Rugby News
Jack Woods couldn’t have asked for a better debut with Wales U20 than helping his side to beat Ireland for the first time since 2018 – especially as it came at his home venue of Rodney Parade. The Dragons full back stepped into the break at No 15 in place of Aberavon’s Scott Delnevo, who […]
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The former England captain Will Carling has questioned the quality of the coaching within the national set-up and suggested it is holding the team back. Carling, who was part of England’s backroom staff under Eddie Jones, has also rejected complaints from squad members such as Ellis Genge that ex-players are “out of touch” after their criticism of last month’s win over Scotland.
Carling, who captained England from 1988 to 1996 and presided over one of the country’s most successful periods, says the players look restricted by a gameplan that prevents them from replicating the ability they show at club level. “You look at the calibre of the England coaching team and you have to question whether that’s the best we can put out there,” Carling said on Radio 4’s Today programme.
Continue reading...Sport was a joyous business for the great Frank Keating: let’s hope for an uplifting Dublin classic in his memory
Sporting miracles do occasionally happen. And when they do the vivid memories cascade down for years and years. Think of dramatic Six Nations games between Ireland and France, say, and it is impossible not to be mentally transported back a quarter of a century. Baggy cotton jerseys, Irish underdogs and – magnifique! – a young Brian O’Driscoll scoring a hat-trick in Paris to beat France 27-25.
Not only was it Ireland’s first win in Paris for 28 years but that evocative mid-March weekend sticks out for a different reason. It also proved to be the final overseas rugby assignment for one of the great oval-ball chroniclers, the Guardian’s own Frank Keating. Frank adored Ireland and its revolving cast of quick-witted rugby characters and that night, once the two of us had finally located our hotel down a tiny street on the Left Bank, we duly raised a glass to the most lustrous of green days.
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Head coach Sean Lynn has named a 48-strong extended Wales training squad for the 2025 Women’s Guinness Six Nations campaign. Lynn, who was appointed as Wales head coach in January, has named a squad based around the 15 Welsh internationals who featured in the Women’s Premier Rugby semi-finals. The Wales head coach’s own Gloucester-Hartpury, Bristol […]
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Ebbw Vale put one foot firmly into the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup final after beating Gwent rivals Newport for the second time in nine days to move into pole position in Pool B. The ir 44-21 victory now means that a win at Swansea on 15 March will be enough to cement top spot for […]
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Llandovery are now all but assured of a place in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup final after a thrilling 50-35 triumph over Bridgend Ravens at Church Bank. It maintained the Drovers’ 100 per cent winning record in Pool A and maximum points earned took them six clear of RGC with just one match to play. Euros Evans’ […]
The post Drovers on course for another cup final appearance appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Saturday’s likely title decider in Six Nations renews an intense rivalry fuelled not by geography but the two teams’ brilliance
Saturday is a day that has been ringed in the calendar for months. The anticipation of France and Ireland renewing rivalries has been immense and what always shaped up as the likely decider for the championship will prove to be exactly that. Again. They have been the two most consistent, outstanding teams in the Six Nations for years now and they rarely disappoint when they lock horns.
It’s an intense rivalry but it isn’t fuelled by geographical reasons or historical antipathy. It is just a rivalry based on the brilliance of both sides, the two dominant teams battling out for the alpha status. It reminds me of Arsenal and Manchester United 20-25 years ago. Two teams separated from the rest of the pack by the quality they possess.
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Brython Thunder returned to winning ways with an impressive 17-33 victory against Glasgow Warriors in Round nine of the Celtic Challenge at the Scotstoun Stadium this afternoon. The Welsh side bounced back after last week’s defeat to Irish side Clovers with a big performance on the road in Scotland. Wales second row Gwen Crabb grabbed […]
The post Crabb hat-trick steers Thunder to win on the road appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Life without Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris is off to a great start for defending premiers Penrith, who wrapped up the NRL’s second Las Vegas visit with a thrilling 28-22 win over Cronulla.
The Panthers had their wobbles at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (AEDT) as they took their first steps without Luai and Fisher-Harris - undoubtedly the two most important players they have lost in five years as NRL heavyweights.
Continue reading...Warrington Wolves were handily beaten in Nevada but the magic of Matt Peet’s Warriors side lit up Sin City
Today, Las Vegas: tomorrow, the world? Only in the weeks, months and years to come will we know the lasting impact of Super League’s first foray into the United States but, while so many things felt new, one thing was eerily familiar: the brilliance of Wigan Warriors.
Matt Peet’s side have made it their habit to bring out their best on the biggest stages and in Nevada, with more eyes on them than ever, they certainly did not wilt as they beat Warrington 48-24, from 42-0 up.
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Name? Elliot Dee Position? Hooker What do your teammates call you? Shelby Go to coffee order? Double espresso What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Try and roll out of bed. First rugby memory? Training on the Welfare ground for Newbridge RFC U8s Are there any traditions or rituals you have before a […]
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Gwalia Lightning saw their title hopes falter after a 17-48 defeat to reigning champions and league leaders, Wolfhounds, in round nine of the Celtic Challenge at Ystrad Mynach this afternoon. Gwalia, unbeaten at home this season, found themselves pointless at half-time and down 39-0 after an impressive first half display by the Irish side. Replacement […]
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There will be no fewer than 15 Welsh international players lining up for the four teams in the PWR semi-finals this weekend – and one coach! New Wales women’s head coach Sean Lynn will be trying to lead his Gloucester-Hartpury into a third straight final to make it a hat-trick of titles before he switches […]
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The Rugby Football League has warned clubs that an attempt to sideline the sport’s governing body and replace its chair could have “catastrophic financial consequences” after taking legal advice to stave off a planned revolt.
Rugby league’s professional clubs will assemble in March to consider a proposal put forward by the Super League club Leigh Leopards and Championship side Batley Bulldogs, which calls for the immediate removal of Simon Johnson, after a purported loss of confidence in the direction of the governing body.
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Ebbw Vale will host Newport for the second weekend in a row at Eugene Cross Park, although this time it will be cup rugby. Last week’s 20-5 triumph sent The Steelmen back to the top of the Super Rygbi Cymru table and a similar result today would take them to the top of Pool B […]
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