Wales U20 prop Scott signs 'long-term' Bristol deal
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The Herald Scotland
16 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Josh Macleod returning from injury ‘massive' for Wales
But the Scarlets skipper joins Taulupe Faletau and Alex Mann in the back row for Saturday's First Test in Kitakyushu, as Sherratt makes 11 changes from the side humbled 68-14 by England in the Six Nations Championship in March. Faletau, prop Nicky Smith, centre Ben Thomas and full-back Blair Murray are the survivors from that record Cardiff defeat. 'There's a number of players who've worked their way back into the squad,' said Sherratt, who remains in interim charge after replacing Warren Gatland during the Six Nations and is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales. '(It's) Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting. 'Josh Macleod is an obvious one. He's struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. 'I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected (on the bench) how much he deserves it. 'He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's changed clubs. 'He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad. So yeah, delighted for Liam.' The uncapped Belcher takes his place among the replacements with Sherratt having plumped for a relatively new-look pack. Captain Dewi Lake returns at hooker and is joined in the front row by Smith and Keiron Assiratti. With second-row forwards Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands unavailable for various reasons, Ben Carter and Teddy Williams step into the engine room. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt is seeking to end a run of 17 consecutive Test defeats for Wales in Japan (David Davies/PA) The changes in the back division see recalls for wingers Josh Adams and Tom Rogers, as well as centre Johnny Williams, who last featured for Wales at the 2023 World Cup. Kieran Hardy and Sam Costelow form a new half-back partnership, with Tomos Williams – who along with skipper Jac Morgan was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia – and Gareth Anscombe having started against England. Costelow and Carter missed the Six Nations campaign through injury. Sherratt said: 'We've had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection. 🏴 Taking the jersey to the heart of Kitakyushu 🇯🇵❤️#WelshRugby — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 1, 2025 'One of the key messages was it's going to be a 23-man job. 'So, we've tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench. 'I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. 'It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key.'
BBC News
20 minutes ago
- BBC News
Women's Euro 2025: Hosts Switzerland beaten by Norway in first game
Euro 2025 has kicked off in Switzerland, with three weeks of action to look forward to. Usually the host nation begins the tournament but in a break with tradition, Finland played Iceland in the opening game with Switzerland taking on Norway after that. Unfortunately for the Swiss, their team was beaten 2-1 and became the first Women's Euros hosts to ever lose their first tournament itself began with a playful opening ceremony in Basel, with dancers holding silver poles surrounding a giant Women's Euros trophy. The Swiss team will still be hoping to reach the knockout stages, but they face a lot of competition. England are the reigning champions, their first game is against France on Friday. But world champions Spain, who face Portugal this evening in their first game, are seen as their strongest contenders. For UK audiences Wales will also be a big watch, as they play in their first major in the same group, Wales play England on 13 July in their final group game.
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
'I'll be firing on all cylinders'
Joe Cordina says he will be "firing on all cylinders" when he makes his long-awaited return to the ring on Saturday against Mexico's Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz on the undercard of Jack Catterall's bout with Harlem Eubank at Manchester's AO 33-year-old Welshman has been out of action for more than a year, but will be eager to make a statement as he steps back up to lightweight, the division in which he previously captured British and Commonwealth titles."I'm just happy to finally get a date," Cordina told BBC Sport. "I've been ready to fight since October last year."Cordina had been due to face WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in a high-profile bout last October but the American was forced to withdraw through injury."I was a bit frustrated, as a fighter you always want to be involved in those big American fights," Cordina added. The former IBF super-featherweight world champion has now settled permanently back in Wales after spending much of his career training away from home."For the last 16 out of my 18-year career I've lived away," Cordina explained. "But now I'm experienced enough to keep away all the distractions. To come back to Cardiff, be around my family and leave the gym to go home to my kids, it's a nice feeling."Cordina will prepare for his comeback alongside respected Welsh trainer Gary Lockett, who he has long admired."I've always trained at Gary's gym when I'm home. He was technically sound as a fighter and he's technically sound as a trainer," Cordina said. "Basics are what you need to win boxing fights - he teaches that better than most."In Quiroz, Cordina faces a relatively unknown, but dangerous opponent. The Mexican lightweight boasts a record of 17 wins and one defeat, with 13 victories coming by knockout."If I'm going to be world champion again, it's someone I have to get through," Cordina said. "They offered me two opponents - one was 19-0 with six knockouts, the other was 17-1. This one I have to respect his power, it'll keep me switched on. I'll be firing on all cylinders."Saturday's fight marks an important step for Cordina as he looks to put a frustrating year behind him and move back towards world title contention.
