Latest news with #WRU
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lack of Welsh Lions must not repeated
Third Test: Australia v British and Irish LionsDate: Saturday 2 August Venue: Accor Stadium Kick-off: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Radio Cymru, text commentary and post-match analysis on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC iPlayer and online Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin says Welsh rugby cannot find itself in the same situation after only having two players on the British and Irish Lions tour of flanker Jac Morgan and Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams were originally selected in Andy Farrell's 38-man contingent was reduced to one when Williams was forced home early with a hamstring injury, with Morgan featuring as a replacement in the second Test victory in Melbourne that sealed the have been more Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board members in Australia than current players in recent weeks, while thousands of fans have still made the says new director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin has a key role in ensuring history does not repeat itself with the lack of players selected. "The biggest thing is the progression and pathway, making sure we don't fall back into this situation where we have only got two, and now one, player on a Lions tour," Shanklin told the Scrum V podcast."Dave Reddin is the man, that's the most important job now, his role of developing players so that we are not in this situation again."It's about the academies, schools rugby, a pathway for players who are 15 or 16 years old, so that in five or six years we have way more quality coming through." 'Tandy can bring some steel back' Former Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy was appointed as the new permanent Wales head coach last week following the departure of Warren Gatland in Sherratt had taken over in a caretaker capacity with a record 18-match losing run finally ending with a victory against Japan in Kobe earlier this month."He's going to bring that steeliness back," said former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert."I just don't know what Wales are, we used to be known as such a hard team to beat."Look at Wales now and we are easy to score against and we don't score enough points."Tandy has not been a head coach at international level before with Cuthbert admitting the new Wales backroom staff will need to support the new man."Technically and tactically, Steve has been a defence coach," said Cuthbert"It's very different being head coach so he will have to get his staff right."Shanklin says he is pleased with Tandy's appointment."The Union is obviously struggling for money," said Shanklin."There could have been the option to buy someone for £600,000 but that's not going to change Welsh rugby."We progressed a little bit, maybe, with Matt Sherratt but I don't think any coach would have an instant impact."We need a blueprint, that's key, and a style of play that suits. That will have to change from what it has been to something new and it's the team he gets around him."Shanklin warned expectations need to be measured."He's not going to change the team into Six Nations winners," said Shanklin."We will still go through quite a few losses, because we just don't have the quality of player other teams have." How many teams should Wales have? Tandy returns to Wales at a time of more off-the-field turmoil with the WRU considering cutting at least one of the nation's professional governing body has entered a formal consultation period for the professional game that could see the the top tier of the domestic game reduced from four to three or WRU-owned Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets are preparing for the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the end of September and a final decision is expected from the WRU the following 2027-28 season has been identified as the time for domestic change but that could even occur next year."Initially I wanted to see four teams still, because that's great pathway for players coming through and access to playing professional rugby," said Shanklin."Limit that to two teams and there's less opportunity for players. "Look at Scotland. Does two teams work there, club or nationally?" Anglo-Welsh league hopes Shanklin believes if the cut is made, then the semi-professional Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) will need to provide a suitable feeder system."If it is two teams then there needs to be a high standard of competition below it," said Shanklin."There can't be a massive drop below if you only have two teams and a league below where you can't bridge the gap."Players who are not selected for the two teams need to be playing in a competitive league so when there are injuries and youngsters coming through, they are not way off professional club rugby."Whatever happens with the numbers of sides, Cuthbert says he would love to see Wales move join an Anglo-Welsh league with 10 clubs currently competing in England's top division."Commercially it would be unbelievable," said the former Exeter wing."If we join that league I think it would be another level. You would have away fans turning up."The Premiership is losing money. I know they say they don't need any other teams but maybe they do."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Owners backed to fight for Dragons in WRU shake-up
Coach Dale Macleod trusts the Dragons' owners to "fight our fight" as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) considers cutting at least one of the nation's professional teams. The governing body has entered a formal consultation period for the professional game that could see the the top tier of the domestic game reduced from four to three or two. Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets are preparing for the start of the United Rugby Championship at the end of September and a final decision is expected from the WRU the following month. "You can only control what you can control, my job is to come here and coach, for the players it's to come here and play," said defence chief Macleod, who has arrived from New Zealand to work under head coach Filo Tiatia. Tierney has 'fire' to help Welsh rugby transform 'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin WRU considers cutting up to two regional teams "We are really focused on that and the rest will take care of itself, there's not much that I can do or say." Dragons were owned by the WRU between 2017 and 2023 before they were taken over by David Buttress, David Wright and Hoyoung Huh. "Their job is to go and deal with it, they will fight our fight," said Macleod, who was speaking at a training session at Caerphilly RFC as the Dragons tour the region. "It's probably just a bit of a shake-up, but we will live to fight another day. I am trusted to coach the team and I will trust them to fight our battle. "I keep saying it to the players 'know your role, do your role'. There is no use getting stressed about something that I can't control, and I am just loving being here." 'White noise' Tight-head prop Dillon Lewis has returned to Wales after two seasons with Harlequins. The former Cardiff front-rower was a member of the national side that faced England in the 2023 Six Nations after the threat of strike action. Now Lewis, 29, is experiencing another period of uncertainty for the professional game in Wales. "If I am honest, it's white noise now," said the 57-times capped forward. "We are here to concentrate on rugby and it's definitely not our job to dictate what happens with the regions and regional game. "All we can do is put our best foot forward on the pitch, try to get results and play well. Then, from the powers above, whatever will be, will be. "That is definitely not something for us to concentrate on right now, and there are a lot of exciting things happening here at the Dragons so we've just got to concentrate on the rugby."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Owners backed to fight for Dragons in WRU shake-up
Coach Dale Macleod trusts the Dragons' owners to "fight our fight" as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) considers cutting at least one of the nation's professional governing body has entered a formal consultation period for the professional game that could see the the top tier of the domestic game reduced from four to three or Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets are preparing for the start of the United Rugby Championship at the end of September and a final decision is expected from the WRU the following month."You can only control what you can control, my job is to come here and coach, for the players it's to come here and play," said defence chief Macleod, who has arrived from New Zealand to work under head coach Filo Tiatia. "We are really focused on that and the rest will take care of itself, there's not much that I can do or say."Dragons were owned by the WRU between 2017 and 2023 before they were taken over by David Buttress, David Wright and Hoyoung Huh."Their job is to go and deal with it, they will fight our fight," said Macleod, who was speaking at a training session at Caerphilly RFC as the Dragons tour the region."It's probably just a bit of a shake-up, but we will live to fight another day. I am trusted to coach the team and I will trust them to fight our battle."I keep saying it to the players 'know your role, do your role'. There is no use getting stressed about something that I can't control, and I am just loving being here." 'White noise' Tight-head prop Dillon Lewis has returned to Wales after two seasons with former Cardiff front-rower was a member of the national side that faced England in the 2023 Six Nations after the threat of strike Lewis, 29, is experiencing another period of uncertainty for the professional game in Wales."If I am honest, it's white noise now," said the 57-times capped forward. "We are here to concentrate on rugby and it's definitely not our job to dictate what happens with the regions and regional game."All we can do is put our best foot forward on the pitch, try to get results and play well. Then, from the powers above, whatever will be, will be."That is definitely not something for us to concentrate on right now, and there are a lot of exciting things happening here at the Dragons so we've just got to concentrate on the rugby."
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Business News Wales Launches ‘Sport Business' Section in Partnership with Leading Welsh Sporting Bodies
Business News Wales has today announced the launch of a new editorial section titled 'Sport Business', developed in collaboration with some of the country's most influential sporting organisations including Glamorgan Cricket, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), the Football Association of Wales (FAW), and the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation. Launching this September, the new section will feature a dedicated podcast series and email newsletter, providing an independent, authoritative platform to explore the increasingly vital role of sport within the Welsh economy, a sector that contributes over £1 billion annually to Wales' GDP. While the cultural and social impact of sport is widely recognised, its contribution to economic development, employment, tourism, education, infrastructure investment, and community regeneration remains underrepresented within economic policy. Business News Wales' new Sport Business section aims to change that. The Welsh independent publisher's editorial expansion into Wales' sports ecosystem will explore the strategic influence of sport on economic outcomes. Through in-depth features, interviews with senior leaders, and thought leadership from across the sporting ecosystem, the section will highlight the sector's unique strengths, including its naturally resilient individuals, its high-performance mindset, and its ability to inspire and unite communities across Wales. 'Sport is one of Wales' greatest strategic assets, not just culturally, but economically,' said Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales. 'Having started my own career in sports marketing in Rugby League over 25 years ago, I understand first-hand the values it instils – resilience, leadership, teamwork – all of which are vital as Wales looks to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead. 'We believe that Wales' sporting professionals, from retired athletes to those currently competing at the elite level, have an untapped role to play in shaping our economic future. If we can build a meaningful bridge between the sporting and business communities, we'll unlock a mindset that could give Wales a genuine competitive edge.' The editorial expansion will also explore new opportunities for collaboration between sport, business, and government, particularly where sport can support regeneration, skills development, and raise Wales' profile on the global stage. In addition, it will examine the innovation and entrepreneurship emerging from the sector, including the adoption of new technologies, investments in infrastructure, and the growing focus on performance, data, and wellbeing. Abi Tierney, CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union, said: 'Sport is a major driver of social impact, economic growth and national identity here in Wales, yet too often the depth of that contribution doesn't get the recognition it deserves. The launch of the Sport Business section by Business News Wales is a hugely positive step forward. It gives sporting organisations like the WRU, and our colleagues across all codes, a dedicated platform to engage meaningfully with the business community and government. Having a consistent and credible channel to share our stories, showcase our impact, and advocate for future investment is vital as we continue to evolve sport's role in Welsh society. We're proud to support this initiative and look forward to working together to amplify the voice of sport organisations in Wales.' Dan Cherry, CEO of Glamorgan Cricket, said: 'Cricket in Wales is re-emerging as a powerful force for good, not just on the pitch, but across our communities, our local economy, and our culture. From grassroots participation to elite competition, the game is growing rapidly and delivering real value to people's lives. 'At Glamorgan Cricket, we're proud of the role we play in that wider ecosystem, and equally proud of the commercial success story that's taking shape behind the scenes, whether that's increasing attendances, bringing a more diverse audience to the game, expanding our corporate hospitality offer, or the growing reputation of Sophia Gardens as a premier venue for business events and private hire. That's why the launch of the Sport Business channel is so important. It gives us and our peers across Welsh sport a consistent and professional platform to amplify our success, connect with business and government stakeholders, and collectively tell the story of how sport is shaping a better future for Wales. We welcome this initiative and look forward to playing a key role in its growth.' Noel Mooney, CEO of the Football Association of Wales, said: 'Football is a powerful economic and social engine for Wales, from the grassroots game to our national teams, the sport supports jobs, drives tourism, unites communities, and inspires the next generation. At the FAW, we've seen firsthand how football can shape national pride and local prosperity. That's why the launch of the Sport Business channel is so important. It gives us and our partners in sport a professional, independent platform to communicate directly with our stakeholders, whether in government, business, or the wider community. This will be pivotal in telling the full story of football's contribution to the Welsh economy and ensuring sport continues to be recognised as a key pillar of Wales' future.' Sameer Rahman, Non-Executive Director at FAW, Glamorgan Cricket and Millennium Stadium, said: 'For too long, the economic impact of sport in Wales has been underrepresented in mainstream business and policy conversations. I felt strongly that our major sporting organisations needed a dedicated, credible platform, not just to share their individual stories, but to come together with a collective voice that reflects the scale and significance of sport's contribution to the Welsh economy. This new Sport Business channel will give us exactly that. It creates a unified space for collaboration, visibility, and influence, helping us better engage with government, the private sector, and wider society. I applaud Business News Wales for identifying this gap and moving swiftly to create a solution that will benefit the founder organisations involved in this new initiative.' The new Sport Business section on Business News Wales will launch on Monday, 8th September. To sign up for its sport in business newsletter, click here
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Welsh rugby's ins and outs for 2025-26 season
Uncertainty remains over the future of Welsh professional rugby but four sides have been shaping their squads for the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship (URC).The season starts at the end of September and preparations are already well under way, with plenty of new recruits settling have arrived in turbulent times, with a big decision expected by October from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on whether there will be a reduction in regional teams from four to three or even of debuts will have been made by then and BBC Sport Wales rounds up the summer moves that have been agreed. Cardiff In: Dynamic back-row forward Taine Basham has left Dragons and will hope to profit from a change of environment to get back to the form that saw him starring for Wales in the 2021 autumn George Nott, who can also slot in at blindside, has followed him to the Arms Park from Rodney have brought in Ioan Lloyd from Scarlets to tussle with his former Bristol team-mate Callum Sheedy for the 10 prop Javan Sebastian, who came through at Carmarthen, and fellow tight-head Sam Wainwright, who has won four caps for Wales, arrive from Edinburgh and the Scarlets prop Ioan Emanuel and scrum-half Ieuan Davies will spend the season on loan from Gabe Hamer-Webb, Regan Grace, Rey Lee-Lo, Tinus de Beer, Rhys Litterick, Efan Daniel, Seb Davies, Thomas Young, Gwilym Bradley, Mackenzie Martin. Dragons In: Dragons have comfortably been the busiest of the Welsh sides with 13 senior signings after a miserable season when they finished bottom of the URC with just one prop Dillon Lewis will hunt a Wales recall after coming home from Harlequins, while 2021 British and Irish Lions squad loose-head Wyn Jones also arrives from the Twickenham Seb Davies, flanker Thomas Young and fly-half Tinus de Beer make the short trip from Cardiff along with number eight Mackenzie Martin, who is initially on a season-long loan after struggling for game time at the Arms Under-20s captain and flanker Harry Beddall will step up to senior rugby after switching from African tight-head prop Robert Hunt arrives from Cheetahs and well-travelled lock Levi Douglas, who is Welsh-qualified and was at Biarritz last season, joins the options in the second hope is that Tongan backs Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi will add firepower in midfield and on the wing after signing from Zebre Parma and Moana Jac Lloyd and utility back David Richards are rewarded for helping Newport to the Super Rygbi Cymru Jordan Williams, Ashton Hewitt, Harry Wilson, Scott Williams, Will Reed, Lloyd Evans, Josh Thomas, Dane Blacker, Josh Reynolds, Paula Latu, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Joe Davies, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham, George Young. Ospreys In: The big change at Ospreys will be the eventual move to St Helen's but their statement signing was Ross destructive Wales back-rower, whose father Paul and uncle Richard played for Swansea RFC, has returned from France after leaving Dragons for Brive at the end of the 2022-23 Efan Daniel, who toured Australia with Wales last year, will hope to kick on after making the switch from signing of Australian lock Ryan Smith softens the blow of losing Adam Beard to Montpellier while scrum-half Harri Williams, who came through at Scarlets and played for Ampthill in the English Championship, arrives from club rugby in Owen Williams, Adam Beard, James Fender, Justin Tipuric, Tristan Davies. Scarlets In: Scarlets' bid to build on last season has been hit by the loss of back row Vaea Fifita but they have made some strong lock Jake Ball will add plenty of heft after reversing his his decision to retire; the 34-year-old has declared he returns from a spell in Japan in better physical homecoming of centre Joe Hawkins, whose international career was put on hold by a move from Ospreys to Exeter, adds to the midfield options and his ball-playing skills mean that he could also slot in at Dane Blacker returns to Llanelli after two seasons with Dragons and will battle for action with Gareth Davies and Archie Tristan Davies makes the short move from Ospreys while England Under-20s full-back Ioan Jones, who is Welsh-qualified, arrives from Steff Evans, Ioan Lloyd, Charlie Titcombe, Efan Jones, Sam Wainwright, Shaun Evans, Vaea Fifita, Alex Craig, Morgan Jones, Ed Scragg.
