Latest news with #SuperRygbiCymru
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The standout stars in Super Rygbi Cymru this year who you'll be seeing a lot more of
The standout stars in Super Rygbi Cymru this year who you'll be seeing a lot more of There are a number of youngsters primed to explode onto the professional scene next season Cardiff's Elijah Evans slices through the Aberavon defence (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency ) The inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru season has come to a close with Newport defeating Ebbw Vale in the final to take the crown. While the competition was not initially greeted with open arms after the likes of Neath and Pontypridd were not included, there is far better alignment with the pathway than there was with the old Welsh Premiership. Improvements need to be made moving forward but a plethora of Wales' best young talent have shone throughout the competition and look well-placed to make it as professional players. Here are five players you can expect to burst onto the professional scene over the next couple of seasons. Iori Badham (Carmarthen Quins) The 20-year-old full-back made a strong start to the SRC season before suffering a campaign-ending knee injury. It came at the wrong time for Badham who was selected in the Wales U20s squad for the Six Nations but didn't get any game-time because of his injury and will now also miss the U20s World Cup this summer. But Badham is very highly rated and has been compared to a young Leigh Halfpenny by some within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby due to the fact he rarely makes mistakes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Badham, who hails from Tenby, is a talented footballer who is strong both defensively and under the high ball, while he is a dangerous broken-field runner. Expect to see him start to get some game-time with the Scarlets over the next couple of seasons. Will Evans (Llandovery) The 19-year-old second-row made an impressive start to the season and was named player of the match in Llandovery's 21-18 victory at Pontypool in September. At 6ft 5in and 18st 5lbs, Evans is a real physical specimen who has the size and power to make a real impact on the professional game in the future. Evans is an old fashioned lock in that he does the unglamorous and unseen dirty work, which allows others to thrive. He is also a powerful carrier in the tight exchanges capable of making significant post-contact metres. Evans suffered an injury setback midway through the season but is not fully fit and has been named in the extended Wales U20s training squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer. The powerful second-row is highly rated by the Scarlets who have big plans for him and he is likely to get game-time in the United Rugby Championship next season. Dwayne Peel recently spoke of how experienced Wales lock Jake Ball, who has reversed his decision to retire by returning to the Scarlets, will help Evans' development next season. Elijah Evans (Cardiff RFC) The 19-year-old centre has been outstanding for Cardiff in the SRC this season and looks destined for great things. Evans is a product of Pentyrch RFC and played for Cardiff Met in Bucs Super Rugby last season. The rising Cardiff star is a very powerful runner who tends to hit good angles and you can almost guarantee at least a couple of clean line breaks a game. He is also a very physical player who can get over the gain line, while he reads the game well defensively and his distribution skills are also very good. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Evans has figured for Wales U20s and has been named in the extended training squad ahead of this summer's U20s World Cup. He is highly rated at the Arms Park and is a player who will follow in the footsteps of Steffan Emanuel and Tom Bowen in getting URC minutes next season. Harri Houston (Swansea RFC) The 21-year-old has impressed for Swansea RFC this season with his pace, footwork and finishing ability impressing. Houston is a former Wales U20s wing who is highly rated within the WRU pathway but has had to bide his time at the Ospreys. He has been playing much of his rugby in the SRC with Swansea and has only made a handful of appearances for the Ospreys to date. Houston isn't the biggest but he is a player with X-factor and can create opportunities out of nothing. The Ospreys have the likes of Keelan Giles, Ryan Conbeer and Daniel Kasende out wide but Houston is somebody who could be considered next season. Harry Rees-Weldon The 20-year-old has already broken into the Dragons team but expect to see more of the powerful wing next season. Rees-Weldon started the season impressively for Ebbw Vale and went on to figure heavily for Wales U20s in the Six Nations, scoring a stunning try in the victory over England U20s at the Arms Park. Big things are expected of the Dragons wing whose running style has been likened to George North. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. He is a powerful wing who is very strong aerially and in defence while he also has speed and is a potent finisher. Article continues below Rees-Weldon is expected to develop into a future Wales international.
South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Nick Thomas wins fitness race for World Rugby U20 Championships
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Rodney Parade club last December, had an operation after injuring his left ankle against France in the Six Nations. Thomas is on course to return in the summer championships in Italy when Wales go up against France, Argentina and Spain in the group stages. Head coach Richard Whiffin has named a 45-strong training squad and 11 Dragons are included. INFLUENTIAL: Harry Beddall on the charge for Wales against England (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) Flanker Harry Beddall, a summer signing from Leicester, is named along with Thomas, props Owain James and George Tuckley, back rowers Ryan Jones, Evan Minto and Cerrig Smith, scrum-half Logan Franklin, fly-half Harri Ford and wings Harry Rees-Weldon and Ioan Duggan. Beddall, Thomas, James, Minto, Franklin, Ford and Rees-Weldon all featured in the Six Nations. The youngsters will get the chance to impress when Wales take on England at Pontypool Park on Friday, June 6 with a meeting with Italy at Cardiff Arms Park seven days later. The official 30-player squad to travel to Italy for the Championship, which runs from June 29 to July 19, will be announced between the two warm-up fixtures. Whiffin said: 'This 45-man training squad is a mixture of guys that did really well during the Six Nations for us and then the U18s and U19s had a really good block post-Six Nations. 'The U18s went and won all three games out in Vichy and there's a number of those guys that stepped up. 'You also have the culmination of Super Rygbi Cymru – there are boys that have been putting their hand up in the last few weeks in that competition. 'It gives us an opportunity to put a bit of pressure on the guys that had the jersey in the Six Nations and also prepare for what guys might step up next year.' Wales training squad for 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship Forwards (25) Dylan Alford (Scarlets /RGC) Harry Beddall (Dragons RFC) Jake Bowen (Scarlets) Tom Cottle (RGC) Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby) Keanu Evans (Scarlets) Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) Will Evans (Scarlets) Dan Gemine (Ospreys) Deian Gwynne (Gloucester Rugby) Saul Hurley (Aberavon) Caio James (Gloucester Rugby) Owain James (Dragons RFC) Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears) Ryan Jones (Dragons RFC) Evan Minto (Dragons RFC) Jac Pritchard (Scarlets) Sam Scott (Bristol Bears) Cerrig Smith (Dragons RFC) Harry Thomas (Scarlets) Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC) Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears) George Tuckley (Dragons RFC) Cameron Tyler-Grocott (Cardiff Rugby) Evan Wood (Pontypool / Cardiff Met) Backs (20) Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears) Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby) Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby) Ioan Duggan (Dragons RFC) Lewis Edwards (Ospreys) Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby) Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby) Harri Ford (Dragons RFC) Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC) Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets) Ellis Lewis (Neath) Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby) Elis Price (Scarlets) Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC) Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks) Dylan Scott (Cardiff MET) Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby) Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales international's younger brother 'on fire' as he takes jersey off club legend
Wales international's younger brother 'on fire' as he takes jersey off club legend The 22-year-old helped his club to title glory in what was described as a 'changing of the guard' Lloyd is 'on fire' after making the No. 10 jersey his own (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Newport RFC have been crowned the best team in Wales outside of the professional game after beating Ebbw Vale 27-18 in the first-ever Super Rygbi Cymru final, with young fly-half Jac Lloyd helping them to victory with a player of the match performance. The Black & Ambers ended their 150th anniversary season on a high at Eugene Cross Park as they defeated the Steelmen on Sunday afternoon to become the inaugural winners of the new league and take the second-tier title for the first time since 2004. Tries from Dafydd Buckland, Lloyd and Carwyn Penny helped Newport to victory, with the outside-half putting the outcome beyond all doubt from the tee as he was named the official player of the match. The 22-year-old - who is the younger brother of Wales international and Cardiff-bound Scarlets star Ioan Lloyd - has quickly become a key player for Ty Morris' side after breaking into the team earlier this season. Lloyd, who can also play at full-back, came through the Bristol Bears' academy and played for Sydney University in the Shute Shield before moving to Newport in 2023. He made 16 appearances in his first season with the club as they finished runners-up in the Welsh Premiership, with seven of those coming as starting fly-half. Article continues below However, with club legend and long-time star playmaker Matt O'Brien taking on further responsibilities as part of the Dragons' senior coaching staff, it has fallen to someone else to pull the strings for the Black & Ambers, with former Wales U20s star Lloyd stepping up to fill the role. Having made the jersey his own, the youngster looks set to be the main man at No.10 for Morris' team, with O'Brien himself giving his seal of approval after Sunday's victory over Ebbw Vale. While he confirmed that he is planning on staying at the club for "a couple more seasons", the 32-year-old admitted that he currently doesn't expect to get back into the team ahead of the "on fire" Lloyd. Dedicating the title win to club legend and 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones, who died last month, O'Brien told S4C: "It feels brilliant, the supporters they deserve it more than anyone. "A lot of hard work has gone into it over the last four or five years and we got the reward today. I think the better side won." The fly-half was named Player of the Match as Newport defeated Ebbw Vale in the Super Rygbi Cymru final (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Quizzed on his future, he added: "I'm potentially still going to have a couple more seasons but I'll be playing a lot less with everything going on. "But I think you saw today, the changing of the guard has probably happened already, to be honest. Jac Lloyd, I don't think I'll ever get the shirt back off him, he's on fire "I'm chuffed for him, I'm chuffed for the club and with the 150th anniversary, I think it's a great way to finish, obviously with the passing of BJ a few weeks ago as well as we all know, so I'm really pleased. " Lloyd's standout performance against Ebbw Vale comes after head coach Morris hailed him as "one of the best all-rounders in the league" after rising to the challenge of filling O'Brien's boots at fly-half. 'We were aware at the beginning of last season about Matt's commitments to the Dragons and where his future lied regarding coaching,' the coach told the South Wales Argus. 'We had to accept that Matt was not going to be available as much but the way things worked out meant he still played around 70 per cent of games last year. 'We thought that we would be making the transition but Jac probably didn't get as much game time as he wanted last season, but he has this time. He has really grown into the role, especially post-Christmas when Matt has been unavailable or injured. Article continues below 'Jac has had time in the saddle, has grabbed that 10 jersey and, in my opinion, is one of the best all-rounders in the league," Morris added. "[He] has been able to have the time to make errors whereas previously he would have two or three games and then Matt would have two or three games. 'He is growing in terms of his performances but also with his confidence around the group, being a leader, talking a lot and controlling games.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newport lift Super Rygbi Cymru title at Ebbw Vale
Newport have been crowned inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru champions after beating Ebbw Vale 27-18 at Eugene Cross Park. The Black and Ambers led 17-6 at the break and maintained the initiative to inflict the Steelmen's first home defeat of the season. Evan Lloyd put the hosts in front with an early penalty, but after fly-half opponent Jac Lloyd replied, Dafydd Buckland went over for a lead Newport held onto until the final whistle. Jac Lloyd, brother of Wales and Scarlets' Cardiff-bound 10 Ioan Lloyd, broke through for his own touchdown in a man-of-the-match display. Wing Carwyn Penny was next to cross before Ebbw Vale hit back through Ewan Bowden and Curtis Gregory added a second touchdown before Jac Lloyd put the outcome beyond doubt with a penalty. Cardiff finished top of the table during the regular season, but lost out in the play-offs that ended with Newport travelling to Ebbw Vale in the final. Super Rygbi Cymru competition launched by WRU
Wales Online
18-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as WRU warned 'we will not be cowed' and Super Rygbi Cymru champions crowned
Tonight's rugby news as WRU warned 'we will not be cowed' and Super Rygbi Cymru champions crowned The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond The official Scarlets Supporters Trust have issued a statement (Image: 2025 Huw Fairclough ) Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Sunday, May 18. Scarlets Supporters Trust hits out at WRU decision The Scarlets' official Supporters Trust has slammed the Welsh Rugby Union for its "lack of understanding for the sport it represents" following the decision to put in motion huge changes that are set to see the number of professional teams cut to three. The WRU has triggered a two-year notice period on the current Professional Rugby Agreement, having officially confirmed a move away from four evenly funded teams in a statement. WalesOnline understands the Union has informed all four clubs they believe the number of teams must reduce to three. It all comes on the back of a refusal by the Ospreys and Scarlets to sign the WRU's proposed new PRA. One possible option could now be the merging of two teams if a deal can be struck over the coming weeks and months. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The WRU's recent takeover of Cardiff sparked huge concerns from the Ospreys and Scarlets, resulting in the failure to sign up to the deal that was at the centre of the governing body's five-year strategy. Now, Scarlets fan group Crys 16 have issued a strong statement, saying: "Despite the 'One Wales' strategy setting out the intention for four equitably funded professional clubs, and a positive, collaborative relationship, it has become clear in recent weeks that the WRU wishes to proceed in a very different direction. Article continues below "As a representative body for the supporters of the Scarlets, we want to continue to see our club stand independently with a financial model that rewards our consistent development of players for the national team. "As a proud and strong club with over 150 years of heritage, backed by the West Walian community, we will not be cowed by a governing body that continues to show its lack of understanding for the sport it represents and we will not accept any solution which damages us. "In particular, this should not come about because of the financial issues of Cardiff Rugby, which has led to this significant uncertainty. "The WRU should not prioritise the interests of one club at the expense of the others, particularly when the financial issues at Cardiff have proven to be the main impediment to agreeing this deal. "The WRU must work with the club to seek a fair and equitable deal as soon as possible. This should be done through constructive negotiation, rather than media driven pressure." Dragons confirm PRA deal Meanwhile, the Dragons have confirmed they have agreed to sign the WRU's proposed PRA deal, which the club says will help to secure its long-term future. In a statement, the club said: "Following the recent statement from the Welsh Rugby Union, Dragons RFC are delighted to have signed a five-year deal under the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA25) which provides the club with three-years of agreed fixed funding. "We did so to demonstrate our commitment to provide stability and security to Dragons RFC as we continue to develop on and off the field. "As demonstrated by signing the agreement, our owners are committed to the long-term future of professional rugby and the financial stability of Dragons RFC." Newport edge to glory in Super Rygbi final Newport ran in three tries to claim a 27-18 win over Ebbw Vale in the Super Rygbi Cymru Trophy final on Sunday afternoon. Dafydd Buckland's try just after half an hour got the Black and Ambers up and running after Vale's Evan Lloyd and Newport's Jac Lloyd had previously traded early penalties. The latter then followed up his success from the tee by going over for a converted score to extend Newport's lead on the stroke of half-time, before Evan Bowden cut the lead back down to five with Ebbw Vale's first try of the afternoon just after the break. A brilliant individual touchdown from Carwyn Penny put Newport back in control, but back came the Steelmen, who bagged another try just before the hour through Curtis Gregory. However, Newport held on, with Jac Lloyd adding another three points 10 points from time as his side eased their way to victory. Graham hits back at Lions snub in style Darcy Graham delivered a superb response to being left out of the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia by running in a superb hat-trick to help Edinburgh book a URC play-off spot by claiming a 47-17 bonus point win over Ulster. Commenting on Graham's omission from the trip Down Under, coach Sean Everett said after the game: 'Selections are tough, especially the Lions tour when it only comes around once every four years. 'Darcy has been in good form for Edinburgh and he was in good form for Scotland as well. 'I know he didn't play all the Six Nations games, but every time he puts on a rugby jersey he tends to turn something out of nothing. Article continues below 'He's a real magician out there with his footwork and the work rate that he does. So it is disappointing for him, but he is still young enough to make the next one. 'You've just got to keep on fighting because the nature of the sport is there could be injuries and he's the next one in.'
