Latest news with #ThomasYoung
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Raft of Welsh rugby transfer signings and exits now confirmed
Raft of Welsh rugby transfer signings and exits now confirmed There's been a number of signings recently, with more set to be confirmed in the coming weeks Joe Hawkins will be available for Wales soon (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) All of the Welsh clubs have played their final regular league matches on home soil now, with just trips to South Africa left to come. Of course, the hope is that some might still have United Rugby Championship play-off action left to come. However, regardless of whatever happens in the weeks to come, the chance for home supporters to wish those leaving their clubs has been and gone - with the future of many players still up in the air. Only one of the clubs were able to put out a departure list ahead of their final home game, with yet more financial uncertainty over budgets as the signing of the new Professional Rugby Agreement still dragging on meaning things aren't exactly clear when it comes to recruitment for next season. That said, sides have managed to do some business - with more still in the works. Here's all the signings set to happen ahead of next season. Cardiff The Arms Park side have had an eventful few weeks, going into administration before being taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union. It's little surprise they are still working through recruitment and retention - with the club putting out a statement to say there would be no confirmed list of leavers ahead of last Friday's win over Munster. Article continues below In terms of ins and out, there's just two either way in terms of confirmed. Welsh back-rows Taine Basham and Thomas Young are going in opposite directions down the M4, with Cardiff picking up the former. They're also bringing back Wales fly-half Ioan Lloyd to his hometown club to replace Dragons-bound Tinus de Beer. Seb Davies is also heading to Rodney Parade, with Dragons second-row George Nott in line to replace him. Hooker Efan Daniel is likely to be another departure, with a move to the Ospreys on the cards. There could be more departures, with Taulupe Faletau's future still up in the air. Outside centre, given Rey Lee-Lo has had his fair share of farewells in recent seasons and isn't guaranteed to be around next year, could still be an area to target - as is tighthead prop. Ins: Confirmed: Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets), Taine Basham (Dragons); Expected: George Nott (Dragons) Outs: Confirmed: Thomas Young (Dragons), Rhys Litterick (Edinburgh); Expected: Seb Davies (Dragons), Tinus de Beer (Dragons), Efan Daniel (Ospreys) Dragons It's been a busy period of recruitment for the Dragons as they look to right the wrongs of an abysmal season. Rooted to the bottom of the URC table, with just nine points - with seven of those coming in the six games Dai Flanagan took charge of before his departure - it has been a miserable campaign for the Men of Gwent. The hope is that Wales internationals Dillon Lewis, Thomas Young, Wyn Jones and Seb Davies will bring some experience to a squad that is simply too well-versed in losing. Welsh-qualified lock Levi Douglas and Cardiff fly-half Tinus de Beer will also add strength. The Dragons are understood to not be done with their business, either. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby Having previously chased a marquee signing in midfield, they are still on the lookout for a 13. Scrum-half is also a position they are looking to strengthen, with Dane Blacker set to head back to the Scarlets. In terms of outgoings, Dan Lydiate is hanging up his boots after a stellar career, while Basham is off to the Arms Park. Worcester Warriors are also sniffing around for talent as they make their return, with at least one of the Dragons' squad understood to be on their radar. Ins: Confirmed: Dillon Lewis (Harlequins), Thomas Young (Cardiff), Levi Douglas (Biarritz); Expected: Seb Davies (Cardiff), Tinus de Beer (Cardiff), Wyn Jones (Harlequins) Outs: Confirmed: Dan Lydiate (Retiring), Taine Basham (Cardiff); Expected: Dane Blacker (Scarlets) Ospreys This summer was meant to mark a period of transition for the Ospreys, with Toby Booth stepping aside and Mark Jones stepping up to replace him. In the end, that switch happened earlier than expected - with the mid Walian assuming the head coaching responsibilities back in December. There's still an element of change to come, with the Ospreys losing two of their most experienced players. Justin Tipuric is still staying in the building, hanging up the blue scrum cap to join the coaching team. But Adam Beard's loss will be a big one, as he explores an opportunity abroad. Queensland Reds lock Ryan Smith has been confirmed as the Ospreys' only signing to date, with the 28-year-old having been on the fringes of the Wallabies squad in the last year. They're also expected to bring in Ross Moriarty from Brive, ensuring there'll be a Moriarty at St Helen's once more, while Cardiff hooker Daniel will bolster their front-row options. Owen Williams is lined up for a move to Nice, while - like the other clubs - there's bound to be other exits announced soon. Ins: Confirmed: Ryan Smith (Queensland Reds); Expected: Ross Moriarty (Brive), Efan Daniel (Cardiff) Outs: Confirmed: Adam Beard (Opportunity abroad), Justin Tipuric (Retiring); Expected: Owen Williams (Nice) Scarlets The only Welsh team to have put out a list of leavers, the Scarlets have already confirmed some of their departures. However, with negotiations with some players still ongoing, it might not be a definitive list just yet. Fly-half Lloyd and Scotland lock Craig are the big departures, while the exit of Steff Evans marks the end of an era. Exeter playmaker Joe Hawkins and Jake Ball will fill the voids of Lloyd and Craig. Hawkins was initially signed while Warren Gatland was in charge, with the former Wales coach having been keen on switching him from centre to fly-half. Article continues below Whether that continues in his absence likely depends on what Dwayne Peel needs from the five-cap international. As for Ball, it'll be interesting to see what he offers after some time away from Welsh rugby. Ins: Confirmed: Joe Hawkins (Exeter), Jake Ball (Coming out of retirement); Expected: Dane Blacker (Dragons) Outs: Confirmed: Ioan Lloyd (Cardiff), Alex Craig (Glasgow), Shaun Evans (Released), Steff Evans (Released), Efan Jones (Released)
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Munster will need to dig deep to end Cardiff's unbeaten home run at Arms Park
URC: Cardiff v Munster, Arms Park, Friday, 7.35 – Live on TG4, Premier Sports There is no room to wiggle, or let's face it, lose. Four points separates fifth and 11th places in the United Rugby Championship table, with tonight's protagonists locked into the struggle not just to make the quarter-finals of the tournament but also guarantee a place in next season's Champions Cup . This represents Munster 's final away assignment in a three-match sprint to the line, as they host Ulster and Benetton in their final two games. The defeat against the Bulls had a series of unintended consequences during and after the game. In the first case it was the officiating glitch, the second, a legacy injury profile. Munster's interim head coach Ian Costello has made seven changes to the side, the majority of which were enforced due to injuries sustained by Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Conor Murray and Josh Wycherley last weekend. Peter O'Mahony and John Hodnett are also unavailable on a short-term basis. Michael Milne will make his Munster debut at loosehead prop after the 25-year-old Birr native was released early from his contract with Leinster – he scored 12 tries in 47 appearances – to try and alleviate injury issues that his new employers faced. READ MORE John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley and Gavin Coombes, back after injury, are restored to the starting pack. Craig Casey, a late withdrawal from the Bulls match through illness, is back in the nine jersey while Calvin Nash has recovered from an ankle knock. There was further good news in the form of Mike Haley's return from an ankle issue that has kept him sidelined since January. He starts at fullback with Thaakir Abrahams switching to the left wing. The in-form centre partnership of Tom Farrell and Alex Nankivell is retained while Jack Crowley gets to run the show once again. In the replacements, hooker Diarmuid Barron has shaken off a shoulder/arm niggle. Tullamore's Ronan Foxe who joined the Munster academy after helping the Irish 20s to a World Cup final in 2023, gets a rare opportunity. He made his competitive debut for the province against the Sharks last October, while also getting a brief run against an All Blacks XV, again as a replacement. His rugby has largely been at club level with Garryowen. Jack O'Donoghue and Alex Kendellen flank a fit-again Coombes. Paddy Patterson and Tony Butler provide cover at halfback while Seán O'Brien is unfortunate, based on form, not to have a starting spot. Thomas Young will make his final appearance for Cardiff at the Arms Park. Photograph: Andrew Dowling/Inpho Cardiff have made three changes from a bonus-point victory over the Ospreys. Head coach Matt Sherratt has named an unchanged backline, with all three changes in the pack. Danny Southworth starts with Corey Domachowski on the bench, while Josh McNally returns to the secondrow following RAF duty. In the backrow Thomas Young wears the number seven jersey for his last appearance at the Arms Park, partnering James Botham and Taulupe Faletau. Cardiff have once again opted for a 6-2 split among the replacements with Tinus de Beer coming into the 23. Sherratt said: 'We are all really excited, these are exactly the kind of games you want to be involved in. There's no getting away from it, it's one of the biggest games of the season. It's a game with a lot riding on it, in a league that's incredibly tight and against a brilliant team full of internationals, with large history. 'We will need to be at our best and produce our most complete performance of the season to secure the result we need. If we can do that then we will travel to South Africa [to play the Bulls and Stormers] in a strong position. For a number of players, it will also be their last game at the Arms Park so there is a huge amount of motivation to make it a special occasion.' Cardiff haven't lost at home since January, but it is the visitors that start the match as six-point favourites with the bookmakers. Munster must be wary of turning over ball against a backrow containing two superb poachers and a Cardiff backline that has oodles of pace. The other key for the visitors to their hopes of success is that they have sorted out their lineout travails. If they do that then they have the wherewithal to win this game. Assistant coach Mossy Lawler said that Munster were a 'possession team', a philosophy that if they honour with a judicious kicking game might see them through a tough task. CARDIFF: C Winnett; J Adams, H Millard, B Thomas; G Hamer-Webb; C Sheedy, J Mulder; D Southworth, L Belcher (capt), K Assiratti; J McNally, T Williams; J Botham, T Young, T Faletau. Replacements: E Lloyd, C Domachowski, R Litterick, R Thornton, A Lawrence, B Donnell, A Davies, T de Beer. MUNSTER: M Haley; C Nash, T Farrell, A Nankivell, T Abrahams; J Crowley, C Casey; M Milne, N Scannell, J Ryan; F Wycherley, T Beirne (capt); J O'Donoghue, A Kendellen, G Coombes. Replacements : D Barron, M Donnelly, R Foxe, J Kleyn, R Quinn, P Patterson, T Butler, S O'Brien. Referee: G Gnecchi (Italy).
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kentucky spring hunting season impacted by high floodwaters
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — April 12 is the start of the spring hunting turkey season in Kentucky, and hunters all over the state are now having to consider what the recent floods have done to several hunting grounds. According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, a lot of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) are extensively affected by the recent floods, with some parking lots and access points being completely submerged. Thomas Young is with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and is an avid hunter himself. RELATED l Kentucky hunters may find difficulty with high water as spring turkey season opens after historic flooding 'One of my favorite spots I've got, is definitely underwater, but it you're strategic, you know turkeys will seek higher ground just like you or me in a flood situation,' Young said. In Central Kentucky specifically, the areas of the Taylorsville Lake WMA and Kentucky River WMA have been hit hard, and these aren't the only spots to be mindful of. 'There's no doubt that there will be certain wildlife management areas, across the state that will be, impacted much more in terms of flooding,' Young said. Turkeys will react to the floodwaters by seeking higher ground, and by playing your cards right, Young said this can be an advantage for hunters. 'There are opportunities where if you can find that little dry spot that turkeys can access and maybe a lot of the public can't on public land, there'll be a good opportunity to be successful in the field. I think whether you're hunting in western Kentucky, central Kentucky, or eastern Kentucky, I think water can somewhat sometimes be used to your advantage in some cases if you've got birds that are somewhat isolated,' Young said. Central Kentucky school district among 3 statewide chosen for national nonprofit education program Kentucky spring hunting season impacted by high floodwaters Lexington's oldest independent music retailer prepares for Record Store Day Even with that vantage point, hunters are asked to look at the conditions of their areas and avoid places that aren't safe at the moment. 'If you're in a boat on a reservoir, make sure you have a life jacket. If you're in a backwater situation and you're using a boat, take all the necessary precautions, because it can be very critical to have all of your safety gear in place,' Young said. More information on the flooded WMAs can be found at the KYFWR website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Thornton handed first start of season at Leinster
United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Cardiff Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday 1 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Watch live on S4C. Cardiff have made four changes as they aim to shock United Rugby Championship (URC) leaders Leinster at the Aviva Danny Southworth and back-row pair Ben Donnell and Thomas Young return while lock Rory Thornton makes his first start of the who narrowly lost at Connacht last time out, have not won in Ireland since 2017 and aim to become the first Welsh region to beat Leinster in three Ellis Bevan is named on the bench after being released by Wales, while Tinus de Beer and Regan Grace also return among the include new Ireland cap Jack Boyle just a week after making his Test debut against coach Leo Cullen makes five personnel changes from the win over Ospreys with fly-half Ross Byrne, wing Andrew Osbourne, prop John McKee and back-rows Will Connors and Alex Soroka all older brother Ivan and Oliver Coffey are set to make their provincial debuts off the bench. Leinster are 10 points clear at the top of the URC and are unbeaten at home since defeat to Ulster in January victory in January 2022 was their only win in the last 19 games between these are led by defence coach Gethin Jenkins while Matt Sherratt serves as interim head coach with Wales. "Leinster have played 15 games [in all competitions] and have 15 wins so the challenge is creating belief in our squad that we can go there and perform," said Jenkins."They're missing all their Ireland players but they're still a strong team." Cardiff are sixth in the table despite not winning in their last three games but have not win in Ireland since beating Connacht in added: "We're lucky to have what we have on the board but we're aware that we've got a very tough second half of the season and it's coming thick and fast." Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (capt); Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny, Alex Soroka, Will Connors, Max Stephen Smyth, Ivan Soroka, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, Scott Penny, Oliver Coffey, Liam Turner, Rob Cameron Winnett; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Harri Millard; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Dany Southworth, Liam Belcher, Rhys Litterick, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, Ben Donnell, Thomas Young, Alun Efan Daniel, Rhys Barratt, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Alex Mann, Ellis Bevan, Tinus de Beer, Regan Andrea Piardi (FIR)Assistant referees: Chris Busby (IRFU), Dan Carson (IRFU)TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How to Kill Your Ego and Become a Calm Master Like Bruce Lee
Thomas Young proved that light functions as a wave. He described the capillary action, how our eyes focus and see color. He deciphered hieroglyphs, contributed to music theory, and compared the grammar of 400 languages. He is called, 'The last man who knew everything.' Yet he would be the last to make such a claim. Despite having such enormous academic achievements, he still maintained the humility needed to continue learning. He was rarely known to shove his knowledge in people's faces but could answer highly complex and specific questions with ease, and only answered when asked. In short, his friends loved him. Yet there are people with far fewer accolades who fancy themselves the master of every subject. I have certainly had a boss who fancied themselves the only person who knew everything. The person with the inflated ego feels the need to be the master of every subject. Why does he refuse to accept criticism or apologize? Each time something goes wrong, he finds a way to blame anyone near him. It's because his identity becomes wrapped up in being all-knowing. This person often becomes subject to the Backfire Effect. You've seen it when a person is caught lying (or in the wrong), and it's glaringly obvious. Rather than admit it after being called out, they double down and start believing their own lie or mistake. You're most at risk of rejecting feedback and doubling down when dealing with something that is a core value of your life, a thing that you define yourself from. A professor won't likely take kindly to his methods of teaching being criticized, or his intelligence being called into question. A stay-at-home parent will be defensive when his or her parenting is criticized — even if the constructive feedback is very valuable and kindly delivered by their partner. Criticisms close to your identity put you at risk of going nuclear. And as hard as I try to stay humble, I'm sure I'd be upset if a friend casually said to me, 'Hey, I read some of your writing. I don't think you're very good at it.' Namely, because it would be a jerk move and mean-spirited, and also because I care about being a decent writer. It's the north star I'll forever chase. Then again, this profession puts us writers through the gauntlet of trolls so most of us have thick skins already. This reactiveness is good — in the sense that it shows you care. You should take pride in the things that you pour your life's energy into. There's a lesson you can use from a well known martial artist. Bruce Lee was known to study a wide variety of subjects and blend them together in his philosophies of life and martial arts. His ability to create hybrid martial arts and coin wisdom from disparate realms is, in part, what made him so legendary. A signature focus was his study of the ego. On it, Lee once wrote, 'To understand and live now, there must be a dying to everything of yesterday. Die continually to every newly gained experience — and be in a state in the choiceless awareness of what is.' Within this mindset, you allow your identity to constantly shed and evolve. But this can only be done in a state of surrender. You must let go and remain open to the endless possibilities and contradictions that are presented, and often at odds with perspectives you are conditioned to. You must become less attached to your strongly held beliefs, and be more present in the moment. Take in this information with a cool and neutral mind. Bruce worked deeply on managing his ego and being a consummate learner. He became a master of his craft because of his humility. Remember that the ego often betrays us. It misinforms. A group of German scientists found that your brain often draws a conclusion before 'you' actually get there. Your preconceptions create a fog that leads to hasty, erroneous beliefs. The intense defensiveness you feel is because your brain spotted the more accurate answer before your ego could get to it. One trick is to adopt an alter ego, also called the Batman Effect. It helps you deal with information that might upset your self-perception. By pretending to be someone else for that moment, you can view reality more objectively. It's why people who speak a second language can often make better decisions when thinking through it in that second language. The act of thinking in their weaker language creates separation from their sense of self. They become more rational. So before you react to harsh feedback by throwing your drink in someone's face, ask yourself if it's you that's mad, or your ego. One way to kill your ego is to understand it from a zen perspective. Think of the entire universe as expressing itself through your human experience. You're the ocean crashing into the shore. The cherries hanging from the tree. The car weaving along the cliff highway. There's a oneness that can be achieved by understanding we're all here for a finite time. Imagine if nothing could offend you. Imagine you could learn from any feedback and instantly implement it without it derailing your day. As a writer, I'm constantly challenged by commenters. They leave cutting criticisms. And those comments only hurt when they are accurate. I feel them deep down and want to reject them. In my world, it's easy to get caught up in your own echo chamber. I see writers constantly blocking users who offer any criticism while upvoting and replying to all the positive feedback. People reconstruct these realities constantly in the outside world. It's fun to live inside a loop of your own praise. However, at some point, you're hamstringing yourself. Remember that your coworkers also have similar fears and anxieties that are haunting them. Understand and speak to those fears, and you position yourself to be more trusted and relied upon. As your career grows, it's easy to let toxic egotism get to your head. You're getting better, developing skills, and landing new job titles. It can all be intoxicating and provide immense affirmation. I find that the healthiest way for me to see the world is as it truly is — rather than some filtered, appetizing version that appeals only to a sense of self-importance. With a healthy ego, you believe in yourself, understand others, and treat feedback as transformative and valuable rather than rejecting it as poison.
