Latest news with #HarriFord
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lock Thomas back for Wales U20s against Argentina
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin has recalled fit-again lock Nick Thomas to start in their World Rugby Under-20 Championship opener against Argentina in Verona on Sunday (19:30 BST).Dragons lock Thomas missed most of the U20 Six Nations in which Wales beat England in Cardiff to deny them a Grand Tom Bowen started that game, but is on the bench at Payanini Center, where Jack Woods will be wing Harry Rees-Weldon was ruled out by injury so Elijah Evans switches to wing, while Harri Ford starts at fly-half with Harri Wilde on the bench. "It was tough job getting the squad down to 30 and even tougher to get it down to 23 for the match against Argentina," said Whiffin."We spoke to the boys and told them everyone is going to play in the first three games, and everyone has got to be ready."The seven boys who have missed out still have a crucial role to play – their job is to help prepare the team and be good team men."Whiffin expects Argentina to pose their traditional physical threat with the added threat of full-back Pascal Senillosa, who starred in the U20 Rugby Championship this year."Their 10 and 15 control the game very well so they will be a couple of guys we need to make sure we apply pressure to, and we have to be smart how we manage our energy levels in what will be a daunting proposition in the heat of Italy," added Whiffin. Wales: Jack Woods; Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Steffan Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Sion Davies; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Saul Hurley, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Dan Gemine, Caio James, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Tom Bowen.
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as young Wales team named and coach says his comments were 'sloppy'
Tonight's rugby news as young Wales team named and coach says his comments were 'sloppy' The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Harri Ford of Wales (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Your rugby evening headlines on Friday, June 27. Wales name team for World Rugby Championship Dragons playmaker Harri Ford has been given the nod to wear the Wales number 10 shirt for their World Rugby U20 Championship opener against Argentina in Verona on Sunday. Cardiff outside-half Harri Wilde was preferred for the majority of the U20s Six Nations but head coach Richard Whiffin has opted for Ford this time around. Ford is one of four changes from the side which claimed a memorable victory over world champions England U20s in the Six Nations finale. Bath full-back Jack Woods also comes into the starting XV in place of Tom Bowen, while Cardiff's Elijah Evans starts in the unfamiliar position of wing. There is also a welcome return for powerful Dragons lock Nick Thomas who has returned from an ankle injury which sidelined the 19-year-old for the majority of the Six Nations. Article continues below 'Nick has worked hard to get back from the injury he had in Six Nations,' explained Whiffin. 'He offers a level of experience in the second row against what we know is going to be a formidable Argentina pack. 'Elijah Evans is one of the quickest guys in the squad. His aerial game is really strong and the way we want to play the game will suit him in that wide channel.' Wales have been drawn in a tough pool with Argentina, France and Spain but have every reason to be optimistic. Whiffin has selected a powerful front-row which includes Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas and Sam Scott, while Bristol's Kenzie Jenkins partners Thomas in the second-row. Openside Harry Beddall captains the side from openside flanker with Deian Gwynne and Evan Minto also in the back row. Cardiff's Sion Davies is at scrum-half with Steffan Emanuel and Osian Roberts in midfield. The highly rated Aidan Boshoff makes up the back three with Woods and Evans. 'It was a tough job getting the squad down to 30 and even tougher to get it down to 23 for the match against Argentina,' said Whiffin. 'We spoke to the boys and told them everyone is going to play in the first three games, and everyone has got to be ready. 'The seven boys who have missed out still have a crucial role to play – their job is to help prepare the team and be good team men. We're a tight group and they have reacted really well, and I know that those boys when they get the opportunity, they will take it.' Whiffin expects Argentina to pose a major challenge to Wales, with full back Pascal Senillosa the only player to gain 200-plus metres from his carries in this year's TRC U20. 'They did well in their Rugby Championship and have a big physical pack and they have got some electric outside backs," he said. "Their 10 and 15 control the game very well so they will be a couple of guys we need to make sure we apply pressure to, and we have to be smart in how we manage our energy levels in what will be a daunting proposition in the heat of Italy." Wales U20: Jack Woods (Bath); Elijah Evans (Cardiff), Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears); Harri Ford (Dragons), Sion Davies (Cardiff); Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), Harry Beddall - captain (Dragons), Evan Minto (Dragons) Replacements: Saul Hurley (Aberavon), Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), Owain James (Dragons), Dan Gemine (Llandovery), Caio James (Gloucester), Ellis Lewis (Neath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Tom Bowen (Cardiff). Joe Schmidt addresses foreign-born player swipe Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has admitted his comments were "sloppy" about Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki. The British and Irish Lions centre duo were born in Australia and New Zealand, respectively, and they came under fire from the Wallabies head coach. Schmidt described their centre pairing against Argentina as a "southern hemisphere partnership that will be pretty formidable". His comments were not met with open arms by the British and Irish media, with many condemning his decision to bring it up. However, Schmidt, who previously worked with Aki, has now taken the opportunity to clarify that no ill meaning was intended, while recognising his poor choice of words. "Bundee is one of the players I've so enjoyed coaching, and I'd have so much respect for that fella, that wasn't supposed to be a swipe or a jibe at all," Schmidt told the Sydney Morning Herald. "In fact, it was sloppy from me because someone had just been talking to me and described it as that, and then I used their words, and I should have just stuck to my own words and said, 'hey, there's a lot of respect in Australia for Sione'." "There are coaches who certainly do it, and they even talk to their team through the media sometimes," he said. "But if I've got something to say to a player, I'd rather say it to them than fire a barrel through the media. I know that a lift-out quote or a phrase can be a headline and inevitably, even after 20-plus years of doing this job, I'll get it wrong. "I'm conscious of it and I'm conscious that other coaches do it, but I don't anticipate it happening in this Lions tour. 'Faz' and I have had a few conversations about how we'd like the narrative of the tour to be a celebration of rugby. I think for Australian rugby, we need that." Mack Hansen urges caution when the Lions take on Western Force By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth Mack Hansen knows what is awaiting the British and Irish Lions' in Perth on Saturday after being present as a spectator for the Brumbies' famous upset of the tourists on their last visit to Australia. Hansen starts on the right wing against Western Force at Optus Stadium where he will face some of his old Brumbies team-mates, including a former housemate in Bayley Kuenzle. The 27-year-old was born and raised in Canberra and began his career playing for the most successful of Australia's Super Rugby franchises before joining Connacht in 2021. Selection for Ireland the following year was made possible through his Irish mother and 28 caps later he is on tour with the elite of British and Irish rugby, recalling a cautionary tale from 2013. 'I was at that Brumbies game with my dad and brother and the Brumbies beat the Lions, so these things do happen,' he said. 'We were sitting behind the goalposts watching it. It was mad. You don't expect anyone to actually do it, but I talked to guys after that and they'd been pumped up for the game for weeks, working towards it. 'They saw it as the be-all and end-all. Also, guys are playing to try to get into the Wallabies as well, so there's still a lot on the line for a lot of these teams. 'None of the games are going to be easy. Everyone wants to win – it's not just us that want to win. 'We want to win every game but the Force aren't saying 'all right boys, let's go out and lose by 40'. They'll be coming out thinking 'we can cause an upset'. They've only got one game, then they're on holiday. 'There will be this, then they'll have 10 toes up for the next five weeks, so I'm sure they're going to give it their all. 'When you get that time after time after time after time for however long we're here, it will take its toll on us, but that's a good thing. It makes us better and it makes the game more exciting.' British and Irish Lions urged to 'create moments' ahead of Australia tour opener By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth The British and Irish Lions have been urged to create memories when they play their first fixture on Australian soil against Western Force on Saturday. The Lions are eager to kickstart their tour after falling 28-24 to Argentina in the Dublin opener as they build towards the Test series against the Wallabies, which begins in Brisbane on July 19. Although they may be the worst performing of Australia's Super Rugby sides this season, the Force have been reinforced by the presence of six Wallabies who have been released for the Optus Stadium showdown. Scrum coach John Fogarty highlights the importance of the Lions rewarding their supporters – more than 30,000 are expected to head Down Under – after seeing the Aviva Stadium turn red last Friday. 'The lads need to create moments for people to get behind,' said Fogarty, who oversaw a dominant scrum performance against the Pumas. 'Whether it's in a scrum or off a line-out or attacking play or defensive play, we need to make sure we're creating moments that capture the minds of the people that matter most. That's the plan. 'It's an amazing thing, the Lions. You get behind it instantly. It was disappointing against Argentina because you feel like you're letting people down a little bit due to the performance and the result.' Fogarty believes the Lions will be better for another week together, enabling them to build familiarity with each other. Article continues below 'There were little things around mentality. Sometimes you come into a game, it's a big occasion and you're in your head a bit and not playing the game on instinct,' he said. 'That's why this week has been so important, we've been getting more cohesive and a bit more in synch so that come game day we can play off instincts. It should all become more natural to us.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Harri Ford hungry for more action for Wales U20s and Dragons
The Welsh youngsters start the tournament with a crucial opener against Argentina on Sunday, a fixture that is followed by an encounter against group favourites France. Wales will be put under pressure in the five-game championship – and that is perfect for watching club coaches. Ford will be under the microscope and get the chance to show that his game has progressed after a season of opportunities. The 20-year-old, who played for Senghenydd, made seven appearances for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru, played for the Dragons in development fixtures and then made his senior debut with a cameo at Zebre Parma. In addition to that, he kicked what turned out to be the winner for Wales at Italy in the U20 Six Nations and then sealed the success against Ireland at a raucous Rodney Parade. Ford did have some injury frustration but time in the middle served him well and he hopes to repeat that when he returns from the World Cup. BREAK: Harri Ford on the run for Wales Under-20s against Italy (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'It was a shock to make my Dragons debut and it was a good experience with the boys, who made me feel very welcome,' said Ford, who will tussle for the Welsh 10 jersey with Cardiff's Harri Wilde. 'I just want to try and keep getting minutes under my belt and then if I do get picked [for the seniors] then I have to play well and take my chances. 'Improving my game management will only come with playing and you can tell when someone is on form through being fit and playing week in and week out, building and building. 'Playing will be the most important thing for me next season because I want to be ready if needed by the Dragons, so I'll try to kick on with Pooler and there's tough competition there with Kieran Meek.' As things stand, Ford is backing up the pair of Tinus de Beer and Angus O'Brien at the Dragons after the exit of Will Reed. Cai Evans, a full-back who has covered 10, is unlikely to be fit until the very end of the year as he returns from a ruptured Achilles and the youngster would love more chances to test himself in the United Rugby Championship. 'I'd rather not make mistakes but I'm not really afraid of them,' said Ford. 'I feel that I am quite a brave fly-half because I like trying stuff and learning from mistakes.' PROSPECT: Dragons and Wales U20s fly-half Harri Ford (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) However, it's country and not club that is on Ford's mind and Wales cannot look further than Sunday's opener against Argentina as they bid to improve on last year's eighth-placed finish. 'It's a huge first game and if we get the win then it sets us up for a shot at the big four and the semi-finals,' said Ford, who is joined in the squad by fellow Dragons Owain James, Nick Thomas, Evan Minto and Harry Beddall. 'We know what we are capable of as a group and have shown what we can do in one-off games in the Six Nations. It's a massive push to get into that final four, then anything can happen.'
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Wales to face England in Pontypool ahead of U20 Championship
Richard Whiffin's side will aim to repeat their stunning Six Nations win against England when they play a friendly at the home of Pooler on Friday, June 6 (kick-off 3.30pm). The head coach will name his final 30-man squad for the tournament after that clash before a second friendly against Italy at Cardiff Arms Park on June 13. Whiffin said: 'Our preparation is going to be important and those two games against England and Italy will give us a great indication of where we are. 'We're playing against the world champions in one prep and it'll be a tough game against Italy as well. 'We're going to use the England game as a selection tool and that will drop us down to our 30-player squad for the World Cup, then the Italy game will be our last opportunity to prepare before we get out to Italy for the tournament and face Argentina.' CONTENDER: Dragons fly-half Harri Ford, who played for Pontypool in SRC, is pushing for Wales U20 selection (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Wales also face France and Spain in the group stages with the competition running from June 29 to July 19. Eleven Dragons have been named in a 45-strong training squad - flanker Harry Beddall, a summer signing from Leicester, lock Nick Thomas, props Owain James and George Tuckley, back rowers Ryan Jones, Evan Minto and Cerrig Smith, scrum-half Logan Franklin, fly-half Harri Ford and wings Harry Rees-Weldon and Ioan Duggan. Beddall, Thomas, James, Minto, Franklin, Ford and Rees-Weldon featured in the Six Nations and are in good shape to make the final cut. However, Whiffin has included some younger talent and has warned players they must be at their best. 'The next few weeks are going to be really important for the boys. We've put a big focus on our individual skills and individual development,' he said. 'They'll be working incredibly hard physically and we've set a mantra for the boys to improve the individual, improve the team. 'We want everyone to come out of this development block, be it whether they get on the plane or not, a better player.' Entry for the fixture in Pontypool will cost £5 for adults and is free for under-16s, with tickets available on the gate.
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ford given Wales Under-20s start against Scotland
Under-20 Six Nations: Scotland v WalesVenue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Friday, 7 March Kick-off: 19:15 GMTCoverage: Watch live on S4C, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app. Dragons fly-half Harri Ford has been given his first Wales Under-20s start of the 2025 Six Nations tournament for the trip to face Scotland in Edinburgh on Friday coach Richard Whiffin has made four personnel changes from the team that defeated Ireland 20-12, as well as switching Tom Bowen from wing to from his Dragons debut in the United Rugby Championship last Friday against Zebre, Ford comes in with Harri Wilde dropping down to the bench."With the 10s we knew they were going to job share the role and this is Harri Ford's opportunity this week," said Whiffin."He has been great off the bench and brings a different lens to the game. He has goal-kicked well but it's different to starting a game to finishing it, so it will be interesting to see how he rises to the challenge." Cardiff centre Elijah Evans replaces Osian Roberts with Harry Rees-Weldon returning on the Deian Gwynne also returns to the starting side in place of Dan Gemine."We feel we're starting to build some depth in the squad and the way we feel the game might go will suit certain players in different positions," said Whiffin."We want to be able to test the squad as we're looking for a good performance obviously on Friday night but we're also prepping for a World Cup at the back end of the year so we need to know a little bit about our squad."Wales will be seeking a third consecutive victory in the championship for the first time since 2017."We're taking Scotland seriously as it is going to be a tough challenge," said Whiffin."We know any away game in the championship is going to be tough. Scotland will be desperate to get a win in their last home game of the Six Nations."They have a couple of key individuals who give them go forward so we will need get on top of them so we collectively can put our own game plan into action."Wales Under-20s side to face Scotland: Tom Bowen; Harry Rees-Weldon, Elijah Evans, Steff Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Logan Franklin; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Kenzie Jenkins, Tom Cottle, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Evan Wood, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Luke Evans, Caio James, Sion Davies, Harri Wilde, Elis Price.
