Latest news with #KeiranWilliams
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star decides on future and 45 English club players looking for clubs after 'awful news'
Today's rugby news as Wales star decides on future and 45 English club players looking for clubs after 'awful news' The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond Keiran Williams of Ospreys (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Friday, May 23. Williams signs new deal Ospreys and Wales centre Keiran Williams has signed fresh terms with the Stadium club. Williams has enjoyed a stellar season with the Ospreys and the midfielder says he's delighted to be extending his stay with Mark Jones' side. Williams said: 'I'm really happy to be staying with my hometown club. This is where I've spent my whole career and I'm looking forward to continuing it with this group. Article continues below 'The team are playing some great rugby under Mark, and the backs have really benefitted from the expansive game we've been playing. We're all excited about pushing on and doing something memorable next season for the supporters.' Head coach Jones added: 'Keith (Williams) is an integral part of our team so I'm happy he has committed his future to the Ospreys. He is a great character, but most importantly, he's an extremely consistent performer, which is something we value highly here. 'We all know about what he does well on the pitch, on both sides of the ball, but it's his attitude that has impressed me the most since I joined the club. His dedication to improving is second to none and we are all excited to see him continue to push on and contribute for us in the coming seasons.' Williams featured for Wales in the warm-up match against England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Forty-five players looking for new clubs Rugby Players' Association chairman Christian Day says there are around 45 players in England looking for new clubs after their contracts with their current sides came to an end. It's the time of year when rugby clubs announce their departure lists, with two of the four Welsh sides - Scarlets and Cardiff - having done so already. Across the bridge in the Gallagher Premiership, the likes of Chris Harris, Callum Hunter-Hill and Will Addison will be looking for new employers come the start of next season. Day says it's a difficult situation to be in for players. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It's a tough professional sport and some players get that awful news that their time is up and they need to move on," Day told the MailOnline's Rugby Confidential. "We've currently got around 45 who are without a landing spot and are keen to continue. That doesn't include guys like Mike Brown or Danny Care who don't want to continue. I expect that figure of 45 to come down to something like 30 or 35. "In terms of the salary cap, we're seeing the clubs take on more financial responsibility. They're starting to say that the cap might be X but we're going to spend a lower number than that. "That's certainly happening this year. With your homegrown credit, your injury credit, your international credit, your marquee signing, you can easily add £2million to the £6.4m cap but a lot of clubs now are just spending more like the £6.4m. "Clubs are running slightly tighter. If you look at Northampton Saints, they've had a group of young players come through the club who have suddenly become elite internationals. Guys like Fin Smith will have come in at a figure that has probably tripled now. "Preparing for that in your cap is really important. What we're seeing is that senior squads are shrinking by two or three players. The removal of the international crossover has supplemented that." Landmark deal struck in USA World Rugby has announced it has struck a multi-year broadcast deal with CBS Sports and Paramount+ for the right to show international rugby in the United States. The agreement, which will last until 2029, will feature exclusive US rights to the next three Rugby World Cups (both men's and women's), as well as all USA matches Paramount+ will stream every match from the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2027 and the Women's Rugby World Cups in 2025 and 2029, with select matches also airing on CBS and CBS Sports Network. Other tournaments included in the deal are the HSBC SVNS series, the WXV, the Pacific Nations Cup, the Men's U20 World Championship and the Pacific Four Series. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said: 'Today's announcement is a generational moment for rugby in the United States. This landmark partnership with CBS Sports and Paramount+ is tangible proof of our commitment to grow the game by connecting great rugby with sports fans wherever they are. 'With their incredible reach and storytelling pedigree, CBS Sports and Paramount+ will be instrumental in building a coast-to-coast rugby community in a country already boasting over 800,000 players, a dynamic college system, a huge growth rise in women's rugby, growing men's professional league, and a fanbase of nearly 40 million. 'This important deal builds on strong momentum in the U.S. market, supercharging the fan ecosystem with shoulder content, digital storytelling, and on-demand access to help convert curiosity into lasting fandom.' Legends named in latest BaaBaas squad Former New Zealand captain Sam Cane is set to line up alongside Ireland legends Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray in the latest Barbarians squad The BaaBaas take on back-to-back world champions South Africa in Cape Town on 28 June, and head coach Robbie Deans says his squad will feature a "blend of high-profile global international stars, and other standout performers from European clubs, Super Rugby and the Japanese league". O'Mahony and Murray retired from international rugby following this year's Six Nations, while Cane called time on his All Blacks career at the end of 2024. "Peter and Conor have been an integral part of the Irish team for nearly 15 years and both have amassed over hundred caps for their country and represented the British & Irish Lions on a number of tours," said Deans. "Sam is also a Test centurion, played in the last three Rugby World Cups and captained the All Blacks from 2020-2023. "All three players experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable during the week both on and off the field and I am delighted they have agreed to play for the Barbarians in this historic game." Alex Mitchell determined to stay 'chilled' in heat of Champions Cup final By Jim van Wijk, PA Alex Mitchell intends to be the calmest man in Cardiff when Northampton aim to lift the Champions Cup for the first time in a quarter of a century with victory over Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday. A stunning 37-34 semi-final win against tournament favourites Leinster in Dublin has Saints fans dreaming of a first European champions crown since edging out Munster at Twickenham 25 years ago. Northampton and England scrum-half Mitchell, though, is determined to stay focused on the job in hand and not get swept up in the occasion at the Principality Stadium. 'I like to think I am quite calm and collected,' said Mitchell, who has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad for the summer tour of Australia. 'I like to go into games with a level head and be pretty chilled about it. Some people may sometimes think that is probably a bit too chilled, but I think it works for me. 'Everyone's different – some people need to be banging their head against the wall or being sick in a bin. 'But especially as a (number) nine or a 10, you need to stay calm. You can't be up and down. 'You are trying to run the game, to put yourself in the right places, so technically I try to push on that.' Mitchell added: 'It is a massive occasion, but you can't get too ahead of yourself. 'You can't be a rabbit in the headlights – you have got to just focus on your jobs, stay calm and stay collected.' Johann van Graan wants Bath to 'enjoy the moment' in Challenge Cup final By Andrew Baldock, PA Johann van Graan wants Bath to 'enjoy the moment' when they continue their quest for a possible trophy treble in Friday's EPCR Challenge Cup final against Lyon. Bath will arrive at the Principality Stadium with this season's Premiership Rugby Cup already secured, while they are Gallagher Premiership leaders by 15 points and booked a home play-off in April. The twin prizes of European success and domestic title glory are tantalisingly close, with Bath firm favourites against opponents currently 11th in the French Top 14. It will be Bath's fifth Challenge Cup final appearance. Victory over Worcester at Kingsholm 17 years ago was their last major piece of silverware. Head of rugby Van Graan has transformed standards – and expectation levels – since arriving at the club from Munster in 2022, and he said: 'This is a special moment for the club. 'It is the first European final that we as a group have played in. It's exciting, and we have got to enjoy the moment, as that is what finals are about. 'It's one-off, we are playing against a good side. Keep it simple, stick to your process, keep doing the things that got you into the final. Article continues below 'We want to get better. If you think about it, we've improved in every single area, so we are not about to stop now. 'We will keep trying, keep finding a better way. One of our sayings is our process needs to lead to performance. If it doesn't lead to performance, then let's find a better way to do it. 'You have got to back yourself that we will become better as a group. You go through experiences together, so this is another experience for us.'
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Centre Williams signs new Ospreys deal
Ospreys centre Keiran Williams has signed a new contract to remain with his hometown 27-year-old has been a regular in the starting line-up since making his debut in 2016, notching up 91 has also been capped by Wales, featuring in the warm-up match against England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. "I'm really happy to be staying, this is where I've spent my whole career and I'm looking forward to continuing it with this group," said Williams. "The team are playing some great rugby under Mark [head coach Jones], and the backs have really benefitted from the expansive game we've been playing."Boss Jones said Williams is an "integral part" of the team and an "extremely consistent performer"."We all know about what he does well on the pitch, on both sides of the ball, but it's his attitude that has impressed me the most since I joined the club," Jones said."His dedication to improving is second to none and we are all excited to see him continue to push on and contribute for us in the coming seasons."
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ospreys cruelly denied South African scalp with last-gasp heartbreak
Ospreys cruelly denied South African scalp with last-gasp heartbreak Mark Jones' side nearly ended the season with victory in South Africa, but narrowly went down 29-28 Keiran Williams with the ball for the Ospreys (Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Huw Evans Agency ) A last-gasp try denied Ospreys just their second league win in South Africa as their United Rugby Championship campaign ended in a agonising 29-28 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg. Mark Jones' side had seen their hopes of a second successive play-off spot ended last week, following a defeat to the Sharks in Durban. However, they at least looked to be finishing the season with a win after Sam Parry's score just two minutes from the end. However, a late penalty provided Lions with a final opportunity, which fly-half Lubabalo Dobela capitalised on, squeezing over in a nail-biting finish. The Ospreys had taken the lead four times in Johannesburg, thanks to tries by second-row pair Will Griffiths and James Ratti, as well as Jack Walsh. Despite this, they had to settle for two bonus-points, which were insufficient to prevent Lions from surpassing them in the final league standings. In the end, Jones' side finished the season in 12th. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below Harri Deaves took Jac Morgan's place in the side as the Wales captain was rested ahead of the Lions tour, with Deaves leading an impressive defensive effort as the hosts dominated first-half possession, warranting more than a 12-7 lead at half-time. Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe marked his final game before joining the Sharks with the opening try, moments after Dobela's effort was disallowed. Griffiths, however, demonstrated excellent anticipation at the re-start, charging down Richard Kriel's clearance to score. Jaco Visagie responded, though the Ospreys should have led at the break, but Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keiran Williams failed to convert the scrum-half's burst. Ratti finally ended a four-minute spell on the Lions try-line with the Ospreys' second, only for Visagie to respond for a second time just minutes later. Walsh raced through from a powerful thrust and offload by Williams, but Henco van Wyk stormed through two tired tackles for Lions to lead 24-21 on 70 minutes. Article continues below Parry seemed to have clinched it when he powered over late, only for a dramatic finish to throw up another final twist.
