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Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Welsh star announces exit after 'tough journey' and coach departs weeks after suspension
Today's rugby news as Welsh star announces exit after 'tough journey' and coach departs weeks after suspension The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Ashton Hewitt (R) has announced he will leave the Dragons (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, May 17. Welsh star confirms exit ahead of final appearance Ashton Hewitt has confirmed that he will leave the Dragons following his final match for the club today. The wing, who has made 130 appearances for the Men of Gwent since making his debut in 2013, will take on the Bulls in Pretoria this afternoon before heading elsewhere. It's not clear where the 30-year-old - who sits second on the club's all-time try-scoring charts with 37 over 11 seasons - will go, although it's understood recently reformed Worcester had previously shown some interest. In a statement posted on his social media, Hewitt said: "After 12 years, Saturday will be my last game in a Dragons jersey. It's been a tough journey at times, but I take a huge amount of pride to have represented the region and pull on the jersey as many times as I have for my home club. "I want to thank all of my team-mates along the way, some of them my best mates and relationships that won't end here. I'd also like to thank all of the staff that make the club what it is. "Finally, I want to thank the fans who have stuck with us no matter what, but for more than just the rugby. I've had some challenging times off the pitch after becoming vocal about racism and the support I received from fans, publicly and privately, means more to me than any cheer for stepping onto the field. Article continues below "It's been a pleasure, Ashton." In their own statement, the Dragons thanked Hewitt for his service, with head coach Filo Tiatia saying: 'Ashton is a well-respected and popular player who came through our Academy system and went on to play over a century of games for the Dragons. 'Ashton has achieved a huge amount for this club and been a wonderful advocate for our sport. 'He has always given 100 percent whenever he has pulled on a jersey that means so much to him and shown his resilience and determination to come back from serious injury in recent seasons. 'Ashton and his young family will always be a part of our club and he leaves with our best wishes for the future and the next chapter of his career. They will always be warmly welcomed back at Rodney Parade.' Backs Coach Matt O'Brien added: 'Ashton has been an outstanding servant to Dragons RFC for over a decade, both on and off the field. 'He's not just a great player but a great person too who, if it wasn't for some seriously bad timing with injury, would have achieved international honours. 'Ashton's had to show great resilience to get back from some serious injuries over recent times which shows how much playing for his home club and representing Newport means to him. 'He's second in the club's all-time try scoring charts which shows how much of an impact he's had on the field during his career at Dragons. 'Ashton is undoubtedly one of our very best homegrown talents to come through the pathway and we wish him every success in the future.' Cardiff coach rues play-off heartbeark Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt was philosophical after his side narrowly missed out on a first ever URC play-off place. The 34-24 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town, along with results elsewhere, ensured the Arms Park club would finish the season in ninth - just shy of the play-off places. "We've shown with this team over the last two seasons that we don't lack effort," said Sherratt. "Obviously I'm disappointed. It's a game we could have got more out of. We missed out on a point at the end. "But it's important to reflect on the season as a whole. It's easy to look at one game and the odd moment. "Ultimately we've played 18 games and just come up short. But I think expectations at the start of the season have been exceeded. Icing on the cake would have been getting to the play-offs, there's no doubt about that. "But still to double our wins, play some of the rugby we've played, the amount of tries and tries bonuses, we've certainly developed on last season. "It's important to take a breath. The biggest thing for me is it's important for the club to keep pushing forward." Coach leaves English giants weeks after being suspended Long-serving Exeter Chiefs coach Ali Hepher has left the Premiership club by mutual consent - just weeks after being suspended following the club's record defeat to the Gloucester. Despite being part of their coaching set-up since 2009, Hepher - along with Rob Hunter - was suspended after the 79-17 defeat to the Cherry and Whites. After working alongside Rob Baxter for eight years, Hepher had been promoted to head coach in 2017 - with the club winning two Premiership titles and a Champions Cup during his time there. However, he was demoted earlier this year after the Chiefs suffered their worst season since promotion to the Premiership in 2010. The club currently sit in ninth, having lost 12 out of their 16 matches. Hunter, who succeeded Hepher as head coach, has already left the club following his suspension. Now Hepher, who had been due to take on a role transitioning players from the academy to the first team this summer, has also gone. Director of rugby Baxter has refused to comment on whether former Newcastle boss Dave Walder will take over Hepher's role - despite being pictured in a club photograph during a training session last week. "Ali has contributed immensely to Exeter Rugby Club over a long period of sustained success," chairman Tony Rowe said in a statement. "His influence on our coaching environment and playing culture has been considerable and I would like to wish him all the best for the future." Baxter added: "Working alongside Ali for so many seasons has been a genuine privilege. "His insight, energy, and passion for the game have helped drive this club forward in countless ways and I know everyone here will join me in thanking him for all he's done." Lions call-up to make timely return By Gavin McCafferty, PA Sione Tuipulotu makes a timely return as Glasgow close their regular United Rugby Championship season with the toughest assignment of them all. The Scotland centre returns following a four-month lay-off with a pectoral injury as Warriors face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. With a home quarter-final already secured and a summer with the British and Irish Lions to look forward to, Tuipulotu is set for a challenging comeback against a side that beat Glasgow at the same venue in the European Champions Cup. Head Coach Franco Smith told 'Our medical and S&C teams have been working closely with Sione over the last few weeks in order to put him in the best possible position, and his enthusiasm for his return to action has been infectious.' Scotland Under-20 hooker Seb Stephen has been handed a baptism of fire after being named in the starting line-up for his professional debut. Flanker Macenzzie Duncan makes his first start for Glasgow while Jare Oguntibeju also comes into the second row. Article continues below Smith added: 'We also look forward to seeing Jare and Macenzzie run out after impressing for our under-23 squad last week, and we congratulate Seb on being named in a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time. 'Each man has earned their opportunity to start this weekend and we know that they will all give everything for this team.'
South Wales Argus
25-04-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons centre Scott Williams to miss end of season
Williams impressed in his first start for the Men of Gwent but limped off in the second half of the Judgement Day defeat by his former side Scarlets. Scott limped off with a 'nasty' ankle injury in last week's defeat to the Scarlets (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) And Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia has confirmed that the 34-year-old will miss tomorrow's URC derby against the Ospreys in Swansea, while he's also likely to miss the final two games of the campaign in South Africa against the Stormers and the Bulls next month. "Scotty Williams picked up a nasty injury in the second half [against the Scarlets] and he won't be available," said Tiatia. "It's a nasty ankle injury, so we'll see how long he'll be out." Ben Carter is also a doubt for tomorrow's match as he is the subject of a head injury assessment after taking a big blow at the Principality Stadium, but there is good news with the return of 20-year-old full-back Huw Anderson from a leg injury. "Ben Carter is going through a HIA process after he came off [last Saturday] and we'll see how that goes," said Tiatia. "But Huw Anderson is back, which is positive. The young fella has done really well and taken his opportunities and it will be pleasing to see how he keeps growing." Harri Ackerman (arm), Dmitri Arhip (knee), Oli Burrows (shoulder), Rio Dyer (ankle), Cai Evans (leg), Lloyd Evans (leg), Harri Ford (ankle), Solomone Funaki (knee), Harrison Keddie (leg), Rodrigo Martinez (leg), George Nott (knee), Josh Reynolds (shoulder), Sam Scarfe (shoulder), Matthew Screech (knock), Luke Yendle (knee) are also unavailable this weekend.
South Wales Argus
21-04-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Aneurin Owen calls on Dragons to move on from Scarlets defeat
Despite the return of co-captains Ben Carter and Angus O'Brien to the side after injury, Owen led the Men of Gwent at the Principality Stadium for the Judgement Day clash. And the 24-year-old knows they need to learn the lessons from Saturday, when they squandered a 20-7 lead to lose 31-23 to the Scarlets. 'I thought we turned up physically," he said. "We spoke about it in the week ahead of the game and I felt our defence was a big improvement. 'We were physically there, but it was a result that sums our season up. Little mistakes and penalties have cost us games when we have been in games. 'We have got to finish chances and cut the mistakes out." The Dragons are still without a win in the United Rugby Championship since the opening weekend of the season, when they beat the Ospreys 23-21 at Rodney Parade and they would love to seal a double over the their west Wales rivals this Saturday. 'We have got to pick ourselves back up, we have another derby to look forward to, and go again physically and are also mentally strong,' added Owen. 'We must turn up with that physicality every week. In terms of mindset, we are there, the boys are working extremely hard, but we must learn quicker to get rid of those costly small errors. 'Our discipline must be better. We take a foothold in a game like that (against Scarlets), get in the lead, but we are just not able to close it out. 'We have got another derby now and we have to go again and get up for it because it's another big game and another opportunity.' Meanwhile, Wales women must also pick themselves off the canvas after a thumping 40-14 defeat by Ireland at Rodney Parade on Sunday. Sean Lynn's side are still winless in the Women's Six Nations and must beat Italy in Parma this Saturday to have a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
