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BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Cardiff sign Bath duo Emanuel and Davies on loan
Cardiff have signed Bath youngsters Ioan Emanuel and Ieuan Davies on loan for the 2025-26 Emanuel, whose brother Steffan plays for Cardiff, and scrum-half Davies, both 20, are Wales Under-20 duo are on long-term contracts at Bath."We are pleased to welcome two exciting, young Welsh players to the club for the season ahead and are grateful to Bath for allowing this to happen and prioritising their development," said Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt. "Ioan is a player we know pretty well, having come through our age-grade and being the brother of Stef. Anyone who has watched Wales Under-20s this season will see the vast potential he has."Ieuan is another player with a lot of potential. He was a standout player when he was with Wales Under-20s and is highly regarded at Bath."Emanuel and Davies head to Cardiff after fellow Bath youngster Louie Hennessey had a loan spell in the Welsh capital last two clubs have also collaborated over training work."Cardiff is a club we have a strong relationship with and we know they'll offer Ioan and Ieuan an excellent platform in a highly competitive environment," Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales win in Japan must signal start of new era
"This has to be the start of something."That was the impassioned message from Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt as his side ended a dismal season by securing a first international win in 21 Welsh rugby men's campaign finished with some success when it had experienced frequent failure during the past 12 31-22 victory against Japan in the heat and humidity of Kobe halted an 18-match losing Test run and ensured the Wales class of 2024 and 2025 did not set an unwanted record for a tier one nation of 19 victory will not wipe away the issues engulfing Welsh rugby. There are many matters to be resolved, such as the appointment of a new head coach and sorting out the domestic game. Wales results in 2024-25 Before you look forward, sometimes you have to reflect. Even if it is played 10 internationals this season with Warren Gatland and Sherratt in charge for five games conceded 362 points and scored 177 in those games which included three autumn international defeats and another Six Nations wooden spoon, completed with a record 68-14 home defeat by England in Cardiff. There were nine successive losses before that final victory in Kobe which at least ensured Wales did not go a full campaign without a win.2024 Autumn Nations seriesSunday, 10 November, Wales 19-24 Fiji, CardiffSunday, 17 November, Wales 20-52 Australia, CardiffSaturday, 23 November, Wales 12-45 South Africa, Cardiff2025 Six NationsFriday, 31 January, France 43-0 Wales, ParisSaturday, 8 February, Italy 22-15 Wales, RomeSaturday, 22 February, Wales 18-27 Ireland, CardiffSaturday, 8 March, Scotland 35-29 Wales, EdinburghSaturday, 15 March, Wales 14-68 England, CardiffSummer tourSaturday, 5 July, Japan 24-19 Wales, KitakyushuSaturday, 12 July, Japan 22-31 Wales, Kobe When will the next coach be appointed? Following a five-month hunt, we are expecting a new permanent coach to be announced left in February after the Six Nations defeat by Italy in Rome signalled a 14th successive Sherratt was appointed as interim head coach for the rest of the tournament, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney said her phone had not stopped with people interested in the permanent no appointment was made before the summer tour and Sherratt was again asked to lead the squad to WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin was appointed in April and given responsibility for the head coach recruitment. He has taken over the process and has identified the suitable WRU are believed to favour a more long-term appointment who is familiar with the Welsh game, rather than a short-term proven international coach like a Michael Cheika or Jake White-style who can be part of the revamped domestic game and cares about alignment with the professional like Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, Ireland and Lions man Simon Easterby and former Wales favourite Shaun Edwards have been would have to give that person time to help rebuild a broken system with the 2031 World Cup in USA a more realistic target of improvement rather than the global tournament in Australia in rugby is not renowned for being patient. That might have to change. Baptism of fire It will be a tough start for the new coach with Wales hosting Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in November in are currently ranked 12th in the world and need to stay in that top 12 when the draw for the 2027 World Cup is made in the Wales coaching system also requires is stability and less interim summer coaching team of Sherratt, Danny Wilson, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Rhys Thomas will all return to their clubs, while Leigh Halfpenny will consider one more season of six men are in addition to Gatland, Rob Howley, Alex King, Mike Forshaw, Jonathan Humphreys and Neil Jenkins, who have all officially been involved in coaching the national men's side this season. That's 12 coaches that have been used in one season for one team. Some continuity now would be preferable, and maybe even some of the temporary staff in Japan will return in the permanent set-up. Summer of discontent on the horizon The Welsh season might have finished on the field but that will not be the end of win against Japan will be welcomed but will not hide the problems that still exist in Welsh four Welsh professional sides are already back in pre-season training in preparation for 2025-26, but could it be the final campaign of having four professional sides in Wales? Could fewer teams mean sides leaving the United Rugby Championship (URC) and joining an Anglo-Welsh league?Some of these questions will be decided in the coming weeks in what promises to be a tumultuous Wales' record loss against England in Cardiff in March, former Wales captain Gwyn Jones urged the WRU not to waste a crisis and enact revolutionary change. What is certain in Welsh rugby is another crisis is just around the corner. One month after Jones' comments came the Cardiff conundrum which has been the catalyst for the latest went into administration in April with the WRU taking them accelerated the latest wrangling between the WRU and regions, especially Scarlets and Ospreys, who did not sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) about their concerns of the WRU plans for Cardiff. It resulted in the governing body announcing in May they would no longer fund the four sides bombshell raised the prospect of reducing the number of sides in Wales to three or even that press release was the last we heard from the WRU, with rumours filling the void and creating more uncertainty in the Welsh game. One thing that is certain is the opposing sides in this argument remain far apart in their WRU need to outline their case soon because players and coaches need clarity over their futures. Fans need to know what will happen to the teams they is a general realisation among all parties that something has to happen to arrest the decline. With financial constraints to factor in, how they get to that final solution is not so clear. Looking to build the player base You have to feel sorry for the current crop of Wales players. There is no lack of effort but they are young men learning on the job at the highest why the win in Kobe was so welcome. It reflected the reward for their efforts and its meaning was captured by the emotional reaction of captain Dewi squad are following a golden generation of Wales players who enjoyed Grand Slam and Six Nations success and reached two World Cup likes of Shane Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Jamie Roberts, Ken Owens, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies and Alex Cuthbert can now be seen on your screens as pundits. Former props Jones and Jenkins are coaching, while Halfpenny, Justin Tipuric, George North, Dan Lydiate and Gareth Davies have retired from international rugby. Number eight Taulupe Faletau and wing Josh Adams are the last of that crop and among a handful on those who toured Japan who currently fit into the category of proven Test performers. There will be many in the present squad who could attain that status but it will take events are sometimes cyclical but Wales are paying the price for the pathway system resting on its laurels during the past was little preparation for what would happen when the top stars finished with the development of the next generation stalling and drying up. Reddin to make his mark Reddin will have a key role in ensuring that situation never happens sense he will be a key figure in Welsh rugby's future when he officially starts his job permanently in legacy of Tierney and WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood will also be determined on what happens next as they aim to halt the end of season victory against Japan can send people into the summer with that little bit of hope. As Sherratt says, this has to represent the while the end of the season has finally arrived, it also signifies the beginning of a few months that will determine the future of the struggling Welsh game.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Edwards praises character of Wales after Japan win
Wales fly-half Dan Edwards says the tourists proved their character by defeating Japan in 31-22 victory ended an 18-match losing Test run that had lasted 21 months, with Edwards scoring a try in his 16-point haul in his first international earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup and levelled the series following a 24-19 defeat to Japan in Kitakyushu."It was about getting a win, I'm absolutely chuffed," said Edwards."Especially with everyone saying we didn't deserve to win last week and were writing us off, people have been writing us off for however long. "We've come back and shown everyone why we're here. It shows the character we've got. That was a real statement that when it gets tough, we can pull through."It's also just that little bit of a boost that Welsh rugby needed." Plumtree magic Ospreys fly-half Edwards, 22, scored a crucial late try after some magic from replacement flanker Taine Plumtree who produced an outrageous reverse pass."Fair play to Taine, he was brave doing that," said Edwards"It was great just getting on the end of it and finishing it off."Plumtree outlined his thinking about pulling off the move."It was just one of the main messages that Jockey [Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt] gave us was to be brave and express ourselves," said Plumtree."I think we were under an advantage. I heard Rog [Wales wing Tom Rogers] out the back so I pulled it back. Thank God it came through."Sherratt praised the adventure his players showed while under intense pressure."That last play summarises it for me," said Sherratt."It would have been easy to go to a safe lineout at the front. We have thrown to the back, run a more risky play. "And Taine Plumtree throws a reverse pass. I didn't intend for him to be that brave, but it worked."Plumtree came on for Cardiff flanker Alex Mann and was one of the second-half replacements who made an impact in the Kobe heat and humidity."As those bench players, you've got to bring energy to those starters," said Plumtree."You know the heat is incredible. It's tough being out there. "One of the jobs for us is bringing that level and trying to bring the boys up to finish off the game." Worth the wait for Giles Three new caps came off the bench in Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles, along with Dragons prop Chris moment was especially memorable for Giles who had his first taste of international rugby - nine years after being picked for his first now 27, was selected as an 18-year-old for the New Zealand tour in was an unused replacement in the narrow victory against Japan in November that year and also remained uncapped after being included for the trip to play Samoa and Tonga the following battling back from significant knee issues and hamstring problems, Giles was picked for the 2024 summer tour of Australia but had to pull out because of he has finally realised his dream."It's a massive day for me and my family," said Giles."They made the trip over, which made it extra special. It's unbelievable. "It's been a long time coming. It's almost like a full-circle moment, playing against Japan and being on the bench nine years ago against Japan and not getting on. "So it's an extra special feeling."Giles came on as a half-time replacement for the injured Josh Adams, who had scored a try and created one in the first half."I just wanted to get on the pitch no matter how many minutes I played," said Giles."A win has been a long time coming for fans of Wales. This group has worked extremely hard over the last couple of years. "To get that win, it's almost the monkey off our backs. It's something to build on now."The players have been feeling it, with 18 losses, the players felt it the most. "Now it's time to kick on and get more wins. We're looking forward to the autumn and the future."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
BBC Sport pundits on Wales' long-awaited win
The wait is finally over… Wales secured a much needed victory after a dismal run stretching back 644 days. Wales' 31-22 win over Japan in Kobe levelled the series 1-1 but more importantly ended an 18-Test losing streak. Advertisement Matt Sherratt's side withheld a spirited second-half Japan comeback and the tourists had reason to celebrate for the first time in 21 months. Wales' previous win was against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup, and it was a welcome victory in the fifth and final game in charge for interim head coach Sherratt. The Welsh Rugby Union's appointment of a permanent successor to Warren Gatland, who stepped down during the Six Nations, is expected in the next few weeks. The new appointment will now not be burdened by the losing streak but will face a tough task transforming the fortunes of Welsh rugby, beginning with a tough Autumn series which features New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Argentina as opponents. Advertisement BBC Sport pundits had their say on the long-awaited win in Japan and what next for Welsh rugby. 'Relief. Pure relief' Ex-Wales international James Hook told the Scrum V podcast: "Relief, that's the word isn't it, relief. I saw Dewi Lake's interview at the end it's just pure relief. "You could see it on the players and Matt Sherratt's face at the end, and they nearly threw it away in the second-half, but they found a way to win didn't they. "When Japan scored those two tries I said 'here we go again' but they found a way to win and that's all that matters in the end. Advertisement "Come September we need a couple of key building blocks in place, we need a head coach. "The regions, whether we're going to lose a region, go down to two, go down to three, whatever it is, that needs to be sorted. "You don't expect it to happen overnight but something needs to be done in the next couple of months. "The autumn's going to be a tough campaign, New Zealand and South Africa aren't going to be quaking in their boots after that performance." 'New slate for the incoming coach... whoever that may be' Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones on the Scrum V podcast: "It's massive. They came off last week and you just wanted to give them a hug. Advertisement "You felt so sorry for them, they'd come so close – 'when is this ever going to end?'. "That's the most important thing, the narrative has to change, the headlines have to change now. "The series of losses has gone, it's a new slate for the incoming coach, whoever that may be. "We're getting closer to World Cup time, that shouldn't cloud our decision making too much. "But the team needs a proper head coach and a coaching team around that can work together with the regions. "It will be constantly spoken about until the decision is made, and then that's always going to drive the narrative. Advertisement "For the players themselves, if they don't know their future how can they commit to what they're doing. "There's no tight timescale for it, but you do expect it to happen over the next two months, you'd expect something to be announced." 'You've got to give credit to those boys' Former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert told BBC Radio Wales' Rob and Molly show: "Wales going through this run of not being able to win, it's a habit that sticks with you and the pressure builds and builds. "You could see it last week. This week they just seemed to manage it a lot better. Advertisement "You've got to give credit to those boys, they've had such a tough year. "Someone like Aaron Wainwright has not won a game of rugby this year - it is good to see and just to get that monkey off their back. "Whoever comes in now doesn't have that hanging around their neck like Matt Sherratt said. "To get the win, for me now it's a complete clean slate, it's a new era at Welsh Rugby." 'Enjoy the moment... but a lot of work to do' Former Wales captain Ken Owens on S4C's Y Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol: "Credit to the players, they've found a way to win, and that's what was important at this point. Advertisement "To be fair, right in the middle of the second half Wales were under a lot of pressure, Japan raised their game. "But in the last five minutes Wales found something and they found a way to win and scored a great try at the end. "You need to celebrate this, it's been a very hard couple of years for the players, especially with what's happening at the regions. "There were a lot of good aspects to the game and also a lot of things to learn from. "The young players will gain valuable experience. "We won't now be talking about the run of losing games and we have to enjoy this moment, but realise there's a lot of work to do within the game."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC Sport pundits on Wales' long-awaited win
The wait is finally over… Wales secured a much needed victory after a dismal run stretching back 644 31-22 win over Japan in Kobe levelled the series 1-1 but more importantly ended an 18-Test losing Sherratt's side withheld a spirited second-half Japan comeback and the tourists had reason to celebrate for the first time in 21 previous win was against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup, and it was a welcome victory in the fifth and final game in charge for interim head coach Welsh Rugby Union's appointment of a permanent successor to Warren Gatland, who stepped down during the Six Nations, is expected in the next few new appointment will now not be burdened by the losing streak but will face a tough task transforming the fortunes of Welsh rugby, beginning with a tough Autumn series which features New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Argentina as Sport pundits had their say on the long-awaited win in Japan and what next for Welsh rugby. 'Relief. Pure relief' Ex-Wales international James Hook told the Scrum V podcast:"Relief, that's the word isn't it, relief. I saw Dewi Lake's interview at the end it's just pure relief."You could see it on the players and Matt Sherratt's face at the end, and they nearly threw it away in the second-half, but they found a way to win didn't they."When Japan scored those two tries I said 'here we go again' but they found a way to win and that's all that matters in the end."Come September we need a couple of key building blocks in place, we need a head coach."The regions, whether we're going to lose a region, go down to two, go down to three, whatever it is, that needs to be sorted."You don't expect it to happen overnight but something needs to be done in the next couple of months."The autumn's going to be a tough campaign, New Zealand and South Africa aren't going to be quaking in their boots after that performance." 'New slate for the incoming coach... whoever that may be' Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones on the Scrum V podcast:"It's massive. They came off last week and you just wanted to give them a hug."You felt so sorry for them, they'd come so close – 'when is this ever going to end?'."That's the most important thing, the narrative has to change, the headlines have to change now."The series of losses has gone, it's a new slate for the incoming coach, whoever that may be."We're getting closer to World Cup time, that shouldn't cloud our decision making too much."But the team needs a proper head coach and a coaching team around that can work together with the regions."It will be constantly spoken about until the decision is made, and then that's always going to drive the narrative."For the players themselves, if they don't know their future how can they commit to what they're doing."There's no tight timescale for it, but you do expect it to happen over the next two months, you'd expect something to be announced." 'You've got to give credit to those boys' Former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert told BBC Radio Wales' Rob and Molly show:"Wales going through this run of not being able to win, it's a habit that sticks with you and the pressure builds and builds."You could see it last week. This week they just seemed to manage it a lot better."You've got to give credit to those boys, they've had such a tough year."Someone like Aaron Wainwright has not won a game of rugby this year - it is good to see and just to get that monkey off their back."Whoever comes in now doesn't have that hanging around their neck like Matt Sherratt said."To get the win, for me now it's a complete clean slate, it's a new era at Welsh Rugby." 'Enjoy the moment... but a lot of work to do' Former Wales captain Ken Owens on S4C's Y Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol:"Credit to the players, they've found a way to win, and that's what was important at this point."To be fair, right in the middle of the second half Wales were under a lot of pressure, Japan raised their game."But in the last five minutes Wales found something and they found a way to win and scored a great try at the end."You need to celebrate this, it's been a very hard couple of years for the players, especially with what's happening at the regions."There were a lot of good aspects to the game and also a lot of things to learn from. "The young players will gain valuable experience."We won't now be talking about the run of losing games and we have to enjoy this moment, but realise there's a lot of work to do within the game."
