Latest news with #Scarlets
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Versatile back Nicholas signs new Scarlets deal
Utility back Ioan Nicholas has extended his stay Scarlets by signing a new has made 110 Scarlets appearances and can play full-back, wing or 27-year-old joins Macs Page, Tomi Lewis, Eddie James, Joe Roberts, Sam Costelow, Kemsley Mathias, Taine Plumtree, Johnny Williams and Sam O'Connor in signing new senior have also signed Wales internationals Jake Ball and Joe Hawkins, scrum-half Dane Blacker, back-rower Tristan Davies and Welsh-qualified England U20s full-back Ioan Evans, Ioan Lloyd, Charlie Titcombe, Efan Jones, Sam Wainwright, Shaun Evans, Vaea Fifita, Alex Craig, Morgan Jones and Ed Scragg have left the Llanelli-based side.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
'It's something you dream of as a kid,' says new Bok Marnus van der Merwe
Marnus van der Merwe scored two tries against Georgia on his official Springbok debut in his home town, Mbombela, on Saturday night. Springbok debutant Marnus van der Merwe said facing up to powerful and intimidating teammates Ox Nche and Wilco Louw helped sufficiently prepare him for the physicality brought by Georgia during the Boks' 55-10 win over the eastern Europeans at the Mbombela Stadium over the weekend. Van der Merwe, who received his first official Springbok cap, after he first wore the green and gold in the non-Test against the visiting Barbarians in Cape Town a few weeks ago, said that the debutants were well prepared thanks to the tough training they went through in the build up to the Test. It was also a dream start for the hooker, as he scored twice off the back of dominant rolling mauls, during his 44 minutes on the field before he was replaced early in the second half. 'The Georgians are definitely physical. But we train against guys like Ox (Nche), Wilco (Louw) and others like that, so we know what is physical. We make training as hard as we can to make sure we implement (what we want) in the game,' explained Van der Merwe. 'So it was definitely a physical match. But I think we trained hard enough during the week that we were well prepared for that. But we will properly reflect on the game next week.' Special game It was also an extra special game for the new Bok hooker as it was in his home town, with Van der Merwe having been born in Mbombela and attending Hoërskool Nelspruit. He represented the Pumas during his school career, before moving on to the Cheetahs and then Scarlets last year. 'It's something that's still sinking in and something that you look at and say wow it's actually happening. It's something you dream of as a kid. I was just taking it (the occasion) all in and letting it sink in,' said Van der Merwe about a home debut and the atmosphere. 'I think tomorrow morning (Sunday) I will actually stand up and tell my wife, 'listen, I am actually a Springbok'. So I am still processing it.' With him having played in Wales over the past franchise rugby season, Van der Merwe was asked how different it was training with the Boks, compared to what he experienced with Scarlets. 'The Springboks are number one, because of how hard we train and prepare. I don't think any club can come close to Test rugby (level) training. So it is definitely different (to what I experience in Wales with Scarlets),' he said. 'But I think that the intensity (training) is one of the things that surprises you when you get onto the field. And then how hard you actually work at scrums and mauls and that sort of stuff to get you ready for a game. You work harder at training to be better when it comes to the match.'
Irish Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Tadhg Beirne admits Andy Farrell's ‘quiet word' played big part in first Test triumph
He can look weary, perhaps wearier than he actually is, due to the Trojan volume of work he invariably accumulates week upon week, month upon month, and season upon season. But come the big day, he invariably delivers. That's just in his DNA. That's what Tadhg Beirne does. Speaking to a handful of journalists in a corner of the crammed mixed zone room along a long corridor from the dressingrooms, Beirne cuts a relieved and satisfied person. The Lions have won, and he has delivered what he, and Andy Farrell , had demanded of him in his first Lions Test start, after which he was named the man of the match. He has won titles with the Scarlets and Munster, has been part of Ireland's landmark triumphs in his 61 caps to date and was a replacement in the opening two Lions Tests four years ago. Yet he said of this first Test: 'It was right up there.' Revealingly, Beirne also admitted: 'I felt the pressure. I'm not going to lie; I did feel the pressure this week. There are some things you can't shy away from. A lot of people calling for your head out there. I know my performances to this date weren't up to par by my standards. So, to be in this team, Faz [Andy Farrell] has put a lot of trust in me, and it was an honour to be selected. READ MORE 'I had to put in a performance today. All of us did. Everyone around me put in great performances and the best part about it was that we were able to make each other look good, particularly for the first half,' added Beirne, before admitting they 'fell off a bit' in the last quarter. This was Beirne's fifth start in the Lions' seven matches to date. He had performed strongly against Argentina and the Force if less so, as he conceded, against the Waratahs and Invitational XV. Farrell had helped to foster the discussion around the 'hotly contested' backrow, yet then used the debate around picking Beirne and Tom Curry to fuel the fire within both flankers. 'Andy had a quiet word with the backrow, the captains, and he said a few things to us,' Beirne revealed. 'He put a little bit of pressure on us without putting pressure on us, as Andy does. But it gives you motivation and it gives you a little bit of realisation as to where his head's at and the opportunity that's being presented to us. Tadhg Beirne runs into contact during the first Test against Australia in Brisbane. Photograph:Asked what the tone of Farrell's comments had been, Beirne was not inclined to reveal too much. 'Andy said what he said to us, and I think it helped all of us. Those words certainly sat with me for the 24 hours leading up to the game,' he said. 'I'm 33 now, I'm not going to be on another Lions tour, let's be realistic,' he added with a wry smile. 'These are special moments. These are huge games and I want to be involved in all of them. I knew how important this game was and hopefully I've done enough to help this team win tonight and hopefully be selected next week.' You put it to Beirne that he's a big game player. 'I love the pressure. Only joking,' he said, laughing, but clearly there's an element of truth in this. 'That is it. This is the game. Big games. You want to perform. You either step up to it or you don't.' As is his wont, Farrell had his players perfectly primed emotionally, and Beirne was certainly of a mind to seize the day. 'You've got to love those occasions. You've got to love every minute of it. You've got to love the dark moments when you are blowing out your arse and love when you are camped on your own line. You have to love every part of it, and I certainly did today.' It helped that Beirne won the first of his two jackal penalties just 22 seconds into the game after Tadhg Furlong had stopped Joseph Suaalii in his tracks moments after Tom Curry had done likewise with a big shot on James Slipper. Beirne was also quick to share the kudos with Curry, helpfully too, as the latter's answers in his post-match briefing were, well, brief. Tom Curry tackles Australia fullback Tom Wright during the first Test. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire 'His work-rate off the ball, everything he is doing that people aren't seeing is incredible, and that is why he has been selected. It is for those moments, the incredible fitness and work-rate he has.' Beirne's isn't bad either, for he was the game's top tackler (22), won three turnovers, nicked a Wallabies throw and had some typically assured touches on the ball. He was additionally motivated by the memory of four years ago when, as he tellingly put it, 'an accumulated 12 minutes' in the opening two Tests before being left out of the decider. No less than the Springboks then, the Wallabies will be fighting for their lives on home soil next Saturday in the MGC and will be strengthened by the return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton. 'I was there last time and we won the first Test and lost the last two, so we can't just sit back and relax now. We have to go forward and that's where it's going to be challenging next week. 'They're going to elevate their performance, they've a few lads coming back, a few world-class performers, and the challenge becomes even more difficult because not only do they have some world-class names back, but they also have a lot more to fight for because they know if they lose, they've lost the series. 'It's going to be tough in Melbourne. We don't know what the weather is going to be like. It was nice today, but it could be terrible there. 'So, it's a big challenge for us next week to elevate our performance; a lot to work on but we'll be proud of what we put in today at the same time.'
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Horsman urges WRU to act quickly on potential team cull
Former Wales prop Chris Horsman says strong leadership and a quick decision is needed by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) after it announced it was considering cutting up to two of its four professional regional rugby's governing body says it is entering a formal consultation with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) - which represents both the WRU and Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - saying the current system is failing and WRU says it wants a "more radical" strategy to be completed by played for Celtic Warriors - one of the original five teams created when Wales switched from club to regional sides as the top level of the domestic game - who were disbanded after just one season in 2004."What the game needs more than anything at the moment is stability," said Horsman, 47, who won 14 caps and has coached Wales Under-20s and Wales Women."For me, if they're [the WRU] going to make the cut they've got to just come forward they've got to give us some strong leadership." The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal agreed by WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-owned Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets who say "key issues" have not been four sides are expected to continue to exist in their current form until at least June 2027 but their futures are now uncertain."Potentially they have got a year left of their contract," Horsman told Radio Wales Drive."They [the regions] want financial stability. Are you going to buy a season ticket? If you're a business are you going to sponsor the region, because you don't know in three, four month's time, you might be told it's not going to be there anymore? "So there are so many things resting on this decision and again we've got to wait."I know it's not going to be straightforward but we've heard that things were going to happen 18 months ago and they haven't, so I don't put a lot of stock in it's going to happen fast. I hope it does for the players' sake and for Welsh rugby's sake."One thing I will say is when we were at the Celtic Warriors, it happened over a weekend, pretty much, and as painful as it was at least it was done and then there was a decision made that the players were divvied up, pretty equally between the four regions and the game moved on quickly. "I think that's what's needed now."
Irish Examiner
14-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Wales considering cut to two or three professional teams in 'radical' restructure
The Welsh Rugby Union is considering halving the number of teams in Wales in the men's professional game. Wales' four regions - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - compete in the United Rugby Championship, but the quartet have struggled in recent years amid claims the current model of funding professional rugby in Wales is unsustainable. The WRU announced in May that it would move away from the framework of four evenly-funded clubs after Ospreys and Scarlets did not sign up to its new Professional Rugby Agreement. Now the governing body has announced it will enter into formal consultation with Wales' four regional clubs and other key stakeholders that will lead to a domestic restructure by the 2027-28 season. Listed in the "key potential developments" to be consulted upon, the WRU included: "Whether there should be a reduction to three or two regional men's teams, to ensure that we have teams that can compete at the top of the professional game." The Union added: "The WRU board has already publicly confirmed it does not see the system continuing with the current model of four equally funded regional clubs in the senior men's game. "The current rugby system in Wales, which includes national teams, professional clubs, community clubs, academies, universities and schools isn't delivering consistent success on the field and isn't currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required, even with the recent actions taken to increase financial resources. "Based on its extensive work over the past 18 months, including ongoing consultation with the four professional men's clubs, the WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales (amongst other options). "The changes would be aimed at boosting Welsh rugby as a whole: the academies, the Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) and Celtic Challenge competitions (men's and women's semi-pro game), professional clubs and the national teams for both men and women." Wales have been in a rut at international level for some time, with the men's national team having suffered 18 consecutive Test defeats before beating Japan on Saturday to square the two-match series in the Far East. The women's team have also finished bottom of the last two Six Nations Championships, losing all five matches for the first time in the 2025 edition. "The consultation will cover the entire high-performance framework from pathways to professional club structure and the senior men's and women's game," the WRU added. The consultation period will take place over August and September.
