Latest news with #JohnnyWilliams
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wales centre Williams signs new Scarlets contract
Wales centre Johnny Williams has signed a new two-year deal to stay at 28, has been in impressive form this season and has been rewarded with a Wales recall for the summer tour of arrived in Llanelli in 2020 after signing from Newcastle Falcons."Johnny is a key member of the squad, someone who has become a leader for us on and off the field," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel."That experience is going to be vital over the coming years as part of the young back division we are developing at the club."His re-signing is more positive news for the club as we continue to build and grow as a group." Williams has not played a Test for Wales since the World Cup warm-up matches in August 2023."It is great to be back in the Wales set-up," said Williams."I have been gutted to have missed a couple of squad selections, so I'm obviously delighted to be back in the mix."Following the departures of Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams, he is now the elder Scarlets statesman in a crop of centres that includes internationals Joe Roberts and Eddie James, with the uncapped Macs Page also selected for Wales' tour of Japan."I have been here five years now and I feel this team is really evolving," said Williams."There is a lot of talent within the squad, especially with the young guys coming through - I am one of the oldest players in the squad now at 28."These are exciting times and I am looking forward to seeing where this team can go."Fellow backs Page, James, Roberts, Tomi Lewis and Sam Costelow have also agreed new deals, alongside Wales forward duo Taine Plumtree and Kemsley Scarlets signings include fly-half/centre Joe Hawkins, lock Jake Ball, scrum-half Dane Blacker and full-back Ioan Jones.
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Leinster v Scarlets team news for huge URC quarter-final as Peel makes selection decision
Leinster v Scarlets team news for huge URC quarter-final as Peel makes selection decision Dwayne Peel has gone for continuity in selection for the date in Dublin It's a youthful Scarlets outfit, with Johnny Williams (centre) being the oldest player in the starting backs at 28. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Scarlets have named their team to face Leinster tomorrow afternoon. The two teams clash in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals this weekend, after Scarlets secured the last play-off place in the final round of regular season action. Dwayne Peel has opted for exactly the same XV that played Sharks on May 17. They lost 12-3 at Kings Park but had already qualified at that stage. The back three is comprised of Wales internationals Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Tom Rogers, with fellow internationals Joe Roberts and Johnny Williams linking up in the centres. Wales star Sam Costelow continues at fly-half and his half-back partner is 22-year-old Archie Hughes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Josh Macleod skippers the side from openside flanker and is joined by Taine Plumtree and Vaea Fifita in the back row. Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias and Henry Thomas make up the front row, with Sam Lousi and Alex Craig packing down in the boiler house behind them. There is plenty of firepower on the bench, with Ioan Lloyd and Macs Page providing X-factor cover for the backline. Should Sam Wainwright come off the bench, he will make his 50th appearance for the west Walians. Star signing Marnus van der Merwe also provides support at hooker for Elias. "We have worked hard to get to the play-offs, now we have to embrace it, we have to make the most of it now we're here," explained Peel. "There is no greater task in club rugby than going to Dublin, but we're looking forward to it. "We won't shy away from it. We are confident in our own ability and we know we are going to have to be at our very, very best. "It is going to be a great occasion, it will be a new experience for a lot of our boys - we are going to have to be brave, we are going to have to be accurate and we are going to have to try and put our stamp on our game, play the Scarlets way." Leinster have a stacked match day 23 to face Scarlets, with All Blacks superstar Jordie Barrett lining up at inside centre alongside a whole host of Ireland stars. RG Snyman will make an impact off the bench with Dan Sheehan providing cover at hooker. Leinster XV: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan. Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley. Scarlets XV: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (C), Taine Plumtree. Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Page. Article continues below Kick-off: 3pm, Saturday, May 31.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scarlets welcome back Wales duo to face Leinster
United Rugby Championship: Scarlets v LeinsterVenue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Saturday, 26 April Kick off: 17:15 BSTCoverage: Watch live on S4C via iPlayer. Highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Wales duo Sam Costelow and Johnny Williams return to play-off chasing Scarlets for their crucial United Rugby Championsip (URC) game against leaders Leinster in Llanelli on Costelow has recovered from the shoulder injury he picked up against Gloucester in January, while centre Williams has overcome a calf issue that has sidelined him for the last three replaces Ioan Lloyd who drops to the replacements bench, while Williams comes in for Eddie James who is not included in the 23-man squadThe only other changes to the side that beat Dragons with a bonus-point win is centre Joe Roberts replacing Macs Page and hooker Ryan Elias coming in for Marnus van der Merwe. Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher will captain Leinster for the first time in a side that does not not include most of their first-choice Ireland internationals with the Dublin-based side facing Northampton in Europe's Challenge Cup semi-final next still include the likes of Ireland internationals Cian Healy, Ryan Baird, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne and Ross Byrne. Play-off hopes Scarlets remain in the hunt for the URC play-offs, going into round 16 in ninth place, two points off the top eight qualifying are looking to win three games in a row for the first time since league leaders Leinster have lost just once this season - by a single point at Bulls in March - and have not been defeated by a Welsh region since a visit to Cardiff in January have not beaten an Irish opponent since a 40-36 win at home to Connacht in March head coach Dwayne Peel said: "It is a big week, a big occasion, the last home game of the season against a team who are probably in the best form in world club rugby. "It is a massive challenge, an opportunity and one we are excited about, especially with three games left and things being so tight in the league."There is a lot of rugby still to be played and I wouldn't be surprised if it all goes down to the last week."For us, we have got to be accurate and not allow them to get into the rhythm of their game. We also have to be brave and we have to be bold." Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Marnus van der Merwe, Louie Trevett, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Ciarán Frawley; Andrew Osborne, Liam Turner, Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O'Brien; Ross Byrne, Fintan Gunne; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher (captain), Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Brian Deeny, Alex Soroka, Will Connors, James Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, Cormac Foley, Charlie Tector, Ruben Mike Adamson (SRU)Assistant referees: Matthew Leon & Aaron Perry (WRU)TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)
