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Today's rugby news as Welsh scrum-half forced to quit at 25 and Wales star crowned best player in England
Today's rugby news as Welsh scrum-half forced to quit at 25 and Wales star crowned best player in England
The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
Hill (right) left Cardiff to join a team in Australia but has now been forced to retire
(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency )
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, June 4.
Williams named English Premiership Player of the Year
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has been officially crowned the best player in England at the the Gallagher Rugby Awards.
Williams took the top honour at a prestigious ceremony in the heart of London on Tuesday night after a standout first season with Gloucester following his departure from Cardiff. The Welshman has been nothing short of sensational as he has taken the Cherry and Whites to a different level this season.
The 30-year-old has crossed for nine tries and assisted many more, with his form earning him a place on the British and Irish Lions tour this summer despite Wales' struggles at international level. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
New England and Northampton sensation Henry Pollock was named Breakthrough Player of the Year, while recently appointed Wales Women's coach Sean Lynn was crowned Director of Rugby of the Year after leading Gloucester Hartpury to another title in the women's game. Leicester's Meg Jones won Women's Player of the Year.
Welsh scrum-half quits at 25
Welsh scrum-half Jamie Hill has been forced to retire from rugby at the age of just 25 after an astonishing seven shoulder dislocations.
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Former Cardiff player Hill left the Welsh side last year to take up a playing opportunity in Australia with Manly Marlins after six seasons in Wales. He came through the club's pathway system but was ravaged by injuries after making his debut during the 2019/20 season. Hill also represented Wales Under 20s.
In an announcement on social media he said: "Thank you to my parents for giving me the support I needed to reach one of my childhood dreams. Thank you for all the memories and support from everyone I've met along the way. After 7 shoulder dislocations and with the 2nd operation failing recently I'm happy to call it a day. Looking forward to what is next for me and the aspirations I have."
Hill's move to Sydney represented a new start for him after a difficult time in Wales that saw him make just 14 appearances for Cardiff amid his fitness problems.
He told WalesOnline last year: "When I was at Cardiff, I was probably the most unhappiest I've ever been at certain times. I still say it now, it was the hardest six years of my life, mentally.
"Since I've come out here I've realised what it's actually like to be happy and enjoy yourself and realise why you're playing, it's just what I needed."
Welsh trio scoop URC awards
Welsh players Harri Millard, Cam Winnett and Ioan Lloyd have been recognised for their standout performances in the 2024–25 United Rugby Championship (URC) season, collecting individual honours in the league's end-of-season awards.
Cardiff Rugby duo Millard and Winnett were named Top Try Scorer and Ironman respectively, while Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd claimed the prestigious Golden Boot.
Millard shared the top try scorer accolade with DHL Stormers winger Leolin Zas and Munster centre Tom Farrell, with all three scoring nine tries during the regular season. However, the Cardiff back secured the award by virtue of scoring his nine tries in the fewest minutes — just 796 minutes across 13 appearances.
Full-back Winnett earned the Ironman award, which is given to the player who clocks the most game-time during the regular season. The 21-year-old started all 18 rounds for Cardiff, missing only 13 minutes of play. He edged out Munster's Tom Farrell (1,371 minutes) and Dragons RFC's Shane Lewis-Hughes (1,353 minutes) for the honour.
Lloyd, meanwhile, topped the URC's kicking charts with 124 points, claiming the Gilbert Golden Boot. His tally included 46 points from conversions and 78 from penalties, putting him ahead of Hollywoodbets Sharks' Jordan Hendrikse (108 points) and Edinburgh's Ross Thompson (105 points).
Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers) won the Tackle Machine award with 171 tackles (98% accuracy), while Tom Farrell (Munster) scooped the Playmaker award, a new prize which recognises the chances and tries created by players. Farrell's tally of 158 points comes from five try assists (15 points), 41 offloads (82 points) and 61 defenders beaten (61 points).
2024–25 URC Award Winners:
Gilbert Golden Boot: Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets)
Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets) OFX Top Try Scorer: Harri Millard (Cardiff Rugby)
Harri Millard (Cardiff Rugby) Tackle Machine: Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers)
Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers) Ironman: Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby) Playmaker: Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby)
Glasgow need to continue being ruthless to win the title again
By Anthony Brown, PA
Assistant coach Nigel Carolan believes Glasgow have rediscovered their 'ruthless' streak in good time to try to defend their United Rugby Championship title.
The Warriors entered the play-offs having lost four of their previous five matches in all competitions, including an alarming 33-7 defeat at Benetton.
But Franco Smith's side banished any concerns about their form when they romped to a five-try 36-18 victory at home to Stormers in Friday's quarter-final to set up a semi-final trip to Leinster this Saturday.
'I definitely think there's a template there (from Friday) that we try and play to,' said Carolan. 'I think what we showed was really good ambition, some good accuracy. We scored some cracking tries, even though we didn't have a massive amount of the ball.
'But I think what it did show is when we did get chances, we were pretty ruthless and that's what you need this time of the season, as you approach the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
'Every opportunity counts and it's important that you take those chances when they come about.'
Glasgow must find a way to redress the balance against a Leinster side who hammered them 52-0 in the Champions Cup in April before defeating them 13-5 in the final league match last month.
Carolan is adamant his side have banished any lingering effects from the heavy European defeat in Dublin two months ago.
'I think it's history now,' he said. 'We've played them since, and I think what we turned up with the last time we played them is a bit more us. And I think what we saw on Friday night against the Stormers was more us again.
'I think we're building nicely. I think we've definitely got a bit of the mojo back from where we were. I think it was probably the Leicester game (a 43-19 win on April 5) when we last sort of played like that. I think it's important that we got into this weekend on the back of a good performance last Friday and there's a lot of confidence we can take from it.'
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Carolan reported that Scotland forwards Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey and Zander Fagerson are all progressing well in their recovery from injuries but unlikely to be ready for Saturday. He is hopeful that centre Huw Jones will be fit to return in Dublin after missing the Stormers game with an Achilles issue.
'Huw is on track at the moment to be ready,' said Carolan. 'Obviously we pulled him last week for precautionary reasons, but he's shaping up really well. We'll just have to see how he progresses through the week.'
