Latest news with #Reffell
Wales Online
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as 'relentless' Welsh star tears it up and coach twists knife into Wales
Today's rugby news as 'relentless' Welsh star tears it up and coach twists knife into Wales The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Leicester Tigers' Tommy Reffell put in 16 tackles against Bristol in a man-of-the-match performance (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire ) These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, April 21. 'Relentless' Wales star tears it up Wales international Tommy Reffell delivered a man-of-the-match performance as Leicester Tigers defeated fellow Gallagher Premiership title hopefuls Bristol 36-19 on Sunday. In a victory that saw Michael Cheika's side climb above Bristol, Sale and Saracens into second place in the table, the visitors to Ashton Gate ran in five tries with wings Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, full-back Freddie Steward and lock Cameron Henderson all getting on the scoresheet. While he didn't get on the shortlist, Reffell stood out in an impressive display up-front from the Tigers, proving a constant thorn in Bristol's side as he dominated at the breakdown, stopping his opponents in their tracks and winning a total of three turnovers. A huge defensive shift from the 25-year-old back row, who returned to Cheika's starting side for the visit to Ashton Gate, also saw him make 16 tackles, more than any other player made while he was on the pitch. Reffell was duly awarded the TNT Sports' Player of the Match award, with former Wales captain Sam Warburton hailing his countryman as "relentless". Article continues below However, some commentators have gone even further with their praise, with Planet Rugby of the opinion that he could be a "dark horse" to make this summer's British & Irish Lions tour. Reffell will now be key to Leicester's title hopes with four matches - against Harlequins, Sale, Bath and Newcastle - left to play of the regular season. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Coach twists knife into Wales Ireland head coach Scott Bemand was left frustrated despite his side recording a 40-14 bonus-point victory over Wales in the Women's Six Nations, claiming that his side could have put "50 or 60" points on the board. Despite taking the lead at Rodney Parade on Sunday, Wales suffered a fourth successive defeat of the campaign as the visitors ran in six tries, meaning they are now staring down the barrel at back-to-back Six Nations Wooden Spoon finishes as they prepare to face Italy next weekend. However, despite his side getting a big win under their belts, Bemand claimed after the match that they could have inflicted further punishment on Sean Lynn's Welsh side as he admitted to feeling "a little bit flat" about the result. 'Look, we've won a second on the bounce away from home, so always reflect on your victories,' the coach said. 'We said doing the same as what we did last year, two wins in the competition with the three [matches] that we probably should win away. We've managed to achieve that. 'I think there's bits of performance out there that I actually feel a little bit flat about because I think we've left a lot of points out there. 'I'd hoped to lay down a bit of a statement victory and I think that we had probably 16, 18 minutes at the end there where we could have kicked on and that could have been 50, 60," he added. 'With the young group there was a whole piece of occasion around here and handling playing a Wales group that, you know, are brilliantly Welsh. They were always going to make the breakdown hard and we kind of allowed that to happen.' Owen Farrell Lions verdict issued Former England internationals Ben Kay and Ugo Monye have given their verdict on Owen Farrell's chances of making this summer's British & Irish Lions tour. The Racing 92 fly-half is one of the most experienced options that his father and Lions boss Andy has at his disposal for the tour of Australia, but is out of form for his club side and, by his own admission, not quite back to full fitness. However, the appointment of Johnny Sexton to the Lions' coaching staff has raised questions over whether Farrell could in fact make his fourth Lions tour, with the ex-England skipper highly rated by his former Ireland rival. But giving his take, Monye was not convinced that the unlikely call-up will happen, with the tour coming "a little too soon" for the 33-year-old. "A fully fit Owen Farrell, with a season full of games, I think he definitely goes," said the TNT Sports pundit. "I watched him against Connacht for Racing 92 in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup last week. He came off the bench and played 30 minutes, spiral bombs, he played really well. "But afterwards he said 'I'm trying to get my fitness, I'm trying to get back to full fitness.' And you don't want to be trying to get back to your full fitness at this stage of the season, so the Lions may come a little too soon." Asked for his opinion, Kay claimed there could still be a role for Farrell, outside of the finalised squad. "I could see him being the first reserve, as either a 10 or a centre, just to get him out there and come in," he added. "If you lose a couple through injury, who else would you want to come in and go straight into a Test team?" Springbok hooker dies Former South Africa international Gys Pitzer has died at the age of 85. The hooker played 12 matches for the Springboks and featured in their 1968 series victory over the British & Irish Lions. However, his career was cut short by injury the following year, having spent three weeks in a Swansea hospital after injuring himself during a tour of Britain and Ireland. Tragically, his death follows those of his wife Rina and grandson Gys Jnr last year. Tributes have poured in for Pitzer, with SA Rugby president Mark Alexander remembering him as "an integral part of South African rugby history" who "played alongside legends and contributed to memorable victories". Article continues below 'His commitment to excellence on the field was matched by his dedication off it - whether as a teacher, coach, or mentor to young players," Alexander added. 'Beyond his achievements on the field, Gys will be remembered as a remarkable husband, father, and grandfather. His legacy is one of leadership, kindness and deep love for the game and his fellow man. 'Gys endured profound personal loss last year with the passing of his wife, Rina, and grandson, Gys (Jnr), in 2024. His remaining family, friends, and the rugby fraternity will deeply miss him, but his contributions will forever be honoured. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time. May they find strength in his memory and comfort in knowing his legacy will live on.'
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Back row Reffell signs new Leicester Tigers deal
Wales flanker Tommy Reffell has signed a new deal with Leicester Tigers to keep him at the club next 25-year-old made his 100th start in Friday's 33-0 East Midlands derby win at played for Wales at the 2023 World Cup and has won 27 caps in total, four of them during the recent Six Nations."This club has given me so much and I've achieved a lot of my goals here, so I just want to keep earning that faith they've shown in me through what I do on the field," said Reffell, who came through the Tigers youth forwards Emeka Ilione and Tom Manz have also agreed contract extensions with row Ilione, 22, has made 38 senior appearances for the Tigers, 16 of them this season, while also studying medicine at the University of Nottingham."Emeka has taken massive strides in his development this season," said general manager Richard Wilks. Manz, 23, made his Premiership debut against Gloucester earlier this season.
