Latest news with #ChrisColeman
South Wales Argus
15 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Dragons prop Chris Coleman hunting first Wales cap in Japan
The 26-year-old from Garndiffaith was last week selected as one of three tightheads in the 33-strong squad for the summer tour. It was reward for another strong campaign in which he played in 19 of 22 games, with 15 of them as a starter. Coleman established himself as first choice on the right-hand side of the front row after the retirements of Leon Brown and Lloyd Fairbrother, plus injuries to Dmitri Arhip and Luke Yendle. He racked up the minutes and, after returning from the Dragons' double-header in South Africa against the Stormers and Bulls, was ready to clock off for the summer when he got a pleasant surprise on squad announcement day. REWARD: Dragons prop Chris Coleman has been named in Wales' summer squad (Image: Gareth Everett) 'I was in the house on my own, went on my email and one had already been there for around half an hour,' said Coleman, who made his Dragons debut in 2018. 'It said congratulations on making the 33-man squad, I thought it might have been someone having me on and but on the CC list you could see the others that it had been sent to. 'I realised it must be true and rang my dad, mum and girlfriend to tell them all before the announcement. It was a nice moment for the family.' Coleman has already taken part in the optional sessions for those not involved in play-off games; working up a sweat at the Vale Resort rather than soaking up the sun on the Aegean Sea. He said: 'I'd booked a cruise to the Greek islands for my girlfriend's 30th, she was happy that I had got in the squad but it caused her a lot of stress trying to sell it! I'll have to rebook it.' Coleman will hope to go on holiday as a Wales international by featuring on the two-Test tour, with clashes against the Brave Blossoms on July 5 and 12. He will work closely with legendary former Wales and Lions tighthead Adam Jones plus ex-Dragons forwards coach Danny Wilson, a man who is notorious for his detail at the set piece. 'Adam Jones is a legend of the game and one of the best props that there has ever been, so I am looking forward to working with him and so many others,' said Coleman. 'I'm excited about what camp will be like and I'll try to take it in my stride, work hard and show my best rugby. I definitely want to push on and get that first cap, I don't want to just come in and train.' SELECTED: Chris Coleman will join Dragons teammate Aaron Wainwright in the Wales squad (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) He will have stiff competition for the 3 jersey next season from Wales international Dillon Lewis and South African Robert Hunt, whose arrival from the Cheetahs is yet to be confirmed. Coleman has taken his tally of Dragons appearances up to 81 – more than Brown managed – and has totted up 16, 20, 12 and 19 outings in the last four campaigns. Time in the middle has served him well and put him in with a chance of playing for his country. 'I've been aiming for this since I was young and there has been a lot of hard work to get to this point,' he said. 'At times it has been a tough slog but I always enjoy my rugby at the Dragons, and feel there is a lot more to come from me when I come back for next season. 🏴 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙞'𝙧 𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣 🙌 💥 A look at him in action for @dragonsrfc👇#WelshRugby — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) May 28, 2025 'Others have been unlucky with injury but that has almost been a good thing for me – I have played a lot of games and I have never seen that as a burden. 'I've had the opportunities to play and that is the best way to learn, so I want to keep getting the games in. 'There are definitely plenty of hard times as a prop – especially with the South African teams in the league now – and I am still relatively young. 'I am looking forward to the summer but also coming back to try and kick on personally and as a team to get some results.' And Coleman would love to be part of a 23-man squad that ends Wales' Test losing streak at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Harry Wilson eyes more history against Belgium 12 years on from Wales debut
Harry Wilson has targeted another slice of history against Belgium 12 years on from becoming Wales' youngest-ever player in Brussels. Wales face a World Cup qualifying double-header this week with Friday's home game against Liechtenstein preceding their daunting Group J trip to Belgium three days later. The Dragons have not won in eight previous visits to Belgium – losing five and drawing three – in a fixture stretching all the way back to 1949. 'The Liechtenstein game is first and international football has shown many times over the years that there are no easy games,' said Wilson, who finished the season in fine form at Fulham after recovering from a fractured foot and a 10-week lay-off. 'Although on paper people will think we should win that game comfortably, we still have to go out there and perform. 'For us to look ahead to Belgium before getting that game done would be silly, but going into this camp six points is definitely the aim.' Wilson beat Gareth Bale's record to become Wales' youngest-ever player at the age of 16 years and 207 days against Belgium in October 2013. 'It was by far the biggest stadium I'd ever played in,' said Wilson, who will win his 61st cap against Liechtenstein in Cardiff. 'That struck me immediately walking out before the game.' '(Eden) Hazard and (Kevin) De Bruyne were playing for them and for a young lad to be sitting there thinking 'I could be sharing the pitch with them' was amazing. 'When (Wales manager Chris) Coleman turned round and gave me the nod that I was going on it was a mixture of nerves and excitement. 'I can't really remember too much about being on the pitch, but I came on at 1-0 down and we drew 1-1, so I'll take a little bit of credit for that.' Wales famously beat Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 and the two countries have been regular opponents over the last decade or so. So much so that De Bruyne once labelled playing Wales 'boring', claiming: 'I think half of my international career has been against Wales.' Recent contests have been close affairs with both nations recording two wins each and sharing four draws since Wilson's debut game. 'We have shown over the years that we are a good team,' said Wilson, who scored against Belgium during a World Cup qualifier in 2021. 'But to have a record as good as that against a nation who have had a golden era over the last 10 to 15 years is an amazing feat.' Wales resume their World Cup qualifying campaign having picked up four points in March from a 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan and a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Who is Chris Coleman, the unexpected Wales call-up whose video convinced Adam Jones
Who is Chris Coleman, the unexpected Wales call-up whose video convinced Adam Jones The 26-year-old uncapped prop has been named in the squad for the summer tour of Japan Chris Coleman has been called up by Wales for the summer tour (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) The suggestion on Tuesday morning, as calls went out looking for any steers on Wales' summer squad for the tour of Japan, was that surprises would be few and far between. After all, with just two Welshmen in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia, this wasn't the usual development tour that tends to unfold every four years. Instead, the likelihood was that Wales would be facing the Brave Blossoms in July with a fairly full-strength team. And yet, in amongst the raft of usual suspects, there was room for the odd selection to raise an eyebrow. Uncapped Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman was one such name, with the 26-year-old brought into his first senior camp - seven years after he was playing for the U20s. Even with a solid run of starts for the Men of Gwent this season, few would have named Coleman in their predicted squads prior to Tuesday's announcement. Yet, even if his name has rarely cropped up in selection discussions, he's always been there - lurking on the radar. Article continues below "When I turned up to the Dragons, my first games were against Wasps and Bristol in pre-season," former Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan told WalesOnline. "Chris was a player I thought had a massive ceiling at the time. "He got injured at the end of pre-season, but in those two games, he was our best player. I remember turning to Luke Narraway and saying how good he was. "Jonathan Humphreys always asked about his progression and how he was going." Wales' scrum guru for the summer, Adam Jones, has been equally impressed. "I'll be honest with you, Adam Jones had a big say on that," said Wales interim coach Matt Sherratt when explaining his selection. "He did a lot of work in terms of looking at his footage. "He spoke to Sam Hobbs and Filo (Tiatia) with what he's got to offer. I think everything that came back was that, with the right coaching and if his mindset is in the right place, he could be one for the future. "I think he's someone who has fallen into the bracket of 'let's have a look at him'. He's started a lot of regional games. He's a big man. "He could be one for the future. Adam Jones is pretty excited by him." WalesOnline understands that former Lions prop Jones, having already worked with Wales during the Six Nations, was already enquiring about Coleman back then as the national team look to strengthen their tighthead stocks. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "There's no better prop (to learn from)," added Flanagan. "He probably won't believe it's true. "He'll be pinching himself because he's very humble. He's got some competition with Dillon (Lewis) coming in (to the Dragons next year). "Hopefully he'll be an international player by then and can kick on. This will do his confidence the world of good. His dad used to travel all around watching him and they'll be so proud. "I've known him since he was 15. He came through Pontypool Schools and then we recruited him at Newport High before I went to the Scarlets. He's just worked extremely to keep himself in condition. "When he was a kid, he had to work hard to get to the shape he's in now. He's always had the ability. He can play like a 10. His skillset is unbelievable. His passing game and his ability to find space, for a prop, is as good as you'll find. "What he has done is knuckle down and work hard. He worked hard with Mefin Davies last year. He had a mentor scheme with Lloyd Fairbrother to work above him. He's worked with Sam Hobbs too. It's still a work-on. He's a great kid. He's a proper Pontypool boy." Having made the squad as one of three tightheads alongside Cardiff's Keiron Assiratti and Bath's Archie Griffin, Coleman will now have the chance to experience an international environment. And with Griffin likely to arrive late into camp as Bath go in search of a Gallagher Premiership title, Coleman will have the benefit of more reps as he looks to show he can make the step up from club level from next Monday. "That's always the challenge," said Sherratt after naming his squad. But there's only one way of finding out as well." For what it's worth, Flanagan has no doubt that he can make that transition to Test level as he starts working with Jones in the weeks ahead. "What Chris will have the ability to do, while he'll be tested at the set-piece, is he'll be able to play at that level," he added. Article continues below "He can tackle with the best of them. When he tackles, he hits and he has intent to finish people off. "Hopefully this gives him the confidence boost to kick on. It's just the amount of exposure he'll have, working with Adam."
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
PLAY TEAMSHEET: Can YOU name the Fulham team from their 2-2 draw with Chelsea back in 2006? Or pick YOUR team and guess their starting XI
Welcome back to Teamsheet... Mail Sport's original football memory game with a twist that leaves you scratching your head as you try and remember Premier League starting XIs of years gone by. For today's match, we're taking you all the way back to the 2006-07 season for a London derby between Chelsea and Fulham which resulted in a 2-2 draw. Jose Mourinho 's Blues - despite their star-studded line-up - were held to a point at Stamford Bridge but can you name the visiting side that was lead by Chris Coleman on the day? It's just for fun, so see how you fare and share your Teamsheet score... full instructions on how to play are at the bottom of the article and in the game itself. And you can also pick any team you like and guess their starting XI. Best of luck! HOW TO PLAY The aim of the game is to score as few points as possible! If you guess a player at the first attempt you score one point - so the lowest score for guessing every player at the first attempt is 11. Guess a correct letter in the right position, and it'll turn green. Guess a correct letter but in the wrong position, and it'll turn yellow. You have six guesses for each player - and if you fail, we'll reveal their identity for 11 points! You can also ask for a free letter, but it costs you a point. So play on to see if you'll score the best possible total of 11 - or fail on every player and score 121.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Latu makes first Dragons start at strong Edinburgh
United Rugby Championship: Edinburgh v DragonsVenue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Friday, 28 March Kick off: 19:35 GMTCoverage: Scrum V Live BBC Two Wales, iPlayer and BBC Sport website and app. Live text on the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Tonga international Paula Latu will make his first Dragons start at Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on 29, replaces tight-head Chris Coleman who was forced off in last week's game against Ulster with a head inury, head coach Filo Tiatia making four changes to his starting XV from the 34-30 loss at Rodney Screech also failed a head injury assesement, while fellow lock George Nott picked up a knee problem, so Steve Cummins and Joe Davies come into the second Martinez returns at outside-half having been a late withdrawal against Ulster due to a leg are boosted by the return of Scotland Six Nations players Jamie Ritchie, Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham, Pierre Schoeman and Grant Gilchrist along with Dave Cherry on the bench. Latu has made seven appearances off the bench since signing on a short-term deal in December when injury forced Wales tight-head Leon Brown to a loose-head, the former Southland Stags prop has scored one try for Dragons against Lions in the European Challenge the Dragons' replacement bench wing Jared Rosser is in line to play his 100th game for the region, while fly-half Josh Thomas could make his debut. Dragons will be looking to end a 12-game losing streak in URC. Bottom of the table they have not won since beating Ospreys on the opening day of the Tiatia took charge at the end of November Dragons have lost 10 of 11 all-competition matches, but the coach did enjoy a sole victory at Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup in go into the weekend in 11th place, just two points outside the top only win in the last four rounds of URC was at Munster in February, while a six-game home winning run in all tournaments was ended in the previous game by have won all seven games played against Welsh regions at Hive Stadium and have lost just one of their last six fixtures against Dragons - behind closed doors at Principality Stadium in Dragons have not beaten Edinburgh in Scotland since March 2012. "Edinburgh are a good team," said Dragons head coach Tiatia."At home they play fast and like to play up tempo with a good set piece. It's going to be a heck of a challenge in Scotland."We need to start well and keep building around how we apply pressure from minute one."We showed that against Ulster, where we managed to do that with our pressure plan to get the ball back from kick-off."Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: "Dragons are a dangerous side, they win a lot of turnovers and can be really efficient and hurt you in the 22. They gave Ulster a hard time on Saturday, so it's not a team we can take lightly."Every game in the URC has been tight in the last couple of months, so we have to focus on ourselves and make sure we can execute as accurately as we can." Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Ross Thompson, Ben Vellacott (co-capt); Pierre Schoeman, Paddy Harrison, D'arcy Rae, Marshall Sykes, Grant Gilchrist (co-capt), Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Magnus Dave Cherry, Boan Venter, Javan Sebastian, Glen Young, Freddy Douglas, Ali Price, Cammy Scott, Ross McCannDragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen (capt), Ashton Hewitt; Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Paula Latu, Joe Davies, Steve Cummins, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harrison Keddie, Aaron WainwrightReplacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Nathan Evans, Barny Langton-Cryer, Taine Basham, Dane Blacker, Josh Thomas, Jared RosserReferee: Morne Ferreira (SARU)Assistant referees: Jonny Perriam & Rob McDowell (SRU)TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
