Latest news with #JacMorgan
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lions match highlights on free-to-air TV this summer
The British and Irish Lions tour to Australia will be available to watch free-to-air on S4C this summer. The British and Irish Lions tour to Australia will be available to watch free-to-air on S4C this summer. Photograph:The British and Irish Lions' tour to Australia will be available to watch free-to-air on TV this summer – but for now only in Welsh. The Guardian has learned that the Lions have agreed a deal for a highlights package with Welsh language channel S4C, which will be available throughout the UK via S4C's iPlayer service and YouTube channel. S4C is understood to have bought highlights rights for all three Test matches and the Lions' six tour games, which will be broadcast in Welsh. S4C will also broadcast full live coverage of the Lions' send-off Test against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June, available in English and Welsh. Advertisement Related: The Breakdown | Trash-talk and rough sleeping: following the 2001 Lions' tour of Australia The bespoke Welsh TV offering may raise eyebrows as there are just two Welshmen in Andy Farrell's 38-man squad – the flanker Jac Morgan and the scrum-half Tomos Williams – but illustrates S4C's commitment to rugby at a level that is not matched by other terrestrial broadcasters. The Welsh contingent of two is their lowest ever, meaning they join Ireland in 1993, and Scotland in 2009 and 2017, as the least represented countries on a Lions tour. Sky Sports has the exclusive live rights for its eighth successive Lions tour and will also offer its own highlights show. The Lions remain hopeful of securing a free-to-air highlights deal in England, but have yet to do so three weeks before their first official tour game in Dublin. Channel 4 bought UK highlights rights for the Lions' last tour, to South Africa four years ago, but has not made an offer on this occasion, while ITV, BBC Sport and 5 have also yet to bid. Advertisement The BBC has also failed to secure live radio rights this year, with the Lions partnering with TalkSport for the fourth successive tour. The BBC's priority this summer is the women's European Championship, as well as saving resources for next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which will be an expensive undertaking. ITV also has live rights for the European Championship, Channel 4 is covering the men's Under-21 European Championship and 5 has agreed to sulicense 23 Club World Cup matches from Dazn, so the terrestrial channels are committed elsewhere. The BBC has reduced its rugby coverage in recent years, with ITV securing the rights to all of England's Six Nations matches until 2030 in a joint deal signed earlier this year. As part of the new contract ITV will show 10 matches from each year's Six Nations to the BBC's five, which will feature Wales and Scotland's home fixtures, provided England are not involved. The Lions and S4C declined to comment.
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Jac Morgan flies in for Lions meeting and Wales great says 'we have to stop this'
Today's rugby news as Jac Morgan flies in for Lions meeting and Wales great says 'we have to stop this' The latest headlines from Wales and around the world. Ken Owens has had his say on Welsh rugby's latest development These are your evening rugby headlines on Sunday, May 18. Morgan flies in for Lions meeting Wales captain Jac Morgan was a late arrival as he flew in from South Africa to meet up with his new British & Irish Lions teammates for the first time. Andy Farrell's 38-man squad assembled in south-west London on Sunday morning to kick-off a two day gathering designed to aid team bonding as well as tick off administrative jobs such as taking head shots, collecting kit and filming content, as well as getting fitted out in new suits. Players from England, Ireland and Scotland all arrived at the hotel in Richmond in the morning and started the day chatting to each other over coffees in the car park as they waited for more to arrive, with scrum-half Tomos Williams the sole Welshman in attendance for much of the day. However, Morgan arrived on Sunday evening ahead of the second day of the gathering, having been out in South Africa with the Ospreys. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby While he was not included in the squad for their narrow defeat to the Lions on Saturday, he had flown out with Mark Jones' side earlier in the month and captained the team on his 50th appearance against the Sharks in Durban. Article continues below Together, Morgan and Williams make up the Welsh contingent on this year's Lions tour, with head coach Farrell selecting the lowest number of tourists from Wales in nearly 90 years. The Wales skipper discovered he had been named in the squad while on the flight out to South Africa and, once he landed, described it as a "massive honour" and the "pinnacle" of his rugby career. 'It was a bit nerve-racking just waiting to land,' he said. 'When I found out, it was a little bit emotional. Everyone was clapping and cheering and, as soon as we got off the plane, everyone was coming over and congratulating me. That was quite emotional. 'Everything you do, you work hard with each other as a group, so to be able to share that with all the boys was pretty special," he added. 'It's a massive honour to be picked for the Lions and a proud moment for myself and my family with everything they have done and sacrificed over the years to help me get to this position. I have spoken to them and they are really happy. 'Growing up and watching all the players from different countries who have played together for the Lions in the past, it's the pinnacle of their career being able to be selected. So I am pretty chuffed and really grateful. I am lost for words in a way. It's surreal." Owens: We have to stop this Former Wales captain Ken Owens has given his take on the latest Welsh Rugby Union statement, saying "we have to stop this". The legendary hooker - who represented the Scarlets on 274 occasions and won 96 international caps for Wales and the British & Irish Lions before retiring last year - was no stranger to the political side of Welsh rugby as a player, playing a pivotal role in the contract dispute between Warren Gatland's squad and the WRU during the 2023 Six Nations. However, with, as WalesOnline understands, regions being told by the union that one must now be cut, Owens is less than impressed with "another negative story" emerging from off the field. Speaking to S4C while on punditry duty for Newport's Super Rygbi Cymru win over Ebbw Vale, the former front rower said: 'It's a fantastic day here today and again we're here talking about the politics in Welsh rugby. "We don't know all the reasons why the Scarlets and the Ospreys haven't signed the [PRA] agreement but it's just another negative story about the game. "We hope there's a plan moving forward," he added. "You have to think about the players and the staff, how it's going to affect them. "I know that the players' union is in talks with the regions and the WRU to make sure they know what's going on, but we have to stop this. We have to work together to move forward with rugby in Wales.' WRU accused of 'lack of respect' The Ospreys' official supporters club has accused the Welsh Rugby Union of a "lack of respect" after it triggered a two-year notice period on the current Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) The WRU confirmed a move away from four evenly funded regions in a statement issued on Sunday, with WalesOnline understanding that clubs have been told by the union that they believe the number of professional teams must now be reduced to three. The move comes on the back of the Ospreys and Scarlets refusing to sign the proposed new PRA - which was at the centre of the WRU's five-year strategy - following the governing body's recent takeover of Cardiff. In a statement, the Ospreys Supporters Club have followed the Scarlets' group in hitting out at the WRU for giving notice on the PRA, which it says "appears to be an unreasonable attempt to publicly control the narrative in a forceful manner". "The statement leaked last night and published by the WRU today issuing the formal two-year notice to terminate the current PRA agreement is in complete contradiction to what the WRU have recently said publicly and also in a meeting the OSC attended with other supporters' organisations on 30th April (where the commitment to four teams was confirmed)," the statement read. "Giving notice on the existing PRA revokes a commitment to a collaborative approach and vision shared between the clubs and the WRU, exhibiting a lack of respect and what appears to be an unreasonable attempt to publicly control the narrative in a forceful manner rather than address reasonable concerns in a constructive way. "We fully understand and back the Ospreys' position in terms of wanting guarantees of fair and just payment for sustainable development of players for the national team." Explaining fears over the WRU's takeover of Cardiff, the supporters club added: "Based on recent issues around due diligence that have led to the financial issues at Cardiff Rugby, it is essential that sufficient time and effort goes into ensuring that signing up to the 2025 PRA doesn't lead to the WRU prioritising any single club to the detriment of one of the clubs who have remained financially solvent since inception. Rewarding a club that has just gone into administration seems anything but fair and just. "The Ospreys have delivered four league titles, regularly supplied the bulk of the national team and they continue to set the highest standards in supplying the lone Welsh player from the URC to the British and Irish Lions squad. "Seeing the looming potential for a two-tier PRA that disadvantages Wales most successful professional team is unjust and goes against any messages of trust and transparency that have been coming from the WRU. "We can assure you that we have spoken to the Ospreys and we are aligned in wanting fair and just negotiations with the WRU, allowing the very reasonable guarantees to be made that the Ospreys are seeking before agreeing to sign up to the 2025 PRA." Care 'incredibly blessed' as he bows out By PA Sport Staff An emotional Danny Care said goodbye to The Stoop as Harlequins celebrated his departure with a hard-fought 24-22 victory over a stubborn Exeter. Care, 38, was introduced as a 64th-minute replacement when his side trailed by one point but a late penalty from Marcus Smith ensured a fairytale ending for the scrum-half who took his tally to a club-record 394 games. Cadan Murley, Will Porter and Marcus Smith scored Harlequins' tries with Smith converting all three and adding a penalty. Tommy Wyatt, Rus Tuima and Stu Townsend scored Exeter's tries with Henry Slade adding two conversions and a penalty. Care said: 'I came here as a 19 year old so I'm incredibly blessed with what I've achieved. I owe this club so much as they've stuck by me through thick and thin with the crowd singing my name loudly which is far more than I deserve. 'I haven't cried in years but I've cried about 20 times this week.' Harlequins' head coach Danny Wilson said: 'Danny has had a phenomenal career with close to 400 games. He is a top bloke and a true Quins' legend and I don't think his feats will be repeated again. 'It's been an emotional week for him as injuries have prevented him from training to the intensity he wants so he's getting out at the right time. 'However today our performance wasn't clinical enough as we didn't get the fluidity we had last week. They were very physical and frustrated us at the breakdown with handling errors stopping us from getting away from them. 'We are disappointed not to get the bonus-point but our play-off chances were already pretty slim so winning was the priority as the game was in the balance.' 'Bit of awkwardness' as Lions assemble By Ed Elliot, PA England lock Ollie Chessum savoured a 'first day of school' feeling as the British and Irish Lions assembled for the first time ahead of this summer's tour of Australia. Andy Farrell's 38-man squad were kitted out on Sunday morning in south-west London – 10 days on from discovering news of their inclusion. The Lions' warm-up matches begin with a Dublin appointment against Argentina on June 20, with the first Test with the Wallabies scheduled for July 19 in Brisbane. 'I've chatted to a few of the boys, everyone's had a meet up and a coffee,' said Chessum. 'There's still a bit of awkwardness there, like a first day of school, but I'm sure everyone will settle in soon. 'We've got a team get-together tonight which will be good to get to know everyone better. It's pretty cool wearing the kit for the first time. "This is the pinnacle of rugby for a UK and Irish based player. You want to be involved in those Test matches and the reason everyone is here is because they perform on the biggest stage.' Chessum is one of six second rows selected by head coach Farrell, alongside international team-mate and Lions captain Maro Itoje, Ireland trio Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan, and Scotland's Scott Cummings. The 24-year-old Leicester player, who has 28 England caps and made his international debut during the 2022 Six Nations, admits the prospect of Lions selection felt laughable until fairly recently. 'When you make your international debut, you want to keep building to that next step, but I thought there's no way,' said Chessum, who began his career with Nottingham. Article continues below 'Even though I'd played my international debut, I thought 'I'm so out of my depth here, how do lads go from international rugby to being the best of that bunch?'. 'Four years ago, I'd probably have laughed in your face if you told me I would be here. But I'm over the moon. Everyone has got their own journey and I'm not going to knock mine, it's got me here.'
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lake leads Ospreys as Morgan sits out Lions finale
United Rugby Championship: Lions v OspreysVenue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Date: Saturday, 17 May Kick off: 16:15 BSTCoverage: Watch live S4C coverage via iPlayer and BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Ospreys make seven personnel changes as they round off their United Rugby Championship (URC) season at Lions on Dewi Lake will lead the side with British and Irish Lions-bound Jac Morgan left out of a contest between two sides already eliminated from the play-off Harri Deaves replaces Morgan in the back-row alongside incoming blind-side Will Griffiths. James Ratti switches to lock where James Fender also replaces Montpellier-bound Adam Steffan Thomas replaces Gareth Thomas at the scrum Reuben Morgan-Williams takes over the nine jersey from Kieran Hardy, while Luke Morgan and Ryan Conbeer come onto the wings in place of Daniel Kasende and Keelan prop Kian Hire could make his debut off the make three changes to the starting XV beaten by Scarlets last Henco van Wyk returns after injury, while Lubabalo Dobela comes in at fly-half and Juan Schoeman at prop. Both sides have suffered a disappointing drop in form during the latter part of the have won just one of their past six league games and are 13th in the table, while Ospreys are 11th having won only one of their previous Welsh side's only victory in their past seven URC visits to South Africa was against Stormers in April 2024, but they have won their previous three meetings with the Lions in all competitions - including a 30-14 victory in a Challenge Cup match switched to Parc y Scarlets earlier this season. Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Edwill van der Merwe; Lubabalo Dobela, Nico Steyn; Juan Schoeman, Jaco Visagie (capt), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Ruan Delport, JC Pretorius, Renzo du Plessis, Jarod Morne Brandon, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Izan Esterhuizen, WJ Steenkamp, Layton Horn, Marius Louw, Kelly Jack Walsh; Luke Morgan, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Steffan Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt), Tom Botha, James Ratti, James Fender, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Morgan Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Kian Hire, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Owen Williams, Iestyn Eoghan Cross (IRFU)Assistant referees: Christopher Allison & Dylen November (SARU)TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
‘Do they really want me here?' — three Scots on life in Lions minority
For two decades from 2001, the fate belonged to Scotland's players: to be honoured with selection for the British & Irish Lions, but to go without the comfort blanket of a bunch of your compatriots. 'It's like 40-odd first dates, pretty much one after the other,' says Chris Cusiter, who was one of three Scots on the tour to New Zealand in 2005. Until the 2021 tour to South Africa, when eight Scots were selected — the same as this year's trip to Australia — they never had more than three players in the initial squad. This year the minority baton has been passed to Wales, whose sole representatives will be Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams. 'Throughout virtually my whole career, Wales were so
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The other Lions squad that's just been named to face Australia this summer including Wales greats
The other Lions squad that's just been named to face Australia this summer including Wales greats Tomos Williams and Jac Morgan won't be the only Welshmen heading to Australia this summer after all Biggar is set to pull on a Lions jersey again (Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan ) The British & Irish Lions squad to take on Australia this summer has officially been named, with Andy Farrell revealing the 38 tourists he has selected at the O2 Arena on Thursday. While it was widely expected, it was a disappointing result for the Welsh names in the mix, with Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams the only Lions representatives from a Wales side that has lost each of their last 17 Test matches. Unsurprisingly, it is the lowest number of Welsh players selected for a Lions tour in nearly 90 years. However, there will be some big Welsh names in action Down Under this summer after all, with a second Lions squad revealed to be taking on a Wallabies side as well. Twelve years in the making, the Legends Series is returning for 2025, with a British & Irish Rugby Legends side set to do battle with a Classic Wallabies team over an expanded two-match series. In total, six Wales greats are set to be involved, with Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams and Alex Cuthbert the Welsh representatives in a star-studded back line. In the forwards, meanwhile, Rhys Gill and Andy Powell will be pulling on their boots again, with former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne named captain of the squad. Article continues below There is a bit more of an equal split of nations in the 32-man squad compared to the one named by Andy Farrell, but England dominate with 14 players - including Mike Tindall, Brad Barritt and Matt Stevens - involved. As well as Byrne, six more players - Tom Court, Jamie Hagan, Mike McCarthy, Mike Ross, Isaac Boss, Craig Gilroy - come from Ireland, while Scotland have five representatives in Nathan Hines, Ryan Wilson, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson and Tommy Seymour. The Wallabies team, meanwhile, will feature some greats of Australian rugby including Test centurions George Smith, Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper. The two-match series will see the two sides go head-to-head in Melbourne on Thursday, July 24 - shortly before the Lions' second Test - and in Sydney on Thursday, July 31. Back in 2013, the two teams played in front of a sold-out crowd at the North Sydney Oval, and they will be returning to the stadium for more of the same 12 years on. 'The last time we hosted the British & Irish Legends in 2013, we witnessed 12,000 passionate fans pack North Sydney Oval for an unforgettable night of rugby,' said Morgan Turinui, general manager of Classic Wallabies. Article continues below 'In 2025, we're raising the bar with an expanded series that gives more Australian fans and the estimated 30,000 traveling Lions supporters the chance to see rugby greats back in action. England great Jason Leonard, an ambassador for the Legends squad, added 'Legends games bring out the very best of our sport, rekindling old adversaries and reigniting lifelong friendships. "The Legends Series in Australia in 2025 will be the pinnacle of these and we are delighted that we will be raising funds for a number of charities that are very close to my heart.'
