Latest news with #Franchi
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Franchi and Roach eye SRC final glory with Ebbw and Newport
Ebbw Vale and Newport battle for the title at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and it's fair to assume the skippers will have a big say in which Gwent club will be celebrating long into the night. Hooker Franchi has already won the big prize once after being a member of the 2016 Premiership-winning squad and has been a major figure in the Steelmen's successful campaign. The front rower will finish as the league's top try scorer after crossing 20 times in the league (plus five more times in the SRC Cup). The 31-year-old made his first Ebbw outing as an 18-year-old and hit 200 appearances for the club in March. His experience was important when the Steelmen went 21-5 down on the stroke of half-time in their home semi-final against Llandovery. KEEPING COOL: Ebbw's Joe Franchi during the win against Llandovery (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) 'We were behind the posts and I said to the boys that we were comfy in phase play,' said Franchi, a key figure along with his twin, centre Dom. 'We weren't concerned because it wasn't like we were leaking badly. We knew that we could stick in there, get our set piece going and cause them problems, which happened.' Ebbw, who ran out 29-28 winners, have built that confidence thanks to a perfect season so far on home soil. That 13-game record helped them to finish second in the league with the prospect of a home final if top seeds Cardiff were beaten by Newport. A few of the Ebbw squad went to the Arms Park to watch and provide updates for their teammates, ultimately delivering the news that they would be playing for the title at Eugene Cross Park. 'The big games come down to small margins,' said Franchi. 'Playing at home can make a massive difference because the one per centers add up. 'We really pushed to finish in the top two from the start of the season and we achieved that, which has earned us this chance. 'The excitement has been building as the week has progressed but we can't afford to play the occasion. 'We want to stick to our regular game plan and keep to the same processes, because that has worked all season with us being unbeaten at home. 'We know that this will be an 80-minute game because Newport are a good side who can play tight, 10-man rugby or spin it wide. I am sure they will have some trick plays and we need to be ready for anything.' One thing is for certain, Roach will be in the thick of it for the Black and Ambers after a second season on the spin as an ever-present. The number eight has played in 25 games – all starts apart from one outing off the bench at Swansea in the SRC Cup – and also featured in friendly fixtures to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary season. The Wales Sevens international is crucial to Newport's adaptability, able to mix it physically but also thrive out wide, and hopes to avoid a repeat of last year's narrow defeat at Llandovery when the last Premiership title was on the line. WINNER: Ben Roach after Newport's semi-final win against Ebbw Vale last season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'To get to back-to-back finals is quite special but obviously we want to go one step further and win it,' said Roach. 'The experience from big games helps with the pressure but Ebbw Vale also been there with the cup final this season. 'We've prepped well and are on the back of a few good weeks, so we head there with momentum for one last big game. 'This is what you play the game for, you want to be fighting at the top and now we want to get over the line. 'It's the 150th anniversary and it would be nice to top that off with another bit of history by winning the first SRC while we also had the loss of 'BJ' [the legendary 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones], so there is a lot of emotion.' Whichever inspirational captain gets to lift the trophy will deserve the honour.
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Joe Franchi: Ebbw Vale need best game to beat Llandovery
The Steelmen host Premiership champions Llandovery in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 12.15pm, S4C) with the prize of either facing Cardiff at the Arms Park or hosting Newport a week on Sunday. Ebbw, SRC Challenger Shield holders, crucially earned home advantage for the play-offs by finishing second in the regular season behind the Blue and Blacks. Jason Strange's men were given a tough time by Carmarthen Quins in the quarters last weekend but got the job done 45-35. Courtesy of a draw bracket that strangely puts first against third and second versus fourth, they now face a Drovers side who are hunting a third title on the spin and who beat them 39-7 in March's SRC Cup final. Crucially, this time it's on Ebbw soil and that gives Franchi & Co a real shot avoiding the same fate as last season, when overpowered by Newport at Spytty Park in the last four. THROW: Ebbw Vale captain Joe Franchi at the lineout (Image: NCR Photography) 'We had a good regular season when finishing second and want to go a bit better than last year by getting into the final, and then hopefully get some silverware,' said hooker Franchi, a Premiership title winner with the Steelmen in 2016. 'We have kicked on and are in a better place than last year after some good additions to give us an extra edge. 'We've played Llandovery three times already this season and are 2-1 up but we are under no illusions about what it will take. 'They are probably the best attacking side in the league so we will have to be on our mettle defensively. 'We back ourselves at home and our unbeaten run gives us confidence but I'd say it will take our best performance of the season to get the victory and move on to the final.' It's fair to assume that Franchi will be at the heart of the effort against the Drovers after a remarkable try-scoring season. The hooker has so far chalked up 25 scores – perhaps the 'Catch 'n' Kynes' that helped Ebbw to the title nine years ago will be renamed. ANOTHER: Joe Franchi went over for a hat-trick for Ebbw against Carmarthen Quins (Image: NCR Photography) 'There's only one Ronnie Kynes! I'm driving the bus this year and we work so hard on our maul,' said Franchi. 'It's not just a case of sticking our heads in and seeing what happens, there is a lot in the process and the work has shown with the tries scored by me and Ieuan [Morris, his fellow hooker who is on 10]. 'It's a great weapon and one that we will try to use on Saturday but you can't be one-dimensional at this stage of the season. We have other tricks up our sleeve but always have the lineout drive to go back to.' Franchi's twin Dom returns to the XV at inside centre while full-back Morgan Richards and wing Ieuan Evans also start, with no changes up front. Ebbw Vale: Morgan Richards; Ieuan Evans, Ethan Phillips, Dom Franchi, Ryan Gardner; Evan Lloyd, Gruff Tough; Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins. Replacements: Ieuan Morris, Morgan Williams, Adam Court, Cam Regan, Lewis Young, Rory Harries, Cameron Davies, Ewan Bowden. Llandovery: To come
Reuters
01-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
doValue on track to hit 2025 target for new business, could top it, CEO says
MILAN, April 1 (Reuters) - Italian bad loan manager doValue ( opens new tab has reached 80% of its targeted increase in gross loan portfolio for the current year, and it may be able to surpass it, CEO Manuela Franchi said on Tuesday. The Milan-listed company, whose shareholders include U.S. funds Elliott Investment Management, Fortress and Bain Capital Credit, said earlier on Tuesday it had secured a new contract in Cyprus to recover impaired loans worth around 350 million euros ($378 million) secured against nearly 1,000 properties. The deal, which follows a 700 million euro one last week with the National Bank of Greece ( opens new tab, brings to 6.5 billion euros the new business the company has secured so far this year, helped by its expansion into other southern European markets, including Spain. "We fully confirm our 2025 target of 8 billion euros in additional gross book value," Franchi said in comments to Reuters. "If the current trend continues, we don't rule out even surpassing it in the first part of the year." By shedding some 290 billion euros in soured loans since 2016 Italian banks turned the country into Europe's biggest market for these assets. However, new flows have dried up in recent years as lenders completed their clean-up and tightened lending. "We believe our geographical diversification will allow us to keep signing new contracts on a regular basis," Franchi said. The group has weathered the market slowdown thanks to selective acquisitions and a decision not to invest directly in loan portfolios, but to focus solely on managing them, she said. Europe's biggest loan collector Intrum ( opens new tab, pushed to the brink by debt costs as interest rates spiked, last year filed for U.S. creditor protection as it sought to restructure its debt. Unlike doValue, Intrum bought part of the loans it managed. Seeking to buttress profits as the industry reorganises after the boom years, doValue last year struck a cash-and-share deal to buy Elliott-backed Gardant, a smaller domestic rival. Cost savings through tie-ups and revenue diversification are seen as a way for the sector to shield profits. "We look with interest at continental Europe, an area where we are not present but which may offer growth opportunities given the slowing economy and our strong track record," Franchi said. ($1 = 0.9264 euros)
