international and half-back partner Tomos Williams. Skivington has made just two changes to the starting team that beat Newcastle Falcons a fortnight ago, with Afo Fasogbon and Jack Clement returning in the pack. Anscombe won't be the only departing player involved on Saturday afternoon, with Santi Carreras, Christian Wade and Chris Harris all also set to play for final time in Cherry & White. Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny will play his final game for Harlequins this weekend. Writing on Instagram with a team graphic showing the Wales legend named among the replacements for their clash with Bristol Bears, he said: "Looking forward to getting out there with the boys one last time." The iconic full-back is reportedly set for a move to Pro D2 club Beziers. Wales star signs new deal Wales international Johnny Williams has signed a new deal with Scarlets. The 28-year-old joined from Newcastle Falcons in 2020 and has become a main fixture in Dwayne Peel's team. Williams has earned seven caps for Wales and has recently been recalled to the squad ahead of the Japan tour this summer. He joins Macs Page, Tomi Lewis, Eddie James, Joe Roberts, Sam Costelow, Taine Plumtree and Kemsley Mathias in signing a new deal with the west Wales region. "I am really excited to have re-signed for another couple of years. I have been here five years now and I feel this team is really evolving," said Williams. "There is a lot of talent within the squad, especially with the young guys coming through – I am one of the oldest players in the squad now at 28. These are exciting times and I am looking forward to seeing where this team can go." Head coach Peel added: "Johnny is a key member of the squad, someone who has become a leader for us on and off the field and that experience is going to be vital over the coming years as part of the young back division we are developing at the club. "It has been great to see Johnny's form rewarded with a recall to the Wales squad and his re-signing is more positive news for the club as we continue to build and grow as a group." Dragons retain 'outstanding prospect' The Dragons have confirmed that young hooker Sam Scarfe has signed a senior contract to stay at Rodney Parade. The 21-year-old has impressed while playing for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru this season, while he featured once for Filo Tiatia's side when he came off the bench against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup in December. As his new deal was confirmed, the former Wales U20s star said: "I've played lots of minutes and learnt a lot from Pooler this year with the help of top players and coaches, which has been great for me. 'Dragons is my home club and I want to represent the badge as much as possible. The club is in a good place so it would be great to get the minutes down at Rodney Parade. "Filo has helped me a lot this year in understanding the game in a different way and seeing the opportunities available," Scarfe added. "I've also enjoyed picking the brains of our experienced senior boys as I continue to develop.' Tiatia added: "We've been pleased with Sam's progress and the minutes he has also been able to secure for Pontypool in the SRC. 'He's a hard-working young man who wants to keep improving, so we look forward to his continued development in our senior environment.' Meanwhile, Dragons forwards coach Sam Hobbs hailed Scarfe as "an outstanding prospect," adding: 'Sam converted to hooker from seven about four or five four years ago. He was a very good seven and his body type is suited to being a modern-day physical hooker. Article continues below 'With Pontypool, he played a huge amount of rugby in the Championship, which was a tough education, but now in the SRC he's become a dominant force there and an outstanding prospect winning numerous player-of-the-match awards. 'I'm excited and believe next year will be a big season for Sam," he added. "His contact area is his superstrength and he's developed his ball carrying while his set-piece is going really well."
France 24
07-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Wales fly-half Anscombe signs for French club Bayonne
The New Zealand-born Anscombe, who turns 34 this Saturday, has played 42 times for Wales, winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019. "Gareth will bring his experience to our talented backline," proclaimed Bayonne, currently fourth in the Top 14, on their website. Anscombe began his rugby career in his native New Zealand with Auckland Blues and Chiefs before moving in 2014 to Wales, birthplace of his mother. He played seven seasons for Cardiff before joining Ospreys in 2019. A move to Tokyo Sungoliath in 2023 fell through because of an injury he picked up at the 2023 World Cup but he joined Gloucester in 2024 instead. He has made 14 Premiership and Challenge Cup appearances for the Cherry and Whites this season, all of them at fly-half. Initially left out of Wales' Six Nations squad, he was recalled after Warren Gatland left and played against Ireland, Scotland and England. Anscombe will slot into the Bayonne set-up as a ready replacement for former France fly-half Camille Lopez, 36, who is retiring at the end of the season.
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales star Gareth Anscombe seals major transfer move in big announcement
Wales star Gareth Anscombe seals major transfer move in big announcement The 33-year-old is set to start a new chapter in his career Gareth Anscombe is set to head to France (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Wales international Gareth Anscombe has signed for French side Bayonne ahead of the new season. The 33-year-old is set to head over the Channel at the end of the season, having spent this campaign at English Premiership side Gloucester. His future at Kingsholm has looked uncertain ever since the club confirmed the signing of Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne for next season, a move that's understood to have prompted the club to tell with Anscombe there was no deal on the table for him to stay. He's now poised to head to France, with the club, who are fourth in France's top division, announcing the move in a brief statement. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "Having played for the Auckland Blues, the Chiefs, and Gloucester, Gareth will bring his experience to our talented line-up," the club said. "Gareth Anscombe has also played in two Rugby World Cups for Wales! "He will join the club for one season." Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent The move is the latest in what's been a rather hectic few years for the fly-half, who had initially struggled to find a club shortly after leaving the Ospreys in 2023. He had looked set to join Toulon, before a conversation with Eddie Jones after the Barbarians v World XV clash that summer helped him find a club in Japan. However, his registration at Tokyo Sungoliath was cancelled shortly after it emerged he would require surgery on a groin injury, meaning he never got to play a single minute of action out there. Gloucester picked him up along with Wales half-back partner Tomos Williams, and the duo have produced some strong performances in the Gallagher Premiership. Listen to the latest Welsh rugby podcast But Anscombe's stay in England has been a short-lived one, and despite interest from Pro D2 clubs, he is now set to ply his trade in the Top 14. In a statement confirming the move, Gloucester said: "Gloucester Rugby can confirm that Gareth Anscombe will depart the Club to join Bayonne next season. Article continues below "Anscombe, 33, joined the Cherry & Whites in the summer of 2024 and has gone on to make 14 appearances this season. "Gloucester Rugby would like to thank Gareth for his time at the Club and when the time comes, he will leave with the best wishes for him and his family on their next adventure in France."
Wales Online
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Gareth Anscombe linked with French giants and Wales star pens new deal
Tonight's rugby news as Gareth Anscombe linked with French giants and Wales star pens new deal The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond Anscombe has been linked with a Top 14 club (Image: Harry Trump/Huw Evans Agency ) Here are your rugby evening headlines for Wednesday, April 30. Gareth Anscombe linked with French move Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe has been linked with a move to Top 14 club Bayonne as he searches for his next move. The 33-year-old has enjoyed a fine season at Gloucester, but the Cherry and Whites signing Ross Byrne from Leinster, a move elsewhere appears on the cards for the former Cardiff and Ospreys man. A move to France has been on the cards since Anscombe's likely departure was first reported just after the end of the Six Nations. However, while there was understood to be interest from the second tier ProD2, Anscombe's preference was believed to be the Top 14. And it appears he might just get his wish, with reports in France suggesting Bayonne have made Anscombe their top target. Midi Olympique report that no French club has shown an interest in Clermont fly-half Anthony Belleau, who seems destined to join Premiership club Northampton Saints. Even Bayonne, who are preparing for the retirement of Camille Lopez, don't want Belleau. Instead, Anscombe is reportedly their top target - with Italy's Tommaso Allan also in their sights. Article continues below Anscombe had previously come close to playing in France, with a deal having been lined up with Toulon as a World Cup joker in 2023. However, taking that offer would have meant missing out on playing for Wales in the tournament. Wales star pens new deal Wales prop Kemsley Mathias has signed a new contract to stay at the Scarlets. The 25-year-old made his senior debut against the Dragons in 2020 and has played 63 games in five seasons. In 2023, he made his Wales debut - winning seven caps to date. 'I'm very happy to resign for another couple of years, this is my boyhood club who I grew up watching," said Mathias after signing a new deal. 'It feels like we have kicked on from last season, we have play-offs to aspire to in these last couple of games and have built a good, young squad moving forward to next season. It is an exciting squad to be part of.' Mathias is currently recovering from a calf issue, but hopes to be available before the end of the season. He joins Macs Page, Tomi Lewis, Joe Roberts, Eddie James and Taine Plumtree in signing new contracts. 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 Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: 'Kemsley is another of our home-grown players who has come through the ranks here to represent the Scarlets and go on and play for his country. 'He is a quality young loose-head, a strong scrummager who has gone toe to toe with some of the best front-row forwards in the world in recent seasons. He also has a big work rate in the loose. 'Kems has been unfortunate with a couple of injuries, but we hope to see him back before the end of the season as we push for that play-off spot.' Lions contenders sign long-term contracts By PA Sport Staff England flankers Tom and Ben Curry have signed new long-term contracts with Sale. The 26-year-olds made their Sharks debuts in 2016 with Ben, the older of the twins who are both strong contenders to make the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer, the current club captain. 'I'm so happy because we were desperate to keep Ben and Tom,' Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said. 'They're so good, so special, so important to the team and we're blessed to have them,' 'They're almost superhuman and I marvel at some of the things they do. 'They lead by example, they put the team first all the time, they play through pain, through fatigue and they challenge me and the environment every day.' Review proposes disbanding 'dysfunctional' rugby council By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent Disbandment of the Rugby Football Union's council is the key proposal made by a public consultation on reforms to the game's 'dysfunctional' structures. The Governance and Representation Review Group, which was commissioned by the council and includes some of its members, has called for the 63-person body to be dissolved and replaced by game representatives or a national advisory group in a radical overhaul of the existing system. The council's current role is to drive policy and pass regulations for the game, while also monitoring and overseeing the board on behalf of RFU members. The review group believes that disbanding the council – famously described as '57 old farts' by former England captain Will Carling – would simplify a governance structure that is 'outdated, complex and inefficient'. 'What I've witnessed is a dysfunctional framework, effectively established back in the 19th century, that is clearly unfit for the modern era,' said Ed Warner, an independent member of the review and chair of GB Wheelchair Rugby. 'I have no doubt this will rankle with a number of existing council members but I am hopeful that the logic of this streamlined structure, empowering those within community rugby, will win the hearts and minds of the majority.' Views from clubs, players, coaches, volunteers and administrators will now be sought from across the game as part of a public consultation running from April 30 to June 30. Article continues below A final recommendation will then be made by the review group in the autumn, with the aim of holding a membership vote later in the year. It is hoped the proposals will be implemented before the start of the 2026-27 season. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney promised a reform of governance at Twickenham after a surviving a special general meeting last month that was triggered by member unrest at the pay and bonus scandal that erupted in November.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gloucester thrash Exeter in record-breaking win
Gallagher Premiership Gloucester (43) 79 Tries: Clement, Blake, Ludlow, Harris, S Atkinson 2, Anscombe, Williams, Ford-Robinson, Wade, Singleton 3 Cons: Carreras 6, Anscombe Exeter (7) 17 Tries: Hodge, Rigg, Haydon-Wood Cons: Slade Gloucester scored 13 tries in a club-record-breaking win over Exeter to move up to fifth in the Premiership. The Cherry and Whites totally outclassed their opponents as they ran in seven first-half tries to lead 43-7 at the break, having earned a bonus point inside the 20 minutes. Jamal Ford-Robinson and Christian Wade took the try tally to nine within 10 minutes of the restart as Exeter began to get embarrassed. The hosts went on to score four more tries - replacement Jack Singleton got a hat-trick - as they registered their record Premiership victory, overtaking a 64-0 win over Bath three years ago. The defeat was Exeter's heaviest in the top flight, surpassing a 55-12 loss to Sale 14 years ago. It marks the second record-loss for Rob Baxter's side this season, after a 69-17 defeat by Bordeaux broke their record in European competition. Exeter remain second from bottom of the table. More to follow. Gloucester: Carreras; Wade, Harris, S Atkinson, Morris; Anscombe, Williams; Rapava Ruskin, Blake, Fasogbon, Clark, Thomas, Clement, Ludlow (capt), Ackermann Replacements: Singleton, Ford-Robinson, Gotovtsev, Jordan, Clarke, Englefield, C Atkinson, Cotgreave Exeter: Hodge; Hammersley, Slade, Hawkins, Brown-Bampoe; Skinner, Armstrong; Sio, Yeandle, Street, Tuima, Jenkins (capt), E Roots, Vintcent, Fisilau Replacements: Norey, Blose, Iosefa-Scott, Capstick, Vermeulen, Townsend, Haydon-Wood, Rigg Yellow card: Haydon-Wood 68 Referee: Karl Dickson
