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South Wales Argus
7 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Evan Minto: Wales can cause upsets at U20 World Championship
The Welsh youngsters get their campaign under way against Argentina tomorrow (kick-off 7.30pm) and all five Rodney Parade prospects feature in Verona. New signing Harry Beddall captains the side from openside and is joined in the back row by Minto, Nick Thomas starts at lock and Harri Ford pulls the strings from fly-half, with tighthead Owain James on the bench. Abercarn's Jack Woods and Abergavenny-born Aidan Boschoff, both former Monmouth School pupils and now with Bath and Bristol respectively, line up at full-back and wing. Towering Thomas, who made three senior Dragons appearances last season, makes a first start since suffering a serious ankle injury against France in February. 'Nick has worked hard to get back from the injury he had in Six Nations,' said head coach Richard Whiffin, who brought the lock off the bench in the warm-up win against Italy. 'He offers a level of experience in the second row against what we know is going to be a formidable Argentina pack.' Wales face the young Pumas and then take on group favourites France on Friday before a clash with Spain. Whiffin's side head into the tournament buoyed by their Six Nations displays when they edged out Italy, stunned Ireland at Rodney Parade and then denied England a Grand Slam and the title with a remarkable performance at Cardiff Arms Park. INFLUENTIAL: Evan Minto on the charge for Wales U20s (Image: Mark Lewis/Huw Evans Agency) Minto, a firm fixture in the XV, believes their togetherness will be key in a tournament that will stretch the squad with five games in 20 days. 'We are just a side that works really hard for each other and we know that, on our day, we can put in a performance to beat anyone,' he said. 'We are a group that works hard for each other and doesn't give up and the atmosphere in the camp is really good. We have a laugh together but also know when to switch on. 'I don't think that spirit is something that can be coached into a team and it's almost that we clicked as soon as we came together. 'There are no cliques, we are willing to work hard for the player next to us and we help each other even when competition is strong for places.' Minto will lead the charge for Wales at the end of a hectic season. The 19-year-old from Griffithstown made three senior Dragons cameos and featured for the development side, played for Pontypool in Super Rugby Cymru, Hartpury in the English Championship plus started all five Six Nations games and the two warm-up fixtures. 'It's been a long season but really enjoyable,' he said. 'I have been playing for a full year but I've had a smile on my face no matter who I've been playing for or what the opposition is. I've learnt so much and that is what keeps driving me on.' Wales U20: Jack Woods (Bath, 2 caps); Elijah Evans (Cardiff, 7 caps), Osian Roberts (Sale, 3 caps), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff, 10 caps), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol, 11 caps); Harri Ford (Dragons, 14 caps), Sion Davies (Cardiff, 4 caps); Ioan Emanuel (Bath, 8 caps), Harry Thomas (Scarlets, 15 caps), Sam Scott (Bristol, 15 caps), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol, 5 caps), Nick Thomas (Dragons, 11 caps), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, 4 caps), Harry Beddall (captain, Dragons, 11 caps), Evan Minto (Dragons, 5 caps). Replacements: Saul Hurley (Aberavon, 2 caps), Louie Trevett (Bristol, 5 caps), Owain James (Dragons, 3 caps), Dan Gemine (Ospreys, 4 caps), Caio James (Gloucester, 3 caps), Ellis Lewis (Neath, uncapped), Harri Wilde (Cardiff, 17 caps), Tom Bowen (Cardiff, 5 caps).
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sir Rod Stewart's rigorous pre-show routine is revealed ahead of highly-anticipated Glastonbury Legends slot - amid news it was nearly CANCELLED
Forget the drugs and alcohol, Sir Rod Stewart is reportedly taking his personal trainer to Glastonbury for his Legends set. The legendary singer-songwriter, 80, is descending on Worthy Farm on Sunday to perform on the Pyramid Stage in the coveted Legends slot. But after recently falling ill and being forced to cancel five shows, Sir Rod has been taking every precaution to ensure he's in his best shape for the show. Speaking to The Mirror, a source has now lifted the lid on Rod's preparation for Sunday's gig, saying: 'He is fully-fit and raring to go. 'His trainer works wonders so it was a no-brainer to have them at the festival.' The publication reported that Sir Rod has been swimming lengths in his pool four times a week and been on a period of vocal rest to ensure his raspy voice is firing on all cylinders in preparation. 'It's been quite hard as Rod is a chatterbox, but he knows he needs to preserve what's his biggest weapon…his voice,' the source added. The star's 90-minute set list is being kept secret but reportedly his hits Maggie May, Sailing and Downtrain Train will feature. Sir Rod and his wife Penny Lancaster are staying at a £1000-a-night hotel in Bath along with the band. But three of his children, including 19-year-old Alastair and Ruby, opted for camping tickets after purchasing their own thanks to Glasto's 'no freebies' rule. However they won't be staying overnight in their tents, as the kids are reportedly staying at the ultra lush Pop-Up Hotel - which costs a whopping £30,000 for the duration of the festival. The rock star's highly-anticipated gig almost didn't happen though, with Sir Rod telling The Sun ahead of the festival that he nearly cancelled after coming down with the flu. 'This time last week I was thinking of cancelling,' he said. 'It was a close shave. I have had Influenza A. it's been so terrible.' There are also set to be appearances from three special guests on Sunday, who are reportedly Mick Hucknall, Lulu and Ronnie Wood. It comes after it was revealed that Glastonbury denied Rod an extra 15 minutes on stage for his coveted Legends slot, despite him losing £180,000 to play there. The 80-year-old said: 'It's difficult because they only gave me an hour-and-a-quarter slot. 'So I begged them, 'Can I do another 15 minutes? Because usually I play for two hours.' 'It means that there's a lot of songs that people love that I won't be able to play and I've got three guests coming on.' The Maggie May singer, who has not performed at Glastonbury since 2002, confirmed that his Faces co-star and Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood, will be making an appearance. Sir Rod currently has a Las Vegas residency and has completed 217 shows, but because Glastonbury organisers asked him to perform, he is missing some shows at a hefty price. He told the Radio Times 'It was about eight months ago when I was asked to do it. Maybe a little longer, but it didn't fit with my schedule because I've got to bring everybody back from America. Factoring in the price of shipping over the equipment and staging, the father-of-seven said: 'It's going to cost me £300,000 to do it and they only pay you about £130,000. 'So, it's going to cost me.' But Sir Rod insisted 'it doesn't matter' and that he was not scrimping for the sake of his team and confirmed his dancers and band would be flying Premium Economy from Vegas to the UK. He added: 'We've got a little orchestra coming on to play with us and we may have some bagpipes. 'I've got the band all decked out in proper outfits. They all wear white jackets and black ties and the girls wear sequins. 'It's a bit more Las Vegas than it's been before because obviously, I'm doing my residency.' The You Wear It Well singer is set to perform next Sunday at the coveted teatime Legends slot but fears are mounting if he will be well enough to perform after he had to cancel or postpone six of his June concerts in the US because he was suffering from flu.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Oxford ranked eighth place in best UK city break league table
Oxford has been ranked eight for the best city break in the UK in a new league table. Consumer "champion" Which? rated the best medium-sized cities for a short break, with Oxford coming in below Bath, Chester and Lincoln. The dreaming spires city received a customer score of 74 per cent, below the number one city of Bath at 82 per cent. READ MORE: M40 'monstrous development' met with mass objections Perhaps unsurprisingly, Oxford received a five-star rating for the category "cultural sights", but just three stars for food and drink, accommodation, shopping and value for money. It was let down in the categories of ease of getting around and lack of crowds, and given just one star for parking. Missed a copy of the Oxford Mail you wanted? Here's what to do — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) May 13, 2024 The average hotel price in Oxford was found to be £115, higher than any of the seven cities listed above it apart from top-spot Bath. Cities ranked better for a break than Oxford also included Worcester, Canterbury, Shrewsbury and Harrogate. READ MORE: Oxford homeowners fear Botley Road buses returning At the other end of the ranking, the worst medium-sized city break destinations in the UK were named as Bournemouth and Torquay. The seaside towns were both described as "dirty" and "rundown" and got just two stars for food and drink, shopping, ease of getting around and value for money. Which? decided on the rankings after carrying out a survey of more than 7,100 UK travel experiences in April 2024, with customers rating the towns and cities they'd visited for at least one night within the past two years.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Former teacher, 90, denies 1970s sex offences
A former teacher has denied sexual offences against a boy at an independent school about 50 years ago. Derek Barker has pleaded not guilty to three charges which allegedly took place at Monkton Combe School in Bath in the 1970s when he taught there. The 90-year-old, of Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas at a plea and case management hearing at Bristol Crown Court earlier. Mr Barker will remain on bail until his trial begins on 2 November 2026. Judge Euan Ambrose told the court he was adjourning the case and the trial is expected to last for four weeks. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Man, 90, in court charged with 1970s sex offences Ex-teacher charged with 1970s sexual offences HM Courts & Tribunals Service
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Former Monkton Combe School teacher denies 1970s sex offences
A former teacher has denied sexual offences against a boy at an independent school about 50 years ago. Derek Barker has pleaded not guilty to three charges which allegedly took place at Monkton Combe School in Bath in the 1970s when he taught there. The 90-year-old, of Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas at a plea and case management hearing at Bristol Crown Court Barker will remain on bail until his trial begins on 2 November 2026. Judge Euan Ambrose told the court he was adjourning the case and the trial is expected to last for four weeks.
