Latest news with #GabrielHamer-Webb
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
English giants move for 'amazing' Welsh-qualified wing tipped for Wales call
English giants move for 'amazing' Welsh-qualified wing tipped for Wales call Interest in the wing has ramped up after his hat-trick at Judgement Day last week Cardiff wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb after the win over Munster (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt is hopeful of keeping in-form wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb amid interest from Gallagher Premiership outfit Leicester Tigers. The Welsh-qualified 24-year-old continued his scoring exploits on Friday night, crossing in Cardiff's 26-21 win over Munster to boost the Blue and Blacks' United Rugby Championship play-off hopes. His impressive performance at the Arms Park came a week after crossing for a hat-trick against the Ospreys in Judgement Day at the Principality Stadium. Having signed for Cardiff on a short-term deal after leaving Bath in November 2023, the winger has proven an impressive addition to the Arms Park side. Article continues below Naturally, having dotted down seven times this season, the English-born winger, who qualifies for Wales as his mother was born in Cardiff, has attracted attention from over the border. Leicester Tigers are interested, although no deal has been completed yet. The Welford Road club are currently on the lookout for physical winger, having looked at Dragons wing Jared Rosser prior to his new deal at Rodney Parade. WalesOnline understands interest in Hamer-Webb has ramped up following his hat-trick at the Principality Stadium last week. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free However, Cardiff coach Sherratt remains hopeful that they will be able to keep hold of Hamer-Webb. "He is out of contract," said Sherratt after the win over Munster. "We'd like to keep him so we're in those discussions. "I'll be honest, the change of ownership has probably delayed things. Nights like tonight help as well. "Regardless of results, there's a good group here and a good feeling. In the last two years, it's not long since we were talking about having 12 training. "We've changed training base mid-season, change of ownership, plenty of caps leave the club and new staff. This group have had every excuse to ease off. "To be where we are at the moment, surrounded by good teams, is a massive credit to everyone involved in the club. There's always been a good spirit here." If Hamer-Webb did sign for Leicester he would remain eligible to represent Wales due to the fact he is uncapped which does not tie the Cardiff speedster to the controversial 25-cap law. 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. But a move back across the Severn Bridge would without doubt make it far harder for Hamer-Webb to break into the Wales squad in a back-three pool which already includes Josh Adams, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Ellis Mee, Rio Dyer and Keelan Giles. To get selected for Wales while playing in the English Premiership he would realistically need to be performing significantly better than those based in Wales to justify the lack of access to players based in England. "What I was most pleased for Gabe was backing up last week," added Sherratt. "I wanted him to enjoy last week and you could see in the week he was buzzing. "In my mind, I was going if he could go again. He more than matched it. "He was amazing at the things that don't require any talent, like getting up in the air. We put a stat up in the week, it's a big marker of when Munster win games is their aerial dominance. Article continues below "When Munster lose games, they win four less contests a game. So we put a big emphasis with our back-three and our nines on kicking contestables and trying to win that area." Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Cardiff take massive step towards play-offs with stirring win over Munster
Cardiff took a massive step towards the United Rugby Championship play-offs with a brilliant 26-21 bonus point win over Munster at the Arms Park. Tries from Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard and Johan Mulder ensured the Blue and Blacks moved up the URC table as they banished some Irish ghosts. Munster had won all 10 of their previous matches against Welsh opposition, while Cardiff hadn't beaten an Irish side at the Arms Park since September 2022. However, by putting an end to all that, Matt Sherratt's side now head into their final two matches in South Africa firmly in contention to finish in the top eight. There was also the added emotion of the last home game of the season. While not all of Cardiff's departures have been confirmed yet, it was a stirring performance to end their season at the Arms Park. Cardiff had appeared to make the perfect start, after Danny Southworth put scrum-half Mulder over for the opening score. However, after a TMO intervention, the try was chalked off for a forward pass. There would be no such luck when Munster got into scoring range, with Craig Casey's floated pass to Calvin Nash unlocking the Cardiff rearguard after some pressure from the away side. The hosts responded well, with a period of pressure seeing Keiron Assiratti narrowly denied a maul try before Munster second-row Fineen Wycherley was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Cardiff took advantage of the numerical mismatch, with slick handling from Cardiff's midfield allowing Hamer-Webb to grab his fourth try in two weeks. And then, the wing was involved again, latching onto Ben Thomas' crossfield kick before offloading to Taulupe Faletau. The superlative No. 8 raced away before setting up Millard for his eighth try of the season. Mike Haley would cross just before half-time to restore Munster's lead at the break. The away side looked just as dangerous after the break. A period of sustained pressure saw outside centre Tom Farrell slice through to score. However, a powerful driving maul saw Liam Belcher denied illegally from close range. Flanker Jack O'Donoghue was sent to the sin-bin as Cardiff were awarded the penalty try. Then, after strong carries from Josh Adams and Cam Winnett, Mulder sniped over to give Cardiff the lead. Sheedy had a chance to extend the lead with a penalty, but his effort off the tee hit the post. However, it ultimately didn't matter as resolute defence allowed them to hold on in front of a raucous home crowd long after the clock had gone red. Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Aled Davies, Tinus de Beer. Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O'Brien. Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) Live updates below:
