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Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as WRU issue statement after ugly scenes and four Wales internationals cut
Tonight's rugby news as WRU issue statement after ugly scenes and four Wales internationals cut The latest headlines from Wales and around the world The WRU has issued a statement after ugly footage went viral (Image: Getty Images for Barbarians ) These are your latest rugby headlines on the evening of Monday, June 2. WRU issue statement after violent scenes The Welsh Rugby Union has issued a statement after ugly footage of fight believed to involve a Welsh rugby team at a bar in Canada circulated on social media. Several members of Nelson RFC's senior men's team are believed to be involved in the video, which sees them grappling with what are believed to be locals outside the bar in Calgary city centre on Saturday, May 23. The video shows punches being thrown outside the establishment while a growing crowd watches on from the pavement. Nelson play in the WRU Division One East league and are believed to have been in Canada on a rugby tour. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The club said last week that it is working to investigate the incident with the WRU, but the union have now issued a statement saying it is taking the matter "extremely seriously". A WRU spokesperson said: 'We are investigating allegations around the behaviour of individuals associated with one of our community game member clubs whilst on a recent overseas rugby tour and take these matters extremely seriously. Article continues below "We are not yet in a position to provide any further information as the investigation is ongoing.' Wales squad named as four cut Wales Women head coach Sean Lynn has named an extended 45-player training squad ahead of his side's tour of Australia and this summer's Women's Rugby World Cup in England. After a winless Six Nations campaign, Wales are looking to break their losing streak when they face the Wallaroos in a two-Test series during the British & Irish Lions tour, while attention will then soon turn to their World Cup opener against Scotland at the end of August. The extended squad - which will be cut down to 30 players before the Australia tour - features all of the WRU contracted players as well as new faces from Wales' U18s and U20s sides and the Celtic Challenge teams. Backrowers Lucy Isaac, Chiara Pearce and Jorja Aiona; props Katherine Baverstock and Stella Orrin; centres Savannah Picton-Powell and Isla McMullen, lock Tilly Vucaj and scrum half Seren Lockwood are among those called into the squad, while star player Sisilia Tuipulotu returns after missing the Six Nations with a hamstring injury. However, the squad announcement also saw confirmation that four players - Ffion Lewis, Carys Williams-Morris, Meg Webb and Niamh Terry - have seen their contracts with the WRU expire. All four had been part of Wales' 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup squad, while Lewis revealed in April that her contract would not be renewed by the union at the end of the season and suggested that her international career may now be over. Confirming the news, a WRU press release read: "The WRU confirms that Ffion Lewis, Carys Williams-Morris, Meg Webb, and Niamh Terry have not been selected as their contracts have now expired, we wish them well." On the squad that he has named, Lynn said: 'Our 2025 World Cup preparation starts here, and we are excited to get back together and working hard to lay some real foundations ahead of the biggest World Cup in the history of women's rugby. 'We have named some young exciting, uncapped players who have impressed at Wales U20s, Wales U18s and in the Celtic Challenge, and they are part of the future Wales family and have an opportunity to learn what is required at the highest level. 'All of them are very much in the mix for selection for the exciting challenge of a tour to Australia and ultimately the World Cup squad in England. They are here on merit and have an opportunity to prove they have what it takes for the national side. 'The players, coaches and staff have all had time to reflect and review what was a disappointing Six Nations campaign and we have to use that disappointment as the fuel to learn and improve for the challenges ahead of us," he added. 'We all know we have a point to prove and that we have to put the work in on and off the field to get better as a squad. This summer training camp will be tough and demanding and we make no excuses for that. The players will be worked hard to prepare them for the honour of representing the nation and they know what is at stake.' Wales Women extended training squad: Forwards: Abbey Constable, Abbie Fleming, Alaw Pyrs, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis, Bryonie King, Chiara Pearce, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Gwen Crabb, Gwenllian Pyrs, Gwennan Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, Jorja Aiono, Katherine Baverstock, Kate Williams, Kelsey Jones, Lucy Isaac, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Natalia John, Rosie Carr, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Stella Orrin, Tilly Vucaj Backs: Carys Cox, Catherine Richards, Courtney Keight, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Jones, Isla McMullen, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Kerin Lake, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Meg Davies, Nel Metcalfe, Robyn Wilkins, Savannah Picton-Powell, Seren Lockwood, Sian Jones England and Lions back comes out of retirement Former England star Billy Twelvetrees has come out of retirement to sign for Worcester Warriors as the revived club builds for a fresh start ahead of their return to the second-tier of English rugby next season. The 36-year-old has joined the revived club as a player-coach and follows the likes of former Dragons player Will Reed and Wales international Lloyd Williams to Sixways Stadium ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Twelvetrees - who won 22 international caps for England and toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 - retired from playing at the end of the 2023/25 season before taking up a role as backs and attack coach for Hartpury University. However, he will now pull on his boots again as part of his new role with head coach Matt Everard's team. "Joining Worcester Warriors as a player-coach is a fantastic opportunity," said the former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers star. "I'm excited to contribute both on and off the field, helping to develop talent and bring real energy to the squad. Article continues below "It is a challenge that I am ready for and I can't wait to get started." Everard added: "Billy's impact will be felt every day. Billy is one of those special people that after spending just a short amount of time with, you will never forget. "Kind, incredibly hard working and always has such a positive impact on people. He is someone I feel very grateful to be working with every day and I look forward to welcoming him, Georgie and their brilliant family to Sixways."
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Is it time for change in the Women's Six Nations?
Saturday at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham saw a thrilling 43-42 spectacle between England and France for the Women's Six Nations Mitchell's side managed to hold on for victory to secure their fourth consecutive Grand Slam and seventh title in a competition had the finale it needed, but it also remained was the fourth time in a row that both France and England played in the final round with the Grand Slam on the decider may live up to the hype, with three out of those four games finishing within a score, but the gap to the rest of the teams remains since Ireland's triumph a decade ago has there been a tournament winner other than the Red Roses or Les a change to the format improve the competitiveness of the tournament? Success with previous change In 2022, the tournament fixture list changed so England and France were guaranteed to play each other in the final differs to the men's Six Nations, won by France in March, which has a different fixture schedule every idea was to keep Grand Slam interest alive by holding back the likely title has come, with final fixtures between Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Wales also adding interest as they battle for places and to avoid the Wooden the competitiveness of their games against the top two is a growing the last team to beat England in the Six Nations in 2018, have been less dominant, but have still recorded a full house of wins against the other teams in each of the past four used 34 players this campaign and despite regularly rotating scored 33 tries and conceded only five before the Grand Slam decider.A reason for the gulf in quality comes from the fact England awarded 28 full-time professional contracts in 2019 and that level of investment left the other nations began handing out deals at the start of 2022, followed by Ireland in August 2022, while Scotland announced their professional plans at the end of that the 2023 Six Nations, Italy announced 22 professional contracts had been given out to their defeated Ireland on Saturday to end their campaign on a high, with Ireland's highlight coming in a hammering of Italy. Italy ran France close and finished with a thumping win over Wales to show signs of new head coach Sean Lynn, Wales lost every game to pick up the Wooden Spoon, but will be hopeful of improvement after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) this month confirmed a revamp of its top women's teams to develop the pathway and depth of asked on the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly how long it would take for a different winner of the Six Nations, Scotland head coach Bryan Easson replied: "It will take time but I genuinely believe someone else will eventually win it."His side suffered heavy defeats by both England and France, who have much wider player pools because of investment into their domestic leagues, with the Premiership Women's Rugby league going from strength to strength."The gap will get closer," added Easson. "But it will be a little bit longer than everybody expects in terms of professionalism."We've only been professional now for 18 months. Wales, Ireland, Italy, and ourselves are all pretty much in the same boat." Two-tier system & triple-header finals day To avoid too many one-sided scorelines, BBC Sport's Sara Orchard, speaking on Rugby Union Weekly, suggested a two-tier system where teams are ranked before the idea was backed by former England fly-half Katy Daley-McLean, who lost titles to France and Ireland during her playing days, with the 2014 World Cup-winner saying the tournament must be "brave" in trying something new., externalThe Rugby Football Union's director of women's game Alex Teasdale told BBC that the RFU would "listen to any proposals"."I think Six Nations as a tournament across men's and women's is steeped in that kind of background in history and its format is quite special," she said."It would probably take quite a lot to change that. But look, it's the women's game and we want to stay agile and do what's in the best interests of the game."The proposed idea would follow a similar format to the 2021 Six Nations, which was spilt into two pools because of Covid idea would see the number one ranked team play home and away fixtures against those ranked second and third, with the second pool - ranked three to six - following the same then follow to determine the final standings, with the top team in pool one facing the second team in their group for the Six Nations side who finished third in pool one would play against first team in pool two for a place in the following year's top group, while fifth and sixth see who picks up the Wooden those games would take place on a triple-header finals day in the same venue that is rotated around a different nation every year."Being the women's version of the Six Nations means you don't have to do it the same as the men," former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett told BBC Radio 5 Live."I have to agree that the changes make a lot of sense but I don't like it."I like the aspiration, build-up and feeling of just maybe this year."
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lynn warns players to respond or face World Cup axe
Women's Six Nations: Italy v WalesVenue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Date: Sunday, 27 April Kick-off: 11:30 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru Sean Lynn has warned his Wales players World Cup places are on the line over the next three are bottom of the Six Nations championship and without a win before the final game of the tournament against Italy on head coach pulled no punches when he spelt out exactly what is at stake in Parma as he builds to this summer's World he said he was not afraid to shake up what has been a long-settled squad if they do not respond."These are pressure moments, this is where I'm going and I want to see if these individuals can handle it because I've got a World Cup coming up," he said. "There are World Cup places on the line over the next three games - away to Italy and the tour to Australia - and World Cup selection is not at all done. "Sunday is like cup rugby. I'm looking for a response because the World Cup is all about pressure moments and you have to enjoy that and embrace it." Lynn is likely to make changes for what is - just as last year's final game against Italy - a must-win were brushed aside by a rampant Ireland who made twice the number of carries, metres and linebreaks despite a shocking 25 handling errors which could have inflicted far more damage than the 40-14 scoreline suggests."I was disappointed, full-stop. The performance against Ireland was not good enough and the players and staff are aware of that," said Lynn."We should have been far more competitive but you have to take your chances and you cannot concede 18 penalties against top sides."Most of those penalties were down to us and individuals trying to fix problems that weren't theirs to fix but resulted in putting the team under pressure."Wales are awaiting the result of a scan on the hamstring of Harlequins fly-half Kayleigh Powell who was a late withdrawal last Lynn was at least relieved that his team were not forced to play two games in five days when the match - rearranged due to the funeral of Pope Francis - was pushed back to Sunday.
Wales Online
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales' final Six Nations match postponed as organisers scramble to rearrange
Wales' final Six Nations match postponed as organisers scramble to rearrange Sean Lynn's side were due to end their tournament on Saturday in Italy, but are now awaiting a new date Wales women lining up for the anthem (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales' final Women's Six Nations match against Italy has been postponed due to the funeral of Pope Francis. The two teams were due to meet in Parma in the final round of the tournament on Saturday, April 26. However, following the death of the late Pope Francis on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced that the funeral will take place on Saturday morning - with sporting fixtures having already been postponed in Italy. Four Serie A football matches were postponed on Easter Monday and moved to Wednesday. And now the Six Nations have asked broadcasters to move Saturday's game - although it is currently unclear when Sean Lynn's side will finish their tournament. It's understood that Friday evening and Sunday are being considered as options. Article continues below However, Italy's government has declared five days of national mourning up to the funeral on Saturday. Wales also last played on Sunday against Ireland at Rodney Parade, meaning a Friday clash would mean a five-day turnaround for them. It's understood that talks are currently ongoing about a solution. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Wales are due to travel out to Italy on Thursday evening, although that may need to change. Speaking before any decision on the game was made, Wales vice-captain Keira Bevan has said that the squad was preparing as normal. "There's nothing we can do right now apart from prepare as if the game is going ahead this weekend," she said. "We can't think about whether the game is not going ahead or we could get caught out. We are preparing as normal." Wales are currently winless in this year's Six Nations, following their 40-14 defeat to the Irish on Sunday. Sitting bottom of the table, Lynn's side can still avoid finishing bottom. Article continues below Scotland, who host Ireland this weekend, sit three points ahead of Wales in the table.
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hurt Wales coach Lynn needs 'good pre-season'
Women's Six Nations: Italy v WalesVenue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Date: Saturday, 26 April Kick-off: 12:15 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru Wales' new head coach Sean Lynn is not used to losing and when he does it cuts him deeply. A proud Welshman, Lynn came into the top job after securing a third successive Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) title with those three leagues seasons his side lost only six games, but his transition to Test rugby has shown it to be an entirely different ball game. After a closely fought defeat by Scotland in the opening round of the Women's Six Nations, Lynn saw his side blown away by the power of England, France and must, at the very least, beat Italy in the final round on Saturday if they are to avoid a successive wooden spoon. Speaking after Sunday's 40-14 loss to Ireland at Rodney Parade, Lynn's disappointment was clear to see. "Really hurt, the players are hurt, the staff are hurt," he said."But look, this is an Ireland side that beat New Zealand and we have got to start turning pressure into points."Wales were again outmuscled in key areas of the game as they missed 28 tackles and conceded 18 if that was a concern, Lynn said: "Something what we are looking at is the collision dominance, we've just got to be a little bit more streetwise and clever on how we're trying to play." Expectations on Wales in this year's championship were always going to be measured given the limited time Lynn had with the they may be a little higher come the Rugby World Cup, which kicks-off in England this is confident he can get Wales firing for their tournament opener against Scotland on 23 August. The players report for camp in the first week of June. "I need a good pre-season with them, put my stamp on it, just making sure that we're training with intensity and accuracy," Lynn said."I just need to make sure that we are a 60-70 minute team and are going to be a side that stays in the fight for as long as we can."I'm starting to implement a little at what I'm looking at, but pre-season is going to be big for us."
