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Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales team verdict as Matt Sherratt roles dice one last time with big calls made
Wales team verdict as Matt Sherratt roles dice one last time with big calls made Wales have one final chance to prevent a winless season Interim Wales head coach Matt Sherratt (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Welsh rugby is on its knees. Eighteen straight Test defeats have plunged the national side into uncharted territory, and last week's gut-wrenching loss to Japan felt like rock bottom. In the blistering heat of Kitakyushu, Wales led at half-time and looked set to finally snap the streak — but familiar failings saw it all slip away. Now, with one game left in this dismal season, Saturday's rematch in Kobe is more than just another Test. It's a last-ditch chance to stop the bleeding. The pressure and scrutiny of such a horrible run of defeats must have the players dreaming of the beach but ending this campaign with a victory is of paramount importance. Sherratt has made four changes to his starting XV but the loss of Taulupe Faletau, who suffered "heat-related cramps" in the first Test is a huge blow. Faletau was arguably the best player on the field in Kitakyushu, making more carries than anyone else and consistently crossed the gain line. Article continues below Wales will need to be pragmatic again against Japan in Kobe which means their kicking game will have to be on the money, while they will also have to gain the upper hand physically. There is no point playing Japan at their own game because they will inevitably want to move the ball from side to side in attempt to tire Wales, with the conditions set to be just as tricky as last week. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Kieran Hardy came in for some heavy criticism last week and his kicking game will have to be on point, while his Ospreys half-back partner Dan Edwards will also have a big role to play. Edwards replaces Sam Costelow and he will have to get the balance right over when to put width on the ball and when to kick, while it goes without saying he must be accurate off the kicking tee. One area where Wales did really struggle in the second half last week was at the scrum. They started well enough but as the game wore on Japan applied serious pressure on the Wales scrum and this cannot be allowed to happen again. Clearly the heat played a part, with the Japanese front-row playing the full 80 minutes while Wales were really struggling on the hour mark. Keiron Assiratti has paid the price for Wales' struggles at the set-piece with Archie Griffin coming into the starting XV. In all honesty Griffin struggled badly at the scrum upon entering the fray and was even shoved skywards on one occasion. The Bath prop is a work in progress at the scrum with the 23-year-old having struggled in some games but thrived in others such as last autumn against Australia when he gave Angus Bell a torrid time. But this is likely to be the right call given Griffin's prowess around the park. Last summer in Australia Griffin put in a remarkable 26 tackles in the first Test defeat against the Wallabies and is a very dynamic carrier who is also a jackling threat. If he can just hold his own in the scrum the 23-year-old could be an asset to his country on Saturday. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free The selection of Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas is an interesting one because former coach Warren Gatland went on record earlier on this season to say his long-term position might well be at blindside flanker. Thomas is not the biggest lock in the world but he brings plenty of athleticism and enjoyed a fine season with Gloucester. The 23-year-old is an excellent lineout forward who is very effective in the wider channels with an excellent offloading game, although he doesn't shirk the nitty-gritty. Thomas is perfect for what Japan are likely to throw Wales' way on Saturday. Wainwright also has a big role to play at the back of the scrum and Wales will need him to get over the gain line to make significant post-contact metres. There's an argument to be had that Wales should have made some changes in midfield by employing the powerful Johnny Williams in his regular position of inside centre with either Joe Roberts or Macs Page outside of him. But Sherratt has stuck with Ben Thomas and Williams who struggled defensively last Saturday. There is unlikely to be too much change tactically. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below Wales need to be spot on at the set-piece, while their game kicking must also be accurate with the aim of building an early lead as they did last week - only this time they need to be far more clinical when in the ascendancy. On Saturday Wales have one final chance this season to end a horrible run of defeats but they must summon something they haven't shown in months: composure under pressure, clarity in execution and belief.
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Wales Online
Man told councillors to 'burn in hell' during 'six-year campaign of abuse'
Man told councillors to 'burn in hell' during 'six-year campaign of abuse' One of the victims said she was so scared she locked her letterbox every night Rhondda Cynon Taf Council leader Andrew Morgan OBE (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) A man who subjected the leader of a Welsh council to a campaign of harassment spanning more than five years has been spared jail. David Dade, of Cwmaman near Aberdare, was found guilty of two counts of harassment against Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader Andrew Morgan OBE and Aberaman councillor Tina Williams and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, July 4. Mr Morgan said he was subjected to a "six year campaign of abuse and threats", including "over 200 emails, 90 E-forms and dozens of Facebook posts)" from Dade. Both of the victims said their family members were also subject to the harassment and abuse. Mr Morgan said the campaign, which included "suggestions of harm" to him and his family, was "relentless". In a statement released after the sentencing, Ms Williams said that Dade had became "obsessed" and harassed her family for the best part of five years, leaving her so fearful that she locked her letterbox every night "after being told to 'burn in hell'". She said that the charges being brought to court have been "a long time coming". Article continues below Dade, 63, was sentenced to six-months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. Get the latest Rhondda news first by signing up to our newsletter here He was also given a five-year restraining order. After the hearing, Mr Morgan, who became leader of RCT council in 2014, said in a statement: "An individual has been found guilty of two counts of harassment towards myself and a colleague. The person has been sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, given a five-year restraining order and ordered to pay £2,000 costs. "A six-year campaign of abuse and threats, with over 200 emails, 90 E-forms and also dozens of Facebook posts. "While I have every sympathy with the person due to the issues they have experienced, it has been made clear by council officers and the Ombudsman three times that legally, it is a civil matter and not one the council can rectify. "Differences in politics with political debate and challenge is legitimate, however a relentless targeted campaign of harassment and suggestions of harm to me and others including family over a six year period crosses the line. I hope with the restraining order and a suspended sentence this episode will now close." Cllr Williams said: "It's been a long time coming, but after spending the last week in court justice has finally been served. "The individual who has been harassing me and my family for the best part of five years was found guilty on two counts of harassment - one against me and the other pertaining to leader of the council, Andrew Morgan. He's been given a six-month suspended sentence, a five-year restraining order and ordered to pay £2,000 in court fees. "Criticism is part of public life, but this became an obsession. No one should have to lock their letterbox every night after being told to burn in hell. I do not deserve that. It's unacceptable for anyone to have to live like that just for doing their job. Article continues below "I want to thank those who've supported me through it - you know who you are. I'm relieved it's over. It's time to draw a line under the last few years. Let's hope this is the end of it, for everyone's sake."
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
10k race organisers criticised after slowest finishers go without medals
10k race organisers criticised after slowest finishers go without medals Self proclaimed 'steady runners' feel 'demoralised' and 'discriminated against' after the Porthcawl 10k because organisers ran out of medals The Porthcawl 10k race has been met with some criticism (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Running event organisers Run4Wales have been accused of discriminating against slower-paced runners following the Porthcawl 10k on Sunday, July 6. A dozen of the last finishers missed out on medals as organisers had run out before the end of the race, echoing a similar issue that occurred during their Barry 10k last month. The incident left some runners feeling "demoralised", with one participant reported to have left the event in floods of tears after sustaining an injury moments into the race which caused her to run at a slower pace. The organisers were criticised for the same problem at the Barry 10k which took place in June. Those who participated took to social media to complain that not everyone had received medal or t-shirts upon completing the race. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Following the Porthcawl 10k, WalesOnline spoke to two women who expressed frustration at not being able to celebrate their achievement properly. Emma Wilson, 49, from Abercynon, said this was her second bad experience with Run4Wales after the same thing happened with the Barry 10k. Emma Wilson from Abercynon says the experience has left her questioning whether she should ever take on another race (Image: Emma Wilson ) Article continues below Emma explained: "I've finished two races now and I'm so happy with myself that I've done it, but not being able to celebrate and take a photo of myself with a medal because I didn't get one is upsetting." Before she hit the first kilometre, Emma sustained an unfortunate injury but decided to push through and try to make it to the finish line. However, she admitted to feeling like she had done it all for nothing when they said they had no medals left. She said: "I had to walk the rest of the race, just thinking 'I need to finish this'. With determination and grit I did. It was hard. My knee was hurting, but I was like, 'No I am going to finish this.' "I did and when I got to the finish line I was told that there were no medals, a guy took my number. I said, 'Well I'm still waiting for the other one, how can this happen?' "This is the second time now, it happened in Barry. They've taken my money, I've paid just as much as everybody else, I run the same distance and because I'm slow and finished in the bottom 10 I haven't got a medal." Emma added: "I feel upset, I do feel discriminated against because I think if I had run that bit faster I would have got a medal, and I'm not the only one because there were none left and I still do feel upset and embarrassed." The entry price for each event is just over £30 and this should include entry to the race, a t-shirt and medal upon finishing. Emma is very angry that those who have been excluded are being "fobbed off" by Run4Wales after a month of complaints following the Barry 10k. She said that this was her first and last race, stating: "I just don't want to feel like this again." The woman started running last year after completing the couch to 5k, however this ordeal has made her wonder why she is bothering. "When you've got your space, your trainers, your music, and you're running, it doesn't just help with getting fit and losing weight, it helps with mental health as well," said Emma. "It really does. But then to have something like this, it does knock you back." Another participant who completed the race but didn't receive a medal at this year's event was Tina Weatherbed from Newport. She also completed last year's Porthcawl 10k, however she says that she didn't receive a t-shirt then either, The 56-year-old said: "There's approximately 40 of us today that haven't had medals. And all we got told was, 'we've taken your race number, we'll be in touch'. That was it. "It's not a nice experience to be that runner who's literally thinking 'I just achieved this, I put all this work in, I've crossed the line, I'm going to get my t-shirt and medal', and then you don't. "We all paid the same fee with the expectation of a race, a timing chip, a t-shirt and a medal and we didn't get that. "That sense of achievement that we get when we cross the line, it allows us to then afterwards look at our t-shirts, wear our t shirts. You'll see it all over Facebook, it's what they call it 'Medal Monday', it goes all over Facebook, everybody posts their medals. We can't do that." Tina Weatherbed has said she'll never compete in a Run4Wales event again after feeling like she was discriminated against for being a "steady runner" (Image: Tina Weatherbed ) She continued: "I'm not a young runner. I came to running three years ago, I'm 56. I use it to help manage depression, anxiety and the menopause and it's quite nice to get that medal because I'm kind of going 'Yeah, I've done it.' It knocks your confidence." The running community has since come together on social media, with some offering to hand over their medals or t-shirts to those who missed out. Tina said it was nice to see the kind gestures, although she thinks everyone deserves a reward for completing the 10k run. "Honestly we are all runners and if we paid for that entry fee then it doesn't matter whether you're the back or at the front, we're all equal, it just means some move faster than others," she said. Much like Emma, Tina has now said that unless she sees a major change in the organisation of the event she will no longer be entering any Run4Wales races or supporting the organisation. Run4Wales have since confirmed they will be reaching out to those impacted and awarding them with medals. Article continues below A spokesperson for the event planners said: "We sincerely apologise that a number of participants were unable to collect their medal on race day. We understand how much time and dedication goes into completing the race and how much it means to receive that recognition after all your hard work. We're sorry for the disappointment this may have caused. "All of the runners who take part in our events are incredibly important to us and we are working to resolve the matter with them as swiftly as possible."
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City's pre-season schedule complete as final friendly against Euro side confirmed
Swansea City's pre-season schedule complete as final friendly against Euro side confirmed The Swans have confirmed their final pre-season friendly of the summer (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Swansea City have confirmed they will take on French side Lorient in the final fixture of their pre-season schedule this summer. The Ligue 2 champions will visit the Stadium on August 2 for a 3pm kick-off, in what will be their final outing before the upcoming Championship season. The club had initially hoped to welcome Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven to south Wales, but were forced into a rethink following the Dutch side's league triumph. PSV pipped rivals Ajax to the Eredivisie title during a thrilling end to the season, coming out on top by just one point. That put the buffers on the proposed fixture at the Stadium, with PSV instead set to be involved in the Johan Cruyff Shield, which is the Dutch equivalent of the Community Shield, where they will meet Go Ahead Eagles. However, the club has now confirmed European opponents, with Lorient preparing for life back in Ligue 1 after winning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking. Article continues below The move completes Swansea's pre-season schedule, which starts out in Spain against League One side Stevenage on July 19. Kick-off for that one is at 11am. The club then travel to Cheltenham Town four days later for a 7pm kick-off, before heading to Exeter City the following Saturday at 1pm. The Championship season gets under way on the weekend of August 8, with fixtures for the upcoming campaign released at 12pm on June 26. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Swansea's pre-season schedule in full Stevenage - July 19, Pinatar Arena, Murcia, Spain, 11am BST Cheltenham Town - July 23, EV Charger Points Stadium, 7pm BST Article continues below Exeter City - July 26, St James Park, 1pm BST Lorient - August 2, Stadium, 3pm BST
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The best young Welsh players ready to take on the world this summer
The best young Welsh players ready to take on the world this summer Wales U20s are confident they can go deep into the World Rugby U20s Championship this summer Wales U20s wing Aidan Boshoff will be an important player this summer (Image: Mark Lewis/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales' best young rugby talents will compete at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy this summer and will want to lay down a marker. Richard Whiffin's side made great strides during the U20s Six Nations, claiming victories over Italy U20s, Ireland U20s and England U20s, respectively, so will be full of confidence when they travel out to Italy. They have been drawn in a difficult pool alongside France U20s, Argentina U20s and Spain U20s but will be confident of giving a good account of themselves. Whiffin will name his full squad on Tuesday but it would be a shock if he moved away from the bulk of the players who did well in the U20s Six Nations. Here are the players who could really kick on in Italy. Harri Wilde The Cardiff outside-half is a talented footballer with all the raw materials needed to make an impact as a professional over the next couple of seasons. Wilde is a triple threat player who has the speed and agility to break the line while his passing game is also very good and he has a lot of peripheral vision. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below The 20-year-old has blown hot and cold in the past but everything came together in that famous Six Nations victory over England at the Arms Park in March. It was Wilde's chip over the top of the England defence which resulted in a try for Steffan Emanuel while his pass at the line released Tom Bowen down the touchline to put Harry Rees-Weldon over for a score. He will face competition from Harri Ford but Wilde will be a key player for Wales this summer. Sam Scott Warren Gatland saw huge potential in the tighthead prop as does Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam. The Bristol prop is a very good scrummager who gets through tons of work around the park, Scott's numbers were very high throughout the Six Nations whether through tackling, carrying or his work at the breakdown. Welsh rugby in general are short of strong scrummaging tightheads but Scott is a player with an extremely high ceiling. If Wales are going to go deep into the World Cup this summer then they are going to need a solid platform at the set-piece which means Scott is a player of paramount importance. Harry Thomas The Scarlets hooker was outstanding throughout the U20s Six Nations and was named player of the match for his efforts in that stunning victory over England U20s. Thomas is a very dynamic and powerful carrier who does not find it hard making significant post contact metres. In Wales' backs against the wall 20-12 victory over Ireland U20s at Rodney Parade Thomas made a remarkable 22 tackles while he is also a jackal threat at the breakdown. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free His throwing in does need to be a little more consistent but the 20-year-old has all the attributes needed to develop into a top class professional over the next few seasons. Aidan Boshoff The 19-year-old wing will head into the World Championship in red-hot form after claiming a brace of tries in the 47-19 victory over Italy U20s at the Arms Park last Friday. Boshoff bases his game on a high-work rate and excels in the air, defensively and on the kick-chase. The Bristol Bears wing is another young Welshman rated by Pat Lam who believes he has a big future ahead of him. Boshoff is also not short of gas and is an excellent finisher but there is nothing flashy about the long-haired wing who relishes the physical confrontations. With Harry Rees-Weldon ruled out through injury there will be an onus on Boshoff and Cardiff wing Tom Bowen to get on the scoreboard as often as possible. Luke Evans If Wales are to mix it with the likes of England, France and South Africa this summer they will have to win the physical confrontations. That is where the likes of Exeter Chiefs second-row Luke Evans come in. Evans is a giant at 6ft 8in so clearly has the size to make a big impact and is exactly the profile of second-row which is in short supply in Wales. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Having represented England U18s he has decided to switch his allegiance back to Wales which can only be seen as a positive. Article continues below He is an excellent lineout forward who carries a lot of ball and is highly rated by the Wales coaches.
