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Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as WRU told to act swiftly over cutting team call and Welsh players 'considered' for Lions call-ups
Today's rugby news as WRU told to act swiftly over cutting team call and Welsh players 'considered' for Lions call-ups These are your morning headlines on Tuesday, July 15. The WRU make a major announcement on Monday about the future of the game in Wales (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) These are your morning headlines on Tuesday, July 15. WRU told to act fast Former Wales international Chris Horsman has told the WRU to act swiftly and show "strong leadership" after the governing body announced it could possibly cut two professional teams. On Monday the WRU released a statement saying they were considering a "radical" strategy to change the game in Wales, with a period of consultation with the pro clubs about to be entered into. Horsman, who played for the disbanded Celtic Warriors, says decisive action is now required. "What the game needs more than anything at the moment is stability," said Horsman, who was capped 14 times for Wales, to the BBC. Article continues below "For me, if they're [the WRU] going to make the cut they've got to just come forward they've got to give us some strong leadership." Initially the WRU said it wanted to retain all four professional teams and were adamant it had the required funding to make all successful, but they have changed their stance. All now face instability, which Horsman spelt out in no uncertain terms. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. "Potentially they have got a year left of their contract," Horsman added. "They [the regions] want financial stability. Are you going to buy a season ticket? If you're a business are you going to sponsor the region, because you don't know in three, four months' time, you might be told it's not going to be there anymore? "So there are so many things resting on this decision and again we've got to wait. "I know it's not going to be straightforward but we've heard that things were going to happen 18 months ago and they haven't, so I don't put a lot of stock in it's going to happen fast. I hope it does for the players' sake and for Welsh rugby's sake. "One thing I will say is when we were at the Celtic Warriors, it happened over a weekend, pretty much, and as painful as it was at least it was done and then there was a decision made that the players were divvied up, pretty equally between the four regions and the game moved on quickly. "I think that's what's needed now." Welsh players were 'considered' for Lions call-ups British and Irish Lions assistant John Dalziel says that Welsh players were considered for the various call-ups made by the tourists in recent days. Andy Farrell has called Jamie Osbourne, Jamie George, Thomas Clarkson, Darcy Graham, Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman in to the squad to offer cover - with the size of the squad going up from 38 to 44. No Welshmen have been called up - with Jac Morgan remaining the sole Wales player in the squad. "They were considered like everything," said Dalziel when asked if any Welsh players were in the mix. "The process of the last few days hasn't been in the here and now. "It's been for a long period of time. We've had a big list. When you're selecting the squad, there's so many quality players that if you ask anyone else, you'd have a different group of players. "There's so many good players. Unfortunately, top-quality players have been left out the selection. "They've gone and performed with their countries. As needs must, they're getting opportunities - some a bit later." With hookers and looseheads called up, there could have been an opportunity for Dewi Lake or Nicky Smith to get a call-up. Smith ended the tour of Japan with an injury - travelling back with his foot in a boot. As for Lake, the Lions opted for different hookers in George and Ashman. 'There's nothing really external that we considered or talked about," added Dalziel. 'Look at Jamie George, he had two 14-hour flights to get here. It's not an easy choice to get him in. 'We looked at it properly, it was a process with Jamie being part of the set-up at the start. 'New era' for Welsh rugby Wales international Alex Cuthbert says the win in Japan in the second Test signals a "new era" in Welsh rugby. A shocking run of 18 Test defeats came to an end on Saturday when Matt Sherratt's men dug deep to beat the Brave Blossoms in the sweltering heat of Kobe. It levelled up the series 1-1 and Wales will hope this is the start of a clean slate now for whoever takes the reins permanently as Wales head coach. BBC pundit Cuthbert says an enormous amount of credit needs to go to the players for digging deep in highly-emotional circumstances. "Wales going through this run of not being able to win, it's a habit that sticks with you and the pressure builds and builds," he told the BBC. "You could see it last week. This week they just seemed to manage it a lot better. You've got to give credit to those boys, they've had such a tough year. "Someone like Aaron Wainwright has not won a game of rugby this year - it is good to see and just to get that monkey off their back. "Whoever comes in now doesn't have that hanging around their neck like Matt Sherratt said. "To get the win, for me now it's a complete clean slate, it's a new era at Welsh rugby." Scotland duo out By Gavin McCafferty, PA Scotland have lost Jamie Ritchie and Tom Jordan to injury for their final summer tour match against Samoa. Flanker Ritchie, who left Edinburgh this summer to sign for Perpignan, and new Bristol back Jordan were both injured in Saturday's 29-14 defeat by Fiji. However, Matt Fagerson has brushed off the knock he suffered in Suva and both Ben Muncaster and Gregor Brown are in line to return for Friday's game at Eden Park in Auckland. Assistant coach Pete Horne said: 'Jamie, unfortunately, he's hurt his foot. He's going to be ruled out for the weekend, which is a shame for him. 'We've got good news on Matt. He trained earlier and is going to be fit for the weekend, which is great. 'And then another one that's unlucky is Tom Jordan. He had a little bit of pain after the game. He doesn't really complain about anything but he had a bit of swelling in his hand. 'He went for a scan and an X-ray and he's actually got a fracture in his hand. So he's going to be ruled out of this weekend as well.' On the players who missed out on Saturday, Horne said: 'Gregor is progressing really well. He took part in a bit of training earlier. He's going through his return to play protocol but he's tracking really well and should be available, all going well, over the next couple of days. Article continues below 'And Ben was back training by the back end last week. So he'll be fine as well.'
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Lions suffer another injury blow as star major doubt for first Test
Lions suffer another injury blow as star major doubt for first Test Two key back-three players are expected to not feature in the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday Mack Hansen in action for the British and Irish Lions (Image: Getty Images ) Mack Hansen is a major injury doubt for the British and Irish Lions first Test against the Wallabies this weekend, having missed training in Brisbane on Tuesday. The Ireland winger picked up an injury against the AUNZ XV on Saturday, forcing him to sit out the Lions' training session today. On Monday, assistant coach John Dalziel had denied the Connacht star was injured - but the Lions have now confirmed he's a doubt for the first Test with Australia. 'He hurt his foot in the game," said Lions assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth on Tuesday. "I don't think it is anything serious but he was managed today. "Hopefully he will be fully integrated pretty quickly. It is nothing that we are over concerned about but we need to make sure we have enough numbers at training but it doesn't look too serious." The Lions didn't rule out Hansen, who would have been competing with England's Tommy Freeman for a spot on the right wing - although it seems unlikely he'll be involved after missing training. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. The Lions are due to name their team on Thursday for the first Test at Suncorp Stadium. Article continues below 'We'll find out tomorrow,' said Wigglesworth. 'He didn't train fully today, but we'll find out a bit more tomorrow. 'If they get on the field tomorrow, then they're right in contention. We've not finalised everything yet. A doubt is anyone who didn't train fully today but he's definitely not ruled out.' Earlier this week, the Lions had called up Scotland's Darcy Graham as cover - with the wing arriving in camp well before compatriots Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman. While those two will join up in Melbourne from Sunday ahead of the Lions' midweek clash with the First Nation and Pasifika XV, Graham was called for immediately - having been sent off for two yellow cards in Scotland's defeat to Fiji last Saturday. On Tuesday, Wigglesworth was asked if Hansen's injury was the reason that Graham arrived in Australia yesterday. 'Potentially," he said. "We needed to make sure we're covered numbers-wise and for the games coming up, so that was probably a bit quicker because of Blair Kinghorn and Mack not being on feet today and potentially tomorrow.' Article continues below Wigglesworth said that the Lions have still not ruled Scotland's Kinghorn out of first Test contention. The full-back is carrying a knee injury and, like Hansen, didn't train on Tuesday. 'We'll have to see tomorrow what he looks like," said Wigglesworth. "He hasn't trained fully with the squad but he has been on his feet, so we will know a bit more in the 24 hours whether we can get him on the field.'
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
WRU confirm radical changes to Welsh rugby coming in major announcement
WRU confirm radical changes to Welsh rugby coming in major announcement Welsh rugby is set for seismic change not seen since the inception of regional rugby in 2003 Welsh rugby is set for seismic changes (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The Welsh Rugby Union has announced it intends to implement a radical restructuring of the professional game in Wales for the 2026/27 season, which could see the number of professional teams reduced. A consultation process between the WRU, the four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - and other key stakeholders will take place over August and September. The consultation will cover the entire high-performance framework from pathways to professional club structure and the senior men's and women's game. Key potential developments to be consulted on include: whether there should be a reduction to three or two regional men's teams, to ensure that we have teams that can compete at the top of the professional game further investment in the SRC to strengthen the semi-professional game in Wales. a significant investment in player development and pathways a national centre providing a place of development for our elite players, coaches and support staff Article continues below the best rugby leadership and decision-making model for the whole of the professional game in Wales our professional sides being home to both our men's and women's teams the funding model to underpin success, to ensure that the new model is financially sustainable and that teams are long term investable propositions in partnership with the WRU. The WRU say the current system in Wales which includes national teams, professional clubs, community clubs, academies, universities and schools isn't delivering consistent success on the field and isn't currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required, even with the recent actions taken to increase financial resources. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Based on its extensive work over the past 18 months, including ongoing consultation with the four professional men's clubs, the WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales. Prior to last Saturday's 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe, Wales had lost a record 18 Test matches in a row, while the four professional clubs have been starved of success for a number of years. On top of this Wales has only one representative on the current British & Irish Lions tour of Japan, Jac Morgan, although scrum-half Tomos Williams was a member of the squad before picking up an injury. Initially the WRU said it wanted to retain four professional teams and were adamant it had the required funding to make all successful, but they have changed their stance. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free This situation stemmed from the Ospreys and Scarlets refusing to join the Dragons in signing the new Professional Rugby Agreement after the WRU's takeover of Cardiff following the capital city club entering administration. As a result the WRU activated the two-year notice clause on the old PRA, which both Ospreys and Scarlets, are operating under. But the WRU have decided there needs to be radical changes in the way the professional game is structured for Welsh rugby to achieve sustained success once more. The WRU is seeking to introduce changes in this way because of the current status of its senior men's professional game, acknowledging that: Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field and, statistically, has just had its worst season ever in its senior men's game. all stakeholders want Welsh rugby to be successful at all levels of the game stakeholders understandably have different perspectives and must prioritise their own interests by default solutions have not yet emerged through consensus. WRU CEO Abi Tierney will seek the WRU boards approval of strategy for consultation and the commencement of the formal consultation period in August while in September there will be a consultation and engagement process. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Then in October the intention is for the WRU board to approve the new strategy while also announcing the new structure of the professional game to all stakeholders. Article continues below
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Cardiff announce signing of Wales U20s stars in loan deal
Cardiff announce signing of Wales U20s stars in loan deal Cardiff have signed up two of Welsh rugby's best prospects on loan Ioan Emanuel celebrates Wales U20s victory over England U20s (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Cardiff Rugby have announced the signings of Wales U20s stars Ioan Emanuel and Ieuan Davies on season-long loan deals from English champions Bath. Both players will join up with Matt Sherratt's side next month and will remain at the Arms Park until the end of this upcoming campaign. It is the latest collaboration with the West Country club, with multiple joint training initiatives last season and Louis Hennessey spending time in the Welsh capital. 'We are pleased to welcome two exciting, young Welsh players to the club for the season ahead and are grateful to Bath for allowing this to happen and prioritising their development," said Sherratt. 'We have a really strong relationship with Bath and their coaching staff, and regularly have joint training sessions with them. 'Ioan is a player we know pretty well, having come through our age-grade and being the brother of Steff. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "Anyone who has watched Wales Under-20s this season will see the vast potential he has. His set-piece is solid and his work-rate and contributions around the pitch are impressive. Article continues below 'Ieuan is another player with a lot of potential, he was a standout player when he was with Wales Under-20s and is highly regarded at Bath. 'They will both have the opportunity to get a good amount of game time both with the firsts and Cardiff RFC.' Prop Emanuel is currently with Wales Under-20s at the Junior World Championships, with scrum-half Davies having already represented his national team in the same age-group last season. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Article continues below Both are considered players with huge potential by those who work within Welsh rugby's pathway system. 'At Bath Rugby, we're committed to giving our young players opportunities to grow and learn through exposure to different environments where they'll be able to develop further as players and people both on and off the pitch," said Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan. 'Cardiff is a club we have a strong relationship with, and we know they'll offer Ioan and Ieuan an excellent platform in a highly competitive environment. We're looking forward to seeing how they progress over the course of the season ahead of them continuing their journeys with the Blue, Black and White when they return.' Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Matt Sherratt's message to new Wales coach as Gethin Jenkins needed to slap him amid drama
Matt Sherratt's message to new Wales coach as Gethin Jenkins needed to slap him amid drama Wales finally ended their lengthy wait for a Test victory after 644 days with a win over Japan in Kobe Wales players celebrate the team's 31-22 victory (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Interim head coach Matt Sherratt says the long-awaited victory over Japan has "to be the start of something" as Wales finally won a Test match after 644 days in emotional scenes. Defeat to Japan in the second Test would have consigned them to a 19th straight loss at international level - a new record for a Tier 1 nation - but Wales showed remarkable character in extreme conditions to get over the line. Having waited so long to taste victory, the outpouring of emotion was inevitable - with both Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake reduced to tears in the moments after full-time. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "I'm over the moon," said Lake afterwards. "It's been a long time coming. "You look back at tough results we've had over the past 18 months. A couple of one-pointers. A couple of two-pointers. "We were probably in the driving seat last week but let is slip. To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling. Article continues below "It's probably quite tough to put into words. Around 65 minutes, you almost felt the sense that things were going quite similarly to last week. "So to score that try in the dying moments, it kind of sinks in that you've got the job done. You've won the game and that was ultimately our goal. "To come out here, getting a win on the board and put the run to an end. So the emotion probably flooded through quite quickly then." Cardiff boss Sherratt, who has coached Wales' last five Tests on an interim basis following Warren Gatland's departure earlier this year, admitted afterwards he had never wanted to win a match as much as this one in Kobe. "I'm more pleased for the playing group, the coaches and the staff," he said. "I only saw four games of it, but the coaches that were here previously who aren't on this trip, they put much so much effort in. "The support staff, they wear it as well. Probably the most emotional thing for me was, when the whistle went, was seeing the support staff and this group of players get a win. "It's the reason why I did it again. To get it in that fashion in the second game, I'm so pleased for the lads. "For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. "Not around it being win or loss. But because I know what the group has put in over the last four games. "I see what it means to them. I see what it means to the staff. I'm just so pleased for this group. "There's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with. It was pretty emotional. I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check as I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV." And, with a new permanent head coach set to be appointed ahead of the autumn campaign, Sherratt offered a message of hope to whoever gets the top job. "He's got a brilliant group to work with," added Sherratt. "A very passionate group of players and staff. "He's got some raw talent as well. Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby, it's got to be the start of something. "So the next guy coming in, the big motivation for the group was to let them start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around their neck. Article continues below "That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work has got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions. "Let's get into the regions and develop a good young group of players."
