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Wales Online
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Welsh coach set to take French club job and famous Welsh team concede 100
Tonight's rugby news as Welsh coach set to take French club job and famous Welsh team concede 100 The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Gareth Baber reportedly has a new club. (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Your rugby evening headlines on Saturday, May 3. Welsh coach gets new gig Welsh rugby coach Gareth Baber has reportedly agreed to join Stade Nicois ahead of the new season, according to L'Equipe. The former Fiji Sevens coach previously played for Bristol and Dragons before moving into coaching, and will now aim to guide Nicois to promotion. He'll be supported by backs coach Barry Maddocks and forwards coach Emiliano Bergamaschi. Current Ospreys and Wales fly-half Owen Williams is also joining, along with former Scarlets and current Bayonne number eight Uzair Cassiem. Baber led the Fiji Sevens side to glory at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which was followed by a short stint working with United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh Rugby. Baber also previously worked at Cardiff Metropolitan University as Director of Rugby Systems. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Gareth Anscombe enters talks with new club Wales international Gareth Anscombe has entered talks with Bayonne ahead of next season, according to RugbyPass. Article continues below The 33-year-old fly-half is leaving Gloucester at the end of the current campaign and had been linked with moves to Leicester Tigers and Provence Rugby, with the latter being where ex-team-mate George North plays. Gloucester have signed Ireland international and Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne ahead of the new season, and he'll be partnering up with Tomos Williams in the half-backs in 2025/2026. Bayonne are favourites to sign Anscombe due to the fact veteran Camille Lopez is hanging up his boots at the end of the season. Currently on the books at the French club are former England star Manu Tuilagi and ex-Scarlets man Cassiem. Nigel Owens makes return Nigel Owens made his return to refereeing on Saturday afternoon. The legendary official picked up the whistle again as Lampeter RFC took on London Welsh in a 150th anniversary match. Writing on social media ahead of the game, the Welshman said: "BREAKING NEWS: I'm back. After 4 years I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. Hope the legs will last the 80 mins." It was a glorious day at Lampeter RFC's North Road fields with spectators lining the touchline. Owens and the players were welcomed onto the field by youth players as supporters clapped and took pictures of the famous referee. The final score was 60-24 to Welsh, who played the second half with a side comprised of second and third-string players. The club described it as a "great day for all to celebrate" and it was "great having Nigel back from retirement for it as well." The last time Owens refereed a match was France v Italy in the autumn internationals five years ago, which was also his 100th Test as a referee. Since putting down the whistle, Owens has worked as a mentor for new WRU referees, as well as a World Rugby expert. He spends much of his time on his farm out in west Wales. Neath hammered 105-0 by Merthyr Neath were put to the sword by champions Merthyr on Saturday afternoon, finishing 105-0. It was the last game of the WRU Premiership season for the two teams, and was a jaw-dropping 66-0 at half-time. Merthyr ran in their tries with ease at The Wern and didn't take their foot off the gas in the second half. A total of 16 tries were scored by Merthyr, with one of those a penalty try. Neath went into the game in third place, but suffered the full wrath of the leaders. Article continues below The newly-crowned champions' performance paid testament to the fact they've lost only two games all season. They clinched the title with a 48-24 victory over Brecon recently, with Pontypridd's defeat to Ystrad Rhondda contributing to their glory.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I'm back' – Legendary ref Nigel Owens comes out of retirement after four years as fans say ‘better start stretching'
Rugby fans have been left stunned by the announcement REF RETUNS 'I'm back' – Legendary ref Nigel Owens comes out of retirement after four years as fans say 'better start stretching' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY rugby referee Nigel Owens has announced his return to officiating. Owens called time on his refereeing career in December 2020 after a whopping 23 YEARS officiating matches. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Nigel Owens has announced he's come out of refereeing retirement Credit: Alamy But a commemorative match has brought the 52-year-old out of retirement. The Welshman will pick up his whistle again to referee a special match between Lampeter RFC and London Welsh. Owens announced his shock return on social media, writing: 'I'm back. "After four years, I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. "Hope the legs will last the 80 minutes.' Rugby Union fans were quick to comment on Owen's shock announcement. One wrote on X: "You will smash it! You're a legend of the game!" Another said: "The best ref ever. Good luck.' And another said: "I'm sure you'll be great. "Seriously, what an honour to be reffed by Nigel Owens. don't take any backchat lol." One remarked: "Genuinely want to watch the match now." Another chimed in: "You had better start stretching today and have some diclofenac ready for Sunday." London Welsh are also excited by Owen's return to the pitch. Commenting on his X post, they wrote: "We cant wait." Owens, who is widely considered to be one of the best refs in rugby union history, was once the owner of the record for the most test matches refereed. The biggest moment of his career came in 2015 when he took charge of the World Cup final between bitter rivals Australia and New Zealand.. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I'm back' – Legendary ref Nigel Owens comes out of retirement after four years as fans say ‘better start stretching'
LEGENDARY rugby referee Nigel Owens has announced his return to officiating. Owens called time on his refereeing career in December 2020 after a whopping 23 YEARS officiating matches. 2 But a commemorative match has brought the 52-year-old out of retirement. The Welshman will pick up his whistle again to referee a special match between Lampeter RFC and London Welsh. Owens announced his shock return on social media, writing: 'I'm back. "After four years, I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. "Hope the legs will last the 80 minutes.' Rugby Union fans were quick to comment on Owen's shock announcement. One wrote on X: "You will smash it! You're a legend of the game!" Another said: "The best ref ever. Good luck." JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 2 And another said: "I'm sure you'll be great. "Seriously, what an honour to be reffed by Nigel Owens. don't take any backchat lol." One remarked: "Genuinely want to watch the match now." Another chimed in: "You had better start stretching today and have some diclofenac ready for Sunday." London Welsh are also excited by Owen's return to the pitch. Commenting on his X post, they wrote: "We can't wait." Owens, who is widely considered to be one of the best refs in rugby union history, was once the owner of the record for the most test matches refereed. The biggest moment of his career came in 2015 when he took charge of the World Cup final between bitter rivals Australia and New Zealand.. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm back' – Legendary ref Nigel Owens comes out of retirement after four years as fans say ‘better start stretching'
LEGENDARY rugby referee Nigel Owens has announced his return to officiating. Owens called time on his refereeing career in December 2020 after a whopping 23 YEARS officiating matches. 1 Nigel Owens has announced he's come out of refereeing retirement Credit: Alamy But a commemorative match has brought the 52-year-old out of retirement. The Welshman will pick up his whistle again to referee a special match between Lampeter RFC and London Welsh. Owens announced his shock return on social media, writing: 'I'm back. "After four years, I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. "Hope the legs will last the 80 minutes.' Rugby Union fans were quick to comment on Owen's shock announcement. One wrote on X: "You will smash it! You're a legend of the game!" Another said: "The best ref ever. Good luck.' Most read in Rugby Union And another said: "I'm sure you'll be great. "Seriously, what an honour to be reffed by Nigel Owens. don't take any backchat lol." One remarked: "Genuinely want to watch the match now." Another chimed in: "You had better start stretching today and have some diclofenac ready for Sunday." London Welsh are also excited by Owen's return to the pitch. Commenting on his X post, they wrote: "We cant wait." Owens, who is widely considered to be one of the best refs in rugby union history, was once the owner of the record for the most test matches refereed. The biggest moment of his career came in 2015 when he took charge of the World Cup final between bitter rivals Australia and New Zealand.. Read more on the Irish Sun THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
