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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The Welsh rugby agent uncovering hidden gems around the world including new Wales star
The Welsh rugby agent uncovering hidden gems around the world including new Wales star The former hooker thinks outside the box to find diamonds in the rough across the globe Mee (right) went from the second tier of English rugby to making his Wales debut in less than a year (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) A Welsh rugby agent who has uncovered hidden gems from right across the globe has opened up about his "different" approach to player recruitment Richard Emms - a former hooker for the likes of Pontypridd, Cross Keys and Swansea - moved into representation when his playing career came to an end, and he now represents around 70 players from right around the world. Admitting that he "won't just take anybody", he specialises in thinking outside the box and using non-traditional means to find diamonds in the rough. The talented players he has discovered in recent years include Saracens star Theo McFarland, who he spotted playing in a now-defunct competition in Samoa and is now captain of his country. Emms, who does most of his scouting work from his home in Pontyclun, also discovered Bristol Bears centre Kalaveti Ravouvou while he was playing sevens alongside working in a Fijian prison, as well as Stade Francais' "X-factor" speedster Peniasi Dakuwaqa, who he spotted playing in the Cook Islands. He also has Wales hooker Dewi Lake on his books, while he played a big role in discovering one of Welsh rugby's recent bright sparks in Scarlets wing Ellis Mee. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The 21-year-old, who moved to Parc y Scarlets last summer, delivered a hugely impressive performance when he made his Wales debut against Ireland during the Six Nations earlier this year, asking many fans to ask where he had come from. Less than a year earlier, he had been playing for Nottingham in the second tier of English rugby and while his discovery was credited to Scarlets legend James 'Cubby' Davies, who is now recruitment and operations officer at the region, it was Emms who flagged Mee to the Welsh side, reports MailOnline. "I like players with a point of difference. I don't want to give my trade secrets away, but there are certain things I look for in a player," he told the publication. "I like to manage the players myself. "I'm quite fussy about the players I'll take on. I won't just take anybody. I look for qualities in terms of rugby ability, but also characteristics off the field. I like my players to have a good work ethic. "I always try to be a bit different," he added. "That's not necessarily for the sake of being different, but any agent can turn up and watch an academy game because the players there have already been identified. Then you have to go head-to-head with other agents. "I back myself to find the players I think can become stars. That excites me more than any financial return. "It's finding the diamonds in the rough, like Kalaveti, because when they do kick on and start to make an impression, it gives you a lot of pleasure." Emms, who is also fully trained as a financial adviser, added that he has plenty more promising talents on his books, with his clients including Fijian prop Bill Drodrolagi Nairau and English lock Will Ramply, who have signed for Saracens and Bristol respectively ahead of next season. While rugby's transfer market remains traditional, he believes that more clubs could think differently to land new talents and gain a competitive edge. "I think there is still a degree of unwillingness at some teams to look outside the box when it comes to recruitment," he said. Article continues below "The preferred option is still to go for the tried and tested,' he said. 'It doesn't bother me what country a player is from. I have no pre-conceptions. "If I see it, I see it. I like to think there's a different way of doing things and there's something better out there. Lots of clubs have tight budgets now and I understand that, but if you can find a hidden gem who goes on to become a big player, that can be priceless."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Taulupe Faletau signs new deal to stay in Wales as he turns down big-money move abroad
Taulupe Faletau signs new deal to stay in Wales as he turns down big-money move abroad The Wales international had been heavily linked with a number of French clubs but has decided to stay at Cardiff Faletau has signed a new deal to stay at Cardiff (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales star Taulupe Faletau has signed a new contract to stay at Cardiff, having turned down big-money offers to move abroad. The back rower was due to be out of contract at Arms Park at the end of the month, with the man himself admitting last month that he was unsure where he would be playing his rugby next season. He had been heavily linked with a number of French clubs including Stade Niçois and Provence Rugby, but has now chosen to extend his stay in the capital. The 34-year-old is approaching the end of his career but has been in excellent form since returning injury in December, with a series of standout performances towards the close of the season as Cardiff narrowly missed out on the URC play-offs. He was named Player of the Match when he helped his side to victory over Munster in April and is now set for more nights at the Arms Park having put pen to paper on a new deal. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. As his new contract was confirmed, Faletau said: 'I'm really happy to be staying with Cardiff and continuing to play my rugby here at home. Being part of this group of players has been amazing. "There's a good vibe on and off the pitch, and I really enjoy working with Jockey. His insights and support have challenged me to grow and improve. 'Playing at the Arms Park is also truly special and the support we receive is brilliant. 'I'm grateful for the continued opportunity and I'm looking forward to what's shaping up to be an exciting year ahead.' Meanwhile, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said that everyone at the region was "delighted" to retain Faletau's services as he paid tribute to the three-time British & Irish Lions tourist and described him as "undoubtedly one of the greatest players" to represent the Blue & Blacks. 'We are all delighted to be able to keep Taulupe at Cardiff and in Wales," said Sherratt. "He is a highly respected member of our squad and he has shown recently the quality he brings to the pitch. He is one of very few players who has real quality in every aspect of the game. 'Taulupe and his family are very settled in Cardiff and this played a big part in him agreeing a new contract. 'He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to pull on a Cardiff shirt and the red shirt of Wales and we are delighted he is staying with us." It comes weeks after Faletau - who has made 23 appearances for Cardiff since signing from Bath in 2022 - admitted he was unsure where his future lay. 'I don't know where I will be playing next season yet,' he said after his outstanding performance against Munster in April. Article continues below 'It's just been up and down, playing and not playing, so to get the run of games the last few weeks has been good. I am just happy to get out there with the boys."
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League Two: Five big jobs for David Hughes at Newport County
The Exiles have long lined up the former Manchester United Under-21s coach and he was confirmed as Nelson Jardim's replacement last Friday. The 47-year-old did an interview with the club and will be unveiled to the media on his return from a short break. Hughes will no doubt still be sneaking some work in while on holiday as he plots next season with assistants Wayne Hatswell and Lee Kendall plus chairman Huw Jenkins. County return for pre-season training in mid-to-late June and the League Two fixtures are announced at midday on Thursday 26. Here are five pressing jobs for the new manager ahead of the start of the season on the first weekend of August… STAYING? Aaron Wildig has been offered a new County contract (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 1: THE EXPERIENCED QUARTET. County have offered deals to goalkeeper Nick Townsend, centre-back James Clarke, full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin and midfielder Aaron Wildig. Players must notify the club in writing within one month whether they accept 'their offer of re-engagement' or it will automatically lapse. We've been here before – Ryan Delaney, Scot Bennett and Harry Charsley were in talks last summer but left, with Wildig the only one to stay after entering negotiations – but hopefully the new management team could excite them. The devil will be in the detail and they will need to feel valued, something that Bennett didn't when he turned down a one-year contract in favour of a reunion with Michael Flynn in Cheltenham. One imagines that Townsend and McLoughlin will have other EFL irons in the fire while 35-year-old Clarke and 33-year-old Wildig, who is on the comeback trail from ruptured knee ligaments, are starting to balance playing with a switch towards coaching. The task is to convince the quartet that County is a good place to be and that the club have learned the lessons from last season. Hughes will have to outline his plans, and perhaps promise them that they won't just be joined by more EFL novices this summer. It's not just down to the new manager and chairman Jenkins, new goalkeeping coach Kendall will be part of the conversations with Townsend, who played a huge role in ensuring the Exiles aren't preparing for a return to the National League. ROLE? Anthony Glennon looks more comfortable as a wing-back or midfielder for County (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 2: PLAN A. Hughes will have given a presentation to owner Jenkins when being interviewed for the top job and his favoured formation will have been discussed. That is vital because it shapes the recruitment. Coaches always have the ability to be flexible, as Jardim showed last season despite making no secret of his desire to play 4-3-3. Yet it was a campaign in which they looked better with James Clarke in a three-man central defence but they also played with two wingers. They lacked midfield bite but often operated with just two men in there and also went the whole season with one specialist left-back, Anthony Glennon, who is more suited to being a wing-back. County need a plan that will shape their signings and players who stay on the books, then must start in that fashion in August. That worked well when Flynn and Hatswell introduced the 3-5-2 that made the most of Matty Dolan and Josh Sheehan's play-making abilities and almost earned promotion in 2020/21. It worked well when Rowberry used his midfield 'box' in 2021/22 and it worked well when Coughlan got back to basics with three solid centre-backs that got the side up the pitch. MISSED: County didn't replace key midfielder Bryn Morris (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 3: TWO BIG WEAK SPOTS. Boss confirmed, contract negotiations ongoing, recruitment to be done. County have two major areas of concern that need to be addressed – central midfield and striker. The loss of Wildig to injury and then the decision to allow Bryn Morris to leave in January for Harrogate for an undisclosed fee without replacing him played a huge part in the disastrous run-in. McLoughlin was tried as a makeshift central midfielder but didn't look half the player that he does on other flank while Cameron Antwi only played in flashes. Cardiff loanee Kieron Evans is an attacking midfielder but played deep, Kai Whitmore had fitness and reliability issues, Preston loanee Noah Mawene turned out to be a flop and we are still to really get a proper look at Keenan Patten after he was given the chance to step up from the Cymru Premier. County need some bite, and some experience. Is it really fair to make any huge judgements on Antwi, Whitmore and Patten when playing in a dysfunctional midfield that was sorely lacking a key, senior figure? County probably need to bring in two influential midfielders, definitely one with experience, and the same applies up top. Courtney Baker-Richardson is the only specialist striker on the books after the departures of Kyle Hudlin, Luke Jephcott and Hamzad Kargbo. Will Hughes play with one striker or two, like James Rowberry? County lacked a focal point last season and could do with an established striker plus one, potentially two, loanees to go along with 'CBR'. WEAK: County conceded 29 goals from set pieces last season (Image: Huw Evans Agency) 4: SET PIECES. County had League Two's worst record when defending set pieces last season – they conceded 29 goals from that department, a tally that was 38 per cent of their total. Was it coaching or personnel? Probably a bit of both. The Exiles were a weak touch in that department from the autumn onwards and Hatswell will no doubt be a key figure in sorting that out. PROSPECT: Moses Alexander-Walker on his County debut (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 5: CONVEYOR BELT. County's leavers list featured Kiban Rai, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Merthyr. The teenager didn't push on at the Exiles and force his way into the first team so will now head off for a new challenge, just like Harrison Bright did 12 months before him. Can centre-back Nelson Sanca and midfielder Jac Norris – two players who made their Football League debuts in the 2023/24 run-in – break the trend? They were given a taste of men's football with Briton Ferry Llansawel last season and will return for pre-season training, potentially with a view to another loan spell. Moses Alexander-Walker came on in the League Two finale against and has been offered a pro contract along with fellow youngsters Corey Evans, Riley Lonergan, Morgan Evans and Sam Watkins. They should get a chance to show what they can do when the squads return for the start of preparations for 2025/26. Hughes arrives with pedigree in player development but that was the case for Jardim, Graham Coughlan and James Rowberry. Sorting out the pathway is vital but there has long been a recognition of that and it's worth remember that there is a lag when it comes to working with age-grade talent. The decisions made at the start of the Jenkins era to help give academy boss Luke Hussey and his staff more help won't truly show until we are a couple of years down the line. However, the Amber Army would love to be cheering one of their own in the matchday squad next season. Hughes & Co will also be tasked with developing the players of potential - Joe Thomas, Matt Baker, Ciaran Brennan, Antwi, even the more experienced Bobby Kamwa - that have been brought into the club and could become sellable assets.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as four highly-rated Welsh talents sign deals in England and 'gutted' star hit with ban
Tonight's rugby news as four highly-rated Welsh talents sign deals in England and 'gutted' star hit with ban The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Southworth has been banned for three matches (Image: Ashley Vlotman/Huw Evans Agency ) These are your latest rugby headlines on the evening of Wednesday, May 28. Welsh talents sign deals in England Four highly-rated Welsh teenagers have signed professional deals with Bristol Bears and joined the club's senior academy ahead of next season. Wales U19 full-back Evan Morris has joined the Gallagher Premiership side full-time, while three other Welsh age-grade players - prop George Leyland, lock Osian Williams and scrum-half Cai Gealy - have signed BUCS Super Rugby pathway deals in order to continue their studies alongside their rugby careers. Morris - who has represented Wales at U18 and U19 level and scored for the latter side against Italy last month - is a former Ospreys academy player but moved across the border to study at the prestigious Millfield School Clifton College student Leyland, meanwhile, was included in the England U18 development squads both last year and earlier this season, but featured for Richie Pugh's Wales U18s side at the Six Nations Festival in March. Williams and Gealy - of Clifton and Hartpury College respectively - have also both represented Wales at U18s level. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. They join the Bears' senior academy alongside English age-grade stars Victor Worsnip and Kieran Hill, as well as Jeke Bulanauca, Arthur Guyot and Ollie Harris. 'I'm really pleased to welcome these promising young men from their schools and U18 rugby into our Senior Academy programme, as we build our younger exciting squad for next season," said Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam. 'I believe with access to our world class facilities, staff and guidance and mentorship from our senior players at the Bears High Performance Centre, these players will have everything they need to achieve their rugby dreams and hopefully will become household names to our fans.' Academy head John Barnes added: 'This is a group of high potential young players who will add to our senior academy next season. They will have the challenge to breakthrough into the senior squad over the coming years, something we believe they have the ability to do. "It's an exciting time for the club with so much local talent coming through our pathway, we are looking forward to watching them thrive in the senior environment. 'The Bears Academy is there to capture, nurture and develop exciting young talent. We are proud of the players that have come through our pathway in recent times, representing the 1st XV and going onto International honours. "This group will only add to that success and reflects the hard work that is done by the coaches and support staff throughout our Performance Programme.' 'Gutted' star hit with ban Cardiff prop Danny Southworth has been handed a three-match ban after being sent off against Stormers in the region's final United Rugby Championship game of the season. The 26-year-old was shown a red card by referee Gianluca Gnecchi shortly before the half hour mark in Cape Town earlier this month, having made a dangerous tackle on Neethling Fouche. It meant that Cardiff were reduced to 14 men for just over 50 minutes of the match, which they ended up losing 34-24. Southworth - who is Welsh-qualified - was visibly upset after being shown the red card by Gnecchi, with BBC commentators noting that he looked "gutted" as he made his way off the field. A fortnight on, a disciplinary panel has now handed him a suspension, with the prop accepting he had committed an act of foul play. In mitigation, Southworth's early acknowledgement of foul play, together with his good disciplinary record, immediate apology and remorse, saw an initial six-week sanction halved to three. He will have his ban reduced by a week if he completes World Rugby's coaching intervention programme, also known as 'tackle school'. But with Cardiff's season having already finished after they failed to reach the URC play-offs, the games that Southworth will miss as a result of his ban will be confirmed at a later date. England international retires Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie has announced he is retiring from playing and plans to move into coaching. The 33-year-old former 7s star, who won a silver medal with Team GB at the 2016 Olympics, has scored 29 tries in 95 appearances since moving to The Rec in 2018, but will leave the club this summer after hanging up his boots. McConnochie made two appearances for England, both in 2019, and scored his first and only international try against the United States at the Rugby World Cup in Japan. In 2023, he was a surprise inclusion in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations as he qualified through his father. However, he never featured for Gregor Townsend's side. Announcing his retirement and future career plans, McConnochie said: 'Almost 10 years to the day since I walked through the doors at England 7s, I now feel it's the right time to step away from a career that has given me memories and friendships to last a lifetime. 'I appreciate not every player has the ability to retire on their own terms, and so after much thought, I feel very lucky to be able to make the call myself. "I feel incredibly privileged to have experienced all I have done throughout my career, and I know this would not have been possible without the help and support of my family, friends, and coaches. 'Now into the world of coaching and education I go, with some life-changing memories and experiences to look back on. Thank you.' Underhill banned after Cardiff controversy By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent England flanker Sam Underhill is set to miss Bath's bid for the Gallagher Premiership title after receiving a four-week ban. Underhill was cited for a dangerous tackle on Lyon full-back Davit Niniashvili during Bath's EPCR Challenge Cup final victory in Cardiff. The Bath forward received a yellow card from Scottish referee Hollie Davidson, but a complaint was then lodged by match citing commisssioner Philippe Lenne. An independent disciplinary committee imposed the period of suspension, with European Professional Club Rugby stating his return to play date will be determined once his future playing schedule is confirmed. Bath's next fixture is a final game of the regular Premiership season against Saracens on Saturday. That is followed by a play-off on June 6, then the Premiership final eight days later if Bath get there. In terms of Underhill's potential England schedule, there is a non-cap match against France on June 21, with the first Test against Argentina two weeks after that. EPCR said: 'Underhill accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but did not accept that it warranted a red card. 'The independent disciplinary committee upheld the complaint, finding that Underhill had tackled Davit Niniashvili in a dangerous manner that warranted a red card, and it determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. Article continues below 'The committee gave the player credit for his remorse and timely acceptance that he had committed an act of foul play. But because of his prior disciplinary record, the committee were only able to discount the entry point sanction by two weeks. They therefore imposed a four-week suspension.' Underhill received a three-week ban in April after being sent off for a high tackle against Challenge Cup opponents Pau. He is an integral part of the Bath armoury under head of rugby Johann van Graan, and his ban is a major blow for the club. Premiership title success would see them complete an historic trophy treble this season, having already won the Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The World Rugby decision that's just massively upped the ante for Wales' Japan tour
The World Rugby decision that's just massively upped the ante for Wales' Japan tour Wales head to Japan looking to finally put an end to their dismal losing run Wales are ranked 12th in the world after their winless Six Nations campaign (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/Huw Evans Agency ) World Rugby have confirmed that the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place in December this year, in a move that could have a major impact on Wales' tournament hopes. After the draw for the 2023 tournament in France was criticised having been held nearly three years earlier at the end of 2020, the draw for the next edition in Australia will take place with less than two years to go until the action gets under way Down Under. It also means that the seedings for the draw will be based on the world rankings at the end of the November international window, which could spell bad news for Wales. A winless Six Nations campaign saw Wales extend their dismal losing run to 17 successive Test matches, having not won at that level since their World Cup pool stage win over Georgia in October 2023. Unsurprisingly, it is the worst run of results for a Tier 1 nation in the professional era and one that leaves them in a dangerous position with the next World Cup draw now on the horizon. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Wales now head into the summer placed 12th in the World Rugby rankings. Having fallen behind Tier 2 side Georgia, they are now closer in the global standings to 13th-placed Japan, who they will face in a two-Test series in July. Article continues below Led by interim coach Matt Sherratt, the hope is that Wales will be able to finally put an end to their embarrassing losing streak against Japan and restore some much-needed confidence in order to start climbing back up the rankings. Two victories from two on the summer tour could well see Sherratt's side edge back up to 11th place and knock on the door of the global top 10, although this will almost certainly depend on results elsewhere. However, falling to a defeat - or even two - to Eddie Jones' side would not just see Wales' losing run continue but could spell disaster as far as the next World Cup is concerned. A first Test defeat to Japan would not only see the tourists get leapfrogged by their hosts in the world rankings, but also by Samoa, with Wales set to slip to a new record low of 14th in the world if that scenario plays out. It would also see them drop out of the second band of seeds - which is for teams ranked seventh to 12th in the world - for the World Cup in Australia and into the third, meaning they would likely face a brutal pool at the tournament if they were to remain there. Of course, with the draw not being made until December, Wales would also have the autumn internationals to turn things around. Article continues below But with a daunting line-up of Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa awaiting them in Cardiff in November, as well as a rematch with Japan, they will more than likely need an undefeated summer in order to give their global standing a boost and avoid dropping down to the third tier. While the potential World Cup ramifications will up the ante for the Japan tour, Wales will be encouraged by their strong record against their opponents this summer, having won 13 of their 14 previous meetings. However, their only defeat came the last time they faced the Brave Blossoms on Japanese soil, when the hosts won 28-3 against a Welsh side that had 15 players away with the British & Irish Lions in Australia at the time.
