Latest news with #SixNationsRugbyChampionship
ITV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Cutting deep: Welsh Rugby faces radical reform to reverse sport's decline
There is a desperate battle brewing in the proud rugby nation of Wales, with a U-turn by the Welsh Rugby Union throwing the game into chaos. ITV News Wales Reporter Rhys Williams has more Having punched above its weight for so long, Wales has worn its rugby heritage like a badge of honour. But after a string of disappointing results on the pitch, resignations in the governing body over allegations of misogyny and sexism, and a growing financial crisis, the future of Welsh rugby has never looked more months after pledging to fund the existing four professional clubs, the Welsh Rugby Union is now considering a radical and controversial restructuring of the professional game, including the possibility of halving the number of clubs from four to just two. It's a move that would reshape the sport at its highest level in Wales, but one that's already causing anger and resentment among thousands of has also created enormous uncertainty for the clubs, with the new season due to begin next would be a very bold move. No international team with fewer than four professional clubs has even finished higher than third in the Six Nations Rugby Championship, let alone win CEO Abi Tierney told ITV News today that this is a 'once-in-a-generation chance to get this right for Wales', and acknowledged the urgent need to provide stability and clarity to the game. With clubs facing challenging financial and performance issues, WRC CEO Abi Tierney explains why the reforms are being put forward But the turbulence isn't confined to the pitch. A political row has erupted after Carmarthenshire-based politicians called on the Welsh Government to block the Ospreys' planned redevelopment of the historic St Helen's Ground on Swansea MP and Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris has hit back strongly, calling their behaviour 'underhand.' Meanwhile, Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley told ITV News that it's vital the clubs know what's happening 'as soon as we can,' but said short-term pain could be worth it if it leads to long-term gain for Welsh rugby.'We have to keep our eye on the prize here. What we're all aiming for is to get Welsh rugby, at both national and club level, into a much better place than it is now. That's what we're all working together to try and achieve.''Whatever happens, we're very positive about the future here at St Helen's and to be honest, we can't wait to be in.'The landscape of Welsh rugby looks set to change dramatically. The hope is that bold reform can reverse its the fear remains: cutting teams may only make things worse.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- The Independent
Not just the Jubilee: The best events in Rome in 2025, from art to archaeology
If there's one word that defines Rome in 2025, it's Jubilee — or Giubileo, if you're speaking Italian. The once-every-25-years event began on 24 December 2024, with Pope Francis opening the normally sealed Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica. Until 6 January 2026, tens of millions of pilgrims will pour through these doors, as well as the Holy Doors at Rome's other Papal Basilicas: Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura, to receive plenary indulgences, or the washing away of sins. In anticipation of the Jubilee and the expected increase in visitors – up to 35 million, a major rise from the 7-10 million who visit every year – Rome has had a facelift. Piazzas are spruced up, fountains are freshly gleaming and vehicle traffic has been rerouted to permit better flow for pedestrians. The results are dazzling and the Eternal City has never looked better. While the Jubilee is certainly the main event in Rome this year, it's far from the only one. Whether you're visiting as part of a Jubilee pilgrimage, or your trip to Rome just happens to coincide with this year-long celebration, there's a full calendar of not-to-be-missed concerts, art exhibits, limited openings and performances. Here are some of the most tempting offerings. By passing through the Holy Doors of one of the four Papal Basilicas, whether to worship or merely to admire the artistic and architectural treasures within, visitors are granted a plenary indulgence, or a forgiveness of past sins. Around the Jubilee's theme, 'Pilgrims of Hope', the Vatican has organised an array of events including special celebrations, gatherings for worship and masses led by Pope Francis. If you're interested in a visit more closely tied to your faith, visit the church's official Jubilee website, where you can register as a pilgrim and see a full calendar of Jubilee events. Jordan: Dawn of Christianity at Palazzo della Cancelleria During the month of February, and in conjunction with the Jubilee, the Vatican will display a group of 90 artefacts that showcases Jordan as the cradle of Christianity. Objects come from archaeological sites across Jordan, and include paleo-Christian symbols, including those linked to the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan, as well as intricate mosaics, and objects and documents that attest to the long, peaceful coexistence of Christianity and Islam in Jordan – an especially poignant reminder in these troubled times. The exhibit is at Palazzo della Cancelleria, at the top of the Capitoline Hill. Admission is free, but entry must be pre-booked on the official exhibition website. Six Nations Rugby Championship at Stadio Olimpico Rome will host three matches of the epic Six Nations Rugby Championship at the 70,000-plus seat Stadio Olimpico, located just outside the city centre. The Azzurri will butt heads with Wales on 8 February, France on 23 February, and Ireland on 15 March. After the matches (and regardless of the outcome), expect Rome's pubs to be packed to the gills with good-natured revellers celebrating late into the night. Match tickets are sold through TicketOne. Ides of March at the Largo Argentina Archaeological Site Every year on 15 March, costumed performers gather at Largo Argentina, the below-ground archaeological site that was the approximate scene of Julius Caesar 's demise, to reenact his assassination. The dastardly deed – Caesar was stabbed 23 times – is preceded by discourse and plotting, and follows with Marc Antony's 'Friends, Romans, countrymen' speech from Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, and a funeral procession to the Roman Forum. It's free to watch the Largo Argentina dramatics from street level, but if you wish to witness the funeral in the Forum, you'll need a ticket. A major retrospective of Norwegian Expressionist artist Edvard Munch takes place at Palazzo Bonaparte from 11 February until 2 June. The exhibit includes 100 paintings and prints from the Munch Museum in Oslo, including versions of The Scream, Death in the Sickroom and The Girls on the Bridge, and marks the largest show of his works in Italy in 20 years. Gen Xers, take note: Rock and pop legend Sting is among the eclectic line-up at the Roma Summer Fest, a series of concerts at the intimate, Renzo Piano-designed Auditorium Parco della Musica. Sting will perform on 7 July, while other well-known acts appearing during the summer include Franz Ferdinand, Alanis Morisette and Nick Cave. The concert series runs from 5 June to 20 September. Some tickets are sold through the official venue website, while those for bigger name performers are available via TicketOne. From June to September, Rome's liveliest summer party, the Estate Romana (Roman Summer), takes place on the embankments of the Tiber River, the setting for dozens of pop-up bars, restaurants, mini amusement parks and live music venues. On a sultry summer evening, it's a delightful place to bar hop, enjoy an aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks and snacks), and stroll for a few hours. Estate Romana is held as part of the Roma Summer Fest (see above). Opera at the Baths of Caracalla Even if you've only the slightest interest in opera, nothing quite matches the ethereal experience of watching an operatic performance at the towering ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, the massive bathing establishment dating to the 3rd century AD. Performances slated for the 2025 season include West Side Story and La Traviata. Other evocative performance settings include the Baths of Diocletian and the Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum. See the Opera di Roma website for more information.
