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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star bows out in heartbreaker and Welsh duo say goodbye
Today's rugby news as Wales star bows out in heartbreaker and Welsh duo say goodbye These are your latest rugby headlines on Saturday, May 31. Gloucester's Gareth Anscombe (right) (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. ) These are your latest rugby headlines on Saturday, May 31. Wales star bows out in heartbreaker Ross Moriarty's final game for Brive ended in heartbreak as the French side lost their Rugby Pro D2 semi-final play-off against Montauban. The match ended 13-29 and brought the curtain down on Wales star Moriarty's time in France, with a move back to Wales and the Ospreys agreed for next season. Defeat for Brive ruled out a showdown with Sam Davies' Grenoble in the second division play-off final next week, with a place in the Top 14 up for grabs next term. Moriarty, who has been capped 54 times for Wales, will now head to the Swansea-based club for the 2025/26 campaign. The move could potentially reignite his international career, with the national side in need of big and abrasive forwards. Anscombe, Halfpenny, say goodbye Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe is set to play his final game for Gloucester this afternoon as they take on Northampton Saints in the final round of the regular Gallagher Premiership season. The 33-year-old has impressed during his time at Kingsholm having moved there last summer, but his future as part of George Skivington's squad looked uncertain when the club confirmed the signing of Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne ahead of next season. After speculation around his future, it was confirmed earlier this month that Anscombe will move to French side Bayonne ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The Top 14 team announced the move in a brief statement, saying: "Having played for the Auckland Blues, the Chiefs and Gloucester, Gareth will bring his experience to our talented line-up. "Gareth Anscombe has also played in two Rugby World Cups for Wales! He will join the club for one season." He is set to bow out in front of a home crowd at Kingsholm later today, having been named in the starting line-up to face the Saints alongside fellow Wales international and half-back partner Tomos Williams. Skivington has made just two changes to the starting team that beat Newcastle Falcons a fortnight ago, with Afo Fasogbon and Jack Clement returning in the pack. Anscombe won't be the only departing player involved on Saturday afternoon, with Santi Carreras, Christian Wade and Chris Harris all also set to play for final time in Cherry & White. Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny will play his final game for Harlequins this weekend. Writing on Instagram with a team graphic showing the Wales legend named among the replacements for their clash with Bristol Bears, he said: "Looking forward to getting out there with the boys one last time." The iconic full-back is reportedly set for a move to Pro D2 club Beziers. Wales star signs new deal Wales international Johnny Williams has signed a new deal with Scarlets. The 28-year-old joined from Newcastle Falcons in 2020 and has become a main fixture in Dwayne Peel's team. Williams has earned seven caps for Wales and has recently been recalled to the squad ahead of the Japan tour this summer. He joins Macs Page, Tomi Lewis, Eddie James, Joe Roberts, Sam Costelow, Taine Plumtree and Kemsley Mathias in signing a new deal with the west Wales region. "I am really excited to have re-signed for another couple of years. I have been here five years now and I feel this team is really evolving," said Williams. "There is a lot of talent within the squad, especially with the young guys coming through – I am one of the oldest players in the squad now at 28. These are exciting times and I am looking forward to seeing where this team can go." Head coach Peel added: "Johnny is a key member of the squad, someone who has become a leader for us on and off the field and that experience is going to be vital over the coming years as part of the young back division we are developing at the club. "It has been great to see Johnny's form rewarded with a recall to the Wales squad and his re-signing is more positive news for the club as we continue to build and grow as a group." Dragons retain 'outstanding prospect' The Dragons have confirmed that young hooker Sam Scarfe has signed a senior contract to stay at Rodney Parade. The 21-year-old has impressed while playing for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru this season, while he featured once for Filo Tiatia's side when he came off the bench against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup in December. As his new deal was confirmed, the former Wales U20s star said: "I've played lots of minutes and learnt a lot from Pooler this year with the help of top players and coaches, which has been great for me. 'Dragons is my home club and I want to represent the badge as much as possible. The club is in a good place so it would be great to get the minutes down at Rodney Parade. "Filo has helped me a lot this year in understanding the game in a different way and seeing the opportunities available," Scarfe added. "I've also enjoyed picking the brains of our experienced senior boys as I continue to develop.' Tiatia added: "We've been pleased with Sam's progress and the minutes he has also been able to secure for Pontypool in the SRC. 'He's a hard-working young man who wants to keep improving, so we look forward to his continued development in our senior environment.' Meanwhile, Dragons forwards coach Sam Hobbs hailed Scarfe as "an outstanding prospect," adding: 'Sam converted to hooker from seven about four or five four years ago. He was a very good seven and his body type is suited to being a modern-day physical hooker. Article continues below 'With Pontypool, he played a huge amount of rugby in the Championship, which was a tough education, but now in the SRC he's become a dominant force there and an outstanding prospect winning numerous player-of-the-match awards. 'I'm excited and believe next year will be a big season for Sam," he added. "His contact area is his superstrength and he's developed his ball carrying while his set-piece is going really well."
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
New-look Wales squad named as six uncapped players called up amid shock omissions
New-look Wales squad named as six uncapped players called up amid shock omissions Gareth Anscombe, Max Llewellyn and a number of other names are missing, while new faces are in Macs Page of the Scarlets (Image: Gruffydd Thomas/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales have named their squad for the summer tour of Japan, with interim coach Matt Sherratt naming six new caps he bids to end over 600 days of waiting for a Test win. Cardiff hooker Liam Belcher, Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman, Ospreys loosehead Garyn Phillips, Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams, Scarlets back Macs Page and Ospreys wing Keelan Giles are the uncapped contingent as Sherratt named a 33-man squad for the two-Test tour in Japan. Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, having skippered Wales in the summer and autumn last year, leads the team in Lions call-up Jac Morgan's absence. With Morgan and Tomos Williams the only call-ups for the British and Irish Lions, there was never likely to be too many surprises. However, even with the lack of Lions, there's no place for the likes of James Botham, Gareth Anscombe, Ellis Mee, Nick Tompkins and Max Llewellyn from the Six Nations squad. Second-rows Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are rested, while Dafydd Jenkins and Henry Thomas are both ruled out through injury. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Sherratt has handed Test recalls to Kieran Hardy, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, James Ratti, Johnny Williams and Cameron Winnett. Ben Carter, Sam Costelow and Archie Griffin all return after missing the Six Nations through injury. Article continues below 'I'm excited to get the players together in camp to begin preparations for our summer campaign," said Sherratt. "I think there's a good blend of experience and young talent selected and that this group has a lot of potential. 'Going to Japan this July is a challenge the coaches and I are relishing. We are expecting a fierce contest from Japan in these Test matches. 'Over the next few weeks in camp, it's about working hard, getting all our prep right on and off the pitch and gelling together as a group.' Players will join up with Wales on a staggered basis from Monday depending on when their club season ends, before the squad flies out to Japan towards the end of June. Wales' last victory in international rugby came against Georgia in the World Cup back in October 2023, meaning it will be 637 days of waiting when they face Japan this summer. Wales take on Japan in the first Test in Kitakyushu on July 5, before playing them again the following week in Kobe. With no permanent replacement for Warren Gatland in place, Sherratt will once assume the interim role - having been in charge for the final three matches of the Six Nations following Gatland's mid-tournament departure. Article continues below Wales squad for Japan (uncapped players in italics) Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher, Ben Carter, Chris Coleman, Elliot Dee, Taulupe Faletau, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (captain), Josh Macleod, Alex Mann, Garyn Phillips, Taine Plumtree, James Ratti, Tommy Reffell, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Teddy Williams. Backs: Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Keelan Giles, Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas, Johnny Williams, Rhodri Williams, Cameron Winnett.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bears on loose and Tigers' next hire
Leicester have filled one of their big vacancies, bringing in Geoff Parling to replace the outgoing head coach Michael hunt for a 10 goes on Pollard was superb in the Tiger's comeback win over Sale under the Friday night lights, landing seven out of seven from the tee and sparking the fightback with a pinpoint crossfield kick to unleash Ollie 31-year-old is returning to South Africa and the Bulls at the end of the campaign however and, with Jamie Shillcock also bound for French side Brive, a big-name stand-off is top of the shopping Jack Crowley reportedly considered a big-money offer from the Midlands, external before renewing terms with Munster. Gloucester's Gareth Anscombe, now off to Bayonne, was apparently under consideration. Even an audacious succession plan that featured England and Northampton's Fin Smith has been floated., externalParling won't have much time to get his feet under the table, before he has to do some heavy telephone lifting to sell the upwardly mobile Tigers to some stand-offs. Earl gets more midfield experience A theme of the Lions squad announcement on Thursday was the value of versatility, with head coach Andy Farrell making it clear the ability to play at full-back as well as fly-half had been Marcus Smith's trump only Jack Conan as a specialist in the party to tour Australia, number eight might be Ben Earl's best route into the Test team, however, the 27-year-old is working up his side hustle as a shifted into midfield mid-match against Italy and Wales during the Six Nations, the mere prospect of his hard-line running pinched the Falcons defence in Saracens' win over also picked up a try after tracking wing Tobias Elliott's full-pelt Farrell wants plug seven forwards into a power-heavy bench, Earl might be the adapter he needs down under. Bears stray across the Severn Transferring a regular-season home game onto a grander stage is a difficult trick to get with Twickenham's Allianz Stadium just over the road, have managed to make their Christmas fixture an annual tradition. Saracens make use of north London neighbours Tottenham's home ground for their derby against Quins. Northampton have staged some European ties half an hour up the road at 30,000-seater Stadium MK in Milton most clubs are already the biggest show in their local plan to host a game at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, which has 47,000 more seats, but is an hour away from Ashton Gate, was bold and took some negotiating with the Welsh Rugby it paid 51,095 tickets sold, the Bears gave value for money by beating Bath, with a win which featured six tries, a superb performance from centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg and a trademark Viliame Mata big hit., externalBristol's chief operating officer Tom Tainton told Planet Rugby afterwards that there is an aspiration to follow rugby league's lead and take a game to the United States in future., externalGoing from crossing the Severn to crossing the Atlantic is ambitious, but so was this first foray into Wales. Lop-sided selections raise questions If Bristol's Big Day Out, Harlequins' Big Summer Kick-off event and confirmation of a new television deal, were all boosts to the Premiership, two matches being skewed by second-string teams detracted from the and Bath, with the Champions Cup final to come and a play-off berth secured respectively, both rested stars and took defeats.A plan to scrap relegation, at least as a concept decided solely on the pitch, in the English top flight will only lower levels of jeopardy at the back end of the was difficult not to cast an envious eye over the Channel where Vannes, bottom of the Top 14, were only beaten by a final-play drop-goal at home to La Rochelle and Perpignan and Stade Francais fought out an enthralling basement dogfight, with never more than a converted score between of prizemoney for regular-season points tallies? Reprimands for unduly weakened sides? More ambitiously, a draft of centrally contracted young stars to spread talent through the league?It is difficult to see a solution… Win does little to raise Chiefs spirits Don't be deceived by the Baxter wasn' Exeter boss "fuming, absolutely fuming" over the deficiencies that lay beneath a flattering 42-14 scoreline against a much-rotated more of a cutting edge Saints, who had more possession and entered the Exeter 22m 18 times compared to the Chiefs' 12 visits to the danger zone, might easily have for the hosts, they have wing Paul Brown-Bampoe, who has six tries in 11 Premiership appearances this season and an excellent chance of earning a call-up to England's tour of Argentina and the United States this summer.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe signs for Bayonne
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe has joined French Top 14 club Bayonne from Gloucester. The 33-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the club that are currently fourth in France's top flight. Anscombe played a season in the English Premiership after his deal with Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath fell through because of a groin injury. He started his career in his native New Zealand before moving to Cardiff in 2014, making his Wales debut, qualifying through his Welsh mother, a year later. He also spent four seasons at Ospreys from 2019. A Gloucester statement read: "Gloucester Rugby would like to thank Gareth for his time at the club and when the time comes, he will leave with the best wishes for him and his family on their next adventure in France."
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales star Gareth Anscombe seals major transfer move in big announcement
Wales star Gareth Anscombe seals major transfer move in big announcement The 33-year-old is set to start a new chapter in his career Gareth Anscombe is set to head to France (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Wales international Gareth Anscombe has signed for French side Bayonne ahead of the new season. The 33-year-old is set to head over the Channel at the end of the season, having spent this campaign at English Premiership side Gloucester. His future at Kingsholm has looked uncertain ever since the club confirmed the signing of Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne for next season, a move that's understood to have prompted the club to tell with Anscombe there was no deal on the table for him to stay. He's now poised to head to France, with the club, who are fourth in France's top division, announcing the move in a brief statement. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "Having played for the Auckland Blues, the Chiefs, and Gloucester, Gareth will bring his experience to our talented line-up," the club said. "Gareth Anscombe has also played in two Rugby World Cups for Wales! "He will join the club for one season." Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent The move is the latest in what's been a rather hectic few years for the fly-half, who had initially struggled to find a club shortly after leaving the Ospreys in 2023. He had looked set to join Toulon, before a conversation with Eddie Jones after the Barbarians v World XV clash that summer helped him find a club in Japan. However, his registration at Tokyo Sungoliath was cancelled shortly after it emerged he would require surgery on a groin injury, meaning he never got to play a single minute of action out there. Gloucester picked him up along with Wales half-back partner Tomos Williams, and the duo have produced some strong performances in the Gallagher Premiership. Listen to the latest Welsh rugby podcast But Anscombe's stay in England has been a short-lived one, and despite interest from Pro D2 clubs, he is now set to ply his trade in the Top 14. In a statement confirming the move, Gloucester said: "Gloucester Rugby can confirm that Gareth Anscombe will depart the Club to join Bayonne next season. Article continues below "Anscombe, 33, joined the Cherry & Whites in the summer of 2024 and has gone on to make 14 appearances this season. "Gloucester Rugby would like to thank Gareth for his time at the Club and when the time comes, he will leave with the best wishes for him and his family on their next adventure in France."
