Latest news with #SamDavies
Wales Online
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales international reveals grisly scar after brutal injury scuppered dream
Wales international reveals grisly scar after brutal injury scuppered dream The fly-half suffered injury heartbreak at the end of last season but is hoping to be back in action in a few months The moment Davies dislocated his shoulder against Perpignan (Image: Instagram: @samdavey1993) Welsh fly-half Sam Davies has shown off his new scar after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, having dislocated it during his Grenoble side's shock defeat in last season's Top 14 Access Match play-off final. The former Ospreys and Dragons man, who left Welsh rugby behind to join Grenoble in 2023, had another highly impressive campaign for the French side as he helped them to finish top of the Pro D2 table with a string of outstanding performances in the No.10 jersey. Such a commanding display in the regular season meant it looked as though Davies and his team-mates were finally set to make it into the top flight of French rugby, having lost both the play-off final and the Access Match - in which the play-off loser faces the second-bottom team in the Top 14 in a last bid for promotion - in each of the last two seasons. However, there was to be more heartbreak for Grenoble as they lost in the first play-off final to underdogs Montauban before falling to a narrow 13-11 defeat to Perpignan in the Access Match, consigning them to another season in the second tier. To make matters more frustrating for Davies, he had been forced off the field just four minutes into the Perpignan clash, having dislocated his shoulder as a result of a highly controversial challenge from centre Jeronimo de la Fuente. The high speed clearout, which saw de la Fuente's head collide with the Welshman's shoulder, went unpunished by the referee. While Davies bravely returned to the action after being heavily taped up, he tried but ultimately failed to rally his side and lead them to victory, with the injury clearly having an impact on his game. Article continues below The 31-year-old has since gone under the knife to fix his shoulder and has now taken to Instagram to show off his scar and provide an update on his recovery, telling fans that he hopes to be back in action in November. Content cannot be displayed without consent "Post op week 2 update," Davies wrote. "Stitches are out. Range of motion coming back slowly and painfully, but all is positive!! "Even the tough days are met with a beautiful little daughter and wife to be grateful for! So what more could I want. "In reality this is a small operation to what some people are going through and have been through," he added. "This is a thought I have every single morning. "The hard work is about to start and I can't wait. Hoping to get back out on the pitch in November. Looking forward to having a stronger shoulder than ever. #neverjacklingagain". It comes after the heartbroken fly-half issued an emotional statement to supporters after his side missed out on promotion for the third season in a row. Article continues below "The pain never stops, but the motivation grows," he wrote. "Thank you to our wonderful supporters. I assure you, we will be back stronger. "After dislocating my shoulder four minutes into the final, here's to a challenge that raises many questions. It was difficult to play through the pain, but I would do it again and again for this team." He later added: "New shoulder incoming. Beautiful season with a difficult ending. I will be back more determined and motivated than ever! And so will this beautiful team. Big love and as always thanks for the support!"
Wales Online
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Heartbroken Welsh star issues emotional message as video shows moment it all went wrong
Heartbroken Welsh star issues emotional message as video shows moment it all went wrong The eight-cap international's impressive season ended with a crushing disappointment The moment Davies dislocated his shoulder against Perpignan (Image: Instagram: @samdavey1993 ) Welsh fly-half Sam Davies has issued an emotional statement to Grenoble supporters after his team suffered double Top 14 promotion heartbreak for the third year in a row. The 31-year-old had another impressive campaign in the Pro D2 as he pulled the strings for his side, helping them to finish top of the league table in the regular season. Having made it through to the play-off final to face underdogs Montauban, it looked as though Grenoble were finally going to jump up to the top flight, but it soon began to go wrong for Davies' side. A shock defeat to Montauban meant that Grenoble's last chance to win promotion came in the Top 14 Access Match play-off final, where they faced Perpignan, who had finished second from bottom in the top flight this season. However, after missing out in the Access Match for the last two years, it wasn't to be yet again for Grenoble, as they fell to a narrow 13-11 defeat to consign them to another season in the second tier. That match saw the talismanic Davies leave the field with a shoulder injury minutes into the contest, only to return to the action later on as he tried but ultimately failed to rally his side and lead them to victory. Having initially said that he had "no words" to convey his heartbreak in the wake of the defeat, the eight-cap Wales international has now taken to social media to issue a full statement to supporters. Article continues below He has also confirmed that he dislocated his shoulder moments into the Perpignan match, sharing a video of the incident on Instagram. "The pain never stops, but the motivation grows," he wrote. "Thank you to our wonderful supporters. I assure you, we will be back stronger. "After dislocating my shoulder four minutes into the final, here's to a challenge that raises many questions. It was difficult to play through the pain, but I would do it again and again for this team." Content cannot be displayed without consent It comes after former Ospreys and Dragons star Davies admitted he had "found the spark again" since leaving Wales for France in the summer of 2023, with the fly-half now playing the best rugby of his career. 'I wouldn't go as far as to say that I have been reborn, but rather that I found the spark again,' he told RugbyPass.'I feel appreciated and respected. Article continues below "I think I've been playing some of my best rugby. I feel I have been unshackled. I am now allowed to make mistakes without someone immediately putting me back in my place. "Grenoble allowed me to follow my instincts, while in Wales every mistake I made was put under the magnifying glass," he added. "It was a complete change of pace. "The Grenoble staff try to value the positives more than the negatives. It pushes us to be better individuals and team players."
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Roxwell pub to reopen thanks to £600k fundraising effort
A Grade II listed village pub is due to reopen its doors with new tenants after a two-year long campaign to save the historical Chequers in Roxwell near Chelmsford is about 300 years old but was forced to shut its doors in 2020 after the long-standing owners was under threat of permanent closure but more than £600,000 was raised by local people to buy tenant Sam Davies said she and business partner David Wheeler felt "so lucky" to be opening the doors on 28 June. The fundraising by the Roxwell Chequers Community Benefit Society (RCCBS) earned the venture a national "pub saving award" from the Campaign for Real fundraising included a £276,000 grant from the government's Community Ownership new tenants have run five pubs together in the past, including the Foresters Arms in Loughton where the pair met."We fell in love, what a pub. We made our decision and the rest is history," said Ms duo have plans to keep the old-fashioned pub events alive such as karaoke, Christmas grotto and curry management committee member Emma Drakeford said: "After everything the community has achieved to get us here — from forming RCCBS, to raising the funds, to restoring the building — we can't wait to see The Chequers thriving once again." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Rugby fans storm pitch and fight as top players chased into dressing room
Rugby fans storm pitch and fight as top players chased into dressing room 15 riot police attempted to break up the violence as players fled to safety Grenoble and Perpignan fans stormed the pitch after their huge Top 14 promotion play-off match and traded blows in ugly scenes. The two teams had clashed for a place in the Top 14 next season before chaos erupted and players fled to the sanctuary of the dressing room. Grenoble, who Welsh international Sam Davies plays for, lost the match 13-11, but it's the behaviour of fans that's become the story. Footage published by Ovalie Media on X shows fans appearing to throw punches and kicks as others attempt to dispel the chaos. Fifteen French riot police officers (known as CRS), holding shields and wearing helmets, took to the field to calm things down. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Perpignan president Francois Riviere confirmed supporters allegedly chased Perpignan players into the changing rooms after the game. He said: "I had two players chased all the way to the locker room entrance. "They were guys who were in the locker room area, a controlled zone, but who wanted to fight my players. Article continues below "It's incredible, I've never seen anything like it! While the Grenoble staff were perfect and very kind." A wider view of the violence can be viewed below. Content cannot be displayed without consent Riviere added: "I am sorry for this atmosphere, which is not (a good) one. I have rarely seen such hostility in my career. "I was struck by this atmosphere, struck to see that you had CRS (riot police) who were forced to enter a rugby field wearing helmets. "My shirt was completely stained with blood, because I came to help supporters in difficulty! I have never seen anything like that." Article continues below For Wales international and former Dragons fly-half Davies, the loss was a second blow in as many weeks, after losing the initial Pro D2 play-off match against Montauban, who will play Top 14 rugby next season. It's three seasons in a row, now, that Grenoble have lost out on promotion. It comes as an even more frustrating outcome considering that they topped the Pro D2 with 98 points, 21 more than Montauban. Davies' electric performances have captured the French second division and his services have reportedly attracted interest from other clubs in Europe, although he signed a new deal with the club in January.
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales international left heartbroken again and new cap reveals tearful phone call
Today's rugby news as Wales international left heartbroken again and new cap reveals tearful phone call The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Sam Davies of Grenoble during the Top 14 Access Match between Grenoble and Perpignan (Image: Getty Images ) Here are your rugby headlines for Sunday, June 15. Sam Davies heartbreak after play-off defeat Sam Davies was left heartbroken once again after his Grenoble side were narrowly beaten by Perpignan in the play-off match for a spot in France's Top 14 next season. Grenoble were defeated in the Pro D2 play-off final against Montauban last week, however they were granted another opportunity for promotion in what is called the 'Top 14 Access Match' – a play-off between the runners-up and the 13th-placed team in the Top 14. However, Wales international Davies, who has been sensational for Grenoble this season, was unable to steer his side to victory, with Perpignan coming out 13-11 winners. Perpignan made a flying start, with Tavite Veredamu crossing the line in just the third minute. Grenoble thought they had hit back through winger Wilfried Hulleu, but the officials correctly ruled out two potential tries. Thomas Lainault eventually got Grenoble on the board, and a Davies penalty nudged them into an 8–7 lead at halftime. The second half remained tense and tactical. Tommaso Allan restored Perpignan's advantage with a penalty in the 65th minute, only for Romain Trouilloud to level things up ten minutes later. But Allan had the final say, slotting over a decisive kick two minutes from time to seal the victory and secure Perpignan's place in the Top 14. Article continues below For Grenoble, it's back to the drawing board — yet again — with questions continuing to mount. It's their third promotion play-off defeat in a row. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Wales prop's dad left in tears Uncapped Wales player Garyn Phillips has revealed that his father was in tears after his call up. The Ospreys front row was one of six players called up by Matt Sherratt who have never played international rugby. Teammates Keelan Giles and Reuben Morgan-Williams were also given the call. The three Swansea-based players featured in a recent interview on the Welsh Rugby Union's social channels, with Phillips explaining what it was like getting called up for the first time. "I was sat on the settee with my missus," began Phillips. "The first person I told was my old man, gave him a ring and he was a bit teary on the phone. I gave my old girl a call then." Speaking about how he has settled in to camp, Phillips explained that knowing the Ospreys boys has helped him to integrate. "I've played with a lot of the boys before in the U20s and U18s," he continued. "Obviously familiar with Nicky (Smith) and Gar (Thomas) as well. It's been pretty easy to settle in." Join our WalesOnline rugby WhatsApp community here. Leinster crowned URC champions By PA Sport Staff Leinster lifted their first trophy since 2021 after a convincing 32-7 BKT United Rugby Championship grand final win over the Pretoria Bulls at Croke Park. The wet weather failed to deter an attendance of 46,127 - a record for a league decider in Ireland - as Leo Cullen's men became the first table-topping team to win the title in the URC era. Despite Jamison Gibson-Park's pre-match withdrawal, Leinster roared into a 19-0 half-time lead with tries from captain Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett and Josh van der Flier. Beaten finalists in 2022 and 2024, the Bulls crossed in the 50th minute through replacement Akker van der Merwe to cancel out a Sam Prendergast penalty. Prendergast took his haul to 10 points and replacement Fintan Gunne's closing try was fittingly converted by the Gloucester-bound Ross Byrne. Conan pointed the way for the hosts with a fifth-minute try, crashing over following an initial maul and Prendergast quickly converted. Departing All Black Barrett got his right boot to Luke McGrath's deft dink in the 13th minute, opening up the Bulls' back-field to brilliantly score beside the posts. Van der Flier emerged through a maul to make it 19-0, as penalties continued to prove costly for the Bulls. The South Africans finally got some momentum, battering away before Willie le Roux was guilty of a poor kick and then a forward pass. Although Prendergast opened the second-half scoring, the visitors hit back when Van der Merwe drove over for Johan Goosen to convert. It remained 22-7 with the Irish province failing to capitalise on a tap penalty, while Prendergast pushed another one wide. The young fly-half was back on target in the 67th minute and Gunne then scored from a neat wraparound move - a fine finish to the campaign for Leinster's 12 British and Irish Lions representatives. 'Sky's the limit' for Bath after ending 29-year title drought By Rachel Steinberg, PA Bath captain Ben Spencer declared "the sky's the limit" after his side ended a 29-year wait for a Premiership title and secured an historic treble with a 23-21 triumph over Leicester at Allianz Stadium. Leicester came up just short of a fairytale farewell for scrum-half Ben Youngs and prop Dan Cole, who have both called time on their careers after this season and were introduced after the break. Bath held on after a late Tigers surge narrowed the deficit to two points - despite going down to 14 men after Cole was controversially sent to the sin bin - through a late Emeka Ilione try to raise the Twickenham tension. "Just relief, pride," said Spencer, when asked to sum up his feelings. "This has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people. Relief not just for me, but for the players, the staff, and the fans. The fans are a massive part of why I joined the club. "I think the future of this club is unbelievably bright, no matter who pulls on the shirt. I can't speak highly enough of the guys coming through. Their work ethic is second to none, and as long as we keep our feet on the floor and wanting to get better, the sky's the limit for this team." Bath's tries came from Thomas du Toit and Max Ojomoh on what became a brilliant afternoon for Scotland's Finn Russell, who overcame early frustrations to kick 13 points, also teeing up Ojomoh after snatching an interception from inside his own half. Jack van Poortvliet opened the scoring with a try for Leicester, while second-half tries from Solomone Kata and Ilione nearly sparked a comeback. Handre Pollard added three Leicester conversions but the World Cup-winning South African fly-half will rue what might have been after a rare penalty miss. Tigers twice had men sent to the sin bin - departing captain Julian Montoya late in the first half, while Cole's swansong concluded unceremoniously with a controversial yellow. Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said: "Our whole focus this season was on winning the Premiership. We gave ourselves that goal, kept that within the circle." The South African coach said he would now pause for a moment of reflection before focusing on next season. He added: "The day you stand still is the day somebody catches you. You must always train like number two because the other guys are coming. The best is yet to come." Article continues below Leicester head coach Michael Cheika - to be replaced by Geoff Parling - will leave this summer at the end of his one-year contract, in addition to Argentina hooker Montoya, Pollard and former England back Mike Brown. And although he felt he would get himself "in strife" for disclosing what he felt about some of the decisions that went against his side - vowing to take it up with the RFU's officiating chief Paul Hull as a "final bit of banter" - Cheika was delighted by his team's resilience and felt the future of the club was bright. He added: "I feel like if we can take those things that are intangible around belief and the standards you need to have to be able to compete, then it won't be long before they are on that podium themselves."
