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Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Ospreys make major move amid WRU row and new Nations Cup fixtures leaked
Tonight's rugby news as Ospreys make major move amid WRU row and new Nations Cup fixtures leaked The latest rugby news stories from Wales and around the world Ospreys flags will be back on show at St Helen's next season (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, June 3. Nations Cup fixtures leaked Some of the fixtures for next summer's inaugural Nations Cup appear to have been leaked. England are expected to begin their maiden campaign in 2026 with fixtures against Fiji, South Africa, and Argentina, as plans take shape for the new global tournament, according to the BBC. Wales' opponents are as yet unknown. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Negotiations are ongoing for England's opening fixture against Fiji to be played at a neutral venue in Europe, although it could well be played at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium despite it being Fiji's home fixture. The idea is to capitalise on the large number of Fijian players based in the northern hemisphere and the financial draw of a London crowd. Following the proposed Twickenham opener, England are set to travel to face South Africa and Argentina in July, before hosting New Zealand, Australia and Japan in the autumn window. A finals weekend in late November will conclude the tournament, with an overall winner crowned. Wales are set to either face summer matches against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina, or New Zealand, Australia and Japan due to geographical proximities. Article continues below The Nations Cup, confirmed by World Rugby in October 2023, will run every two years, excluding Rugby World Cup and British and Irish Lions tour years. The competition aims to bring greater structure to the summer and autumn international windows. The top division of the Nations Cup will comprise the Six Nations teams, the four Rugby Championship nations (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina), and Japan and Fiji. Unlike the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, which will continue in their traditional formats, the Nations Cup will see each team play three matches in July and three in November against teams from the opposing hemisphere. The results will be combined into a single table, with the top teams advancing to a finals weekend. Promotion and relegation are scheduled to be introduced from 2030. Ospreys make stadium announcement The Ospreys have officially submitted their planning application to Swansea Council for the redevelopment of St Helen's, marking a major step forward in their return to the historic venue. The team had previously confirmed plans to leave the Stadium and make St Helen's their home ground from the 2025-26 season. Describing the planning submission as a 'significant milestone,' the club emphasised its importance amid an ongoing funding dispute between the Ospreys, Scarlets and the WRU. The WRU has announced huge change is coming to Welsh rugby after the two west Wales clubs refused to sign the new professional rugby agreement, with the prospect of a reduction in the number of teams on the horizon. The governing body has so far publicly confirmed it will not be proceeding with four equally-funded teams. 'This is a vital step toward bringing our long-term vision to life,' said Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley. 'It reflects our belief not only in the transformation of St Helen's, but in the strength of our future, rooted in Swansea and powered by our supporters. "This is about more than new stands or improved facilities. It's a statement of intent about who we are, where we belong, and where we're going.' The proposed redevelopment, designed to accommodate 8,000 fans, will be delivered in two phases in partnership with Swansea University. The goal is to create a premier venue for both elite and grassroots rugby. Phase one includes a new 4G playing surface, roofing over the existing terrace, three new stands, and a revamped fan zone. Phase two will add a state-of-the-art training complex featuring a gym and indoor training barn. Despite the plans, the Ospreys will not kick off the 2025-26 season at St Helen's. Swansea Cricket Club will continue to use the ground until the end of their summer 2025 schedule before relocating, delaying the Ospreys' move. As a result, the Ospreys will play their early home matches of the season at alternative venues, with hopes of running out at St Helen's in December later this year. Wales lock makes England move Premiership Women's Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury have added rising Welsh talent Alaw Pyrs to their squad ahead of the upcoming season. The 19-year-old second row made her international debut for Wales in September and featured in the 2024 Women's Six Nations, underlining her rapid rise in the game. Pyrs arrives with experience at both club and university level, having represented Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge and Hartpury University in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championship. Gloucester-Hartpury head of rugby Dan Murphy praised the teenager's potential and physicality. 'To be an international whilst still a teenager is a remarkable achievement, and shows the potential that Alaw clearly has,' said Murphy. Article continues below 'She's a physical player and has impressed with Wales, Hartpury, and Gwalia Lightning, so we're delighted that she's put pen to paper here. 'She'll learn so much from the experienced forwards we have in the squad and continue to develop — and that's what really excites us.' Join WalesOnline Rugby's new WhatsApp Channel here.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The 'brilliant' new way to watch Wales stars play for free as Dan Biggar joins coverage
The 'brilliant' new way to watch Wales stars play for free as Dan Biggar joins coverage The move has been hailed as a 'game-changer' by rugby fans Biggar will be part of FR-UK's coverage of Friday's Pro D2 play-off semi-final (Image:) Rugby fans across Wales tuned in to watch Welsh internationals Sam Davies and George North go head-to-head in the French second-tier on Thursday night, as Grenoble hosted Provence in the Pro D2 play-off semi-finals. But those watching didn't need to pay a hefty subscription fee or even sign up for a seven-day trial, as the action was streamed for free on YouTube. In a move that has been hailed as a "game-changer", podcast host Tim Cocker has bought the rights to broadcast Pro D2 games for free in the UK and Ireland via his channel FR-UK Rugby. The deal has seen Cocker - co-host of the EggChasers Rugby Podcast and a former rugby reporter for BT Sport - not only acquire the rights to this season's play-off matches, but also 35 fixtures next season. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. As well as Davies and North, the French second division also features the likes of former England star Courtney Lawes and Wales international Ross Moriarty, who both play for Brive, while Ospreys fly-half Owen Williams will join Nice this summer. The broadcasts see Cocker commentate on the games, with former England international Joe Worsley, a coach at Brive, on hand to provide analysis. After Cocker, Worsley and the FR-UK Rugby team signed the landmark deal earlier this month, their YouTube channel now has just under 13,000 subscribers, with 14,000 people watching their broadcast of the Grenoble v Provence clash. Fans were delighted at being able to watch the action from the comfort of their own homes free of charge, with one telling Cocker: "You've played a blinder, Tim! It's going to be brilliant to be able to watch Pro D2 matches next season." Another who tuned in to Thursday night's action added: "Really looking forward to more live ProD2, well done Tim, Joe and all involved securing rights and promotion of some fantastic rugby. "This has been such a good watch!" wrote another. "Thank you Tim for sorting this [so] that the rest of us can watch and enjoy." FR-UK Rugby will also be broadcasting the second Pro D2 play-off final between Brive and Montauban from 7.50pm on Friday night, with Wales icon Dan Biggar joining the coverage. The fly-half, who has announced his retirement from rugby after seeing out his career with Toulon, is expected to put his French skills to the test as he watches his former international team-mate Moriarty in action. Explaining why and how he acquired the rights in an interview with The Telegraph, Cocker said that talks with Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) and Canal+, the league's rights holders, started a year ago, with Worsley's connections in the French game helping to get a deal over the line. 'It's mad and it's brilliant and I think it speaks to the forward-thinking nature of French rugby,' he said. 'I think that's the same attitude that persuades Top 14 bosses to give a third of the money from their TV deal to Pro D2, because they recognise it can help the whole sport grow and they have somewhere to go if they ever drop down. 'It's big-picture thinking. When we were first chatting to them, we had no subscribers. But we believe in the vision and so do they." Article continues below Outlining FR-UK's future plans, Cocker added: 'Longer-term, we want to do something that feels professional and high-quality but is distinct from other broadcasts. "What's the point in being on a new platform if you don't do something new with the coverage? We're pioneers in the Wild West with no road map. Let's do something different.'
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wayne Pivac's brilliant one-liner turned match on its head in 'best team talk ever'
Wayne Pivac's brilliant one-liner turned match on its head in 'best team talk ever' The New Zealander delivered a half-time team talk that got his side over the line One sentence from Wayne Pivac was enough to motivate his players (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Wales international Rhys Patchell has revealed a comical one-liner from Wayne Pivac inspired Scarlets to a famous victory. Patchell appeared as a guest on the latest episode of BBC Scrum V's The Warm Up alongside Lauren Jenkins, Ellis Jenkins and Alex Cuthbert. The 32-year-old rugby star spoke about Scarlets' famous semi-final win over Irish heavyweights Leinster in 2017. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Of course, that was the year the west Walians clinched the Pro12 title against Munster at the Aviva Stadium in a thrilling finale. However, prior to that, they had secured arguably an even more impressive win against the Dublin-based province. Facing Leinster in a decisive second half wasn't the only challenge for them, with winger Steff Evans being sent off for a tip-tackle before the break and leaving the Llanelli side to play the second half with one player fewer. However, this didn't dampen their spirits, as Patchell says. "The best thing that we did," began Patchell. "Was that Lewis Rawlins absolutely drilled Johnny Sexton in the first five minutes and after that, he was always getting rid of the ball early because he didn't want to come to the line, because Lewy hit him that hard. "We came in at half-time, didn't concede, managed the game to half-time, came in, Byron Hayward comes up with a plan. "Right, we're going to stick Cubby (James Davies) on the wing, on scrum defence, and otherwise, we're just going to have to work really hard in the backfields at all other times. "And Pivac's best-ever half-time team talk, the best half-time team talk ever.' "I know what's coming,' said Cuthbert. "Just before we walked out, he pops his head back around,' continues Patchell. "And goes: 'Lads, imagine the night out we're going to have if we win this way'. "We were right in the thick of Cubby's tours and the boys enjoying a beer together and the social aspect of it. "And out (in the) second half, got the job done and it was a pretty good night!" Scarlets would go on to win the match 27-15 thanks to tries from the dismissed Evans, Aaron Shingler and Gareth Davies, with Patchell and Liam Williams knocking over points form the tee. Article continues below Pivac's Scarlets defeated Munster 46-22 in the grand final in Dublin in a nine-try thriller. With Cardiff winning the Challenge Cup in 2018, Scarlets' league victory remains one of the last major trophies a Welsh region has won.
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh club chief reveals why they signed new WRU agreement as he sets the record straight
Welsh club chief reveals why they signed new WRU agreement as he sets the record straight The Dragons have set the record straight and detailed the reasoning behind signing the new PRA Dragons chairman David Wright (Image: Dragons/YouTube ) Dragons chairman David Wright has defended the club's decision to join Cardiff in signing the new Professional Rugby Agreement and insists it will allow them to go from strength-to-strength. Both the Ospreys and the Scarlets refused to sign the new PRA partly because they had concerns the Welsh Rugby Union could turn Cardiff into a super club to the detriment of the other three. As a result of the Ospreys and Scarlets not signing, the WRU have called in the two-year notice period on the old PRA. The WRU have also announced there will no longer be any equal funding between all four sides, while they are also seriously considering cutting one of the professional clubs. There are those who have criticised the Dragons for not standing with the west Wales clubs by signing the new PRA, but Wright is adamant the correct decision has been made. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 'Let me make myself extremely clear," Wright said via the South Wales Argus. 'Me, David Buttress and Hoyoung Huh, with the support of Rhys [Blumberg, chief executive] were under no pressure to sign this document from the WRU as some are suggesting. Zero. Article continues below 'There was no legacy rationale [from being Union-owned until 2023] or promises as some claim, we made this decision by ourselves, without any threats, based on what we saw. 'We signed together and with legal assurances that we believe are sound. We produced, articulated and agreed a legal side letter that we believe, with our lawyers, gives us enough legality should we want to fight. 'That allowed us to sign and the other clubs that haven't signed were open to see everything that we did; we showed them and asked them whether they would join us and they refused. 'I am not going to comment on the Scarlets and Ospreys because it's their business completely. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. 'The three of us have run billion-pound businesses and dealt with legal people for many years; we all believe the document we have signed gives us enough leverage and that there were sound business reasons to sign it. 'In doing so, it has given us five years of legal agreement with the PRA and three years of fixed funding that is significantly more than where we have been in recent years, and that allows us to do a lot of the work with building the squad for the future.' As of next season there will be a tiered funding model in Welsh rugby, with both Cardiff and the Dragons on significantly more money than the Ospreys and Scarlets, although the long-term future is up in the air. After signing the new PRA the Dragons will have fixed funding for three seasons with the playing budget going up to £5.4m next season, £6.2m the season after followed by £7.2m the next year. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free On top of this the WRU are looking to refinance the Covid loans by transferring it onto their own balance sheet which further strengthens the Dragons. The Dragons are in the best position off the field with three ambitious new owners and the fact they are the only Welsh club to own their own ground. 'It's incredibly true to say that this was in the Dragons' best interests, why is that important to me? We have responsibility to bring certainty and sustainability to this club," Wright added. 'We have a responsibilities to all of our employees and their families, and responsibility to our stakeholders and supporters to have a professional club in Newport and Gwent. Article continues below 'I do believe the signing of the PRA gives us security, certainty and sustainability over the new few years that will give us a positive future.'
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Upset Henry Pollock 'targeted' in post-match clash as he is mocked in changing room celebrations
Upset Henry Pollock 'targeted' in post-match clash as he is mocked in changing room celebrations The Saints were narrowly edged out 28-20 by Bordeaux in a thrilling contest at the Principality Stadium Northampton Saints star Henry Pollock (Image: ) Following a dramatic conclusion to the Champions Cup final, Northampton Saints' director of rugby Phil Dowson launched a scathing criticism of Bordeaux-Begles, accusing the French side of deliberately targeting Henry Pollock after the final whistle in Cardiff. The Saints were narrowly edged out 28-20 by Bordeaux in a thrilling contest at the Principality Stadium, with the French club claiming their first-ever European title. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Pollock, 20, has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, establishing himself as a key figure in the Saints squad and earning a call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad. However, his breakout campaign ended on a sour note after a heated post-match altercation. The incident appeared to occur shortly after the full-time whistle, with television cameras catching Pollock gesturing to his throat amid a scuffle involving Bordeaux's Pete Samu, Tevita Tatafu, and Jefferson Poirot. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a clash between Saints captain Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux fly-half Matthieu Jalibert. While Dowson acknowledged Bordeaux's quality on the pitch, he did not hold back in condemning their conduct after the game. 'There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved,' said an incensed Dowson. 'I have been assured that the touch judge has seen it and will deal with it appropriately.' Article continues below Dowson revealed that Pollock was visibly shaken by the incident, which he described as 'uncalled for and out of order.' The Saints boss suggested that his club may consider taking further action if match officials fail to address the matter. 'Henry Pollock was particularly upset by it,' Dowson added. 'He reacted, and the officials have told me they will deal with it. If they don't, we may have to look at it ourselves.' Content cannot be displayed without consent Fly-half Fin Smith, who played a key role in Northampton's campaign, echoed Dowson's concerns and suggested Pollock had been specifically targeted by Bordeaux players during and after the match. 'They were after him,' Smith said. 'I don't think they liked him.' Describing the intensity of the moment, Smith added: 'I remember they all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him. I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting.' Indeed, the Bordeaux team seemed to take particular pleasure from besting Pollock, with pictures emerging of the players mocking the Saints star, copying his trademark fingers-on-the-neck celebration, in the changing room after the match. Content cannot be displayed without consent Despite the controversy, the game itself was a high-octane affair. Bordeaux displayed clinical finishing, with tries from Damian Penaud, Adam Coleman, and Cyril Cazeaux proving decisive. Northampton, seeking a first Champions Cup crown in 25 years, were hit early by injuries to backs George Furbank and James Ramm, but they refused to fold. Flanker Alex Coles scored twice, showcasing the Saints' attacking prowess and resilience. Smith contributed two conversions and two penalties, keeping his side within striking distance, but Bordeaux's greater efficiency in key moments ultimately made the difference. Jalibert and captain Maxime Lucu each added penalties for Bordeaux, whose triumph marked the fifth consecutive year a French club has lifted the Champions Cup. The match, full of drama and intensity, was worthy of the occasion, but the post-match altercation has cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of European rugby's finest. Article continues below Northampton's attention may now turn to reviewing footage of the incident and potentially lodging a citing complaint, as the fallout from Cardiff continues to unfold.
