Latest news with #DewiLake
Wales Online
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
List of 15 Wales internationals targeted by rugby's controversial rebel league
List of 15 Wales internationals targeted by rugby's controversial rebel league Welsh players are in demand despite the national team's recent struggles on the pitch Jac Morgan (left), and Dewi Lake (right) are targets (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency) Rugby's new rebel league R360 has targeted up to 15 Welsh players it wishes to contract in the near future. WalesOnline understands Louis Rees-Zammit, Jac Morgan, Johnny Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Dewi Lake, Dafydd Jenkins, Teddy Williams and Rio Dyer are targets of the new competition. Fronted by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, among others, R360 is a potential new breakaway franchise league that wants to create 'generational change in rugby'. It is proposed that 12 new franchise teams, boasting the world's top rugby talent, will be created, with players reportedly being offered contracts worth up to around $1 million (£740,000) per season. They will be based around the world, with Tokyo, London, Dubai, Cape Town, Boston and Miami being touted as potential franchise locations. With the first season planned to run between September and December 2026, the league has set a deadline of next month to sign up 200 players and, according to the latest reports, it looks as though they will meet it following a surge in interest. Article continues below WalesOnline understands some Welsh players have even signed pre-contracts to play in R360 if it comes to fruition over the next few months. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. It is no surprise to see Wales and Lions star Morgan high up on R360's wish list while the same could be said of Rees-Zammit who is pure box office. Rees-Zammit is currently on the lookout for a one-year contract after deciding to return to rugby union from the NFL but is likely to throw his lot in with R360. Welsh rugby is currently stuck in the doldrums but there are a number of players who are still rated highly. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free The likes of Wainwright has performed well in struggling teams and could take his game to another level if surrounded by world class players. Wales scrum-half Williams' Gloucester contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, with the Cherry & Whites prepared to make the 30-year-old one of the highest paid players in the Gallagher Premiership amid interest from French clubs and R360. Article continues below It will be interesting to see what stance the WRU takes with R360 should a sizable number of players decide to cash in. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Currently the controversial 25-cap law acts as a deterrent to some players leaving Wales but most of the players on the list have significantly more than 25 caps while the money on offer is significant.
RNZ News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Relief for Wales as win over Japan brings losing streak to an end
Welsh rugby player Josh Adams of Wales celebrates scoring a try with a team mate, in his team's 31-22 over Japan, in July 2025. Photo: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency Relief for Welsh rugby who've finally ended their record losing streak with a 31-22 victory over Japan, which has spared them the ignominy of going down as the worst side in test rugby. Wales held on for a narrow and nervy triumph in Kobe to level the two-test series, their first win after a streak of 18 successive defeats. Again they had a handy halftime lead over their Japanese hosts but, unlike in last week's first loss in Kitakyushu, this time they managed to hold on and claim success. "We were braver than last week. Last week we got in front and we probably tried to hold on to a lead," said Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who was in tears at the end of the encounter. "When you have not won a game for a period of time, you start to get edgy, so the messaging this week was to be braver." Wales captain Dewi Lake added: "It wasn't pretty but it's an important landmark for us today, to get that first win back on the board." Had Wales lost they would have set a record losing streak for a Tier One side, surpassing the sequence of France between 1911 and 1920. The win was their first test victory in 644 days, since beating Georgia in Nantes in the last of their group matches at the 2023 World Cup in France. The losing run has seen Wales slip to a low of 12th in the World Rugby rankings. Sherratt thanked long-suffering fans, adding: "Even during the Six Nations, I know it's been a hard time to support Wales. I hope you can enjoy tonight because we are certainly going to enjoy the next 24 hours." Englishman Sherratt , who is the Cardiff coach, agreed to stay on for the two matches in Japan after taking over on a caretaker basis during the Six Nations when Warren Gatland left. Wales will now turn to appointing a permanent coach as they look to the November internationals when they host Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa at the Principality Stadium in back-to-back matches. - Reuters
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Relief and delight as Wales taste victory again
Wales had been without a win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup in France [Getty Images] Emotions were running high at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe as Wales ended their 18-match losing Test run with a hard-fought 31-22 victory against Japan. A Welsh celebration song rang out in the changing rooms to mark an international victory for the first time in 644 days. Advertisement The success levelled the series and halt a 21-month losing run that stretches back to the victory against Georgia in the World Cup game in Nantes in October 2023. Wales had realised how to win again. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake outlined their feelings in an emotional press conference where they looked delighted and drained in equal measures. 'It's been a long time coming' "I'm over the moon," said Lake. "It's been a long time coming. You look back at tough results we've had over the past 18 months. "We were probably in the driving seat last week but let it slip. To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling." Advertisement After Lake had finished, Sherratt affectionately congratulated his captain by tapping him on the shoulder, before adding: "I'm very similar to Dewi. "I am more pleased for the playing group, coaches and staff. I only saw five games, but the coaches that were here previously who aren't on this trip, they put in so much effort. "The support staff, they wear it as well. Probably the most emotional thing for me was, when the whistle went, was seeing them and this group of players get a win. "It's the reason why I did it again. To get it in that fashion in the second game, I'm so pleased for the lads." Advertisement 'Never have I wanted to win a game so much' The television cameras caught both Lake and Sherratt close to tears at the final whistle. Lake was on the sidelines helpless in the final quarter as Wales ground out the result following another Japan comeback. This time Wales triumphed and Lake sunk into his seat. "It's probably quite tough to put into words," said Lake. "Around 65 minutes, you almost felt the sense that things were going quite similarly to last week. "So to score that try in the dying moments, it kind of sinks in that you've got the job done. "You've won the game and that was ultimately our goal. Advertisement "To come out here, getting a win on the board and put the run to an end. So the emotion probably flooded through quite quickly then." Sherratt was caught hunched over the laptop when the final whistle went in the coaches box. His expression was felt by many Welsh supporters. Pure relief. "I had to get Gethin Jenkins [Wales defence coach] to give me a slap around the face to get in check as I could have easily embarrassed myself on television," said Sherratt. "I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. "I know what the group has put in over the last five games and I see what it means to them. Advertisement "There's not been a more deserving group I've worked with and it was pretty emotional." 'New coach will not have burden of losing streak' Wales' 18-match losing run started with a defeat by Argentina at the World Cup in October 2023 [Getty Images] It was a first victory for Sherratt in his fifth and final game in charge of Wales after taking the caretaker coach role when Warren Gatland resigned during the Six Nations in February. Wales are set to appoint a permanent successor to Gatland in the next few weeks with Sherratt outlined what he should expect. "He's got a brilliant group to work with," said Sherratt. "A very passionate group of players and staff and some raw talent as well. Advertisement "Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby, it's got to be the start of something. "The big motivation for me and the group was for the next guy coming in, was to let them start on a level playing field without the burden of 18 [defeats] in a row around their neck. "The works got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions. Let's get into the regions and develop a good young group of players." Lake hopes this win will kick-start things for next season when that new boss comes in with Wales facing Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in November. Advertisement "Everyone's worked hard over the last five games but especially over the last five weeks," said Lake. "So the confidence this will hopefully breed within this group will be huge for us moving forward." Wales captain thanks caretaker coaches Wales face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in November [Getty Images] Sherratt is due to return to Cardiff after being aided by a temporary backroom staff in Japan which also includes Gethin Jenkins, Danny Wilson, Adam Jones, Rhys Thomas and Leigh Halfpenny. Most are in line to return to their clubs now but not before Lake thanked them for their efforts. "They have built that confidence over the last five weeks and allowed us to express ourselves on the field," said Lake. Advertisement "That's been a massive help." Sherratt gave one final message to the fans who have followed Wales through the trials and tribulations of the past two years. "Thanks so much for your support," said Sherratt. "Even during the Six Nations, I know it's been a hard time to support Wales. "I hope you can enjoy tonight because we are certainly going to enjoy the next 24 hours." Then off Sherratt and Lake disappeared to join in with that victory song. It has been a while since we could say that. 644 days to be precise. The win should not paper over the cracks of Welsh rugby's problems and was achieved against Eddie Jones' Japan side who are now ranked 14th in the world with Wales returning to 12th. Advertisement A summer of upheaval still lies ahead off the the field with major changes in the Welsh game being discussed. However, just for today, this long-awaited triumph needs to be recognised, for the long-suffering players, coaches and fans. It is just a small success, yes, but hopefully a significant one.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Relief and delight as Wales taste victory again
Emotions were running high at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe as Wales ended their 18-match losing Test run with a hard-fought 31-22 victory against Japan.A Welsh celebration song rang out in the changing rooms to celebrate an international victory for the first time in 644 success levelled the series and halt a 21-month losing run that stretches back to the victory against Georgia in the World Cup game in Nantes in October had learned how to win again. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake outlined their feelings in an emotional press conference where they looked delighted and drained in equal measures. 'It's been a long time coming' "I'm over the moon," said Lake."It's been a long time coming. You look back at tough results we've had over the past 18 months. "We were probably in the driving seat last week but let it slip. To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling."After Lake had finished, Sherratt affectionately congratulated his captain by tapping him on the shoulder, before adding: "I'm very similar to Dewi. "I am more pleased for the playing group, coaches and staff. I only saw five games, but the coaches that were here previously who aren't on this trip, they put in so much effort. "The support staff, they wear it as well. Probably the most emotional thing for me was, when the whistle went, was seeing them and this group of players get a win."It's the reason why I did it again. To get it in that fashion in the second game, I'm so pleased for the lads." 'Never have I wanted to win a game so much' The television cameras caught both Lake and Sherratt close to tears at the final was on the sidelines helpless in the final quarter as Wales ground out the result following another Japan time Wales triumphed and Lake sunk into his seat."It's probably quite tough to put into words," said Lake."Around 65 minutes, you almost felt the sense that things were going quite similarly to last week. "So to score that try in the dying moments, it kind of sinks in that you've got the job done. "You've won the game and that was ultimately our goal."To come out here, getting a win on the board and put the run to an end. So the emotion probably flooded through quite quickly then."Sherratt was caught hunched over the laptop when the final whistle went in the coaches box. His expression was felt by many Welsh supporters. Pure relief."I had to get Gethin Jenkins [Wales defence coach] to give me a slap around the face to get in check as I could have easily embarrassed myself on television," said Sherratt."I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much."I know what the group has put in over the last five games and I see what it means to them. "There's not been a more deserving group I've worked with and it was pretty emotional." 'New coach will not have burden of losing streak' It was a first victory for Sherratt in his fifth and final game in charge of Wales after taking the caretaker coach role when Warren Gatland resigned during the Six Nations in February. Wales are set to appoint a permanent successor to Gatland in the next few weeks with Sherratt outlined what he should expect."He's got a brilliant group to work with," said Sherratt."A very passionate group of players and staff and some raw talent as well. "Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby, it's got to be the start of something. "The big motivation for me and the group was for the next guy coming in, was to let them start on a level playing field without the burden of 18 [defeats] in a row around their neck."The works got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions. Let's get into the regions and develop a good young group of players."Lake hopes this win will kick-start things for next season when that new boss comes in with Wales facing Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in November."Everyone's worked hard over the last five games but especially over the last five weeks," said Lake."So the confidence this will hopefully breed within this group will be huge for us moving forward." Wales captain thanks caretaker coaches Sherratt is due to return to Cardiff after being aided by a temporary backroom staff in Japan which also includes Gethin Jenkins, Danny Wilson, Adam Jones, Rhys Thomas and Leigh are in line to return to their clubs now but not before Lake thanked them for their efforts."They have built that confidence over the last five weeks and allowed us to express ourselves on the field," said Lake."That's been a massive help."Sherratt gave one final message to the fans who have followed Wales through the trials and tribulations of the past two years."Thanks so much for your support," said Sherratt."Even during the Six Nations, I know it's been a hard time to support Wales."I hope you can enjoy tonight because we are certainly going to enjoy the next 24 hours."Then off Sherratt and Lake disappeared to join in with that victory song. It has been a while since we could say that. 644 days to be win should not paper over the cracks of Welsh rugby's problems and was achieved against Eddie Jones' Japan side who are now ranked 14th in the world with Wales returning to 12th.A summer of upheaval still lies ahead off the the field with major changes in the Welsh game being just for today, this long-awaited triumph needs to be recognised, for the long-suffering players, coaches and fans. It is just a small success, yes, but hopefully a significant one.
France 24
12-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Wales look to future after ending 18-game losing run with Japan win
The Welsh survived another second-half comeback from Eddie Jones's side in Kobe to pick up their first victory since the 2023 World Cup and consign their wretched run to history. It was the longest losing streak for a Tier One country in the professional era. Sherratt oversaw four of those defeats after replacing Warren Gatland on a temporary basis and he backed whoever gets the job permanently to build on the long-awaited win. "Today is the end of a long season but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something," said Sherratt. "The next guy coming in, a big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck." Emotional scenes greeted the final whistle under the stadium's closed roof, after the Welsh came close to blowing another half-time lead in the same manner as last week's 24-19 defeat in the first Test. A Josh Adams try and a Kieran Hardy double put Wales in control until Japan scored on the stroke of half-time and then added two more tries after the break. That cut the lead to two points until fly-half Dan Edwards, making his first start for Wales, scored a 75th-minute try to kill off Japan's comeback. "Around 65 (minutes), you almost felt the sense that things were going quite similarly to last week," said Wales captain Dewi Lake. "So to score that try in the dying moments, it sinks in that you've got the job done, you've won the game and that ultimately was our goal coming out here." 'Long time coming' Heat was again a factor with the temperature at 32 Celsius at kick-off, but Wales started strongly and scored in the ninth minute when Blair Murray fed Adams to canter over the line. Hardy slithered over for a second try, before Adams sliced through the Japan defence and teed up Hardy for a third. Japan hit back at just the right time, with substitute Shuhei Takeuchi rumbling over for a try on the half-time hooter to give the hosts hope for the second half. Scores from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley then shifted the momentum squarely in Japan's favour, before Edwards secured Wales their first win since beating Georgia in October 2023. "It's been a long time coming," said Lake. "I look back at the tough results we had over the past 18 months, a couple of one-pointers, a couple of two-pointers, probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. "So to dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling." Lake said the trust the coaches had shown in the players had been "a massive help". "The confidence that this will hopefully breed within this group will be huge for us going forward," he said. The Welsh win denied Japan their first back-to-back victories over a Tier One nation. Their win last week in Kitakyushu was their first over a Six Nations side since the 2019 World Cup on home soil, where they beat Ireland and Scotland. "It's not the performance we wanted," said centre Riley. "We showed some good stuff, some bad stuff but ultimately we couldn't finish this week.
