Latest news with #IeuanEvans
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Respects paid to first Lions captain Robert Seddon
British and Irish Lions chair Ieuan Evans and chief executive Ben Calveley attended a wreath laying ceremony for Robert Seddon, the first Lions captain, who drowned in the Hunter River during the first Lions tour to Australia in 1888. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh (left) British and Irish Lions chair Ieuan Evans (centre) and chief executive Ben Calveley (right) [Getty Images] [Getty Images]
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Respects paid to first Lions captain Robert Seddon
British and Irish Lions chair Ieuan Evans and chief executive Ben Calveley attended a wreath laying ceremony for Robert Seddon, the first Lions captain, who drowned in the Hunter River during the first Lions tour to Australia in 1888.
ABC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
British and Irish Lions visit the Maitland grave of their inaugural captain Robert Seddon
The British and Irish Lions have gathered in Maitland to pay tribute to the inaugural Lions team captain who drowned in the Hunter Valley. Members of the Lions touring party gathered to lay wreaths at the grave of Robert Seddon, who died at Maitland during a Lions tour in 1888. The 28-year-old was wearing his Lions jumper when he drowned while rowing on the Hunter River. He was buried the next day at Campbells Hill Cemetery in the Maitland suburb of Telarah. Former British Lion and current chair, Ieuan Evans, said the organisation made the trip to Maitland on every Australian tour, which occurred every 12 years. "We're here to reflect on a tragic moment where we lost our captain midway through the tour, but also to celebrate the legacy that he left on the rest of his teammates," Evans said. "To be honest, they were the first great adventurers in rugby, travelling across the globe, playing not only rugby, but cricket, and they played Aussie rules football as well. "They really were pathfinders in the game and we're still living that legacy now. Maitland Rugby Club, known as the Blacks, has maintained the gravesite for the past 137 years. Blacks' president Patrick Howard said it was a great source of pride for the 148-year-old club. "We're just excited to have the Lions out here, putting a spotlight on us for a little while," Howard said. "History is very important to Maitland Rugby Club and [Seddon] is a big part of our history. "A lot of our history was lost in the 1955 Maitland flood. "All of our documents and a lot of our photos went, so we're always accruing new pieces of history." As part of the commemorations, the Maitland Historical Society worked with the Blacks to compile historical sources that tell the story of Robert Seddon, which was presented to the Lions. Howard said it was great to have that history documented for the next generation. "We will now hold that copy here at Maitland Rugby Club as well, as another piece of history that we'll acknowledge moving forward," he said. Evans said the efforts of the Blacks to preserve Seddon's memory were not taken for granted. "We are humbled and gratified by the effort of Maitland Rugby Club to maintain the grave, so we can pay homage to Robert Seddon and his contribution to part of the lore of British and Irish Lions," he said. Lions CEO, Ben Calveley, echoed the sentiment. "It's important that we return and we pay our respects to Robert, but we also pay our respects to our friends from Maitland Rugby Club as well," Calveley said. After visiting the grave on Sunday, representatives from the Lions headed to Newcastle for the Wallabies match against Fiji. Evans said the Lions' brief trip to the Hunter was an important part of the tour's community engagement. "The Lions' tour is not just a straightforward test series. We're the last touring squad really to get an opportunity to see the breadth of Australia and all it has," he said. "We're not only building a sporting legacy but also a community legacy as well." For Calveley, it was a welcome break from the high stakes of touring. "It will be nice to be able to watch a game of rugby with there being nothing at stake for the Lions," he joked.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Today's rugby news as Lions name new team after 'desperately sad' news shocks tourists
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, June 30. Morgan picked after 'shocking news' Jac Morgan will have another chance to lay down a Test marker for the Lions, being named to start against the Queensland Reds on the same morning that it was confirmed he was the only Welsh player left on the 2025 tour of Australia. Advertisement Monday morning saw scrum-half Tomos Williams cruelly ruled out of the remainder of the tour, having picked up a hamstring injury during a two-try performance. Scotland scrum-half Ben White has been called up to replace the Gallagher Premiership player of the year. You can read the latest Lions team and injury news here. READ MORE: Tomos Williams ruled out of Lions tour as replacement called up READ MORE: Tonight's rugby news as Tomos Williams injury update imminent and star jets out to join Lions Speaking about Williams' injury, Lions tour manager and former Wales wing Ieuan Evans said: 'This is desperately sad news for Tomos and we wish him all the very best in his recovery. Advertisement 'Tomos is an exemplary Lion who has had a brilliant season, having joined the tour after being named Premiership Rugby's player-of-the-season. He lit up this Lions tour with his personality and his talent.' Farrell said: 'It's shocking news for us all. We're not just going to miss an outstanding player – he played unbelievably well and it was some try that he was actually injured by,' Farrell said. 'We're also going to miss the bloke. We have only been together for a few weeks now but his character is everything you want to have in your group on a Lions tour. He's very popular and that makes it a little bit tougher. 'Ben will be devastated for Tomos, like we all are. But at the same time, he's super excited. Advertisement 'He obviously had ambition to get into the squad – as did many others who didn't get selected – so now he gets his chance.' Williams' replacement White won't feature against the Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is in line for his first appearance of the tour following injury, with Alex Mitchell on the bench. However, it's another start for Morgan on the openside which will draw the eye of Welsh onlookers. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Morgan had started the tour opener against Argentina in Dublin, being solid if unspectacular in a understandably disjointed team performance. Advertisement However, a marker has been laid down by Ireland's Josh van der Flier in the weekend's victory over the Force - even if the Perth side were Australia's worst-placed Super Rugby franchise. Morgan will now start alongside Tom Curry and Jack Conan in the back-row as he looks to push his Test credentials. Since 1899, when Wales were first involved with a tour and the Lions played a Test series, at least one Welshman has been selected to start every Lions Test - meaning they have stood alone in Lions history as the only nation to have provided players for every Test for the last century. Scotland last failed to provide a starter in 2017, Ireland in 1989 and England in 1950. However, with just one Welshmen left on tour, the chances of Wales keeping up their remarkable record have taken a significant blow. Advertisement Lions team to face Reds on Wednesday: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Jack Conan. Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Garry Ringrose. Joe McCarthy enjoying friendship with 'good fella' Henry Pollock By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth Joe McCarthy has struck up an unexpected friendship with Henry Pollock as the British and Irish Lions rookies step up their hunt for Test selection. Advertisement The forwards delivered eye-catching performances in Saturday's 54-7 victory over Western Force in Perth, seizing their chances three weeks out from the series opener against Australia. McCarthy finished man of the match after embellishing a mighty shift in defence with some impactful attacking moments, while Pollock made up for flashes of indiscipline with the dynamism only he can bring to the back row. Off the field, Ireland enforcer McCarthy has found himself forming an unlikely bromance with the swaggering England flanker. 'Henry's actually a good fella. He's proper high-energy and he's been very sound,' McCarthy said. Advertisement 'He can be a bit much at times but he is himself and I've probably got on with him way better than I thought I would. Like we saw against the Force, he's class to have in your team as well.' McCarthy was part of the Leinster side that were knocked out of the Champions Cup semi-finals by Pollock's Northampton, leading to some awkward initial moments when the rivals first entered Lions camp earlier this month. 'We got there and were thinking 'oh for f***'s sake, it's these fellas again!',' McCarthy said. 'But I've played golf with Alex Mitchell and me and Tommy Freeman are doing 'thought for the day' on the bus, so it's interesting to hear Tommy's thoughts. Advertisement 'One I liked was 'today is the oldest you ever have been and the youngest you ever will be'.' England U20 begin title defence with emphatic win over Scotland England U20 kicked off their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign with a dominant 56–19 victory over Scotland in blistering heat in Verona. Despite going down to 14 men for the final 25 minutes, Mark Mapletoft's side ran in eight tries to open their Pool B account in emphatic fashion. Flanker George Timmins was shown a straight red card for leading with the elbow in a ruck — just moments after scoring England's sixth try of the afternoon. Scotland struck first through scrum-half Noah Cowan after a strong start, but England responded swiftly with a penalty try that swung momentum firmly in their favour. They raced to a 42–12 lead by half-time thanks to a ruthless display of attacking rugby. Advertisement Winger Jack Bracken crossed twice, while Will Knight and Kane James powered over from close range. Josh Bellamy delivered a standout solo effort before turning provider with a pinpoint grubber kick to set up Ben Redshaw. Kane James and Tom Burrow made strong carries throughout, and fly-half Ben Coen steered the team expertly with a composed performance. England's replacements also made an impact, with Archie McParland catching the eye in the closing stages. Scotland grabbed a late consolation through Hector Patterson, but were unable to match England's physicality and tempo as the match wore on. England now face South Africa on Friday in what could be a decisive Pool B showdown.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Williams ruled out of Lions tour as White called up
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has been ruled out of the rest of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia with Scotland's Ben White called was forced off the field with a hamstring injury after scoring a try in their 54-7 win over Western Force in Perth on Saturday.''This is desperately sad news for Tomos,'' said Lions tour manager Ieuan Evans. ''He is an exemplary Lion who had a brilliant season having joined the Tour as Premiership player-of-the-season. He lit up this Lions tour with both his personality and his talent.''Williams' departure means there is now only one Welshman remaining in the 38-strong squad in flanker Jac Morgan.
