Latest news with #JudgementDay
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship star opens up about ‘horrendous' experience before Crucible
World Snooker Championship star opens up about 'horrendous' experience before Crucible Former World Snooker Champions Neil Robertson and Stephen Hendry have both had to go through the Judgement Day qualifying round in their careers Neil Robertson detailed his "horrific" experience on Judgement Day (Image: Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images ) Neil Robertson revealed his "horrendous" experience at attempting to qualify for the World Snooker Championship with fellow snooker icon Stephen Hendry. The Australian provided a behind-the-scenes look into the gruelling final qualifying round, known as Judgement Day, where 32 players compete for a coveted spot in the main draw against one of the 16 seeded players. To reach this stage, snooker stars must endure three initial rounds, culminating in the high-stakes Judgement Day, just days before the main tournament commences. After slipping out of the top 16 in the world rankings in 2024 following a semi-final loss at the World Open, Robertson faced the daunting task of navigating the qualifying rounds for the first time since 2006. His Judgement Day encounter ended in heartbreak, as he suffered a 10-9 defeat to Jamie Jones, marking his first absence from the major tournament draw in 20 years. During an appearance on Hendry's Cue Tips YouTube channel, Robertson reflected on the growing popularity of Judgement Day, which Hendry noted had "become quite a big thing". Article continues below The 43-year-old said: "It was horrendous to be a part of last year, as much as I was trying to talk it down and just be like, 'Oh yeah it's [fine].' Robertson discussed the concept of Judgement Day with Stephen Hendry (Image: @stephenhendryscuetips/YOUTUBE ) "It's just absolutely horrific because the players there, you can just sense their desperation, of everyone around you, and when I was there last year, all the players were just looking at me like, 'Oh my god, what are you even doing here.'" Hendry shared his own experience of Judgement Day from when he first retired in 2012, noting that the final qualifying round "wasn't built up like it is now". The Scotsman triumphed over Yu Delu 10-6 in the fourth round that year, but declared his first retirement from snooker after a loss to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals. Robertson did commend the organisation of Judgement Day for its professionalism, suggesting that it provides a good warm-up for the main event. Neil Robertson opened up about his experience on Judgement Day (Image:) He added: "In fairness, they've actually done a great job, they've set it up like basically almost like a venue. I don't know if you've seen it? "It's set up open, like a main venue now so tables one and two at the qualifiers for the World Championships, you actually feel as though you are playing at a venue – obviously just without the live TV cameras." Article continues below By the time of the 2025 World Championship, Robertson had climbed back into the top 16 of the overall rankings, allowing him to bypass Judgement Day. However, the former world No. 1 was knocked out early by Chris Wakelin, who beat him 10-8 in the first round. Zhao Xintong triumphed over Mark Williams in the final, making him the first World Champion from China, while Robertson didn't make it past the second round of the major tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The big-name Welsh players now looking for new clubs as exits confirmed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Several top Welsh rugby players are on the hunt for new jobs after it was confirmed that they would be leaving their current clubs this summer. As is the case every season, the culmination of the 2024/25 campaign will see some high-profile departures take place in Wales and across the rugby world, with big names saying their farewells. For some, their stints with their team may have been short, while others are leaving after years of service, having become fan favourites or even club legends. For the likes of Wales legends Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate, their playing careers have simply reached the end of the road with all three hanging up their boots this summer. However, there are other big Welsh names who believe they still have plenty to offer on the field and are now looking to move to pastures new after becoming free agents. Wales international Regan Grace is one of nine players who will leave Cardiff this summer, having made four appearances for the Arms Park side since joining as injury cover on a short-term deal in January. After an injury-hit start to his time in rugby union, the former St Helens star has previously said he is determined to crack the code and, as a result, he may look to sign for a team to stay in the 15-a-side code. Such a move would help him in his bid to win his first Wales cap, having made his one and only international appearance to date in last summer's uncapped match against Queensland Reds. However, Grace has also admitted that a return to rugby league remains "an option" for him this summer, with another code switch certainly not off the table. Fellow Cardiff wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb is also on the market after announcing his departure from Arms Park, although he is widely expected to sign for Leicester Tigers after a strong end to the season in blue and black. Over in Llanelli, Wales international Steff Evans is moving on after 11 seasons with the Scarlets, having made over 190 appearances for the region and helped them to the PRO12 title in 2017. Evans, who battled back from a serious Achilles injury this season, is still only 30 and could provide any interested clubs with a solid back-three option, although he hasn't given any indication yet of what his next move will be. The Dragons have also revealed their end-of-season departures, with 58-cap former Wales star Scott Williams not offered a deal to stay on at Rodney Parade. The former Scarlets and Ospreys centre had trained with Filo Tiatia's side this season and made three appearances, including an impressive performances against the Scarlets at Judgement Day. However, the 34-year-old - who also played for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru earlier in the season - is now looking for a new club again. Wing Ashton Hewitt will also leave the Dragons after making 130 appearances in 12 years, parting ways with the Men of Gwent as their second-highest try scorer of all time. His next destination is also yet to be confirmed, but it is believed that Worcester Warriors - who have also signed Welsh stars Will Reed and Lloyd Williams ahead of their Champ Rugby return next season - recently showed interest in the 30-year-old. However, it is not just within Wales that top Welsh players are searching for a new club, with Liam Williams confirming that he is on the lookout for a new adventure after leaving Saracens. The 93-cap international signed for the English giants in November after a spell in Japan, but a knee injury sustained during the opening match of the Six Nations against France has ruled him out of action since. But with his recovery progressing well, 34-year-old Williams is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. "I'll be looking for a club after that [recovery]," he told the Sportin Wales podcast. "It's nice going into training. I've enjoyed it over the last 12 years so if there's any clubs out there who want me for an extra year, sign me up." Earlier this year, he told WalesOnline: "I think I've got a couple of years left, to be honest with you. My aim is to get 100 caps for Wales and if that happens it is the icing on the cake and if it doesn't then it doesn't that is just the way it is. But that's my aim." Meanwhile, Rhys Patchell could also potentially move back to Wales after taking up a break clause to leave Japanese side NEC Green Rockets a year early and become a free agent. The 22-cap international fly-half also enjoyed a stint at New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders before his move to Japan, but could prove to be of interest to one of Wales' professional sides with plenty still to offer at the age of 32. Patchell previously admitted that he had missed Wales during his time in Japan, telling S4C's Jonathan in March: "This might sound really deep now, but I didn't think 'hiraeth' was a real thing. I thought it was just this really wishy-washy thing that people spoke about which wasn't real. "When you reach the longest stint I've done out there, 10 or 12 weeks, by then I was ready to come home. I wanted my fix of Wales."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales lock Davies joins Dragons from Cardiff
Dragons have signed Wales lock Seb Davies from Welsh regional rivals Cardiff for next season. The 28-year-old, who can also play in the back row, made his Wales debut against Tonga in 2017 and has been capped 17 times so far. Davies made his professional debut for Cardiff during the 2014-15 season and made his 150th appearance for them earlier this season. Fly-half Reed among Dragons departures Welsh rugby's Judgement Day shelved for a season Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: "We're really pleased to be able to bring Seb into our environment and excited by what he'll bring to our squad. "Seb brings a vast amount of playing experience, having also featured at international level, and is a powerful second row who has real versatility to his game. "His best rugby years are ahead of him, and I know he is very motivated to make an impact at our club in the seasons to come." Davies becomes Dragons' eighth new signing, alongside Tinus de Beer, Thomas Young, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Fine Inisi, Levi Douglas and Harry Beddall.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh club announce departures list as Wales international isn't offered deal
Welsh club announce departures list as Wales international isn't offered deal The Dragons have announced who will be leaving Rodney Parade ahead of next season Scott Williams in action for the Dragons (Image: Getty Images ) Wales international Scott Williams won't be offered a deal at the Dragons as the Rodney Parade club announced their leavers' list following a nightmare season. The former Scarlets and Ospreys centre had trained with the Dragons this season after leaving Parc y Scarlets at the end of last year. The 34-year-old made two appearances off the bench, before putting in an impressive performance against the Scarlets at Judgement Day to raise hopes he would be offered a deal. However, that wasn't to be. The Men of Gwent won just one game in the United Rugby Championship this term, having lost 17 on the bounce after beating the Ospreys on the opening day of the season. Filo Tiatia has made a host of signings ahead of next year, as he looks to turn the club's fortunes around in his first full campaign in charge. As such, it was always likely there would be a number of departures too. Article continues below The departures of wing Ashton Hewitt and second-row Joe Davies had already been announced by the club, as had Wales international Dan Lydiate's retirement. Deals for Taine Basham and Dane Blacker at Cardiff and Scarlets had also been confirmed, while Will Reed joined Worcester this week. The Dragons have now confirmed tighthead prop Dmitri Arhip, loosehead prop Josh Reynolds, second-row George Nott, flanker George Young, fly-half Lloyd Evans and full-back Jordan Williams will also leave Rodney Parade. Nott is expected to follow Basham to the Arms Park. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Wales international Cai Evans isn't named on the list, despite his deal being up this summer. The full-back, who can also play fly-half, ruptured his Achilles in January, but will remain with the club to do his rehabilitation and is likely to sign a deal for next season. Tonga prop Paula Latu is also leaving after joining the club in December on a short-term deal. As well as Williams, Newport tighthead Nathan Evans and Lloyd Lewis were also thanked for their service during the season. 'The club would also like to thank Scott Williams, Nathan Evans, and Lloyd Lewis for their endeavours with us throughout this season,' said the Dragons' statement on their leavers. Wing Walker Price and hooker Tomoya Nieuwendijk-Adachi also leave the Dragons academy. Article continues below Tiatia said: 'I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Dragons RFC to thank those leaving for the commitment, dedication, and professionalism they have shown throughout their time at Rodney Parade. 'Players such as Taine, Ashton, Joe and Dan have played more than 100 games for the club and leave a lasting impression with their impact and performances. 'Every single player had a role to play, and we wish them all every success moving forward. We look forward to welcoming them and their families back to Rodney Parade in the future.'
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Four Welsh teams is no longer viable, it's as simple as that
Four Welsh teams is no longer viable, it's as simple as that Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas has laid bare the brutal reality of Welsh rugby's latest crisis in the latest Inside Welsh Rugby newsletter Flags with the four Welsh clubs' badges ahead of Judgement Day (Image: Getty Images ) There is rarely a dull moment in Welsh rugby, but this summer promises to be more turbulent than any that has come before. The Ospreys and Scarlets' decision not to sign the Professional Rugby Agreement has seen the WRU pull the plug on the current Welsh rugby landscape and thrown the game into complete uncertainty. Ospreys and Scarlets say they refused to sign the PRA until they received additional clarifications on the sums of money going into Cardiff, which I understand could amount to £2-3m, after the WRU took on the role of benefactor. They say this was not an unreasonable request and it's hard to disagree with them. In the wake of the WRU activating the two-year notice period on the old PRA, the game in Wales now faces the real prospect of having to reduce the number of professional clubs to three. As it stands, next season we will have a tiered funding model whereby Cardiff and the Dragons will receive significantly higher playing budgets than the west Walian clubs, along with significant debt Dragons have come in for some unjust criticism from some quarters for signing up to the deal, but the responsibility of the club's board was to ensure their survival along with plotting a path for a future where they can thrive. As of next season, both Cardiff and the Dragons will have playing budgets of £5.4m, which will then rise to £6.2m the following year and £7.2m the year after. In comparison it is believed the Ospreys and Scarlets will have budgets under £5m next season. On top of this, they will still be saddled with debt acquired during Covid and will not receive the £3m worth of debt relief the others will. Article continues below This is a scenario that would simply not be financially viable as the months tick on. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. On the old PRA, any upside in the WRU's profit goes to the professional clubs but if the governing body underachieves that hurts the clubs. You win with the union and you lose with the union and the Ospreys and Scarlets will be in that position next season. The performance of the WRU has undoubtedly been hit by the struggles of the men's national team through lower ticket sales at lower prices. Six Nations competition prize money is significantly down over the past year or two, while increased National Insurance contributions have also hit WRU finances. I also understand the clawbacks facing those in the west next season are significant because of the underachievement of the WRU in the last financial Ospreys and Scarlets have valid concerns, but the new PRA is off the table and the future of professional rugby in west Wales is in an extremely precarious position. According to WRU insiders, the funding directors at the professional clubs will now be required to contribute £41m over the next fiver years, up from £22m. Think about that for a minute when considering how all this may play are huge problems ahead but there has to be professional rugby in west Wales. It's just a matter of how that looks. Since 2015, 49% of Wales internationals have originated from either the Ospreys or Scarlets academy which emphasises their contribution to Welsh rugby. Rugby is an emotional subject in Wales, and when the news emerged over the weekend, it landed like a lead balloon on social media. Supporters of the four professional teams have responded with understandable fury. Why four teams is no longer an option Many view the proposal on the table to cut to three teams as short-sighted and unambitious, warning that it could shrink the nation's playing pool, further weaken the national side, and disenfranchise a large segment of the Welsh rugby public. In the latest edition of the Inside Welsh Rugby newsletter, Steffan Thomas goes on to outline why four professional clubs in Wales is no longer a sustainable option. The full newsletter is available to both free and paid subscribers in full and you can sign up here to read it. Inside Welsh Rugby is a weekly newsletter which gets under the skin of the game in Wales, attempting to get to the heart of the issues and biggest stories. Article continues below Written by WalesOnline rugby correspondents Steffan Thomas and Ben James, it takes readers deep into the heart of Welsh rugby, while also shining a light on problems which need to be fixed in order for the game to flourish. There is also be deep-dive analysis, explaining to readers exactly what's happening on and off the pitch. Sign up here
