Latest news with #LukePearce
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Gwyn Jones: Wales' main problem is clear, they have to win by any means possible
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Wales were holding a two-score lead as they approached the final quarter in the first test. They did not look particularly comfortable, and they were not bossing the game, but they were in touching distance of a precious victory. However, Japan hit their stride and produced a 20 minute spell that consigned Wales to yet another defeat. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Japan deserved their win; the rugby they played in those closing minutes ran Wales ragged. The speed of ball, the accuracy of their handling and unity of purpose was responsible for two tries, while another try was disallowed. Wales did not score a point for the last 60 minutes of that match. They looked exactly as you would expect a side in their position to look. They did not know how to manage the game, to shut it down and get off the field with an ugly win. I expect Japan to be better in the second test this weekend. I cannot see them making as many unforced errors in this match. They will also have some confidence under their belt. But most of all they know that if they can get their multiphase game going and get pace in attack then no matter what situation they're in, they have the game to beat Wales. However, all is not lost for Wales. There are plenty of silver linings that came from that defeat. (Image: Getty Images) Wales will know they can score from strike plays. Two tries directly from scrum and lineout showed that they have the invention and precision to score on first phase which is massive in this heat. Secondly, Luke Pearce is the referee. The scrum was a lottery last weekend with penalties handed out without any grasp of what was actually happening. I thought Wales had the upper hand marginally, and I would hope Pearce would be able to discern which pack is the stronger eight. Wales's lineout let them down again. with too many opportunities lost in attacking positions. The throws weren't perfect but the main problem with the lineouts is the lack of movement and deception they have. Wales jumpers and lifters are static and go up on timing patterns but Japan were able to read these and often had two competing for the ball. That piles pressure on the hooker, the window he has to aim at is so small that it creates its own pressure. For all Dewi Lake's strengths, throwing in isn't top of the list. But give him a chance, make the lineouts harder to compete against. Wales' kicking game could be the key in the second test. Both Josh Adams and Tom Rogers had success in regaining box kicks. Unfortunately only about half of the box kicks that went up to be contested were on the money. Keiron Hardy is a fine technical scrum half with high skill levels, but he was under pressure at the base too often to land the ball on target. Wales need an extra body in the train to give him that buffer. I think these are all issues that can be improved significantly over the course of a week, and I have faith the coaches Wales have brought together can solve these problems. They are young fresh coaches that are close to the game. It is obvious that the players like them and so they have a fighting chance of fixing the weaknesses ahead of this match. The biggest barrier preventing Wales from ending the streak is now an emotional/psychological one. This team is at rock bottom. They have endured beating after beating. They lost by 70 points at home to England. That leaves a deep wound. They look lost at times, doubting themselves. It is painful to watch. If only they could muster a win. It doesn't matter what it looks like. Anything that removes the albatross around their neck. Gwyn Jones is part of the S4C commentary team for Japan v Wales on Saturday. The match is being shown exclusively on S4C, with coverage starting at 6.30am. Lions have crisis of identity The Lions on the other hand have the opposite problem, plenty of wins but pretty short on quality. I think the Lions are increasingly confused in what they are trying to do in Australia. It is no secret that the way to beat the Wallabies is to go after their pack. You pick a big nasty outfit, and you set about pulverising their forwards until you expose the soft underbelly of their bench. Their backs get a hammering too, as you engage them in a gain line battle. So why are the Lions not establishing that physical dominance? They appear wedded to the idea that they need to go wide at every opportunity. They rarely catch and drive lineouts, they allow teams off the hook at the scrum, even though they are in complete control. They look far more threatening when Bundee Aki takes the ball up in midfield. It forces the defensive line back and gives the Lions far more structure to work from. But their stock play is to pull the ball back to the second line. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more British & Irish Lions kit Get the British & Irish Lions kit The new British & Irish Lions kit has launched ahead of their latest tour with the range including shirts, hoodies and merch for all ages Various Fanatics Buy Now What has been even more perplexing is that they seem to be selecting a team to smash it up, with Chessum at 6, Mcarthy at 4 and Curry on the openside, yet they are asking these players to throw the ball about. It is not their bag. These are direct players. Let them do what they are good at and the rest will take care of itself. Australia will be hoping that the Lions continue to ignore their massive power advantage and engage in an open and unstructured series, because then they have a chance. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that the Lions will see sense, slow the game down, establish set piece control and grind the Wallabies into the dirt. And that's something Wales need to do too.
The Independent
15-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Italy vs Ireland referee: Who is Six Nations official Luke Pearce?
England's Luke Pearce is the referee for Italy vs Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations. The Exeter-based whistler is long established as a top international official having overseen his 50th Test during last year's tournament, when he took charge of two fixtures during the course of the campaign. The 36-year-old started his officiating journey in Devon at the age of 16, and was refereeing in the second tier Championship by the age of 21. A promotion to the Premiership swiftly followed before a step-up to Test level in February 2013. The depth in English refereeing has occasionally held Pearce back, though his highly communicative style and preference for pace are well liked by players. He took charge of his first Premiership final in 2023, overseeing Saracens' win over Sale at Twickenham, before being one of four English referees at the World Cup later that autumn. Pearce joins compatriots Matthew Carley, Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley in being the lead official during this Six Nations, showcasing the strength of the English refereeing pool. Italy v Ireland match officials Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng) Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Morné Ferreira (SA) Television Match Official: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Telegraph
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Italy v Ireland, Six Nations 2025: What time is kick-off and what TV channel is it on?
The fifth and final game of Ireland's 2025 Six Nations Championship campaign will be their third away match of the campaign and takes place in Rome. Ireland have won all three of their matches to date, overcoming England 27-22, in round one at the Aviva Stadium Dublin, before beating Scotland 32-18 at Murrayfield and emerging victorious against Wales 27-18 at the Principality Stadium. Italy have their work cut out against the defending champions having lost to Scotland 31-19 on the opening weekend and suffered a 73-24 humbling in Rome in round three. The Azzurri have tasted victory at the Stadio Olimpico this campaign, however, winning 22-15 against Wales on 8 February. When is Italy v Ireland? Italy host Ireland on Saturday, March 15. The match will kick-off at 2.15pm (GMT). The other final-round matches both take place later in the day with England visiting Wales at 4.45pm (GMT) and France v Scotland getting under way at the Stade de France at 8pm (GMT). Where is Italy v Ireland taking place? At the Stadio Olimpico, where Italy gave Ireland a run for their money the last time they met there losing 34-20 in 2023. How to watch Italy v Ireland on TV? It will be on ITV1. BBC and ITV once again share coverage of the Six Nations in the UK: ITV has the rights for the home games of England, Ireland, France and Italy while the BBC has all the matches at Murrayfield and the Principality Stadium. Who is the referee? England's Luke Pearce has the whistle for Italy's home match against Ireland and has Angus Gardner from Australia and South Africa's Morné Ferreira running the line. England's Andrew Jackson will perform TMO duties and Tual Trainini from the French Rugby Union is the Foul Play Review Officer. Luke Pearce has established himself as one of the best referees in the game over his 15-year professional career. He has officiated at the World Cup, in European finals and Six Nations Grand Slam deciders and has established a reputation for a style that promotes flowing rugby and seeks to reduce stodgy periods of inaction. Pearce's father, Andrew, refereed in the Championship, which inspired him to take up the whistle at the age of 16. The 37-year-old has developed the skill of communicating with players in a friendly yet firm manner, often speaking with a smile while also not being afraid to march teams back 10 metres when they talk back. The Welsh-born referee has already officiated a match involving Italy this campaign when he was assistant referee for their defeat at Murrayfield in round two, while he was the man in the middle when these two sides met 12 months ago in Dublin. What is the team news? For their encounter with France in round three, Italy made two changes to the side that had defeated Wales, with Simone Gesi coming in on the wing for the Monty Ioane, who had a knee problem, and hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi selected ahead of Giacomo Nicotera. Ireland are coached by Simon Easterby, who has taken up an interim role in this year's Six Nations due to head coach Andy Farrell's absence. Farrell has stepped back from his role this year as he is coaching the British and Irish Lions for their 2025 tour. Italy and Ireland will not name their revised squads for the match on March 15 until after the fourth-round fixtures. Italy's current squad Forwards: Simone Ferrari, Riccardo Faveretto, Danilo Fischetti, Federico Ruzza, Marco Riccioni, Lorenzo Cannone, Luca Rizzoli, Alessandro Izekor, Giosue Zilocchi, Michele Lamaro, Gianmarco Nicotera, Ross Vintcent, Niccolò Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Dino Lamb. Backs: Alessandro Garbisi, Juan Ignacio Brex, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Menoncello, Stephen Varney, Ange Capuozzo, Tommaso Allen, Matt Gallagher, Paolo Garbisi, Simone Gesi, Leonardo Marin, Monty Ioane, Jacopo Trulla. Ireland's current squad Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier. Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose When did Italy and Ireland last win the Six Nations? Italy have never won the title but they can lay claim to one Six Nations victory over Ireland; a 22-15 home victory in March 2013. Ireland have won back-to-back Six Nations titles and are seeking to become the first side to win it three years running. Should they achieve the 'three-peat' they will join England in having the most Six Nations titles, with seven. What was the score last year? Ireland won 36-0 at the Aviva Stadium in 2024, in a one-sided contest the Azzurri head coach Gonzalo Quesada likened to New Zealand in their prime. 'When they got 19 points [ahead], it was like the All Blacks from some years ago,' said the Argentine. 'They just go through their basics. They had 100 per cent of the line-out, 100 per cent of the scrum, 100 per cent of the high balls. And then they just work their rucks in attack and defence with extreme efficiency.'
