Today's rugby news as Wales star comes 'full circle' and Jac Morgan gets new high-profile admirer
These are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, July 13.
Jac Morgan of the Lions thanks his fans after the tour match
(Image:)
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, July 13.
Wales debutant hails 'full circle' moment
New Wales debutant Keelan Giles says it was a long time coming, as he came 'full circle' - making his debut against Japan nine years after being denied a first cap against the same opposition.
The Ospreys wing had been named on the bench against the Brave Blossoms as an 18-year-old back in 2016, but didn't get on in Cardiff that day.
Since then, injuries have kept him from getting his hands on a Wales cap - but after a lengthy wait, he finally achieved it after getting on for the second half of Wales' 31-22 win over Japan in Kobe.
That victory was made even sweeter for Giles given it ended an 18-Test losing run for Wales. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
"It's a massive day, a special day for me and my family," he said afterwards. "They made the trip over, which made it extra special.
Article continues below
"It's unbelievable. It's been a long time coming.
"It's almost like a full-circle moment, playing against Japan and being on the bench nine years ago against Japan and not getting on. So it's extra special and a special feeling."
Wales captain Dewi Lake spoke after the victory at Noevir Stadium about how this long-awaited victory should be a springboard to better things.
"It's huge," said the hooker. "As Jockey spoke about, everyone's worked hard over the last four games but especially over the last five weeks.
"So the confidence this will hopefully breed within this group will be huge for us moving forward. Just a massive thank you to the coaches, Jockey, that have built that confidence over the last five weeks and allowed us to express ourselves on the field.
"That's been a massive help."
Former All Black coach praises Jac Morgan
Wales openside Jac Morgan has gained another high-profile admirer as he bids to win a place in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions Test team - with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster singing the 25-year-old's praises.
Morgan played the full 80 minutes on Saturday against the AUNZ Invitational side in Adelaide - perhaps suggesting that he's not in line to start next week against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Competition for the seven jersey is fierce, with Tom Curry and Josh van der Flier both in the mix. But Foster, who was part of the AUNZ Invitational side's coaching team, picked out the Welshman as the Lion he was most impressed by on Saturday.
"You can't help but be impressed with Morgan at the moment," he said. "He's going good as a loosie (loose forward).
"There'll be a lot of consideration about that loose forward trio, but they're mobile, they're skilful and he is a tough player.
"Look, he just works hard. You could see that we were a bit short in some of our connections at the breakdown on early phases a couple of times and he made a bit of a meal of that. He's good in that space, but he had great support too."
Farrell muted on Farrell Jr
The 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational side also saw Owen Farrell make his first appearance for the Lions on this tour after being a late call-up to replace the injured Elliot Daly.
The decision by Andy Farrell to call up his son, despite an injury-hit season in France, has not gone down well with everyone.
But the former England captain showed his worth off the bench, with a strong cameo that might just have moved him into the matchday squad for the Tests.
However, afterwards, Farrell Sr played down his son's performance.
"He did OK, he did OK, as did many others," he said.
"There were some great individual performances, wasn't there? But I suppose those individual performances gelled together as a collective."
Ford proud of the boys
By PA Sport Staff
England captain George Ford said he was 'proud of the boys' after a last-gasp 22-17 victory over Argentina in San Juan sealed a 2-0 Test series win.
Replacement scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet went over in the final minute with the score locked at 17-17 following Guy Pepper's brilliant blind-side break as England followed up last week's 35-12 win in La Plata in style.
Ford, who made his 101st Test appearance for England, said: 'We found a way in the end. We had a lot of opportunities in the 22, but couldn't get over the line.
'I'm proud of the boys. I like our fight, our togetherness, showing how much we care.
'There was some great stuff, we should have scored more tries but the attitude of the group is great.'
Both sides scored two tries in the first half, with Argentina twice hitting back through centre Lucio Cinti and wing Ignacio Mendy after touchdowns from England pair Seb Atkinson and Freddie Steward.
In a fast and furious encounter at the Bicentenary Stadium, Santiago Carreras' first-half penalty had edged Argentina into a 17-14 interval lead, with George Ford's penalty in the second period hauling England level before Van Poortvliet's thrilling late effort.
Argentina captain Julian Montoya said his side paid the price for their ill-discipline.
He said: 'We were not good enough, we have to be honest with ourselves. I am sorry we couldn't get the win, we gave away too many penalties.'
England forward Ben Curry was sent to the sin-bin for his high tackle on Pablo Matera in the 20th minute and Argentina made their advantage count as Cinti went over for their opening try.
Argentina were reduced to 14 men in the second half when number eight Matera received a yellow card just before the hour for killing the ball at a maul just yards from his try line.
Article continues below
Two tiring teams maintained their ferocious battle – almost entirely in Argentina's half – as the game headed into the final 10 minutes.
But with the clock ticking down, replacement flanker Pepper stole clear from a maul and after charging down the blind side he turned inside to send the supporting Van Poortvliet over for the decisive score.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Jack Conan says nerves mounting as Lions prepare to name first Test team
Six matches into their tour, all of them producing wins except the Dublin curtain-raiser against Argentina, and the Lions management have finalised selection for Saturday's series opener at Suncorp Stadium. The players will be told who has made the matchday 23 at a meeting on Wednesday and Conan believes the performances delivered over the last four weeks have not made selection easy. Tuesday Training 🏉 T minus 4 days to the 1st Test 🇦🇺🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 15, 2025 'Everyone will be a bit nervous, but everyone has gone incredibly well, especially in the back row,' said Conan, who is expected to be named at number eight when the team is officially announced on Thursday. 'It's tough for the coaches, I'm sure, and hopefully we've given them plenty of headaches over the last while. No matter who's been out there, they've taken their opportunity really well. 'It's about those lads who get to run out at the weekend to do right by the lads who aren't playing. 'It's going to be unbelievably special to play the first Test so hopefully everyone can make the most of it.' No area of the team has been more competitive than the back row, with Conan the closest thing to a certainty given he is the only specialist number eight in the 44-man squad in Australia. England duo Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry just hold the edge in the race to be picked as flankers, but Farrell is blessed with options in both positions. 'There's huge amounts of class and talent in the back row. It's been great to get to know the lads, to learn off them, to see how they do things and to push each other on as well,' Conan said. 'That level of talent pushes everyone on to be your best and I think everyone has been at their best. No one can say they've been poor over the last few weeks. 'Especially in the back row, the standard has been unbelievably high, so it's been a joy to play with the lads and get to know with them.'
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Guy Pepper enjoying dream England Tour debut in Argentina
Despite huge competition in the back row, he established himself as a key figure for Johann van Graan's men as they went onto win the treble – even scoring a stunning try in the final only for it to be disallowed for a knock-on earlier in the play. Pepper has since earned an international call-up, made his England debut in La Plata and then set up the series-clinching try in San Juan. At just 22, the back-rower now heads to the USA for the final leg of England's tour off the back of a near-perfect 12 months. He said: 'It's been unbelievable, the potential to do it with a different group has been class. Argentina is something that I didn't quite know what I'd experience, it's certainly different to what I thought it would be. Not for good or bad reasons, just different. It's been class and can't wait to go over to Washington next. Wrapping up our two-match series against Argentina in style 🏆 Relive the thrilling second Test in San Juan ⬇️ — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 14, 2025 'My parents got out for the first Test and they stayed on. They have been following us around, one of the few, but it's been great.' England arrived in Argentina without 13 British & Irish Lions, while co-captain Jamie George was a late withdrawal from the second Test before he heads Down Under to join up with the squad. In spite of that, England have managed to earn an impressive series win against Los Pumas, Pepper at the heart of the second victory breaking clear before sending Jack van Poortvliet over for the winning try one minute from time. England boss Steve Borthwick has raved about both the depth his team is developing, but also the spirit within his young squad and Pepper echoed those sentiments. He added: 'The group here has been great. The lads being away with the Lions gives the opportunity for a few boys who have been knocking on the door. Luke Northmore (the Harlequins centre who made his debut in the second Test) getting his cap, who I know has been in and around the squad for a while now. So it's exciting to get this opportunity and get 2-0 against Argentina. 'Argentina beat the Lions, we knew there was a challenge going to come our way. The way we have trained in the last few weeks now has been unbelievable and the spirit of the group has been class. The whole tightness of the group has been spot on. The way we have trained has transferred onto the pitch.' Purchase your tickets to the Autumn Nations Series at Allianz Stadium
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Jack Conan says nerves mounting as Lions prepare to name first Test team
Six matches into their tour, all of them producing wins except the Dublin curtain-raiser against Argentina, and the Lions management have finalised selection for Saturday's series opener at Suncorp Stadium. The players will be told who has made the matchday 23 at a meeting on Wednesday and Conan believes the performances delivered over the last four weeks have not made selection easy. Tuesday Training 🏉 T minus 4 days to the 1st Test 🇦🇺🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 15, 2025 'Everyone will be a bit nervous, but everyone has gone incredibly well, especially in the back row,' said Conan, who is expected to be named at number eight when the team is officially announced on Thursday. 'It's tough for the coaches, I'm sure, and hopefully we've given them plenty of headaches over the last while. No matter who's been out there, they've taken their opportunity really well. 'It's about those lads who get to run out at the weekend to do right by the lads who aren't playing. 'It's going to be unbelievably special to play the first Test so hopefully everyone can make the most of it.' No area of the team has been more competitive than the back row, with Conan the closest thing to a certainty given he is the only specialist number eight in the 44-man squad in Australia. England duo Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry just hold the edge in the race to be picked as flankers, but Farrell is blessed with options in both positions. 'There's huge amounts of class and talent in the back row. It's been great to get to know the lads, to learn off them, to see how they do things and to push each other on as well,' Conan said. 'That level of talent pushes everyone on to be your best and I think everyone has been at their best. No one can say they've been poor over the last few weeks. 'Especially in the back row, the standard has been unbelievably high, so it's been a joy to play with the lads and get to know with them.'
