Today's rugby news as shattered Wales team owe country and star fights back tears

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2 days ago

Today's rugby news as shattered Wales team owe country and star fights back tears
The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Wales players and team staff huddle after the team's 19-24 defeat
(Image: 2025 Getty Images )
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, July 7.
Rogers: We owe the nation a performance
Wales wing Tom Rogers says the team owe the nation a performance in their final game of the season as they look to bounce back from Saturday's 24-19 defeat to Japan in Kitakyushu.
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Matt Sherratt's side travelled to Kobe on Sunday ahead of next Saturday's clash at Noevir Stadium. The second Test against Japan marks the end of a frankly miserable campaign for Wales, with their losing run at Test level now stretching to 18 matches.
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That saw head coach Warren Gatland leave his post mid-Six Nations, with no replacement having been appointed by the Welsh Rugby Union four months later. As the national team continues to slide down the world rankings, there is also uncertainty hanging over the four professional clubs at the minute.
All too often, a new low is reached and then surpassed - with no one able to confidently predict where exactly rock bottom is.
The defeat to Japan - with Wales having thrown away a 19-7 half-time lead in Kitakyushu - is as low as it's been so far, but with one game left, it remains to be seen how this tour - and this season as a whole - will end.
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When asked if the Welsh players would throw everything into the final week of a long season, wing Rogers - who crossed for Wales' third try on Saturday - said: "100 per cent.
"The boys will be fired up for this next game. We need to put a performance out there for the country and the people who support us."
Having not tasted victory in international rugby in over 600 days, Saturday felt like the perfect opportunity to finally get that monkey off their back. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia.
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Eight of Japan's matchday squad were uncapped, with captain Michael Leitch the only player with more than 30 caps.
Yet, despite putting themselves in a solid position, Wales folded once again in familiar fashion.
"It's a tough, tough loss," added Rogers. "I thought we played well in the first-half, but we just couldn't get our game plan on the pitch in the second-half."
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"I think we've got to use this loss as a bit of fire for next week. We've got to use it as a challenge.
"We've got a good bunch of boys here. I'm sure we'll turn it around next weekend."
As the final whistle blew, Welsh players were left to reflect on another tough loss - with some close to tears as the reality of 18 consecutive defeats sunk in.
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"It's always a pleasure playing for your country," said Rogers as he reflected on those moments on the pitch afterwards. "Every time you wear that shirt, you want to win.
"Today it didn't go our way. It's just gutting."
The extreme heat and humidity was a factor in how the match panned out, with the match taking over two hours thanks to a stop-start nature, cooling breaks and an extended half-time.
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Japan captain Leitch said afterwards that they could tell the Wales players were "blowing" in the second-half, but Rogers - like interim head coach Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake - refused to blame the conditions.
"I don't think you can use the heat as an excuse," he said. "At the end of the day, you're playing rugby for your country. I'm gutted, just gutted."
Belcher emotional after first cap
New Wales cap Liam Belcher fought back the tears as he described the mixed emotions of running out for his country for the first time.
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The Cardiff Rugby hooker was introduced off the bench in Japan during the 24-19 defeat, and it has been a long road for the 29-year-old.
Belcher had considered other career routes not so long ago, a groundsman or an electrician, according to interim boss Matt Sherratt. But earning that first cap for Wales makes all that perseverance worthwhile.
In an emotional video posted by the WRU, Belcher appeared to fight back tears as he spoke about the first time he donned the red jersey.
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"It's a hard one really, isn't it? Delighted to get my first cap and gutted with the result," Belcher said.
"Take the rough with the smooth I guess. Thanks firstly for welcoming me into the squad, boys. It's been a pleasure getting to know boys I haven't met before.
"When you come as a sub, you're trying to get the second wind and be involved as much as possible.
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"It was quite nice, actually, because it was more of a 'Belch, you're getting on', kind of thing.
"There's nothing worse than getting told you're on in five or 10 minutes. You can overthink it a little bit. Just got told, 'You're going on' and you just run on. It's a surreal feeling, really.
"It was nice being on Zoom wit my parents and seeing my nephew. Just seeing all my family happy with smiles on faces. Obviously means a lot really to be honest with you. Gets me a little bit emotional seeing them back home."
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Navidi: Sherratt would prefer different Wales role
Former Wales back-rower Josh Navidi says he wouldn't be surprised if Matt Sherratt is kept on the Wales coaching staff in a permanent capacity, but believes he wouldn't want the top job.
Sherratt took over on an interim basis during the Six Nations and has also been tasked with leading this tour of Japan, too.
Among his coaching staff in Japan is Harlequins and former Cardiff coach Danny Wilson, under whom both Navidi and Alex Cuthbert played at the Arms Park.
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"I've said from day dot, when we had him at Cardiff, both him and Danny are international-level coaches," Navidi said on Sportin Wales podcast.
"When we went to Tonga and Samoa in 2017 — it was like a stag do! — it was a great tour, but their standard of coaching is there.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they got the nod."
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Cuthbert chipped in by saying: "I think Jockey (Sherratt) would be a backs coach."
Navidi: "I think that's what he would want, as well."
Moving the conversation on, both ex-players expressed their disappointment for their former Wales team-mate Tomos Williams, who suffered a tour-ending injury while on Lions duty.
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"I was gutted. I was devastated," Cuthbert said.
Navidi added: "I was gutted when I was watching it and saw him straight away grab the top of his hamstring.
"Actually hearing the news killed me. He has been in form, one of the best players I've ever played with, skills-wise, unbelievable.
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"I knew he would impress the coaches going into that camp. He is a top bloke."
Cuthbert agreed, adding: "That's what I said. He is so good in the squad, people don't realise how good he is off the field.
"He's worked hard for that. Absolutely dominated in that position, pushed Gloucester on to another level. With Wales it's been tough, but he just sees the game totally different.
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"It's a big loss for the Lions."