Latest news with #Macleod
STV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Nike and Harris Tweed unite for limited-edition Dunk Low trainers
Nike has reunited with a Harris Tweed producer to release a trainer with a distinctly Scottish twist, two decades after a landmark order helped revive the Hebridean textile industry. Harris Tweed Hebrides has announced a global collaboration with the sportswear giant on a limited-edition version of their iconic Dunk Lows. Three different patterns – black and white houndstooth, earthy brown, and pink blush – were woven by home-based weavers on the rugged moorland coast of Lewis and finished at the Shawbost Mill. STV News obtained an exclusive preview of the iconic sports shoe as the first pairs were unwrapped in Scotland following a transatlantic delivery. Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides Dunk Low Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides Margaret Ann Macleod, CEO of Harris Tweed Hebrides, says the partnership brings together contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship, rooted firmly in the culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. 'This collection highlights how our island's most famous export Harris Tweed continues to deliver the modernity and the sustainability credentials to attract global design-led businesses, like Nike,' she said. The 18-month development project with Nike is a significant milestone for Harris Tweed Hebrides. The mill employs over 70 people and supports over 100 home weavers, making it a major economic contributor in the Outer Hebrides. Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides The trainers display the official Harris Tweed Orb label, a mark of authenticity and provenance. Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides The company also collaborates with high-profile fashion houses like Dior, emphasising the premium quality and authenticity of Harris Tweed. The Nike Dunk Low Harris Tweed collection will be available worldwide later in 2025 via the Nike website and selected retail partners. Each pair will retail for $135 – around £100. The trainers display the official Harris Tweed Orb label, a mark of authenticity and provenance. Harris Tweed Hebrides is widely credited with the revitalisation of the Harris Tweed industry, which remains a vital component of the local economy of the Outer Hebrides. When the industry was at its lowest ebb, the firm re-opened a derelict mill in the rural village of Shawbost on the west side of Lewis and built a global business. Mrs Macleod highlighted the historical connection with Nike, dating back 20 years, and the company's focus on looking forward while maintaining its heritage. 'We have built on the values of the original project, reflecting on Derick's stewardship at the Shawbost Mill at that time, to Donald John's remarkable response to Nike's call back in the early 2000's, this new trainer collaboration reflects an enduring partnership and an island legacy,' Mrs Macleod said. 'Welcoming Nike back to the Shawbost Mill on the Outer Hebrides of Scotland after 20 years has been a proud moment for our local community.' The Nike Dunk Low Harris Tweed collection will be available worldwide later in 2025 via the Nike website and selected retail partners. The collaboration pays tribute to a defining moment in the modern story of Harris Tweed when in 2004, homeweaver Donald John Mackay received a landmark order from Nike for 10,000 metres of cloth. Recognising the scale of the opportunity, Donald John turned to Derick Murray, then owner of Shawbost Mill. Together, they rallied a network of over 50 island weavers to meet the demand — an effort now seen as one of the turning points in the revitalisation of the Hebridean textile industry. STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales name team to face Japan as two big stars left on bench
Matt Sherratt has named his Wales team to face Japan this Saturday, with back-rows Alex Mann and Josh Macleod starting ahead of Aaron Wainwright and Tommy Reffell in Kitakyushu. Wainwright and Reffell boast 84 caps between them, but interim head coach Sherratt has held them back on the bench as he opts for a 6-2 split to cope with the heat and humidity in Japan. Instead, Cardiff blindside Mann and Scarlets openside Macleod - who have seven caps between them - will pack down with Taulupe Faletau in the Welsh back-row. In terms of new caps, there's just one potential debut - with Cardiff captain Liam Belcher in line for a first cap off the bench. Alongside Mann and Macleod, a number of players are handed recalls - with Johnny Williams, Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy and Ben Carter having all not featured in this year's Six Nations. Only fly-half Costelow has played for Wales this season, having last featured in the autumn internationals. Scrum-half Hardy and second-row Carter were both involved on last year's summer tour, while blindside flanker Mann's last cap came in his maiden Six Nations campaign last season. Centre Williams last featured in a Test against Portugal in the World Cup pool stage back in 2023, prior to the current 17-Test losing run. As for openside Macleod, the last of the Scarlets captain's two caps came in the autumn of 2022. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. However, after a strong season in Llanelli, he's backed to start against the Brave Blossoms ahead of Leicester flanker Reffell, with Taulupe Faletau completing the back-row with Macleod and Mann. 'Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting," said Sherratt about including the likes of Macleod and Belcher. "There's a number of players who've worked their way back into the squad. 'Josh Macleod is an obvious one. He's struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. 'I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected how much he deserves it. 'He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's changed clubs. He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad. So delighted for Liam.' Despite the sense that Wales are near full-strength - with just two Welshmen initially named in Andy Farrell's Lions squad - Sherratt has made 11 changes to the side that lost heavily to England at the end of the Six Nations. Only loosehead Nicky Smith, No. 8 Faletau, centre Ben Thomas and full-back Blair Murray remain as starters. Cardiff's player of the season Teddy Williams partners Carter in the second-row, with Smith and Keiron Assiratti either side of captain Dewi Lake in the front-row. Hardy, who partners his former Scarlets team-mate Costelow in the half-backs, starts for Wales for the first time in two years. In midfield, Thomas partners Williams - becoming the eighth different centre partnership by Wales in the 17 Tests since the World Cup. This also marks the first time Williams starts at outside centre for Wales - with all seven of his caps having previously been in the 12 jersey. In the back-three, Tom Rogers and Josh Adams start either side of Murray. On the bench, there's recalls for Archie Griffin and James Ratti, with Sherratt relying on the experience of Reffell, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Wainwright and Rhodri Williams to make an impact in the second-half. Scarlets centre Joe Roberts provides the outside backs cover on the replacements' pine. "We've had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection," added Sherratt. 'One of the key messages was it's going to be a 23-man job. So, we've tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench. Show more 'I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. 'It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key. Show more 'We've seen from just being around Kitakyushu this last week, there seems to be a real affinity between some of the Japanese locals and the Welsh team. Hopefully it will be fantastic on Saturday.' Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts.
Leader Live
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Josh Macleod returning from injury ‘massive' for Wales
Macleod has been plagued by Achilles and shoulder injuries in recent years and makes his first appearance since the 2022 Autumn Nations Series. But the Scarlets skipper joins Taulupe Faletau and Alex Mann in the back row for Saturday's First Test in Kitakyushu, as Sherratt makes 11 changes from the side humbled 68-14 by England in the Six Nations Championship in March. 🚨 𝗧î𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂 🏴 Here is your Wales team to face @JRFURugby on Saturday in Kitakyushu, 6am KO BST! 🔥👇 More ▶️ Cymraeg ▶️ | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 3, 2025 Faletau, prop Nicky Smith, centre Ben Thomas and full-back Blair Murray are the survivors from that record Cardiff defeat. 'There's a number of players who've worked their way back into the squad,' said Sherratt, who remains in interim charge after replacing Warren Gatland during the Six Nations and is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales. '(It's) Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting. 'Josh Macleod is an obvious one. He's struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. 'I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected (on the bench) how much he deserves it. 'He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's changed clubs. 'He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad. So yeah, delighted for Liam.' The uncapped Belcher takes his place among the replacements with Sherratt having plumped for a relatively new-look pack. Captain Dewi Lake returns at hooker and is joined in the front row by Smith and Keiron Assiratti. With second-row forwards Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands unavailable for various reasons, Ben Carter and Teddy Williams step into the engine room. The changes in the back division see recalls for wingers Josh Adams and Tom Rogers, as well as centre Johnny Williams, who last featured for Wales at the 2023 World Cup. Kieran Hardy and Sam Costelow form a new half-back partnership, with Tomos Williams – who along with skipper Jac Morgan was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia – and Gareth Anscombe having started against England. Costelow and Carter missed the Six Nations campaign through injury. Sherratt said: 'We've had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection. 🏴 Taking the jersey to the heart of Kitakyushu 🇯🇵❤️#WelshRugby — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 1, 2025 'One of the key messages was it's going to be a 23-man job. 'So, we've tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench. 'I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. 'It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key.'
Glasgow Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Josh Macleod returning from injury ‘massive' for Wales
Macleod has been plagued by Achilles and shoulder injuries in recent years and makes his first appearance since the 2022 Autumn Nations Series. But the Scarlets skipper joins Taulupe Faletau and Alex Mann in the back row for Saturday's First Test in Kitakyushu, as Sherratt makes 11 changes from the side humbled 68-14 by England in the Six Nations Championship in March. Faletau, prop Nicky Smith, centre Ben Thomas and full-back Blair Murray are the survivors from that record Cardiff defeat. 'There's a number of players who've worked their way back into the squad,' said Sherratt, who remains in interim charge after replacing Warren Gatland during the Six Nations and is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales. '(It's) Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting. 'Josh Macleod is an obvious one. He's struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. 'I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected (on the bench) how much he deserves it. 'He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's changed clubs. 'He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad. So yeah, delighted for Liam.' The uncapped Belcher takes his place among the replacements with Sherratt having plumped for a relatively new-look pack. Captain Dewi Lake returns at hooker and is joined in the front row by Smith and Keiron Assiratti. With second-row forwards Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands unavailable for various reasons, Ben Carter and Teddy Williams step into the engine room. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales in Japan (David Davies/PA) The changes in the back division see recalls for wingers Josh Adams and Tom Rogers, as well as centre Johnny Williams, who last featured for Wales at the 2023 World Cup. Kieran Hardy and Sam Costelow form a new half-back partnership, with Tomos Williams – who along with skipper Jac Morgan was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia – and Gareth Anscombe having started against England. Costelow and Carter missed the Six Nations campaign through injury. Sherratt said: 'We've had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection. 🏴 Taking the jersey to the heart of Kitakyushu 🇯🇵❤️#WelshRugby — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 1, 2025 'One of the key messages was it's going to be a 23-man job. 'So, we've tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench. 'I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. 'It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key.'
South Wales Argus
03-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Josh Macleod returning from injury ‘massive' for Wales
Macleod has been plagued by Achilles and shoulder injuries in recent years and makes his first appearance since the 2022 Autumn Nations Series. But the Scarlets skipper joins Taulupe Faletau and Alex Mann in the back row for Saturday's First Test in Kitakyushu, as Sherratt makes 11 changes from the side humbled 68-14 by England in the Six Nations Championship in March. Faletau, prop Nicky Smith, centre Ben Thomas and full-back Blair Murray are the survivors from that record Cardiff defeat. 'There's a number of players who've worked their way back into the squad,' said Sherratt, who remains in interim charge after replacing Warren Gatland during the Six Nations and is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales. '(It's) Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting. 'Josh Macleod is an obvious one. He's struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. 'I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected (on the bench) how much he deserves it. 'He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's changed clubs. 'He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad. So yeah, delighted for Liam.' The uncapped Belcher takes his place among the replacements with Sherratt having plumped for a relatively new-look pack. Captain Dewi Lake returns at hooker and is joined in the front row by Smith and Keiron Assiratti. With second-row forwards Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands unavailable for various reasons, Ben Carter and Teddy Williams step into the engine room. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales in Japan (David Davies/PA) The changes in the back division see recalls for wingers Josh Adams and Tom Rogers, as well as centre Johnny Williams, who last featured for Wales at the 2023 World Cup. Kieran Hardy and Sam Costelow form a new half-back partnership, with Tomos Williams – who along with skipper Jac Morgan was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia – and Gareth Anscombe having started against England. Costelow and Carter missed the Six Nations campaign through injury. Sherratt said: 'We've had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection. 🏴 Taking the jersey to the heart of Kitakyushu 🇯🇵❤️#WelshRugby — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 1, 2025 'One of the key messages was it's going to be a 23-man job. 'So, we've tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench. 'I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. 'It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key.'
