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Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
WRU reveal new plan to lure players back from England after scrapping exiles programme
WRU reveal new plan to lure players back from England after scrapping exiles programme The WRU has been criticised for scrapping its exiles programme but insist better times are ahead Interim WRU performance director Huw Bevan (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) The Welsh Rugby Union is changing its long-running Exiles programme — but performance director Huw Bevan insists the new version will be more effective at keeping the best Welsh talent in Wales and convincing those lost to the English system to return. In the past the WRU's exiles programme has been responsible for identifying Welsh qualified talent in England and further afield. But the WRU believes it has replaced it with a superior system, with the aim of retaining players in Wales and repatriating those who are based in England. This will be the aim for both the men's and women's game. "We are trying to restructure the emphasis of the programme to focus more on retention of players within Wales and the repatriation of players who are primarily in England," Bevan told WalesOnline. 'We believe that the majority of the players capable of playing professional or international rugby have already been identified by us or elsewhere. 'This is because the best players are already identified, in England either by a public school who are linked to an academy or directly from Wales, by academy people recruiting them back home from across the border. Article continues below 'They have either leaked out of our system to attend public schools, or been recruited by academies in England, or we already know about them through the Welsh academy system "So, our renewed focus is on retaining and also identifying players based across the border, together with supporting people who are already known to us. . "We need to make connections with them and engage with them to come back into the Welsh national age grade programmes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "We think that the more often we get players who are currently across the border in a Welsh shirt the more chance we've got of recruiting them at senior level back into our system at national level and also for the regional clubs. "What we've done is given the responsibility for retaining our high potential players to specific WRU staff within our pathway who focus on our U18s on both the male and female side.. "So, they'll know all our players at U18s level and will connect with them, support and educate them about the options available to them in Wales in a way that will encourage them to stay in Wales or give them incentive to return. "To do that we are working closely together in the professional clubs to create a collective One Wales offer which includes all aspects of the professional game. "We have spent a lot of time with the regional clubs recently specifically on this topic of retention." There are a number of Wales internationals over the years who were born outside the country but qualified courtesy of a family connection, both in our age grade and senior teams Steff and Ioan Emanuel, Harry Beddall, Sam Scott, Louies Hennessey, Louis Trevett, Luke Evans, Aidan Boshoff and Jonny Green in the WRU pathways, along with the likes of Blair Murray and Ellis Mee at international level are good examples in recent times. Blair Murray and club and country team-mate Ellis Mee (Image:) The WRU is putting more of an emphasis on senior academy level and above with the aim of repatriating these players to Wales. This includes the Wales Pathway Players programme (WPP) where a group of up to 60 players of national interest between the ages of 15 and 24 have been identified as Wales internationals of the future and as a result will be given additional support. "In terms of identifying players who are Welsh qualified who have left our system and are in schools or academy systems elsewhere, we've now got people who are well placed and who have established connections with academy staff, in Richard Whiffin (Wales U20s coach), Andy Lloyd (talent and pathways manager) and others," said Bevan. "They will speak regularly with these academy managers and have strong relationships with them that we are already utilising. "If you look at the relationship with Harlequins, Bristol and Gloucester as examples. "Look at the number of players who are coming back and playing for Wales age grades because of the strength of those connections. "We need to continue to capitalise on those relationships. We feel the people we've got are best placed to do that. In terms of the wider identification of Welsh qualified players, each of the regional clubs have a recruitment manager who are connected to agents. "Using that is a much wider network to utilise, these are people who are going to be proactive in finding opportunities for Welsh-qualified players within Wales. "There's been several of late who have been found. "There's Levi Douglas at the Dragons, Ellis Mee, Blair Murray and Ioan Jones, who the Scarlets have signed, these players were identified through agents and recruitment managers that will be part of our system. Levi Douglas previously played for Bath (Image: Getty Images ) "There's also a network of about 20 coaches and teachers who are Welsh connected. "These are people who have strong connections to Wales but who are embedded in the English system who we have identified. 'They've stepped forward to say they would like to contribute and support a Welsh-qualified scouting network. "That's the proactive approach we are going to take." Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Undoubtedly one of the biggest threats to professional rugby in Wales is the high number of talented young players who take up scholarships in English public schools and are picked up by the academies of Gallagher Premiership clubs. The WRU believes its new system will help prevent this from happening as much as it used to with a huge emphasis on retaining players in Wales. The retention drive is based on creating an improved understanding of the opportunities available to players in Wales from a rugby, academic and welfare perspective. "Certainly from an academic perspective, we are competitive and we believe we have a good all round offer, we just need to give the players the information they need to make an informed decision,' said Bevan. 'If players do choose to leave we have to continue to stay connected with the players if they do leave to make sure the are still linked to the club they come from. 'If they go, what we have done previously is largely ignored them. "We've previously had the attitude of sometimes thinking, that's it you are out of the system, but you can't afford to do that. "We have to work with our schools or academies that they go to and make sure that player feels connected to whatever club they come from. "We need to go there, visit them, encourage them to be part of the Welsh system and make sure the allegiance is with Wales. "They are selected and encouraged to come into the Welsh Player Pathway (WPP) programme, they are encouraged to play at every opportunity at our U18s, U19s and U20s programmes. "I don't think we will stop everyone leaving but the first thing to do is say, this is what we can offer you in terms of academic support and this is what we can do from a rugby perspective. "If you are in Wales you are going to have more opportunities to work through the WPP programme, however you made the decision to go but we are not going to let you feel isolated by that, we still want to stay connected with you and we want you to come back.' Bevan is confident this new strategy will work and believes young players have greater opportunities in Wales and this will persuade players to return to this side of the Severn Bridge. "What we've got at the moment in Wales is opportunity," he said. "Our young players are getting more opportunities than the ones in England. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "Look at Macs Page and Huw Anderson. Look at the game time Macs has had for the Scarlets which has now got him on the Wales tour to Japan. "There's a couple of signings coming to Cardiff now who are not getting opportunities in England. Article continues below "Look at Louie Hennessey. He came on loan to Cardiff and went straight into the first team. "We just need a collective effort. "We can't afford to let people slip through the net as easily as we may have done previously."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Welsh club coach linked with job and Sam Warburton says Welsh rugby 'can only dream'
Tonight's rugby news as Welsh club coach linked with job and Sam Warburton says Welsh rugby 'can only dream' The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Jared Payne (right) could be leaving west Wales. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Your rugby evening headlines on Saturday, May 31. Warburton: Welsh rugby can only dream Wales legend Sam Warburton says Welsh rugby "can only dream" after drawing comparisons with the English game. This weekend, the top four places of the English Premiership were decided in the final round of regular season fixtures, with Warburton's comments coming prior to these final games. Going into the final weekend, there was still some jeopardy involved, with Bristol Bears just two points ahead of Gloucester in fourth place, with Saracens level on points with the Cherry and Whites. Warburton said Welsh clubs can only imagine the sorts of crowds and jeopardy on show across the bridge at present. Speaking about this in his Times column, Warburton, who is a TNT Sports pundit and commentator, said: "I'll be at Bristol on Saturday for the Bears match against Harlequins and qualification for the top four is in their hands, so, while it may not be a rip-roaring conclusion, at least there is enough on this last round of regular matches to see the argument for the play-offs and a climax to a thrilling season. "I hear some English fans complaining a little and touting their plans for improvement and I just think: 'You should try living in Wales and see the problems we have there!'. In Wales, we can only dream at the moment of our regions having the games that the English clubs have, and especially the crowds they attract so regularly." Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Welsh club coach favourite for top job Scarlets coach Jared Payne is favourite to land the head coach position at Connacht, reports RugbyPass. The former British & Irish Lions tourist is currently assistant coach under Dwayne Peel in west Wales, but could now be switching United Rugby Championships clubs. Payne has been with Scarlets since June 2023 and has helped the side reach the URC play-offs this season alongside his colleagues, with the Parc y Scarlets outfit facing Leinster on Saturday afternoon. Despite being born in New Zealand, Payne represented Ireland at international level and a move to Galway would see him coach in the country for the first time since 2022, where he left Ulster to join up with Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14. Of course, Payne moved into coaching back in 2018 after sustaining a head injury on the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017. Recurring headaches had forced him into retirement, but a career in coaching awaited him. IRFU performance director David Humphreys is reportedly a big fan of Payne. Premiership play-offs decided The English Premiership top four was settled on Saturday in the final round of action. Bristol Bears' fate was in their hands in round 18, and they got that all-important victory over Harlequins at Ashton Gate - quite convincingly too - 52-26. The West Country outfit scored a stunning seven tries against Quins, with a total of 11 scores on the day. The results confirmed a place in the semi-finals for Bears, who'll be joining Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and Bath in the play-offs. Saracens picked up a tidy result at the StoneX Stadium, beating league leaders Bath 36-26, although it was very much a second string Bath team. However, it's a mid-table finish for Nick Tompkins' team. Wales international Gareth Anscombe played his final game for Gloucester, who defeated Northampton Saints 41-26. The 34-year-old fly-half was substituted on the 64th-minute mark, and will be heading to France next season to link up with Bayonne. Christian Wade, who is leaving rugby union again to pursue a career in league, scored in the final minute of the game, in a fitting send-off for one of the league's most prolific try-scorers. As was confirmed prior to the weekend's action, after disappointing seasons, Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons will be playing EPCR Challenge Cup rugby next term, having finished outside the top eight. Gloucester, Saracens, Quins and Saints all miss out on the play-offs but qualify for Champions Cup rugby next season. Franco Smith: I'm not surprised my players shone By Anthony Brown, PA Franco Smith claimed he was not surprised to see champions Glasgow turn on the style in their United Rugby Championship quarter-final victory over Stormers because he was always confident they would bounce back from their recent dip. Warriors romped to a five-try 36-18 triumph over their South African visitors on Friday night to set up a semi-final showdown with the winner of Saturday's clash between Leinster and Scarlets in next weekend's semi-final. Much of the pre-match talk had surrounded the fact Glasgow had lost four of their previous five matches, including a shock 33-7 defeat away to Benetton. Smith argued that some form of drop-off was inevitable amid such a gruelling schedule, and he is hopeful that his team are back on song at just the right time to defend their title. 'It's a long season, 18 rounds, nine Test matches (four autumn Tests and five Six Nations fixtures), and you have six or seven European Cup games,' said the head coach. 'It's high-priority games every week. 'Our squad is that big, we've rotated it, we've brought some new players in. 'But to be on the mental edge the whole time is sometimes inhuman, if I can put it that way. 'All the sides that finished in the top eight had a bad period somewhere. Ours might have been evident against Benetton. Not even against the Bulls, who were actually very good that evening. Article continues below 'If I keep perspective and don't form a perception, I have a good chance of staying true to the cause. I'm not surprised about our performance against Stormers."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby legend's perfect response to King Charles left Wales star speechless
Welsh rugby legend's perfect response to King Charles left Wales star speechless Tom Shanklin told the tale about King Charles and Gethin Jenkins on a recent podcast The Welsh rugby legend had the perfect response for the King to be. (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Gethin Jenkins' response to King Charles left Tom Shanklin speechless at the opening of a Cardiff restaurant. On the latest episode of The Overlap's Stick To Rugby podcast, England icon Will Carling joined Scott Quinnell, Katy Daley-McClean, Lawrence Dallaglio and Shanklin. Carling had been telling tales from his playing career, during which he had encounters with famous people like John Cleese among others, then Shanklin took the opportunity to tell a rather comical tale of his own. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "There was a new restaurant that opened in Cardiff," began Shanklin. "It was a church that had been converted. Prince Charles, or King Charles, now, came to open it. "Spiros, who owned the restaurant, invited a load of people to come and open it with him. Article continues below "Prince Charles comes in, meets Spiros and shakes his hand. Meets Jason, who is his right-hand man, and Gethin Jenkins is in this line as well, so he meets three of four different people who work at the restaurant." Lawrence Dallaglio began cracking up before the punchline: "I've gone early!" "And then," continued Shanklin. "Prince Charles goes: 'And you? You must be the chef', to Gethin Jenkins! "He goes: 'No, I'm the world record cap-holder for Wales!' "I didn't know what to say!" See the video below For a long time, Jenkins was the world record cap-holder for Wales, being an integral figure in one of their most successful ever periods. The legendary prop was overtaken by Alun Wyn Jones in 2019, with the lock's appearance against Australia at the World Cup taking him to 130 total appearances at Test level for Wales, which was one more than Jenkins had managed to achieve. Article continues below The 44-year-old is part of the Wales coaching set-up once again, being drafted in by interim boss Matt Sherratt for the upcoming tour of Japan, which will involve two Tests against the Brave Blossoms. Joining Jenkins and Sherratt in the Far East will be T Rhys Thomas, Danny Wilson and Adam Jones. There is talk of Leigh Halfpenny being called up to coach for his country as well.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star decides on future and 45 English club players looking for clubs after 'awful news'
Today's rugby news as Wales star decides on future and 45 English club players looking for clubs after 'awful news' The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond Keiran Williams of Ospreys (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Friday, May 23. Williams signs new deal Ospreys and Wales centre Keiran Williams has signed fresh terms with the Stadium club. Williams has enjoyed a stellar season with the Ospreys and the midfielder says he's delighted to be extending his stay with Mark Jones' side. Williams said: 'I'm really happy to be staying with my hometown club. This is where I've spent my whole career and I'm looking forward to continuing it with this group. Article continues below 'The team are playing some great rugby under Mark, and the backs have really benefitted from the expansive game we've been playing. We're all excited about pushing on and doing something memorable next season for the supporters.' Head coach Jones added: 'Keith (Williams) is an integral part of our team so I'm happy he has committed his future to the Ospreys. He is a great character, but most importantly, he's an extremely consistent performer, which is something we value highly here. 'We all know about what he does well on the pitch, on both sides of the ball, but it's his attitude that has impressed me the most since I joined the club. His dedication to improving is second to none and we are all excited to see him continue to push on and contribute for us in the coming seasons.' Williams featured for Wales in the warm-up match against England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Forty-five players looking for new clubs Rugby Players' Association chairman Christian Day says there are around 45 players in England looking for new clubs after their contracts with their current sides came to an end. It's the time of year when rugby clubs announce their departure lists, with two of the four Welsh sides - Scarlets and Cardiff - having done so already. Across the bridge in the Gallagher Premiership, the likes of Chris Harris, Callum Hunter-Hill and Will Addison will be looking for new employers come the start of next season. Day says it's a difficult situation to be in for players. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It's a tough professional sport and some players get that awful news that their time is up and they need to move on," Day told the MailOnline's Rugby Confidential. "We've currently got around 45 who are without a landing spot and are keen to continue. That doesn't include guys like Mike Brown or Danny Care who don't want to continue. I expect that figure of 45 to come down to something like 30 or 35. "In terms of the salary cap, we're seeing the clubs take on more financial responsibility. They're starting to say that the cap might be X but we're going to spend a lower number than that. "That's certainly happening this year. With your homegrown credit, your injury credit, your international credit, your marquee signing, you can easily add £2million to the £6.4m cap but a lot of clubs now are just spending more like the £6.4m. "Clubs are running slightly tighter. If you look at Northampton Saints, they've had a group of young players come through the club who have suddenly become elite internationals. Guys like Fin Smith will have come in at a figure that has probably tripled now. "Preparing for that in your cap is really important. What we're seeing is that senior squads are shrinking by two or three players. The removal of the international crossover has supplemented that." Landmark deal struck in USA World Rugby has announced it has struck a multi-year broadcast deal with CBS Sports and Paramount+ for the right to show international rugby in the United States. The agreement, which will last until 2029, will feature exclusive US rights to the next three Rugby World Cups (both men's and women's), as well as all USA matches Paramount+ will stream every match from the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2027 and the Women's Rugby World Cups in 2025 and 2029, with select matches also airing on CBS and CBS Sports Network. Other tournaments included in the deal are the HSBC SVNS series, the WXV, the Pacific Nations Cup, the Men's U20 World Championship and the Pacific Four Series. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said: 'Today's announcement is a generational moment for rugby in the United States. This landmark partnership with CBS Sports and Paramount+ is tangible proof of our commitment to grow the game by connecting great rugby with sports fans wherever they are. 'With their incredible reach and storytelling pedigree, CBS Sports and Paramount+ will be instrumental in building a coast-to-coast rugby community in a country already boasting over 800,000 players, a dynamic college system, a huge growth rise in women's rugby, growing men's professional league, and a fanbase of nearly 40 million. 'This important deal builds on strong momentum in the U.S. market, supercharging the fan ecosystem with shoulder content, digital storytelling, and on-demand access to help convert curiosity into lasting fandom.' Legends named in latest BaaBaas squad Former New Zealand captain Sam Cane is set to line up alongside Ireland legends Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray in the latest Barbarians squad The BaaBaas take on back-to-back world champions South Africa in Cape Town on 28 June, and head coach Robbie Deans says his squad will feature a "blend of high-profile global international stars, and other standout performers from European clubs, Super Rugby and the Japanese league". O'Mahony and Murray retired from international rugby following this year's Six Nations, while Cane called time on his All Blacks career at the end of 2024. "Peter and Conor have been an integral part of the Irish team for nearly 15 years and both have amassed over hundred caps for their country and represented the British & Irish Lions on a number of tours," said Deans. "Sam is also a Test centurion, played in the last three Rugby World Cups and captained the All Blacks from 2020-2023. "All three players experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable during the week both on and off the field and I am delighted they have agreed to play for the Barbarians in this historic game." Alex Mitchell determined to stay 'chilled' in heat of Champions Cup final By Jim van Wijk, PA Alex Mitchell intends to be the calmest man in Cardiff when Northampton aim to lift the Champions Cup for the first time in a quarter of a century with victory over Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday. A stunning 37-34 semi-final win against tournament favourites Leinster in Dublin has Saints fans dreaming of a first European champions crown since edging out Munster at Twickenham 25 years ago. Northampton and England scrum-half Mitchell, though, is determined to stay focused on the job in hand and not get swept up in the occasion at the Principality Stadium. 'I like to think I am quite calm and collected,' said Mitchell, who has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad for the summer tour of Australia. 'I like to go into games with a level head and be pretty chilled about it. Some people may sometimes think that is probably a bit too chilled, but I think it works for me. 'Everyone's different – some people need to be banging their head against the wall or being sick in a bin. 'But especially as a (number) nine or a 10, you need to stay calm. You can't be up and down. 'You are trying to run the game, to put yourself in the right places, so technically I try to push on that.' Mitchell added: 'It is a massive occasion, but you can't get too ahead of yourself. 'You can't be a rabbit in the headlights – you have got to just focus on your jobs, stay calm and stay collected.' Johann van Graan wants Bath to 'enjoy the moment' in Challenge Cup final By Andrew Baldock, PA Johann van Graan wants Bath to 'enjoy the moment' when they continue their quest for a possible trophy treble in Friday's EPCR Challenge Cup final against Lyon. Bath will arrive at the Principality Stadium with this season's Premiership Rugby Cup already secured, while they are Gallagher Premiership leaders by 15 points and booked a home play-off in April. The twin prizes of European success and domestic title glory are tantalisingly close, with Bath firm favourites against opponents currently 11th in the French Top 14. It will be Bath's fifth Challenge Cup final appearance. Victory over Worcester at Kingsholm 17 years ago was their last major piece of silverware. Head of rugby Van Graan has transformed standards – and expectation levels – since arriving at the club from Munster in 2022, and he said: 'This is a special moment for the club. 'It is the first European final that we as a group have played in. It's exciting, and we have got to enjoy the moment, as that is what finals are about. 'It's one-off, we are playing against a good side. Keep it simple, stick to your process, keep doing the things that got you into the final. Article continues below 'We want to get better. If you think about it, we've improved in every single area, so we are not about to stop now. 'We will keep trying, keep finding a better way. One of our sayings is our process needs to lead to performance. If it doesn't lead to performance, then let's find a better way to do it. 'You have got to back yourself that we will become better as a group. You go through experiences together, so this is another experience for us.'
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby player 'blacklisted' from Wales team after coach confronted him over anonymous feedback
Welsh rugby player 'blacklisted' from Wales team after coach confronted him over anonymous feedback 'I won't be filling out any more anonymous forms, that's for sure,' said Lewis Jones. After being told his feedback would be anonymous, the former Cardiff star (left) was presented with his scathing thoughts by a member of the club the following season. (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Lewis Jones says he thought he was "blacklisted" from Wales under-20s after being confronted over feedback he gave following a disastrous World Cup campaign. The former Cardiff Rugby scrum-half, 32, recently appeared as a guest on the Sportin Wales podcast with ex-Wales internationals Alex Cuthbert and Lloyd Williams. Of course, all three of those players once represented Cardiff together. Cuthbert was reading out viewer questions and asked Jones: "Why did Lewis get kicked out of the under-20s?" "I wouldn't say kicked out," began Jones. "You used to have two years in the under-20s back then. So in my first year we went to the World Cup but it was more like a stag do. It was carnage. "It was 92-0, it was quite a famous loss against Chicken's (Gareth Anscombe) New Zealand team at the time. Yes, Gareth played for New Zealand. I actually faced Gareth in a haka which was pretty funny. "Then we went on to lose against Fiji, they flew (former WRU head of rugby) Joe Lydon out I think, I'm not sure what his role was at the time, CEO of the under-20s or something like that. I personally think they were looking for a scapegoat. Article continues below "We actually had to give a feedback form in and they said it will be anonymous feedback. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "I just put it straight up, how it was, it was a shambles, we didn't treat it like a World Cup. "I went back to the Blues (Cardiff) that year and I had a meeting with Phil Davies about being professional and stuff like that. And then he pulled out my anonymous form from the under 20s. I was like: 'How did you get that?' "He's like: 'Obviously they've given it [to me].' "So, I don't know whether they had hand-picked it out to see what I had to say. I won't be filling out any more anonymous forms, that's for sure!" Williams added: "Without chucking you under the bus, you didn't know who Joe Lydon was…" "No, it wasn't Joe, it was Roger Lewis or something," answered Jones. "So you didn't know who any of them were?," said Cuthbert. "Then again, it showed how much he introduced himself. I think it was Roger Lewis, the CEO at the time," continued Jones. "He was out there and he was sat next to our liaison officer, this Italian, Simeone. I said: 'How are you going, Simeone?' "Roger was next to him: 'Are you a liaison officer as well?' "And he was like: 'No, I'm actually the chief executive of your Union.' Oh, I've done well there!" "No wonder you were off the 20s!," said Cuthbert. "The next year I got blacklisted against that," said Jones. Jones has hung up his boots after making 120 appearances for the Blue and Blacks, as well as a stint with Dragons at the end of his career. Article continues below "Yes, I'm retired now, in the real world!," said Jones. "I'm working for Indigo. I've been with them for a year now, which I'm absolutely loving. When you're rugby players all of your life, there's this big daunting feeling about going into the real world. "I was quite scared going into it, but honestly, I've taken to it like a duck to water and I can't say enough good things about Indigo to be honest."
