Latest news with #Welshman
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara agree on next move after Sky Sports success
Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara revealed they would "love" to collaborate on a fresh programme together following their surprise hit partnership that has captivated British and Irish Lions supporters throughout this summer's Australian tour. Whilst Andy Farrell's squad prepares for this weekend's final Test aiming to clinch an historic 3-0 series victory, the former Wales fly-half and Ireland icon have become a triumph in their own right after joining forces for Sky Sports commentary duties during the tour. Their natural on-screen rapport and expert analysis has won over audiences, especially when their discussions have escalated into live disagreements, something that has occurred multiple times. During the tour's early stages, they clashed over whether Farrell's son Owen deserved his place in the Lions squad, creating compelling television with Biggar opposing the selection whilst O'Gara defended it, reports Wales Online. Former England back Andy Goode even dubbed them "an old married couple" following one particular spat during commentary for the tourists' victory against the Brumbies earlier this month. With a combined 240 caps for Ireland and Wales between them, O'Gara and Biggar possess a treasure trove of experience and knowledge to tap into. The former - who currently serves as head coach of La Rochelle - brings his tactical expertise from a coaching perspective, whilst the latter delivers a player's viewpoint having recently retired at the season's end. This partnership has proven remarkably successful and has left supporters clamouring for more. It now seems they may get their wish, as the duo have disclosed plans to collaborate again in the coming months. Taking inspiration from Monday Night Football's format, Biggar and O'Gara are eager to delve deep into the intricate tactical elements of today's game, delivering "something for the real rugby nerds". Whilst nothing has been finalised yet, the former Ospreys, Northampton Saints and Toulon stalwart Biggar confirmed he is "sure we'll do some bits and pieces" after the current tour concludes in Sydney this weekend. Speaking to The i, the 35 year old explained: "We probably don't get enough time in this capacity to expand on a point. "We'd love to be able to do something for the real rugby nerds. Why is he kicking here? Or, if they play this way, if they play that way, what does it mean for the defence, for the attack, etc? "We've looked at Monday Night Football as a great example – it gives you a big, long build-up to talk and review the games on the weekend," the Welshman added, acknowledging the success of his partnership with O'Gara. "We've realised that we have struck something up quite nicely on tour in the last four or five weeks. I'm sure we'll do some bits and pieces, going forward. And the price has gone up after the last few weeks." On why their unlikely double act has proved to be such a standout success, Biggar offered: "A lot of other channels just go player, player, player. And they may have different opinions, but it's all coming from a player's point of view." O'Gara added: "Why it works – and it's an immense credit to Dan – is even at this stage of his burgeoning commentary career, he puts a big emphasis on preparation. I've taken it as bonus territory, where my bread-and-butter and the only thing I'm interested in is coaching. "But I love talking rugby and I looked upon this as an opportunity to chat with Dan off camera, chat with all the NRL coaches you can get your hands on, chat with people associated with the Lions, chat with good rugby people so you grow your rugby knowledge."
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jonny Clayton 'did not want to play darts' as he makes honest admission after family tragedy
World Matchplay semi-finalist Jonny Clayton has revealed how his motivation for darts was drained after a family tragedy, but he's now targeting a return to the elite Jonny Clayton has said he was on the verge of giving up darts for good following the sudden death of his dad, John. But after a semi-final finish at the World Matchplay, the Welshman is well on the mend and has rediscovered his motivation to compete. 'The Ferret' was due to fly to the other side of the globe for the World Series in July 2023 when he received word of his father's death. And it was then Clayton started to find it difficult to concentrate on his darts commitments. He has since made a return to form after reaching the final of the World Masters in February. That marked his first PDC major final in almost two years, and he came within inches of adding another tournament decider to his record at the Winter Gardens. Clayton, 50, defeated Stephen Bunting 16-7 before falling 20-18 to James Wade in the semis of the World Matchplay. But he has chosen to take the positives from that result after detailing just how close he came to packing it in for good. "I've changed my mind! I've got the hunger back," he said after beating Stephen Bunting to reach the last four in Blackpool. "I don't know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts, but I want to be one of the best. 'It hurts that I've dropped from world No. 5 to nine with the rankings, but I'm climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite. "When you're there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings. If you're not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it. But if you're playing well, it's a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did." He narrowly missed out on repeating the trick against 'The Machine', fighting back from 16-10 down to lose on a tiebreak. He and Wade now hold the record for the longest semi-final in World Matchplay history. Clayton has opened up in the past about the toll it took to lose his dad, describing the deep bond they shared. But he appears to have finally reached a place of acceptance, and it's showing in his performances at the oche. "We all know two years ago with my dad passing I just did not want to play," he continued. "I have a smile back on my face now, and I have two kids who want me to do well." The former plasterer, who only gave up his day job in 2022, went on to say he doesn't believe he has "hit top gear" just yet and has more to offer. Not only that, but he's back on the practice board, something he hasn't done "for probably a year-and-a-half." It was back in May that Clayton also ended his wait of more than two years for a European Tour title. He clinched the Dutch Darts Championship after coming back from 5-2 down to defeat Niko Springer in Rosmalen and celebrate another landmark moment. He and countryman Gerwyn Price also snagged a silver medal at this year's World Cup of Darts. The Welsh duo finished second to the Northern Irish pairing of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, having won the trophy themselves two years prior. The 2021 Premier League champion may have been a late arrival to the PDC after only joining their ranks 10 years ago. But Clayton appears eager to make up for lost time.
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
The Lions have a dated and disregarded law book to thank for second Test victory
By the letter of the law the British and Irish Lions should not have won Saturday second Test, but the problem is those laws have been consistently ignored in the modern game. The dramatic, match-winning try from Hugo Keenan was preceded by a controversial ruck moment by Welshman, Jac Morgan, which was checked by Andrea Piardi and his refereeing team. Piardi got the call right, but there's a lot wrong with why I think it's the right call. The breakdown area is a particular issue in the game at the moment, and a part of the game that I've had a problem with for some time. It's impossible to know what's right and wrong, even when you study the laws and pick out examples. In fact, reading the laws after watching the Jac Morgan incident would actually confuse avid rugby supporters, never mind the casual watcher or newcomers to the game. Law 9.20 states a number of illegal acts that Jac Morgan may have fallen foul of: "A player must not charge into a ruck or maul." I don't believe that what Jac Morgan did in his act of clearing Carlo Tizzano out of the ruck is now considered to be charging. He had outstretched arms in an attempt to wrap them somewhere around the defensive player. In the current game, I think that can be considered a decent enough effort and shouldn't be sanctioned. However, is that action a genuine attempt at wrapping, by the letter of the law? I don't believe so. Rucking has become far removed from what it was originally intended, without anything or anyone stating that the action was allowed to change in this way. The more pressing issue here is the fact that according to law 9.20.c, "a player must not intentionally collapse a ruck or a maul". Maybe more accurately, law 15.12 states that "players must endeavour to remain on their feet throughout the ruck". These laws might as well not be written down. Jac Morgan didn't attempt to stay on his feet. He's not the only one, it's a common tactic to take other players away from the ruck. In a professional playing capacity, we were always told that it was fine if you took another body away from the ruck with you, and if you have energy for another action, at least try to get back on your feet. We see it repeatedly during games. Yet, the law should be clear. Law 9.20.b says that "a player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders". That's exactly what Morgan did, except in this case, Tizzano's neck was actually below the line of his shoulders, considering he was hinged and practically upside-down in his positioning (below). And this is the big issue with the laws on the defensive side of the play. Tizzano is in a modern 'jackal' position, questionably supporting his bodyweight, with his head below the level of his hips. Therefore, as the attacking player arrives at the ruck, staying low to go below the shoulder level of his opponent meant that Jac Morgan was initiating contact in a more dangerous way. The argument is what is he supposed to do in this instance? He can't make low and meaningful contact without the act being dangerous, we know he can't roll or twist the defender, and he definitely doesn't want to give the ball away. Surely the issue here is with the jackal position being permitted, despite the laws speaking to the contrary. These laws are obsolete and aren't adhered to, so why are they written at all? No wonder there's constant debate after the event, especially after a win in this manner. Research by Scott Mitchell and Gregory Tierney following the 2019 World Cup showed that 37% of all breakdowns had an infringement in them. Of that 37%, 79% of these infringements were not called as penalties or free kicks. The highest frequency infringement that wasn't called was players entering with their heads below their hips. The second highest frequency of uncalled infringements was for players going off their feet. The attacking team was also responsible for 70% of true infringements, but were penalised less than the defending team. If you want to know how exactly we got here, to this level of uncertainty around decisions, then look no further. The referees are doomed to failure. The law book exists, yet the game is refereed through common law, judgements and with an attempt to create a flow. This isn't the fault of the referees, it's the fault of many stakeholders and what we accept within the game. Attempting to find a final piece of evidence showing that the Jac Morgan clearout happens all the time, I went back through some of the Wallabies dominant phases to find a similar instance. I thought it would be very common and easy to find. Yet it's difficult to find an instance in the Wallabies attack. Joe Schmidt coaches a clean breakdown. He demands that his players arrive early and stop the competition without so much as a collision, where possible. They arrive before the tackler can reload to their feet and stand over them to ensure they cannot get up. The contest is normally over before it begins, and therefore rarely relies on sheer physicality. As a result, Schmidt (above) is right to feel aggrieved. He doesn't coach the same tactics in the breakdown, his attacking coaching is done within the laws, and the Morgan clearout isn't legal, by the letter of the law. Despite everything said above, and it's quite contradictory to say, it's still wrong to give a penalty against Morgan for foul play. It's clearly not accepted as foul play in the current game. The result would have been a deciding third Test in Sydney, something everyone but the Lions players and staff would have wanted. The issue is within the laws. What we accept now is not what is written within the laws, so change them or enforce them. What is legal at the breakdown needs a review, with clarity and safety being the main aim. If that means the game will change, then so be it. The 79th minute of a Test match is not the time to decide how the lawbook should be written or accepted. Currently, there's more confusion than ever, and therein lies the problem. Games are won and lost within tactics, moments and the accumulation of actions, yet it could take one decision to tip the scales and that's what we saw last weekend. Continuing with a dated and disregarded law book will bring more controversy and difficulty for referees, which they don't need. We should be talking about Keenan, Finn Russell, the James Lowe offload for Tadhg Beirne's try, the Joseph Sua'ali'i and Bundee Aki line breaks, the Australian turnaround. We shouldn't be this distracted by the laws.
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I felt down.. I just didn't want to play' – Ex-Premier League champion nearly QUIT darts as he opens up on heartbreak
EMOTIONAL Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to QUITTING darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad. The Welshman enjoyed an great run at the World Matchplay, reaching the semi-finals where he was then knocked out by James Wade in an all-time classic clash. Advertisement 2 Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to quitting darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Clayton came narrowly close to making the final of the World Matchplay Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Their last four match went down as the longest ever semi-final in World Matchplay history , as 2023 runner-up Clayton fought back from 16-10 down to force a tiebreak. The Machine eventually won it 20-18 to set up a final clash with eventual winner who clinched glory with a 18-13 victory . Despite narrowly missing out on a shot at the trophy, there were plenty of positives for Clayton to take from an impressive week in Blackpool. The 'Ferret' thrashed world No.4 Stephen Bunting 16-7 to book his spot in the last four, which was his fourth major semi-final this year. Advertisement READ MORE DARTS NEWS But Clayton was prepared to walk away from darts altogether after a tough period following the But after beating Bunting, the 50-year-old revealed he has now rediscovered his love of the sport. He said: 'I've changed my mind! I've got the hunger back. I don't know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts , but I want to be one of the best. 'It hurts that I've dropped from world number five to nine with the rankings, but I'm climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite. Advertisement Most read in Darts Latest BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'When you're there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings. 'If you're not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it. Luke Littler sends Blackpool wild as he wins World Matchplay Darts 'But if you're playing well, it's a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did." Advertisement Clayton then opened up on how his tragic loss has affected him, as he admitted losing all motivation to play the sport. The former plasterer added: 'I don't think I have hit top gear here yet. "But I am back on the practice board and that is something I have not done for probably a year and a half. 'We all know two years ago with my dad passing I just did not want to play. Advertisement 'I have a smile back on my face now and I have two kids who want me to do well.' Clayton has certainly managed to bounce back this year, having picked up a Euro Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship in May. He also narrowly missed out on glory at the World Cup of Darts, as he and Wales team-mate Gerwyn Price were beaten 10-9 in the final by Northern Irish pair Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney. The Welsh darts star is a four-time major winner, with all of these titles coming in 2021. Advertisement In one-year, Clayton tasted glory in the Premier League, World Masters, World Grand Prix and the World Series of Darts Finals.
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I felt down.. I just didn't want to play' – Ex-Premier League champion nearly QUIT darts as he opens up on heartbreak
Darts ace explains how close he was with his dad FAMILY TRAGEDY 'I felt down.. I just didn't want to play' – Ex-Premier League champion nearly QUIT darts as he opens up on heartbreak Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMOTIONAL Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to QUITTING darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad. The Welshman enjoyed an great run at the World Matchplay, reaching the semi-finals where he was then knocked out by James Wade in an all-time classic clash. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to quitting darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Clayton came narrowly close to making the final of the World Matchplay Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Their last four match went down as the longest ever semi-final in World Matchplay history, as 2023 runner-up Clayton fought back from 16-10 down to force a tiebreak. The Machine eventually won it 20-18 to set up a final clash with eventual winner Luke Littler, who clinched glory with a 18-13 victory. Despite narrowly missing out on a shot at the trophy, there were plenty of positives for Clayton to take from an impressive week in Blackpool. The 'Ferret' thrashed world No.4 Stephen Bunting 16-7 to book his spot in the last four, which was his fourth major semi-final this year. READ MORE DARTS NEWS SMITH WOE Michael Smith health update as he undergoes blood tests and withdraws from events But Clayton was prepared to walk away from darts altogether after a tough period following the sudden death of his dad John in 2023 on the eve of a flight Down Under. But after beating Bunting, the 50-year-old revealed he has now rediscovered his love of the sport. He said: 'I've changed my mind! I've got the hunger back. I don't know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts, but I want to be one of the best. 'It hurts that I've dropped from world number five to nine with the rankings, but I'm climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'When you're there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings. 'If you're not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it. Luke Littler sends Blackpool wild as he wins World Matchplay Darts 'But if you're playing well, it's a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did." Clayton then opened up on how his tragic loss has affected him, as he admitted losing all motivation to play the sport. The former plasterer added: 'I don't think I have hit top gear here yet. "But I am back on the practice board and that is something I have not done for probably a year and a half. 'We all know two years ago with my dad passing I just did not want to play. 'I have a smile back on my face now and I have two kids who want me to do well.' Clayton has certainly managed to bounce back this year, having picked up a Euro Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship in May. He also narrowly missed out on glory at the World Cup of Darts, as he and Wales team-mate Gerwyn Price were beaten 10-9 in the final by Northern Irish pair Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney. The Welsh darts star is a four-time major winner, with all of these titles coming in 2021. In one-year, Clayton tasted glory in the Premier League, World Masters, World Grand Prix and the World Series of Darts Finals.
