Rugby News
It’s not often that a coach is the centre of attention in a Welsh derby match, but all eyes will be on Mark Jones as he takes charge of the Ospreys for the first time following the midweek departure of Toby Booth. Everyone knew the former Wales wing would be taking over the reins at […]
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The young backs who have been lighting up Super Rygbi Cymru this season have dominated the headlines – Steff Emanuel, Tom Bowen, Huw Anderson and Tom Florence – but last weekend a forward got in on the act. Newport second row Nick Thomas made his Dragons debut off the bench in their EPCR Challenge […]
The post SRC derby weekends add extra spice to Christmas appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Scotland U20 hung on to a first half lead to win 45-43 against a resurgent Wales U20 this afternoon at the Riverside Stand at Hive Stadium. Captain Johnny Ventisei and Ollie McKenna scored two tries as Scotland raced out to a 38-10 scoreline at half time, but Wales bravely reeled them in with five second […]
The post Heartbreak for Wales U20s after second half revival appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder have named their teams for the opening fixture and the first Welsh derby of the festive period for the Celtic Challenge clash at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, December 21st (2.30pm) The sides selected are full of proven Welsh international talent and the rising stars and potential Welsh internationals of the […]
The post Gwalia Ligthning and Brython Thunder name team for festive derby appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Wales full-back Cam Winnett has signed a contract extension at Cardiff Rugby ahead of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations. The 21-year-old penned a long-term contract at the beginning of the year but has now extended his commitment. His news follows on extensions for fellow homegrown teammates Liam Belcher and Ben Thomas. “I’m so happy to […]
The post Winnett signs on for more at the Arms Park appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Warren Gatland has been challenged to lead Wales to success in the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, after CEO Abi Tierney’s review into national squad performances under his second tenure in charge to date was completed. Tierney presented findings of a meticulous and far-reaching review into the high-performance element of the senior men’s game in Wales […]
The post Gatland’s New Year challenge appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Nigel Walker has resigned from his position as Executive Director of Rugby for the Welsh Rugby Union, with immediate effect. Huw Bevan, who is currently interim performance director, and community director, Geraint John, will assume Walker’s executive duties in the short term with a new Director of Rugby to be recruited in the New Year. […]
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Momentum may be with the Scarlets, but Dwayne Peel knows his side can take absolutely nothing for granted when they head to the Swansea.Com for the Christmas cracker derby against Ospreys. The two teams come into the game having suffered very different fortunes this season. The Scarlets are one point off the play-off places in […]
The post Peel ready to pounce on wounded Ospreys in west Wales derby appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Jotham Russell switched from Tweed Heads Seagulls to the Pats’ practice squad and dreams of making the grade
By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required
Desperate to find breakthrough international stars, NFL talent scouts seem to have found two avenues well worth pursuing. Of the athletes in the league’s International Player Pathway (IPP) in 2024 and 2025, the latter group was announced last week, around half were rugby players of both codes from Australia or athletes with Nigerian heritage. In Jotham Russell, the NFL have both.
A year ago, Russell was pursuing his rugby league career at Tweed Heads Seagulls in Queensland’s Hastings Deering Colts competition. Identified as a potential NFL player, by January he was at trials for the IPP program at the IMG Academy in Florida. The Australian with Nigerian heritage survived the Rookie Camp in May and pre-season to sign for New England Patriots’ practice squad, watching an NFL game from the sidelines for the first time when the Pats lost to Jacksonville at Wembley in October. It has been a bewildering whirlwind.
Continue reading...Much has been made of Super Rygbi Cymru being a great development tool for Wales’ up and coming players, but it’s also a competition where players with a proven pedigree can still show the young bucks a thing or two. Pontypool’s Morgan Allen is a classic example. The well travelled back row has proven a […]
The post Allen giving young pups a run for their money appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Premiership rugby clubs who “have been teetering on the edge” are set to come under further scrutiny by the government over the repayments of their £124m Covid bailout loans.
A report by the National Audit Office details how the Department for Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS] awarded 26% of its £474m loans to Premiership clubs, including £41.6m to Worcester, Wasps and London Irish, who have all since gone bust. According to the report, they are three of nine borrowers who in total received £46.1m and their collective demises mean that the DCMS does not expect to recover up to £29m in loans awarded.
Continue reading...Ospreys Rugby have confirmed that Toby Booth has departed from his role as head coach with immediate effect. Mark Jones will assume the role of head coach with immediate effect, supported by the current coaching staff and management. Jones, a former Wales U20 head coach and Wales backs coach, was due to take over from […]
The post Jones takes charge as Booth departs Ospreys appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Ebbw Vale avenged their only defeat of the campaign so far in Super Rygbi Cymru as they came from behind to beat Cardiff 32-20 at Eugene Cross Park and replace them at the top of the table. The 29-12 reverse they suffered at the Arms Park in round two back in September provided added motivation […]
The post Steelmen gain revenge as they overtake Cardiff at top of SRC appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Pontypool went on the rampage with seven second half tries to secure a thumping 58-25 win over Bridgend in Super Rygbi Cymru. The Ravens had led 20-10 at the interval thanks to tries from wing Ben Evans, on debut, Evan Yardley and Chris Williams. Ben Burnell kicked a penalty. Wing Walker Price was Pooler’s try scorer […]
The post Pooler power to SRC victory with magnificent seven second half tries appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Taulupe Faletau made a winning return to rugby as he managed 52 minutes in only his second appearance for Cardiff this year in the 26-10 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in the EPCR Challenge Cup at the Arms Park. The second coming of 2024 for the 104 times capped Wales No 8 was a much […]
The post Faletau back with a bang as Cardiff beat Cheetahs appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.