Latest news with #Quins
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Beard ready for England chance after waiting in the wings
The 23-year-old is still yet to earn a cap, although he was in the squad for the 2025 Six Nations behind Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly in the pecking order at outside centre. The Harlequins ace has played for England A this season and now has his sights set on featuring in Argentina and the USA this summer, having featured in a 33-man training squad assembled by Steve Borthwick at Pennyhill Park in May. "As long as I can control how hard I'm working and put my hand up in the right way hopefully an opportunity will come one day and I'll just hang in there, keep my head down and see what happens," Beard said. "For me, it's been quite nice because there's a lot of boys that I played U20s and U18s with and grown up playing with, so in a weird way there's been loads of familiar faces. Before England jet off to the Americas, they will have a final preparation game between against a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21. No Premiership finalists will feature but with Harlequins not in the play-off picture, Beard could be among those hoping to seize a last chance and nail the audition for a seat on the plane. "Firstly, it's a great opportunity for the lads to put on the England shirt even though it's not an official cap," Beard said. "France has a great group of youngsters coming through as well as a great group who aren't playing. 'So, whatever the outcome will be, it'll be a great spectacle and some great rugby on show." When Beard returns from Argentina, he will be without a familiar face around their Guilford training base after club legend Danny Care's retirement. Care has been a considerable influence on Beard's rise through the ranks in South West London and the centre hopes to carry his legacy on. "He's a legend,' he said. 'I've supported Quins all my life and have gone to watch Danny play countless times. I was lucky enough to be a ball boy for the club, feeding him balls at the age of ten. "He's helped me endlessly, and I'm forever grateful for that. Not only is he one of the best rugby players I've ever seen, but he's such a good bloke. "He'll be heavily missed. I know his legacy will stay at Quins and he'll shape the way we want to play and hopefully the DNA of Quins will keep Danny Care in it forever."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot
Gallagher Premiership Bristol (26) 52 Tries: Kloska, Batley, Ravouvou, Mata, Ibitoye (2), Grondona, Janse van Rensburg Cons: MacGinty (6) Harlequins (12) 26 Tries: Murley (2), Dombrandt, Hammond Cons: Benson (3) Advertisement Bristol secured their Premiership semi-final at Bath in style with a superb attacking display in a 12-try epic at Ashton Gate. The Bears needed a win to be sure of a top-four spot and made the perfect start, registering a bonus point inside 24 minutes with close-range scores from George Kloska and Joe Batley and explosive Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata tries. Cadan Murley's fine first-half double reduced the gap to a 14-point lead at the break. Gabriel Ibitoye extended the advantage to 31-12 soon after the restart but memories of the 2021 'Bristanbul' comeback by Quins at Ashton Gate loomed large as the visitors notched quickfire tries from Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond to go within five points. Advertisement However, scores from Santiago Grondona and Ibitoye settled the nerves before Benhard Janse van Rensburg brought up the half-century as the Bears booked a trip to their West Country neighbours on Friday night. Blistering start sets the tone for Bears Noah Heward made his first Bears start at full back since January after injury while Pat Lam handed Argentina international lock Pedro Rubiolo his Bears debut. With a semi-final spot out of reach Danny Wilson made three changes to the Quins starting XV as Jamie Benson made his first Premiership start at fly-half while Luke Northmore returned at centre and Nick David started at full back. Advertisement It took just 93 seconds for the hosts to break the deadlock as quick hands from MacGinty sent Ibitoye flying down the left wing and despite some good defence from Quins near their own line, prop George Kloska plunged over near the posts, with MacGinty slotting the extras. The second try arrived inside five mins as lock Joe Batley stretched to touch down over the line after another powerful drive, with MacGinty again converting. A penalty kick into the corner and a deep lineout paved the way for Luke Northmore to cross for Quins after an angled run on 10 minutes but the try was chalked-off for a forward pass from Dombrandt, who was then held-up over the line by Fitz Harding after a bulldozing run straight from the restart. Quins got back in it on 17 minutes when Murley raced onto a clever chip forward from Benson on the 22 to catch a high bouncing ball and plunge over, allowing Benson to add two points from infront of the posts. Advertisement Bristol extended their lead just three minutes later as Harry Randall found space on the right and Fijian flyer Ravouvou raced down the whitewash to acrobatically dive over in the corner for his 11th try of the campaign, though the conversion sailed wide. The onslaught continued and Mata produced a brilliant angled run and bulldozed his way under the posts through some rather static defence for Bristol's fourth try and a bonus point on 24 minutes, with MacGinty notching the conversion to make it 26-7. Bears' 16th try bonus point of the season is a new Premiership record. Batley was denied a second try by another forward pass to the left wing before MacGinty's pass was intercepted by Hammond in midfield and a long ball out wide paved the way for Murley to step inside his man and scorch down the left from inside his own half for his 11th try of the season just after the half-hour, though Benson missed the conversion attempt from out wide. Gabriel Ibitoye beats Jamie Benson to the line and finished as joint top try-scorer with Ollie Hassell-Collins with 13 [Getty Images] Bears battle back after nervy start Six minutes after the turnaround Quins replacement Sean Kerr almost broke away but Bears won back possession and Ravouvou's break down the left and some fine passing across the width of the field paved the way for Ibitoye to stroll into the right corner for his 12th try of the campaign, a new club record, against his former club, though the conversion was unsuccessful. Advertisement Bears nerved started jangling, as memories of the 28-point collapse in the 2021 semi-final against Quins returned as the visitors notched two converted tries in three minutes. Dombrandt reduced the arrears after a slick dummy through the line from Benson created space and Quins added another from close range on 52 minutes after a break from Northmore, with Hammond diving through a crowd to touch down on the line, with Benson's third conversion making it a five-point game. The hosts could breathe again on 58 minutes when Grondona plunged over to end a series of goalline probes, with MacGinty adding the two points, and some lightning hands and feet from MacGinty saw the ball spread to Ibitoye on the left to jink his way to the line for try number 13, the joint most in the league this season, with MacGinty adding the extras from the whitewash to restore the 19-point lead and bring up 1,000 in his Premiership career for Bears and Sale. As Quins wilted in the Bristol sunshine Bears were denied a penalty try for Benson's slap into touch behind the posts, however Janse van Rensburg barged through a gap to dot down behind the posts to bring up the half-century, with MacGinty adding his sixth conversion. Advertisement The hosts saw out the final 10 minutes without further alarm to register their biggest ever win over Harlequins, secure their return to the semi-finals for the first time in four years and book a mouthwatering clash at the Rec on Friday night. 'We know how to beat Bath' Pat Lam, Bristol director of rugby, told BBC Radio Bristol: "I am very proud of this group, this is probably one of the highlights of my time at Bristol Bears. "We know there's areas we can improve on. To be missing stardust players for several months at a time, the squad has really gelled together to get us through the tough times." Advertisement [On the derby date at the Rec on Friday night] "We're excited. Bath have only lost three games this year, and we've beaten them twice. "We've played them 14 times since we've been back in the Premiership, won all of them at Ashton Gate, once at the Principality and we've won more at the Rec than we've lost. "We know how to beat Bath. The challenge is it's now a semi-final. I have to get the game plan right." Quins head coach Danny Wilson said: "We started the game terribly today and it put us in a bit of a hole. "We were back in it at 31-26, but then Bristol capitalised on their opportunities. Advertisement "They are a very, very good side if you let them let rip. It has been a painful end to the season." Bristol: Heward, Ravouvou, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Thomas, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, Grondona, Harding, Mata. Replacements: Thacker, Woolmore, Lahiff, Owen, Luatua, Marmion, Byrne, Bates. Harlequins: David; Isgro, Beard, Northmore, Murley; Benson, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, J Green, Hammond, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt. Replacements: Jibulu, Els, Streeter, Launchbury, Lawday, Murray, Kerr, Halfpenny. Referee: Luke Pearce
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Harry Randall challenges England to 'make a statement'
The majority of the 27-year-old's 14 international caps have been from the bench, as was the case in his two Six Nations appearances earlier this year, but Alex Mitchell's British & Irish Lions call-up has opened up an opportunity for the scrum-half. It is one the Bristol Bears star is determined to seize and he was able to get to know some of those he may end up touring with as part of a 33-man training squad who assembled at Pennyhill Park last week. 'It will be really cool,' he said. 'I've never been to Argentina or Washington, which is exciting in itself, and it will be a great group of boys to be a part of. 'It's an opportunity to go out and make a bit of a statement in Argentina and America. 'We have a few Argies at Bristol now who talk it up so look forward to seeing them out there. 'Argentina are probably one of the most improved sides over the past four or five years, competing in the Rugby Championship as they do every year. 'They are a big, physical team, that's the first battle, and they pose a load of threats out wide, as you've seen in the Premiership this year. It will be a great test.' Randall hopes to head into the summer off the back of a play-off campaign with Bristol Bears, who head into the final weekend of the Premiership season in the fourth and final spot. That means their destiny is in their own hands for the visit of Harlequins and their No.9 is hoping to end a rollercoaster regular season on a high. 'It has been very up and down,' he added. 'At the start of the season, your goal is to be in those play-off spots and within a chance of winning the Premiership and that's where we are at the moment, so we can't complain. 'We are in that spot, we have a big last game at home and hopefully we get a chance at a play-off. 'Teams have developed how they play against us so being able to adapt in games, for myself as a nine, doing what's best for us to win games has been big this season. 'That last game of the season at home is always a nice send-off for a few boys who are heading off at the end of the season and it's a chance to celebrate the year in front of your own fans. 'We know the test Quins will pose and we are really excited about it.' Randall was an unused replacement when England beat France in the Guinness Men's Six Nations earlier this year. Should Bristol not make the Premiership showpiece, he will hope to have a greater involvement when the international summer begins with a visit from a Les Bleus XV to Allianz Stadium on June 21. 'It's an opportunity for those boys not involved in the (Premiership) final, a chance for boys to stamp their chances of getting on tour and the team to get a bit of cohesion.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Danny Care to retire from rugby after 19 years with Harlequins: 'It's finally time'
Harlequins and former England scrum-half Danny Care has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the season. The 38-year-old announced on Tuesday that he was hanging up his boots after almost two decades with Quins, making 393 total appearances across all competitions - a club record in the professional era - and scoring 111 tries and 587 points after joining as a teenager from Leeds Tykes in 2006. Care won two Premiership titles at The Stoop in 2012 and 2021 in addition to the 2011 European Challenge Cup and last year signed a new one-year contract to take his stay in south-west London into a 19th season after rejecting a lucrative move abroad. That came after he had retired from international duty following the 2024 Six Nations, having amassed 101 caps for England since 2008 and won three Six Nations championships, including a Grand Slam under Eddie Jones in 2016. Thank you @dannycare ❤️#COYQ | #DC9 — Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) May 13, 2025 'So, it's finally time. Unfortunately, after 19 years of playing for this incredible Club, I'm going to be retiring from rugby at the end of the season,' said Care, who will remain at Harlequins moving forward in an ambassadorial role. 'I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting a lad from Leeds come down to this Club and feel like home from day one. 'To all the fans. Thank you for everything you've given me and my family. As I said, you brought us into your hearts. You've sung my name louder than it's ever deserved. And I can't really put into words what representing this Club and playing in front of you all has meant to me. 'To Charles and to Duncan, the owners of the Club - two magnificent people, who've given me this opportunity to play here, and have stuck by me all these years – thank you both. I'd also like to thank all my amazing teammates, all the coaches, staff members who have been a part of my career. 'I will be supporting this Club forever, and I'll always be a Quin.' Harlequins' director of rugby Billy Millard said of Care: 'It has been an honour to work with Danny these last 6 seasons. He will go down as one of the greatest to play for Harlequins, and his spirit and approach to the game has luckily been passed down to our group of players. 'I will never forget that look on his face after we won the Premiership in 2021, he drove the back end of that season brilliantly. His impact at this club has been immense and his presence and cheeky grin will be missed around the environment.'
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as coach on 'WRU's wanted list' and Wales captain urges 'full shake-up' of Welsh game
Tonight's rugby news as coach on 'WRU's wanted list' and Wales captain urges 'full shake-up' of Welsh game The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Former Wales skipper Paul Thorburn wants a full shake-up of the game in this country (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) These are your evening headlines on Saturday, May 24 Jones on WRU's 'wanted list' Adam Jones is on the Welsh Rugby Union's 'wanted list' as they search for a permanent new coaching ticket. The legendary prop has been recalled by the WRU ahead of their summer tour of Japan but is not a permanent fixture in the coaching set-up. Of course, Jones spent the Six Nations as a coach of Wales on secondment from Harlequins. RugbyPass have reported that Jones is on the WRU's "wanted list" to work alongside Danny Wilson and Steve Tandy long term, so Quins are preparing for that situation. The report says that Northampton Saints scrum coach Matt Ferguson, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, will become a Quins target if Jones switches to Test match coaching on a permanent basis. Heading to the Far East with Jones and Sherratt will be Wilson, T Rhys Thomas and Gethin Jenkins. Article continues below Leigh Halfpenny has reportedly been contacted about a role this summer too. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Thorburn: Welsh rugby needs full shake-up Wales legend Paul Thorburn says Welsh rugby needs a "full shake-up" following recent controversial developments. The game in Wales is tremendously divided at the moment, with Ospreys and Scarlets failing to agree to the Welsh Rugby Union's Professional Rugby Agreement, which prompted the two west Wales sides to issue a statement revealing their concerns. Former Wales skipper Thorburn told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the WRU need full control of the regions in order for the game to thrive again. "Personally, I'm for a full shake-up. I think the regions, however many there are, need to be totally owned and controlled by the governing body," he explained. "I think the governing body needs a bit of a shake-up as well in terms of how it manages the professional game, but I think now is the time. "If we don't sort it out and bring those clubs into control of the governing body where the money is directed centrally, we're only going to be having the same conversation in 10 years' time." Thorburn also touched on the possibility of a region being cut following the WRU's announcement. "Ultimately, if that's what is needed (cutting a region) for the future and sustainability of international rugby and the game in general then so be it," he continued. "To me, a blank sheet of paper, let's put all of these parochialisms to one side and let's work out what's going to be the best to sustain international rugby and grow that pathway. "We also have to look after the community game because it's not looking great. If you don't have players coming through, you haven't got an international game." Cardiff star bids farewell Gabriel Hamer-Webb has bid farewell to Cardiff, following confirmation of his upcoming departure from the club. The 24-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers this summer, joined Cardiff on a short-term deal from Bath back in the 2023-24 season, and enjoyed two stints before making his stay permanent. An impressive end to the season had put him in the conversation for the upcoming Wales tour of Japan, only for uncapped Ospreys winger Keelan Giles to be picked instead. Taking to Instagram, Hamer-Webb wrote: 'To my teammates, the fans of Cardiff, and the staff, I cannot thank you enough for the many memories. 'I've gained since being a part of such a special club, I've gained friends for life and will always be a fan. Was no easy decision, but I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter in my career.' World Club Cup announced PA staff European Professional Club Rugby has announced the first World Club Cup will take place in 2028. A tournament featuring the best club sides from both the northern and southern hemispheres, to be held every four years, has received unanimous backing from all the sport's governing bodies. Sixteen teams will qualify – eight from the Investec Champions Cup and the remainder drawn from Super Rugby Pacific and Japan. EPCR chairman Dominic McKay confirmed before Saturday's Investec Champions Cup final between Northampton and Bordeaux in Cardiff that an idea mooted for 'the last two or three years' will now be delivered. McKay said: 'We've been trying to work our way through this project to see if we can deliver it. 'And over the last few days we've had great meetings with our Board, great meetings with our General Assembly, who represent the three leagues (the TOP14, United Rugby Championship and English Premiership) and stakeholders from seven unions, and everyone is unanimous about wanting to deliver a World Club Cup – through EPCR.' The tournament will launch in June 2028, elevating the Champions Cup knock-out rounds to the Rugby World Club Cup and 'supercharging' the closing stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup, the EPCR said. McKay added: 'The Investec Champions Cup is the greatest club competition in the world, and we're going to continue to protect that, nurture it and develop it further. 'We've got some ambitious plans for both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, which we'll unveil over the coming weeks. 'And, to elevate the whole of professional club rugby, we want to create this World Club Cup proposition in 2028 and 2032 with our friends from the South. Article continues below 'We have these incredible competitions that we own and operate, and we want to find a way to elevate them further and bring in teams from Australia, from New Zealand, from Japan, and we'll do that through the World Club Cup.'
