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Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby awards: Best player, worst signings and team of the season
Welsh rugby awards: Best player, worst signings and team of the season The URC season is finally over for Wales' four professional clubs and it's time to dish out the awards Scarlets full-back Blair Murray on his way to scoring a try against Leinster (Image: Huw Evans Agency ) It's the end of another long season for Wales' four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - with plenty of drama both on and off the pitch. Operating from a salary cap of just £4.5m, three of Wales' professional clubs achieved competitiveness in the United Rugby Championship, with the Scarlets reaching the end of season play-offs and qualifying for next season's Investec Champions Cup. The Ospreys went furthest in Europe reaching the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup before bowing out with a disappointing home defeat to Lyon. But there were plenty of players who impressed significantly throughout the season. Here are the WalesOnline awards at the end of another season. Player of the season - Blair Murray A year ago very few people would have heard of the 23-year-old when he originally signed for the Scarlets, but he has proved to be an excellent signing. Murray was playing for Canterbury in the Bunnings NPC but with some excellent work by Scarlets recruitment and operations officer James Davies he was picked up by the west Walians. Murray is electric with the ball in hand and has the ability to create opportunities out of absolutely nothing while he is also a deadly finisher. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The Scarlets flyer is currently joint top of the URC try scoring charts with nine touchdowns which emphasises the impact he has made in west Wales. Murray - who is Welsh qualified courtesy of his Tonyrefail born mother - was also one of Wales' better players in a disappointing campaign, making such an impression he was touted as a British & Irish Lions bolter. Signing of the season - Marnus van der Merwe In all honesty Murray could and should also take this title but South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe has been just as good for the Scarlets. The west Walians struggled badly upfront last season and the 28-year-old has played a big part in the Scarlets' resurgence. Van der Merwe is an explosive ball carrier who regularly gets over the gain line and is extremely physical in defence, while his work in the set-piece is also top class. Stylistically, the former Cheetahs hooker is similar to Springboks World Cup winner Malcolm Marx with his ability to win turnovers at the breakdown as good as any openside in the URC. The Scarlets star has made such an impact this season he has been included in the Springboks alignment camp and is expected to be included in Rassie Erasmus' squad for summer Tests against Italy and Georgia before the Rugby Championship begins in August. Unsung hero - Harri Millard The 28-year-old who can play centre or wing has been outstanding for Cardiff this season. Millard may not be a big name but he has been one of the most consistent performers in the Welsh game this season. The Cardiff man has scored some important tries for Matt Sherratt's side this and is level with Blair Murray and the Stormers' Leolin Zas as the top try scorer in the URC with nine. Millard is a safe pair of hands and rarely makes mistakes while he is dangerous with the ball in hand. There has to be an honourable mention to his Cardiff teammate Alun Lawrence who a couple of years ago found himself without a job after English Championship outfit Jersey Reds went to the wall. Luckily the 26-year-old was offered an opportunity to return to Cardiff where he has been a consistent performer over the past couple of seasons. Young player of the season - Macs Page The 20-year-old Scarlets back - who can cover both centre and wing - edges out Ospreys backrower Morgan Morse for this award. In his first full season of professional rugby, Page made a big impression and there were a number of standout moments for the man from Crymych who just oozes class. Page has scored five tries this season with his stunning score against Zebre in October arguably the try of the season. The rising Scarlets star is pure X-factor with his explosive physicality, electric footwork, pace and finishing ability marking him out as a star of the future. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Page in line to win his first senior international cap on Wales' tour of Japan this summer. Coach of the season - Dwayne Peel A year ago the former Wales scrum-half's future was openly questioned after an extremely poor season which included a shocking home defeat to Georgian outfit Black Lion. But the Scarlets board decided to stick with Peel and he has repaid the faith by turning around the fortunes of the Llanelli-based club. At the start of the season Peel stated the club's goal was to be competitive this season and they have certainly achieved that. A strong recruitment drive last summer significantly strengthened the pack - the Scarlets' Achilles heel last season - while the experienced Leigh Jones was brought in as rugby performance director to support Peel. The Scarlets have been competitive in all bar a couple of games this season and while they fell on the wrong side of some narrow defeats to begin with, things finally clicked into place during the latter part of the season. After last season's struggles, to finish as the only Welsh representative in the URC play-offs which has also led to Champions Cup qualification, is a significant step in the right direction. Peel deserves praise for how he has turned the Scarlets around and he is no doubt a better coach as a result of last season's struggles. Biggest disappointment - The Dragons' signings It has been a shocking season at Rodney Parade with the Dragons finishing bottom of the URC table with just one win to their name - 20 points short of 15th placed Zebre. This is in large parts down to getting last season's recruitment drive so badly wrong. Apart from Wales international Shane Lewis-Hughes, the Dragons' new signings have flopped badly. Much was expected of highly-rated Australian signing Harry Wilson but while the centre made a decent start to the season he has not had anywhere near the impact required and looks set for an early exit. Powerful No 8 Solomone Funaki was also expected to be a key player for the Dragons this season but has spent most of his time on the sidelines and has not figured at all for Filo Tiatia's side. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Former Scarlets lock Steve Cummins has also been a big disappointment and such a poor recruitment cycle undoubtedly played a part in former head coach Dai Flanagan leaving his role in October. Article continues below Things are looking a bit brighter next season with new head coach Filo Tiatia having recruited heavily again and it goes without saying the Dragons board will be expecting a huge improvement. Team of the season Blair Murray (Scarlets); Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Harri Millard (Cardiff), Johnny Williams (Scarlets); Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Cardiff); Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Alec Hepburn (Scarlets), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Henry Thomas (Scarlets), Josh McNally (Cardiff), Teddy Williams (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Morgan Morris (Ospreys)
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Inside the NBA' will live on, but the potential for meddling is a good excuse to celebrate it again
This crossed my mind recently for a few reasons. The show added the latest two Sports Emmys to its collection ('Inside the NBA' was nominated for outstanding weekly studio show, but lost to ESPN's 'College GameDay.' No shame in that.) Advertisement This year's awards occurred a few days before one of the funniest moments I've ever witnessed while watching 'Inside the NBA.' Analyst Kenny Smith was telling a long story about how his mother wouldn't allow him to have a car while he was a student at the University of North Carolina unless he got all Bs or better for grades. Barkley and fellow analyst Shaquille O'Neal needled him, as they do, and Barkley fired off a line that made everyone in my living room laugh out loud as the show headed for a commercial break. 'And to this day,' said Barkley, 'Kenny has never driven a car.' "The show is still here baby... WE DEM BOYZ!" Shaq has us ready to run through a brick wall 😤 — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) Yes, as a matter of fact, I am sitting here guffawing like an idiot as I type those words. Advertisement That one-liner was quintessential Barkley, who has the Must-Watch factor in a way only John Madden and a very short list of other sports broadcasters have achieved. The joke was so perfectly befitting a show in which the talent interacts not as colleagues, but in the no-one-is-safe-from-being-a-punchline way that real, genuine, unfiltered friends do. The collective chemistry of 'Inside the NBA,' in which ego is consistently punctured for the sake of comedy, is extremely hard to find in sports television, as evidenced by pretty much every awkward and uninspiring version of an NBA studio show that ESPN has ever produced. That, of course, is the other reason the show has been on my mind, and the minds of most other NBA fans. TNT's superb run as NBA broadcast rights partner will end with the conclusion of the Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference finals. 'Inside the NBA' will continue, but under different circumstances that should bring at least some skepticism about whether a show that needs not a single change will remain quite the same. After months of drama and uncertainty about its future, parent company Warner Brothers Discovery The full cast — Johnson, Barkley, Smith, and O'Neal, who have been together since 2011 — will remain intact. TNT will continue to produce the show. Make no mistake: Compared with where this originally appeared headed, the 'Inside'-to-ESPN outcome is awfully close to a best-case scenario. I just wish I could be convinced, as some of my other sports-media columnist brethren apparently are, that ESPN won't screw this up. Advertisement ESPN has spent years, even decades, trying and failing to come up with NBA studio programming that can be mentioned in the same book as 'Inside The NBA,' let alone on the same page or sentence. It has failed and failed again, and its worst version yet is probably its current one, with Stephen A. Smith chronically caterwauling about the Knicks and Kendrick Perkins inevitably contradicting something he said a few minutes earlier. Maybe its weird to be nostalgic for something that isn't truly ending, but the I'm-gonna-miss-this sentiments come in part out of fear for what ESPN might do to what TNT built. Related : Since TNT will produce the show, perhaps that will prevent some ESPN interference. But you're telling me Mike Greenberg, or Perkins, or Screamin' A., won't be shoehorned on the set from time to time, or perhaps more than time to time? ESPN's if-you-can't-beat-'em, license-'em approach is wise, and it saved a wonderful show, but I've seen too many TV executives screw up too many good things to believe ESPN bosses will be able to resist some wholly unnecessary tinkering. The thoughtful Smith — c'mon, he definitely has driven a car, Chuck — expressed some skepticism regarding whether the show will remain the same in 'We have the same crew of people doing the show,' he said. 'But the timing: are we a half hour now? Are we forty-five minutes? Fifteen minutes? Those are the things that you can control when you own your [intellectual property]. But we don't.' Advertisement We won't know how this is going to go until we see it a few times. So allow me, then, to be nostalgic for something that will still exist. I've thought often of Watching TNT's NBA coverage wind down the last few weeks has felt a little like watching Sam Malone close Cheers for the last time. Had he and the gang matriculated to a new bar, we still would have known their names. It would not have felt the same. Chad Finn can be reached at
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The Welsh rugby signings already announced and what you can expect over the coming months
The Welsh rugby signings already announced and what you can expect over the coming months There has been a lot of business done in Welsh rugby this season New Ospreys signing Ryan Smith (Image: Getty Images ) This season has not come to a close just yet with the Scarlets facing Leinster in a United Rugby Championship quarter-final in Dublin on Saturday, but all four Welsh clubs have been busy recruiting ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. There have been some eye-catching new signings to date with some yet to be announced but are in the pipeline. Of course, every club will also have their fair share of departures too but things are slowly falling into place ahead of the 2025/26 season. Take a look at all the business which has been done so far and what to expect over the next couple of months. Cardiff Rugby It will be a new era at the Arms Park next season with Cardiff now under the ownership of the Welsh Rugby Union. Thus far Matt Sherratt has added three new signings to his squad with Wales international Ioan Lloyd joining from the Scarlets. Lloyd is a talented footballer who can cover outside-half, centre and full-back, while he is also an outstanding goal kicker. But the 24-year-old has been primarily signed as a 10 and will compete with Callum Sheedy and rising Wales U20s star Harri Wilde. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Taine Basham is a signing worth getting excited about and the 25-year-old is a key recruit with Thomas Young heading to the Dragons. A few years ago Basham was viewed as one of the brightest backrow prospects in the UK after a series of outstanding performances for Wales but he has fallen down the pecking order since. He will hope a move to Cardiff can reinvigorate his career, while Sherratt will also be excited at the potential of Wales U20s lock Tom Cottle, who joins from RGC. They are also set to bring on board George Nott from the Dragons while Sherratt is also looking for a centre and a lock. New signings: Ioan Lloyd (Cardiff), Taine Basham (Cardiff), Tom Cottle (RGC), George Nott (Dragons) Departures: Rhys Litterick (Edinburgh), Efan Daniel (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Dragons), Thomas Young (Dragons), Gwylim Bradley, Tinus de Beer (Cardiff), Rey Lee-Lo (retired), Regan Grace, Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers). Dragons RFC The Dragons have been by far the busiest Welsh club when it comes to recruitment ahead of the 2025/26 season. So far Filo Tiatia has added 11 new players to his squad as the Dragons look to bounce back from what has been a dreadful season for all involved with just one URC victory to their name. Last season's recruitment was a disaster and likely played a part in the club parting ways with former head coach Dai Flanagan. Tiatia has strengthened his pack with some key signings which include experienced Wales props Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis, with South African prop Robert Hunt from the Cheetahs also coming on board. Giant Welsh-qualified lock Levi Douglas joins from Biarritz along with Seb Davies from Welsh rivals Cardiff, while backrower Thomas Young is also joining. They have also moved to bring in South African outside-half Tinus de Beer from Cardiff and Moana Pasifika centre Fine Inisi. Crucially the Dragons also have an eye on the future with Wales U20s captain Harry Beddall along with Wales U19s front-rowers Codi Purnell and James Talamai returning from England, joining the club's senior academy. This season has been a car crash on the field but off it the Dragons are well-placed to kick on given they have the strongest balance sheet of all Wales' professional clubs and the fact they have signed the new Professional Rugby Agreement. WalesOnline understands their recruitment is not over yet with a centre and a backrower in their sights. On the other side of the coin there are 14 leavers, with Wales backrower Basham's move to Cardiff a big blow. New signings: Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers), Fine Inisi (Moana Pasifika), Wyn Jones (Harlequins), Dillon Lewis (Harlequins), Levi Douglas (Biarritz), Robert Hunt (Cheetahs), Seb Davies (Cardiff), Tinus de Beer (Cardiff), Thomas Young (Cardiff), Codi Purnell (Bath), James Talamai (Saracens). Departures: Scott Williams, Nathan Evans, Lloyd Lewis, Dmitri Arhip, Taine Basham (Cardiff), Dane Blacker (Scarlets), Joe Davies, Lloyd Evans, Ashton Hewitt, Paula Latu, Dan Lydiate (retired), George Nott (Cardiff), Will Reed (Worcester), Josh Reynolds, Josh Thomas, Jordan Williams, George Young. Ospreys The Ospreys haven't been as busy as the Dragons but Mark Jones has been working hard to strengthen the squad ahead of next season. There are two big signings with Queensland Reds second-row and Wallabies squad member Ryan Smith coming on board. Smith has been signed to replace experienced Wales and British & Irish Lions second-row Adam Beard who is joining French big spenders Montpellier next season. The 28-year-old is a high-quality signing and has been outstanding for the Reds this season in Super Rugby Pacific. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Smith is the Reds captain, so his leadership qualities are not in question, while he is an athletic forward who is comfortable in the wide channels and doesn't shirk physical confrontations. The Ospreys have also done a deal to bring experienced Wales backrower Ross Moriarty back to the country from Brive. Moriarty is a no-nonsense backrower who will add a huge amount of physicality to the Ospreys pack. WalesOnline understands the Ospreys are close to signing young hooker Efan Daniel from Cardiff. New signings: Ross Moriarty (Brive), Ryan Smith (Queensland Reds) Unconfirmed: Efan Daniel (Cardiff) Departures: Justin Tipuric (retiring but joining the backroom team as defence coach), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Tristan Davies, Owen Williams (Nice). Scarlets The Scarlets have made four key signings ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Veteran scrum-half Gareth Davies has been outstanding this season but at 34 he is at the tail end of his career and the Scarlets needed to add some depth in that area. As a result Dane Blacker returns to Parc y Scarlets from the Dragons. Blacker was a member of the Wales squad the last time he was at the Scarlets but his move to the Dragons did not work out well, so Dwayne Peel will be hoping he can regain his best form. Former Wales second-row Jake Ball was a cult hero during a hugely successful nine-year stint at the Scarlets before leaving to join Japanese club Green Rockets. Ball initially retired but has done a U-turn and re-joined the Scarlets where he will be a key figure next season, especially after Alex Craig's departure to Glasgow Warriors. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below The Scarlets have also lost the services of Ioan Lloyd to Cardiff but have succeeded in bringing talented Wales international Joe Hawkins back from Exeter Chiefs. New signings: Dane Blacker (Dragons), Ioan Jones (Gloucester), Jake Ball, Joe Hawkins (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (coach - Bridgend) Departures: Shaun Evans, Alex Craig (Gloucester), Morgan Jones, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd (Cardiff), Steff Evans, Edd Scragg, Charlie Titcombe (Leicester Tigers), Carwyn Tuipulotu (Pau).
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
England international James Haskell announces heartbreaking news as he's flooded with support
England international James Haskell announces heartbreaking news as he's flooded with support James Haskell revealed sad news on his social media channels and was flooded with support from the game of rugby James Haskell said his dad was "an amazing husband, a loving father, and a man who would help anyone in need." (Image: James Haskell on Instagram ) Former England international James Haskell has announced the tragic passing of his father, adding that he is finding comfort in knowing his dad is now at peace. Taking to Instagram, Haskell revealed the news with a collection of photos and a fitting tribute to his dad. The rugby family flooded the comments, with the likes of Mike Brown, Danny Care and Ugo Monye offering their condolences. Haskell branded his father's humour as "legendary" and recognised the unwavering support of his rugby career. In Haskell's post, he included some touching photos to remember his dad, which included his wedding day and multiple family photos from years gone by. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "This is never an easy thing to write," began Haskell. "My dad has passed away and while it's unbearably sad, it's also a celebration of an incredible man. He had more energy, more wit, and more heart than anyone I've ever known. "He made me who I am. He supported me at every game, pushed me to be better, and loved me unconditionally. "He didn't always get it right but he always gave his best, and his work ethic was second to none. "He was an amazing husband, a loving father, and a man who would help anyone in need. His humour was legendary. His presence filled every room. "In the end, he was in a bad way, and though it's heartbreaking to say goodbye, there's comfort in knowing he's now at peace. "He leaves behind a huge hole in our lives especially for my mum and brother but we will hold onto the memories that made him who he was. "I love you, Dad. I know you loved me and I know you were proud of me. You kept everything I ever did, framed it, treasured it and I'll never forget that. I'll think of you every single day. Always. "You lived your life and always did it your way!" Content cannot be displayed without consent Haskell retired from rugby in 2019 and has since forged a successful post-playing career. Alongside Alex Payne and Mike Tindall, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby has become one of the most popular rugby podcasts in the world, going on multiple tours in recent years. Article continues below Alongside that, he's written a plethora of books and is also an accomplished house music DJ and producer.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as S4C strike Lions tour deal and Welsh 'maestro' reminds Wales he's available
Tonight's rugby news as S4C strike Lions tour deal and Welsh 'maestro' reminds Wales he's available The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Highlights of this summer's Lions tour are set to be shown on free-to-air TV (Image: PA ) These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, May 30. S4C strike Lions tour deal This summer's British & Irish Lions tour is reportedly set to be shown on free-to-air TV with S4C understood to have agreed a deal for a highlights package. The Welsh language channel is believed to have bought highlights rights for all three of the Lions' Test matches against Australia, as well as their six tour games, with those highlights set to be broadcast in Welsh only, according to the Guardian. S4C are also set to provide full live coverage of Andy Farrell's side's clash with Argentina in Dublin on June 20, which will be available in both English and Welsh. While it will only be shown in Welsh, the highlights package will be available to watch across the UK via S4C's iPlayer service and YouTube channel. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. For the eighth successive Lions tour, Sky Sports has the exclusive live rights for the touring side's matches, while it will also broadcast its own highlights show in addition to the live action. However, while there are just three weeks to go until their opening game of the summer, it is believed that Lions bosses are also hopeful of securing another free-to-air highlights deal in England. For the 2021 tour to South Africa, it was Channel 4 that bought the UK highlights rights, but the broadcaster has not made an offer this time around. BBC, ITV and Channel 5 have also not made a bid as it stands, with the former also failing to secure live radio rights for the tour of Australia. Instead, the Lions have partnered with talkSPORT for the fourth successive tour. The reported S4C deal comes despite just two Welsh players being named in head coach Farrell's 38-man squad. Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams are Wales' sole representatives in the squad, in what is the lowest Welsh contingent on a Lions tour in nearly 90 years. As it stands, there will be one Welsh representative within Farrell's coaching team, with Carmarthen-born Aled Walters appointed as head of athletic performance. Analyst Rhodri Bown, doctor Geoff Davies and physiotherapist John Miles have all also been included in Farrell's staff for the tour of Australia, as has soft tissue specialist Susie Gill, who joined the WRU earlier this year from Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins. Welsh 'maestro' reminds Wales he's available Grenoble star Sam Davies has issued a pointed reminder to Wales over his Test eligibility following his heroics for the French side in their Pro D2 play-off semi-final win over Provence. The former Ospreys and Dragons fly-half produced another remarkable performance as his side moved a step closer to the Top 14 with a 38-17 victory on Thursday night, pulling the strings and contributing 18 points with his boot. As well as nailing three conversions and three penalties, Davies also landed a stunning 40-metre drop goal towards the end of the first half, while a moment of magic saw him set up his side's third try with an inch-perfect crossfield kick minutes after the break. The 31-year-old rightly earned the plaudits from his team-mates, fans and the media after the match, with reports in France hailing him as "impeccable" and "a maestro". His consistently impressive performances have led fans to question why Davies - who won the last of his eight Welsh caps in 2017 - has not been called back into the Wales squad, with the man himself insisting he is still eligible to represent his country. The outside-half attracted interest from English and Welsh sides earlier this season but opted to sign a new deal to remain at Grenoble. However, while he falls short of 25 caps there is a loophole in the controversial law which could make him eligible. Immediately following the win over Provence, Davies retweeted an X post that put forward his eligibility claims and featured quotes from his appearance on the Rosbifs Rugby Podcast earlier this year. "A great opening 40 for both @FCGrugby and Sam Davies," the post read. "What a drop goal that was!! Let's not forget that Davies believes he is eligible to represent Wales despite signing a new contract with Grenoble and falling short of 25 caps. "Speaking on the @RosbifsRugby podcast, he said: 'I think I am allowed really because the rule around whether you get an offer from a region or a fair one is related to the cap rule. 'There's an argument to say I never got a fair offer and before this contract I've just signed, a couple of Welsh clubs were trying to talk to me but I didn't even entertain it so there were no offers.'" Cult hero lands new job Former Cardiff flanker Olly Robinson has landed a new job as head of rugby at Collegiate School in Bristol. The 33-year-old, who also represented Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers during his career, became a fan favourite during his five years at the Arms Park and captained the side on a handful of occasions before leaving by mutual consent in 2022. The son of former England, Scotland and Lions coach Andy Robinson, the ex-back rower also had coaching spells as Cardiff and Vale College, the University of South Wales and the University of Bristol. After leaving Cardiff, he also worked as Collegiate as a coach, but is now set to start a new role at the private school in August, ahead of the new school year. Sharing the news on X, Robinson said: "Really looking forward to September and getting started with @CollegiateSB! Delighted to be back involved in the game, and looking forward to working with the students and staff to build on the school's fantastic rugby history." He also told the school's website: 'I am delighted to be joining Collegiate School as Head of Rugby. The school is especially meaningful to me, having lived on site as a child when my dad worked here, and I feel privileged to contribute to the school's proud and rich rugby history. 'I am excited to support every student to achieve and expand their potential both on and off the pitch, whilst aiming to inspire a lasting enjoyment of the game.' Headmaster Jeremy McCullough added: "We were fortunate to attract a very strong field of candidates and were delighted to have had direct input in the process from Bristol Bears. "What really impressed us all was Olly's determination and desire to pass on his knowledge and experience in the game to our next generation of players, helping to improve their understanding of, and love for, the game of rugby. "This combination of leader and educator is a strong one and we look forward to seeing him in action soon.' Cardiff star signs new contract Cardiff have confirmed that playmaker Rory Jennings has signed a new deal to stay at the Arms Park. The 29-year-old, who signed for the region from Newcastle Falcons last summer, made 17 appearances for Matt Sherratt's side in his first season in the capital, featuring in the centre and at fly-half. A former England U20s international who has also played for Bath, Clermont and London Irish, Jennings will continue to compete with Ben Thomas while also helping to bring through the likes of young talent Stef Emanuel. 'I'm really excited to be staying at Cardiff for another year," he said as his new contract was confirmed. 'It was an easy decision for me to make in the end. We have a squad with a huge amount of talent and potential, and I have been impressed with the staff and players from the moment I joined. 'I'm now looking forward to contributing in any way I can to help the club win, during the season ahead." Article continues below Head coach Sherratt added: "Rory has added massive value to the club both on and off the field. His input to our game off the field has been excellent and most importantly he has brought exactly what we'd hoped for on the field. 'He adds to our game model in that second receiver role where he can connect our game with his voice and skill set. I'm delighted that we have been able to keep him at Cardiff."
