Latest news with #WALES
The 42
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Wales appoint Steve Tandy as new head coach
WALES HAVE APPOINTED Steve Tandy as their new head coach. The 45-year-old Welshman will become the permanent successor to Warren Gatland on 1 September following almost six years as Scotland's defence coach. Tandy is tasked with reviving his country's fortunes after their record 18-match losing run finally ended on July 12 with a 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe. His first match in charge will be on 9 November against Argentina in Cardiff, which will be followed by meetings with Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa on the following three weekends. 'Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,' said Tandy, who will lead Wales into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Advertisement 'I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world. 'I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have.' Gatland's second spell as Wales boss ended in February on the back of a 22-15 defeat to Italy in the second round of this year's Six Nations. Matt Sherratt took over on a temporary basis and oversaw defeats to Ireland, Scotland and England before leading this summer's two-match tour of Japan, which began on July 5 with a 24-19 loss in Kitakyushu. Tonmawr-born Tandy was head coach of Ospreys between 2012 and 2018, which included winning the PRO12 title in his first season, before serving as defence coach for Australian side the Waratahs. The former flanker was also part of Gatland's backroom staff for the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2021. Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said: 'After a thorough and detailed appointment process, Steve emerged as the standout candidate, and we know we have secured the very best coach for the job. 'This is a keystone appointment for us and an integral part of our five-year strategy as we look to achieve sustainable success for our senior men's side. 'Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman. 'Our task now is to ensure Steve has the support and resources he needs to succeed in this role.'
The 42
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Wales beat Japan 31-22 to end record 18-game losing run
WALES EDGED JAPAN 31-22 in Kobe to end their record 18-game losing streak and pick up their first win since the 2023 World Cup. A Josh Adams try and a Kieran Hardy double gave the Welsh a half-time lead and Dan Edwards scored another late in the game to kill off Japan's comeback in 32C conditions under a closed roof. It was Wales's first win since they beat Georgia in October 2023, and their losing streak had been a record for a Tier One country in the professional era. They lost 24-19 to Japan in last week's first Test after squandering a half-time lead and there was almost a repeat performance. Japan scored on the stroke of half-time and added two more tries after the break but Edwards, making his first Wales start, scored in the 75th minute to secure the long-awaited win. Wales started strongly and scored their first try in the ninth minute when Blair Murray broke forward and fed Adams to canter over the line. Adams came close to adding another midway through the first half when the ball bounced up nicely for him as he chased it towards the try-line, but it slipped from the winger's grasp and the chance was lost. Seungsin Lee slotted a penalty to get some points on the board for Japan, before Hardy slithered over the line for Wales's second try. Japan's Faulua Makisi was sent to the sin-bin for an offence in the build-up to the score. Wales took advantage to score their third try, Adams slicing through the Japan defence before Hardy applied the finishing touch. Japan hit back at just the right time, substitute Shuhei Takeuchi rumbling over for a try on the half-time hooter to give the hosts hope for the second half. Edwards kicked a penalty 10 minutes into the second half but Japan hit back again with a try from Warner Dearns. Japan scored again three minutes later when Dylan Riley picked off a Welsh pass and raced clear to touch down. That reduced the deficit to two points but Edwards, winning his third cap, pulled Wales clear with five minutes remaining. The Welsh win denied Eddie Jones's Japan their first back-to-back victories over a Tier One nation. 'It's not the performance we wanted,' said centre Riley. 'We showed some good stuff, some bad stuff but ultimately we couldn't finish this week. Advertisement 'We'll have a bit of a break, reset, come back and back to work,' he added. Elsewhere, brilliant Fiji capitalised on a red card to wing Darcy Graham to beat Scotland 29-14 in Suva, their first win over the tourists in eight years. The Fijians scored four tries and dominated a lively contest in hot conditions, sealing victory with a penalty try late in the match when Graham was shown a second yellow card for deliberate offside. It was only Fiji's third win over the Scots — all having been achieved in Suva — while Scotland have won the other eight Tests between the two, including last November's 57-17 triumph in Edinburgh, Scotland fielded a starting team featuring 14 changes from the side who opened their tour with a 29-26 defeat of the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei a week ago. Fiji made just two changes from the team beaten 21-18 by Australia in the dying minutes in Newcastle. Scotland scored a converted try early in each half but otherwise were forced into defence for long periods against a home side who mixed power and skill to good effect. The Scots, who trailed 15-7 at half-time, missed 36 tackles and gave away 15 penalties. They made a bright start, creating a try in the third minute for fullback Kyle Rowe. Their grip on the game slipped when hooker Ewen Ashman was shown a yellow card for a professional foul and experienced flanker Jamie Ritchie was forced from the field with injury. Fiji out-half Caleb Muntz slotted a penalty and his team took command in the period before half-time after Graham had been sent to the sin-bin for an early tackle. Captain Tevita Ikanivere gave his team the lead through a lineout drive try before winger Kalaveti Ravouvou capitalised on an overlap to cross in the right corner. Scotland responded after the interval through a try by centre Tom Jordan. But a brilliant solo try from winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, followed by the penalty try, when Graham raced off his own line too quickly to intercept a pass, took Fiji to victory. Referee Ben O'Keeffe deemed the wing had prevented a probable Fijian try. Scotland complete their three-match Pacific tour when they play Samoa in Auckland on Friday. – © AFP 2025
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Wales team bus involved in car crash at Women's Euro 2025 with stars left ‘shaken' and ambulance called to scene
WALES stars were left "shaken" after their team bus was involved in a crash ahead of their latest Women's European Championship match. The collision occurred as the bus travelled to St Galen. Advertisement 4 Wales' team bus was involved in a collision as it travelled to St Galen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Nobody was seriously injured in the crash, although the driver did receive treatment from emergency services Credit: Alamy 4 Dragons boss Rhian Wilkinson admits the crash has 'shaken' the squad. Credit: Getty Thankfully, no one on board was seriously injured, although an ambulance was called to treat the bus driver. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson admits the crash has rattled her troops, who were given the day off training as a result of the incident. Wilkinson said of the accident: "Our priority is to get them all together and away from the scene. "We'll be checking in to make sure they all continue to be okay. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "This is really developing right now so we are trying to be as clear and transparent as possible. "I think everyone, from all reports, is okay and we just need to get them all together and get everyone away from the scene to reassess. "We've got great staff, great support and we will make sure that everyone continues to be okay. "More importantly, I think the driver of the other vehicle is okay as well. Advertisement Most read in Sport "We will let everyone know once we know for sure." 4 Wales suffered. 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their Group D opener last Saturday Credit: GETTY The Dragons will play Wilkinson's troops were hammered 3-0 by the Netherlands in their tournament opener on Sunday. Advertisement THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Wales team bus involved in car crash at Women's Euro 2025 with stars left ‘shaken' and ambulance called to scene
Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has spoken out about how her team have been impacted CRASH SCARE Wales team bus involved in car crash at Women's Euro 2025 with stars left 'shaken' and ambulance called to scene WALES stars were left "shaken" after their team bus was involved in a crash ahead of their latest Women's European Championship match. The collision occurred as the bus travelled to St Galen. 4 Wales' team bus was involved in a collision as it travelled to St Galen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Nobody was seriously injured in the crash, although the driver did receive treatment from emergency services Credit: Alamy 4 Dragons boss Rhian Wilkinson admits the crash has 'shaken' the squad. Credit: Getty Thankfully, no one on board was seriously injured, although an ambulance was called to treat the bus driver. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson admits the crash has rattled her troops, who were given the day off training as a result of the incident. Wilkinson said of the accident: "Our priority is to get them all together and away from the scene. "We'll be checking in to make sure they all continue to be okay. "This is really developing right now so we are trying to be as clear and transparent as possible. "I think everyone, from all reports, is okay and we just need to get them all together and get everyone away from the scene to reassess. "We've got great staff, great support and we will make sure that everyone continues to be okay. "More importantly, I think the driver of the other vehicle is okay as well. "We will let everyone know once we know for sure." 4 Wales suffered. 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their Group D opener last Saturday Credit: GETTY The Dragons will play France tomorrow night at the Arena St Gallen in a crunch Group D match. Wilkinson's troops were hammered 3-0 by the Netherlands in their tournament opener on Sunday. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Bellamy: Wales still on track despite Belgium defeat
WALES manager Craig Bellamy said his side are still on track to qualify for the World Cup despite slipping from top spot in their group following a 4-3 defeat in Belgium on Monday. The clash in Brussels would have been marked down as Wales' toughest test in Group J and it looked like the writing was on the wall when they were three goals down inside the first half-hour. But Bellamy's side fought back to level at 3-3 and looked good for a surprise point before Kevin De Bruyne snatched a late winner for the hosts. 'To come to a top-eight team and play the way we want to play. I think the Belgian players saw it as well,' said Bellamy, who lost his first game as Wales manager after 10 matches in charge. 'We aren't going anywhere. I will have a couple of weeks now of recharging, but I'm beyond proud and really excited about the future.' Wales have seven points from four matches in their group and are at the halfway stage of their campaign. North Macedonia top the standings with eight points, but Belgium, on four points, have played only two fixtures. The group winner qualifies automatically for next year's finals in North America, while the runners-up go into a playoff competition. Wales next travel to fourth-placed Kazakhstan in September and then have a return clash with the Belgians in Cardiff in October. Sorba Thomas, who scored his first international goal for Wales on Monday, said their second-half performance showed what kind of a team they are. 'Even though we lost the game, I feel like we won it in our own heads,' he added. 'Against countries like this, you'll be punished. I can't wait to play these when we get back to Cardiff.' Wales reached the quarter-final of the 1958 World Cup and did not qualify again until the last finals in Qatar in 2022, where they finished bottom of their group.
