Latest news with #TaulupeFaletau
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Jack Conan: ‘This time with the Lions has been the best few weeks of my career'
To start all three Tests in a Lions series is quite an accomplishment. To retain the jersey four years later makes you an incredible rarity. But Jack Conan looks likely to achieve that in Brisbane on Saturday, and on a tour that is the real deal in comparison with that grim, Covid-affected voyage behind closed doors in 2021. Although he was 28 then, Conan went to South Africa with just 20 caps to his name and as, seemingly, the second-choice number eight for the Test series behind Taulupe Faletau, a two-tour veteran and star of the trek to New Zealand in 2017. Four years on, as well as those three Lions Tests against the Springboks, Conan now has 51 caps for Ireland, and at 32 hopes he is wiser than he was then. 'I like to think I am. It is how you deal with the occasion and the nerves of it all and everything. It was massively different four years ago with no one in the crowd, it felt eerie and strange not to have anyone there in what should be the biggest occasion of your career. So maybe, a bit older and a bit wiser.' READ MORE Looking back on that career-defining but soulless tour, Conan maintained: 'It was a great experience. No one can ever take away being a Lion from me and playing in three Tests and whatever else, but it is definitely not the same as now. This has been an incredible joy and the best few weeks of my career.' On another warm if slightly cloudier day in Brisbane, Conan's audience with camera crews and journalists amid the colonial splendour of 'Churchie', an Anglican grammar school, had to be moved outside from the main auditorium in the library building as a class was continuing for a few more minutes. Jack Conan, not disrupting classes at Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane, Australia. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire Conan, Dan Sheehan, Richard Wigglesworth and the Lions management were maintaining that the squad would not be informed of the first Test line-up until the next day, perhaps for fear of it being leaked to Joe Schmidt and the world in advance of the Thursday announcement at 3pm local time (6am Irish). But it would be a surprise if they had not already been informed before Tuesday's training, and certainly Conan, not in an arrogant way, had the air of someone who knew he was starting. His spirits may also have been lifted by the arrival in Australia of his wife Ali, and one-year-old baby girl Remi, at the end of last week. Continuing his comparisons with four years ago, Conan said: 'It's chalk and cheese. It's been an unbelievably special, unbelievably enjoyable few weeks with the lads, moving about, getting to see so many different places, getting to see the 'sea of red' at the games, the atmosphere has been incredible.' As the countdown to this latest career-defining few weeks nears, Conan himself is also a calmer individual now, one who has learned to better deal with his prematch nerves. 'I used to be pretty nervous before I played. Everyone would be a little bit nervous, but excited by the challenge as well and I think it's all right having nerves but you can't let them get in the way of being at your best and being within yourself. So you've got to banish them in whatever way or use them in whatever way you can, to make sure you're on it on the day, because it's not the time to shrink away from the challenge.' He feels he's put this best foot forward in the last few weeks, 'notwithstanding a few mistakes but that doesn't bother me too much'. Jack Conan, disrupting the Western Force defence during the Lions' first match on their tour of Australia. Photograph:Familiarity with Andy Farrell and most of the coaching ticket has been helpful too. 'I don't think things are massively different with how we do them in Ireland, with attacking style and structure and things like that. 'Obviously, there's some different names and different bits but there is definitely a level of comfort in knowing the way we want to play. It's second nature to a lot of the Irish lads because it's what we do day in and day out in camp. 'But then you have different coaches, JD [John Dalziel] and Wig [Richard Wigglesworth], who do things a little bit differently than maybe we would do in Ireland, so there's always learning and there's always upskilling. 'Ireland is one step, and the Lions is then another step above so you're always being challenged by the coaches to be better.' Like everyone else, Conan has enjoyed having a week in one base, without either travel or a midweek match, so as to focus on one almighty game. He acknowledges the threat posed by the Australian openside Fraser McReight, who had four turnovers against Ireland last November, and the Wallabies generally at the breakdown. Citing how the Waratahs and Brumbies had joy there, he said the Lions would 'have to be all over our ruck ball' and 'squeaky clean' at the breakdown. Then there's the Schmidt factor, although Conan believes insider knowledge works both ways. 'He's had success no matter where he's gone whether it be with Leinster, with us and the All Blacks and now Australia. Being coached by Joe for a number of years and Johnny [Sexton] has been coached for even longer by him, we kind of know how he likes to do things, the emphasis he puts on certain areas of the game. 'The media might give them [the Wallabies] a bit of a hard time but we know they are an unbelievably good side with incredible athletes across the park. We had a really tough day in November against them. I wasn't playing then but myself and Dinny [David Kilcoyne] were down watching that day, Faz had brought us in so it was great to back in the mix for that one day. 'But they are an unbelievable side with unbelievable athletes so it is not going to be easy, it never is, and how motivated are they going to be for this? The first Test match in 12 years on home soil against the Lions. So we will have to make sure their motivation isn't higher than ours.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wales to play under closed roof in Japan
Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Advertisement Wales players will face more intense conditions on Saturday when the roof of Noevir Stadium in Kobe is shut. There was extreme heat and humidity during the first Test in Kitakyushu last Saturday, which Japan won 24-19. With the opening match of the series kicking off in mid-afternoon, players were using caps of ice to try and cool down - and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau will miss the second Test after he suffered "heat-related cramping" in the first game. The conditions in Kitakyushu meant World Rugby mandated three-minute water breaks in each half and an extended 20-minute half-time interval. Advertisement Those measures are expected to be repeated this weekend, with a closed roof also presenting issues of high humidity and a resultant slippery ball. "From experience of the roof being closed in Principality Stadium, the ball can be a little bit greasy," said Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt. "It's going to be hot, maybe a little bit wet, but there'll be some atmosphere because the fans here love their rugby. "Atmospherically it's going to be a great experience for the players and obviously there's no getting away from the heat." Welsh rugby loves roof rows as Eddie Jones weighs in on conditions Eddie Jones is in his second stint as Japan head coach [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Saturday's game in Kobe will kick off at 14:50 local time with Wales facing a different sort of test with the roof being closed. Advertisement Welsh rugby knows all about a "roof row". There have been many debates about whether the Principality Stadium roof will be open or closed since the ground opened in 1999. Japan head coach Eddie Jones has experienced that, especially during his time with England. While Wales confirmed the roof will be closed this weekend, Jones was not as forthcoming, claiming he did not know. When asked whether he thought Japan had benefitted from the weather conditions and kick-off times, Jones responded: "It's quite ironic talking about roofs when you're playing against Wales. "Having known the the goings-on when you go there with England, whether it's going to be open or closed, is it going to rain, is it not going to rain? Advertisement "All those machinations are the same in every country in the world. "When we go up and play in the northern hemisphere, no one turns the heating on. These are the conditions in Japan. It's the same for both teams. "That's one of the great things of rugby. We have these different conditions and you need to adapt to them." No excuses Wales captain Dewi Lake has played 21 internationals [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Wales face the Brave Blossoms desperate to gain revenge for last weekend's 24-19 reverse in Kitakyushu, in which they led 19-7 with 20 minutes remaining. That was an 18th successive defeat and the tourists have insisted they are not using conditions as an excuse for results. Advertisement Captain Dewi Lake is unsure whether he wanted the roof open or closed. "There is probably going to be a different type of heat being inside a closed stadium," said Lake. "I know in the Principality when the roof is closed, it gets sticky so with the heat over here I am not sure if that will be good or bad. "I know there will be no sun and it will be in shade but sometimes the ball gets a bit wetter. "We won't make any excuses for the weather or surroundings, we will make sure we get our things right." Lake says he has not got used to the hot temperatures. "The heat is tough but it's the same for both teams," said Lake. Advertisement "Last week we tried to find shade wherever possible and huddled in we were behind the posts or had just scored, groups were in shaded areas. So we tried our best to stay out the heat and sun as much as possible. "I don't think there is getting any used to it, it's just about dealing with it. "After two weeks we are probably better than we were at the start, and we will be fine at the weekend." Keeping training short Sherratt agreed with his captain about the elements. "The heat is tough," said Wales interim head coach, who will return to Cardiff after this final game of the season. Advertisement "There is no getting away from that. We are not used to playing in it. "It has not surprised me, just reinforced what I was told before I came out here." Sherratt says Thursday's training session was the most intense they had experienced. "Today was probably the hottest it's been, about 35C or 36C," Sherratt added. "Without making excuses, this is a very new group. "We have a new forwards coach who has to install lineouts and Gethin has come into the defence. "I have had three weeks and there is so much work to put in. We are almost starting from scratch but we can't spend three hours in 36C heat so we actually cut today's session slightly short. Advertisement "If the players do not have energy it doesn't matter how much they know tactically or technically, they are not going to have the legs to deliver it."
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wales to play under closed roof in Japan
Summer tour second Test: Japan v WalesVenue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BSTCoverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Wales players will face more intense conditions on Saturday when the roof of Noevir Stadium in Kobe is was extreme heat and humidity during the first Test in Kitakyushu last Saturday which Japan won the opening match of the series kicking off in mid-afternoon, players were using caps of ice to try and cool down - and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau will miss the second Test after he suffered "heat-related cramping" in the first conditions in Kitakyushu meant World Rugby mandated three-minute water breaks in each half and an extended 20-minute half-time measures are expected to be repeated this weekend, with a closed roof also presenting issues of high humidity and a resultant slippery ball."From experience of the roof being closed in Principality Stadium, the ball can be a little bit greasy," said Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt."It's going to be hot, maybe a little bit wet, but there'll be some atmosphere because the fans here love their rugby."Atmospherically it's going to be a great experience for the players and obviously there's no getting away from the heat." Welsh rugby loves roof rows as Eddie Jones weighs in on conditions Saturday's game in Kobe will kick off at 14:50 local time with Wales facing a different sort of test with the roof being rugby knows all about a "roof row". There have been many debates about whether the Principality Stadium roof will be open or closed since the ground opened in head coach Eddie Jones has experienced that, especially during his time with Wales confirmed the roof will be closed this weekend, Jones was not as forthcoming, claiming he did not asked whether he thought Japan had benefitted from the weather conditions and kick-off times, Jones responded: "It's quite ironic talking about roofs when you're playing against Wales."Having known the the goings-on when you go there with England, whether it's going to be open or closed, is it going to rain, is it not going to rain?"All those machinations are the same in every country in the world. "When we go up and play in the northern hemisphere, no one turns the heating on. These are the conditions in Japan. It's the same for both teams. "That's one of the great things of rugby. We have these different conditions and you need to adapt to them." No excuses Wales face the Brave Blossoms desperate to gain revenge for last weekend's 24-19 reverse in Kitakyushu, in which they led 19-7 with 20 minutes was an 18th successive defeat and the tourists have insisted they are not using conditions as an excuse for Dewi Lake is unsure whether he wanted the roof open or closed."There is probably going to be a different type of heat being inside a closed stadium," said Lake."I know in the Principality when the roof is closed, it gets sticky so with the heat over here I am not sure if that will be good or bad."I know there will be no sun and it will be in shade but sometimes the ball gets a bit wetter. "We won't make any excuses for the weather or surroundings, we will make sure we get our things right."Lake says he has not got used to the hot temperatures."The heat is tough but it's the same for both teams," said Lake. "Last week we tried to find shade wherever possible and huddled in we were behind the posts or had just scored, groups were in shaded areas. So we tried our best to stay out the heat and sun as much as possible."I don't think there is getting any used to it, it's just about dealing with it."After two weeks we are probably better than we were at the start, and we will be fine at the weekend." Keeping training short Sherratt agreed with his captain about the elements."The heat is tough," said Wales interim head coach, who will return to Cardiff after this final game of the season."There is no getting away from that. We are not used to playing in it."It has not surprised me, just reinforced what I was told before I came out here."Sherratt says Thursday's training session was the most intense they had experienced."Today was probably the hottest it's been, about 35C or 36C," Sherratt added."Without making excuses, this is a very new group. "We have a new forwards coach who has to install lineouts and Gethin has come into the defence. "I have had three weeks and there is so much work to put in. We are almost starting from scratch but we can't spend three hours in 36C heat so we actually cut today's session slightly short."If the players do not have energy it doesn't matter how much they know tactically or technically, they are not going to have the legs to deliver it."
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Faletau out as Edwards given first Wales start
Number eight Taulupe Faletau (left) has played 109 internationals while fly-half Dan Edwards has two caps [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Advertisement Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the second Test against Japan in Kobe as fly-half Dan Edwards is given his first international start. Faletau, 34, came off during the second half of the 24-19 defeat in Kitakyushu after suffering "heat-related cramps" in the intense conditions and has not recovered. He will be replaced by Aaron Wainwright as one of four changes made by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who said he wanted to "freshen things up a bit". Edwards comes in for Sam Costelow, while prop Archie Griffin starts with Keiron Assiratti dropping out of the squad. Advertisement Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas replaces Ben Carter who has been ruled out because of concussion. Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles, and Dragons prop Chris Coleman, could make their international debuts from the replacements bench. Missing Faletau Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been on three British and Irish Lions tours [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Faletau's absence is a major blow as he is Wales' most experienced player and was the tourists' most impressive performer in the first game against Japan. He left the field after 56 minutes in Kitakyushu in noticeable discomfort with the intense heat and humidity troubling the visitors, although Sherratt confirmed after the match Faletau's withdrawal had been tactical. Advertisement Wales had said they would allow Faletau time to recover before deciding on their line-up, after the Cardiff number eight did not train with the Wales squad on Tuesday. "Toby [Taulupe] had a little bit of heat stress-related cramping [following the game]," said Sherratt. "We decided it was best Aaron Wainwright starts at No 8." Scarlets back row Taine Plumtree comes onto the bench alongside Ospreys forward James Ratti, who played 79 minutes in Kitakyushu after coming on for Carter. Lock Thomas will make his second Wales start when he packs down alongside Teddy Williams. Assiratti has not been able to train much this week so his exit from the squad allows Bath tight-head Griffin to move up from the bench, while Coleman will get his first taste of international rugby if he comes on the field. Advertisement Cardiff captain Liam Belcher retains his spot in the squad after the hooker won his first cap in Kitakyushu when he replaced captain Dewi Lake. Dan is the man Dan Edwards is a former Wales Under-20s fly-half [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Ospreys fly-half Edwards made two replacement appearances against France and Italy under former head coach Warren Gatland during the 2025 Six Nations with Cardiff centre Ben Thomas starting at 10 in Paris and Rome. Wales interim boss Sherratt has used fly-halves Costelow, Gareth Anscombe and Jarrod Evans during his four games in charge but now selects Edwards for the first time. "Dan's trained brilliantly over the three weeks," said Sherratt, Advertisement "He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him." Edwards, 22, will have a familiar face when he links up with his club half-back partner Kieran Hardy, while another Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams will hope to claim his first cap from the bench. Morgan-Williams' inclusion means Rhodri Williams drops out of the squad, after the Dragons scrum-half was an unused replacement last weekend with Hardy playing the full 80 minutes. The rest of the starting backline remains the same with wing Giles drafted in for Scarlets centre Joe Roberts on the bench, as one of only two back replacements. Advertisement Giles, 27, could end a nine-year wait for an elusive first cap which started when he was selected as a 18-year-old for the tour to New Zealand in 2016. He was an unused replacement in the narrow victory against Japan in November 2016 and was also not capped after being included for the trip to play Samoa and Tonga the following summer. Following significant knee issues and a hamstring problem, Giles was picked for the summer tour of Australia in 2024 but had to pull out because of injury. The touring Wales players who have not been involved in a match-day squad are uncapped duo Macs Page and Garyn Phillips, Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett and Dragons hooker Elliot Dee. Advertisement Trying to halt the losing streak Wales will finish a dismal season looking to avoid becoming the first tier one rugby nation in history to suffer 19 successive international defeats. They have not won a Test match in 21 months since defeating Georgia in Nantes during the World Cup in October 2023. Wales' first match defeat to Japan means they dropped to an all-time world ranking low of 14th. Eddie Jones' Japan side are bidding to wrap up a first series victory against Wales and make history by winning consecutive matches against tier one opposition for the first time. Jones has made five changes to the starting side including the selection of Toulouse scrum-half Naito Saito who was unavailable for the first game having just been part of the Top14 winning side. Advertisement Kubota prop Keijiro Tamefusa, number eight Faulua Makisi, wing Halatoa Vailea and full-back Ichigo Nakakusu are also named, while Australian-born back Sam Greene could make his debut from the bench. How they line up Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi. Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Ueda. Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright. Advertisement Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles. Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR) Television Match Official (TMO): Glenn Newman (NZR).
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Faletau out as Edwards given first Wales start
Summer tour second Test: Japan v WalesVenue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BSTCoverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the second Test against Japan in Kobe as fly-half Dan Edwards is given his first international 34, came off during the second half of the 24-19 defeat in Kitakyushu after suffering "heat-related cramps" in the intense conditions and has not will be replaced by Aaron Wainwright as one of four changes made by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who said he wanted to "freshen things up a bit".Edwards comes in for Sam Costelow, while prop Archie Griffin starts with Keiron Assiratti dropping out of the lock Freddie Thomas replaces Ben Carter who has been ruled out because of duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles, and Dragons prop Chris Coleman, could make their international debuts from the replacements bench. Missing Faletau Faletau's absence is a major blow as he is Wales' most experienced player and was the tourists' most impressive performer in the first game against left the field after 56 minutes in Kitakyushu in noticeable discomfort with the intense heat and humidity troubling the visitors, although Sherratt confirmed after the match Faletau's withdrawal had been had said they would allow Faletau time to recover before deciding on their line-up, after the Cardiff number eight did not train with the Wales squad on Tuesday."Toby [Taulupe] had a little bit of heat stress-related cramping [following the game]," said Sherratt."We decided it was best Aaron Wainwright starts at No 8."Scarlets back row Taine Plumtree comes onto the bench alongside Ospreys forward James Ratti, who played 79 minutes in Kitakyushu after coming on for Thomas will make his second Wales start when he packs down alongside Teddy has not been able to train much this week so his exit from the squad allows Bath tight-head Griffin to move up from the bench, while Coleman will get his first taste of international rugby if he comes on the captain Liam Belcher retains his spot in the squad after the hooker won his first cap in Kitakyushu when he replaced captain Dewi Lake. Dan is the man Ospreys fly-half Edwards made two replacement appearances against France and Italy under former head coach Warren Gatland during the 2025 Six Nations with Cardiff centre Ben Thomas starting at 10 in Paris and interim boss Sherratt has used fly-halves Costelow, Gareth Anscombe and Jarrod Evans during his four games in charge but now selects Edwards for the first time."Dan's trained brilliantly over the three weeks," said Sherratt, "He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him."Edwards, 22, will have a familiar face when he links up with his club half-back partner Kieran Hardy, while another Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams will hope to claim his first cap from the inclusion means Rhodri Williams drops out of the squad, after the Dragons scrum-half was an unused replacement last weekend with Hardy playing the full 80 rest of the starting backline remains the same with wing Giles drafted in for Scarlets centre Joe Roberts on the bench, as one of only two back replacements. Giles, 27, could end a nine-year wait for an elusive first cap which started when he was selected as a 18-year-old for the tour to New Zealand in was an unused replacement in the narrow victory against Japan in November 2016 and was also not capped after being included for the trip to play Samoa and Tonga the following significant knee issues and a hamstring problem, Giles was picked for the summer tour of Australia in 2024 but had to pull out because of injury. The touring Wales players who have not been involved in a match-day squad are uncapped duo Macs Page and Garyn Phillips, Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett and Dragons hooker Elliot Dee. Trying to halt the losing streak Wales will finish a dismal season looking to avoid becoming the first tier one rugby nation in history to suffer 19 successive international have not won a Test match in 21 months since defeating Georgia in Nantes during the World Cup in October first match defeat to Japan means they dropped to an all-time world ranking low of 14th. Eddie Jones' Japan side are bidding to wrap up a first series victory against Wales and make history by winning consecutive matches against tier one opposition for the first has made five changes to the starting side including the selection of Toulouse scrum-half Naito Saito who was unavailable for the first game having just been part of the Top14 winning side. Kubota prop Keijiro Tamefusa, number eight Faulua Makisi, wing Halatoa Vailea and full-back Ichigo Nakakusu are also named, while Australian-born back Sam Greene could make his debut from the bench. How they line up Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Luke Pearce (RFU)Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR)Television Match Official (TMO): Glenn Newman (NZR).
