Latest news with #WarrenGatland
Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
John Mitchell: Leading Red Roses at World Cup is like coaching All Blacks
It ranks among the most comprehensive midweek defeats for tourists from these isles. In 1993 the British & Irish Lions had beaten New Zealand to take the series to a decider, and three days later they were thumped 38-10 in Hamilton. Among the Waikato XV that day were Ian Foster, Warren Gatland and John Mitchell. 'Antipodeans wait for the Lions,' Mitchell says. 'You just want that opportunity, and then it's a 12-year cycle as well, so that's why it's really important. When you've got confidence as a provincial side and you give yourself a chance of winning, you go for it.' A quantity surveyor at the time, he recalls the occasion: 'Three o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon, 35,000 people, probably not all of them on annual leave. Then the night we won and went into the night, I think I was driving around the Welsh president in my Ford Escort to try to find another pub. 'The next morning I had to report for work at 7.30am. I still remember my workmate, Derek Hobbs, he could see I was a little bit seedy and I had to go to the doctor for antibiotics because I think I cut my elbow open.' Fast forward 32 years and more pressing for Mitchell, 61, is the Women's Rugby World Cup in England, beginning on August 22, for which the Red Roses are favourites after a run of 55 wins in 56 Tests (the defeat being the previous World Cup final). They began their campaign on June 2 after a five-week break, starting with a first day of connection, sharing stories and photographs about the time off. Punishing fitness work from the first two camps will continue, twinned with increasing tactical work, to help deal with incidents such as the first-half red card for Lydia Thompson three years ago, en route to a fifth defeat in finals by the Black Ferns. 'If we don't create that exposure, then we're probably going to let ourselves down like the last World Cup,' Mitchell says. Mitchell has coached at several men's World Cups. In 2003 he led the All Blacks, 16 years on from their only win at the time, into the tournament. 'It does feel similar to that, but probably what's different is that I'm a little bit older and a bit more experienced,' Mitchell says. 'The young John Mitchell, he was 37 or 40 way back then, has done a few miles. I would love to have had the experience that I've got now back then. But hey, that's life, you've got to learn it. 'I've been in too many World Cups where people make it bigger than what it actually is. It's just a tournament, and it's a big tournament. Just focus on what you can control and make sure you don't get distracted by stuff from the outside world that affects the week.' More than 300,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament, more than double the record attendance in New Zealand three years ago, and Mitchell is aware of the World Cup's role in the growth of the women's game, as well as the status of the Red Roses. 'To me, it's significant; we stand for something, we've set a standard, but we also haven't won a World Cup for 11 years, so how do we get down what we haven't had for a long time?' he says. 'We mustn't have been doing something right. 'We've got an opportunity to embrace this, take it on, and create our own story that ultimately can help our girls pass on the message for a lot longer than when you come second. I guess that's the powerful opportunity while this tournament is under our watch.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Gatland makes Wales job admission and crunch meeting called over Lions row
Today's rugby news as Gatland makes Wales job admission and crunch meeting called over Lions row The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Warren Gatland (Image: Getty Images ) Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, June 25. Gatland: I stopped enjoying being Wales coach Warren Gatland has revealed the coaching job he would like to do next after admitting he stopped enjoying being Wales head coach. The 61-year-old left his role with Wales midway through this year's Six Nations following a disastrous second spell in charge. Under Gatland, Wales lost 14 Test matches in a row - plummeting outside of the top 10 in the world rankings. Since leaving the Wales job four months ago, Gatland has yet to find a permanent coaching role elsewhere. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. He will fill his time this summer working as a pundit during the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. He also recently spend a few weeks with Uruguayan outfit Penarol as they clinched their third Super Rugby Americas title. Article continues below However, as he looks for his next coaching job, he revealed that he would like to help a team out ahead of the 2027 World Cup - having been denied the chance of coaching at a fifth World Cup with Wales. 'One of the things I'm most proud of is what we achieved at World Cups," he told the Rugby Paper. "I've been thinking about doing some consultancy work and then maybe working with a team in the two-three months heading into a World Cup.' Gatland enjoyed a strong record at World Cups with Wales, reaching the knockout stages in each of his four tournaments. Semi-final appearances in 2011 and 2019 were sandwiched either side of a quarter-final appearance in 2015 after knocking out hosts England in the pool stage. Wales also reached the quarter-final in France in 2023, after Gatland had taken over from Wayne Pivac the year before. However, the pool stage match against Georgia in October that year marked the last time Wales won at Test level - with Gatland paying the price for over a year without an international victory with his mid-Six Nations departure this year. Wales are still yet to appoint a new head coach, with Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt once again taking interim charge for the summer tour of Japan. The head coach search has coincided with more off-field issues, with the real prospect of going down to fewer professional teams. 'Those issues have been there for a long time — we were just papering over the cracks," he added. "We kept saying that when the dam burst, it would take a long time to fix it. 'I'm the first to admit that international rugby is about performance and results but it just felt like there was so much negativity in the media. In the end, I just wasn't enjoying it.' Crunch meeting called over simmering Lions row Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh will hold talks with British and Irish Lions counterpart Ben Calveley in Perth today in a bid to settle a dispute over the availability of Wallabies players for the Lions' 2025 tour matches. The row was sparked earlier this week when Calveley warned that Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt could be in breach of the tour agreement if he failed to make Test-calibre players available for the provincial fixtures. The Lions kick off their nine-match Australian tour on Saturday night against the Western Force in Perth. Responding to Calveley's remarks, Schmidt defended his position, insisting Super Rugby teams would be well stocked with Wallabies talent and highlighting the fact that the Lions themselves won't be fielding their full-strength Test squad in every game. According to WA Today, Rugby Australia maintain there is no threat of breaching the agreement, which is framed around the commitment to field 'the best possible' provincial sides featuring players of Wallabies standard. Waugh is expected to reaffirm this commitment in his meeting with Calveley. Schmidt has already named five Wallabies squad members to feature for the Force this weekend and said around 25 players will be 'quarantined' to prepare for the first Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, ahead of the Lions Test series later in July. Calveley welcomed the strength of the Force line-up but stressed he would continue discussions with Waugh to ensure Wallabies players are also released for matches against Queensland and New South Wales, as stipulated in the agreement. Lions star surprised team-mate is not 'a d***head' By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth Enemies have become friends on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia after Dan Sheehan revealed that Ireland target Ellis Genge is now a valued team-mate. Previously front-row rivals, Sheehan and Genge have joined forces on the 10-fixture expedition Down Under with both players strong contenders to start the first Test against the Wallabies on July 19. Sheehan's Ireland would hunt down Genge during the Six Nations knowing he is among England's most impactful players, but since coming into camp the Leinster hooker has seen a different side to the fiery prop. 'It's mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around with them and going for coffee!' Sheehan said. 'It's probably just that rugby blokes are good blokes and you can turn on the hatred when you want it. But getting to know people has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the last few weeks. 'Genge would be a good one. He's obviously a passionate, animated player for England and someone who we, as Ireland, would consider as a talisman and someone, in an Irish jersey, we'd need to target. 'Now he's one person you enjoy having on the team. And he's a funny bloke off the pitch. Everyone loves him. You can see the passion he brings to meetings, on to the pitch and in the scum. 'He's very real and says it how it is. He's definitely someone that surprises you that he's not a d***head.' Craig Casey backed to thrive as stand-in Ireland captain By Ed Elliot, PA Stand-in Ireland captain Craig Casey possesses 'all the leadership qualities' required to spearhead his country's summer tour, according to interim attack coach Mike Prendergast. With 15 Ireland players involved with the British and Irish Lions and regular skipper Caelan Doris sidelined, Munster scrum-half Casey will lead a youthful squad into next month's Tests against Georgia and Portugal. The 26-year-old, who is also coached by Prendergast at provincial level, has accumulated 18 caps since making his debut against Italy in 2021 but only six of those appearances have come as a starter. 'He's full of energy, he's a student of the game,' Prendergast said of Casey, according to the Irish Examiner. 'Guys will listen because he's a guy who is incredibly diligent. 'He's all over his stuff and you always want people to follow that. So he hasn't been any different than what he would be down in Munster. Article continues below 'Obviously through the week and through next week that will ramp up from his point of view, I would imagine. 'But he brings a really good calmness to people as well. It's great to have him within the squad and as a captain. He has all the leadership qualities that you ask for from a person.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will British and Irish Lions sue Rugby Australia over player eligibility row?
If you were to list the top moments from each of the last five British and Irish Lions tours then you'd almost certainly find that at least one entry didn't happen on the pitch. In 2021 it was South African coach Rassie Erasmus breaking down the flaws in refereeing calls, and in 2017 it was the sight of then-British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland wearing a clown nose to mock his New Zealand doubters. Days before the 2025 tour officially starts on Saturday, it may have already found its off-field moment, with British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley warning that their Wallaby hosts could be in breach of contract if they do not field their best players in the warm-up games. 'The agreement is very clear – it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series,' he said. 'That is our expectation.' Australia head coach Joe Schmidt wants to lessen the chances of his best players getting injured, which is understandable, and is set to hold back those stars from playing for their clubs – such as the Queensland Reds and Waratahs – in tour matches against the British and Irish Lions before the first Test next month in Brisbane. But has his call set the British and Irish Lions and Rugby Australia on a legal collision course, and what could the tourists do about it? 'If the formal tour agreement includes a specific clause governing which Test players must be released to participate in fixtures leading up to the series, then the Lions would likely have grounds for a breach of contract claim,' William Bowyer, associate in the sports and entertainment team at Lawrence Stephens, tells City AM. The two parties would be keen to not see the matter escalate, with the ideal scenario for the tourists being the best teams – with their Australia players taking part – facing the Lions. 'Should matters escalate legally, the Lions would likely be eager to obtain the unusual remedy of a mandatory injunction, which would order that the Australian players are released to play,' Richard Coopey, partner at Grosvenor Law, adds. 'It may be that the mere threat of litigation brings the parties to a compromise, as the Lions would no doubt prefer to battle the Australians on the pitch rather than in the courtroom.' The British and Irish Lions has never been a conventional rugby brand, but it has become a powerful enough commercial juggernaut and its managers will believe they'll be able to compel Australia to play their best team. But is that enough? 'If matters were to proceed in England,' Coopey continues, 'the Lions may be able to show that the contract does indeed require the release but the question for the court would then be how to remedy that breach. 'However, it may prove challenging for the Lions to show a clear financial loss for which they should be compensated with cash [because the matches are sold out and TV deals complete].' Bowyer, though, says time is of the essence: 'With major commercial stakes – from broadcast rights to sponsorship and ticketing – both parties are under pressure to find a swift, negotiated resolution, while leveraging their respective contractual positions.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Jenkins 'had to think about' Wales coaching return
Gethin Jenkins says he took time to think before agreeing to take on the Wales defence coach role for a second had a full-time position in Wayne Pivac's coaching team between 2020 and he returns to the Test stage in a temporary capacity as part of the backroom staff of his Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt that travel to face Japan in a two-Test series in and Jenkins will adopt caretaker roles before returning to Cardiff as the search for the new permanent head coach continues."It was something I had to think about," said Jenkins."Matt asked me in Cardiff when we were walking for a coffee between sessions. "The people that were doing it was probably the main attraction, with him leading it." Pivac was replaced by Warren Gatland in December 2022, with Jenkins and attack coach Stephen Jones also departing and Mike Forshaw and Alex King coming and Jones were told of the decision a few days after Christmas by then Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Steve Phillips and performance director Nigel left his role in February 2025 while Phillips and Walker no longer work for Welsh rugby's governing body. Jenkins says he is looking forward to his short-term return."It's hard to turn down that opportunity," said Jenkins."It is five or six weeks where you put everything into it that you can, then go back to Cardiff and then it's business as usual."The only thing I'm giving up is my time off in the summer, but you're always thinking rugby anyway and I'm looking forward to it." Learning lessons Jenkins was appointed Cardiff defence coach in August 2023, marking his return to the club where he played for 13 former Wales prop says he has learned a lot in the time between his two international coaching spells as a result of working at Cardiff "under Matt and other coaches there"."Working week-in, week-out at club or region gives you more of a grounding," Jenkins said."Going straight into it at national level is tough. It was enjoyable because of the buzz of coaching your country, the pressure of international games - there is no bigger feeling. "I'm taking things on board all the time in how I progress myself as a coach. I'm seven years into my coaching career, which is still not a lot, so like to think I'm learning all the time."Wales are on a record 17-match international losing streak which has seen them slip to 12th in the world rankings, just one place above Japan."The message from the players is how much they want to win," said Jenkins."You can't hide from the stats but they want to put an end to that. "We're focusing on can we get them better and turn that into a performance that gives us a chance of winning the game?" Friends reunited Jenkins will link up with some familiar faces in the Wales coaching team having been a team-mate of Rhys Thomas, Leigh Halfpenny and Adam Jones. "I coached with Rhys Thomas for a while at Cardiff and know him well and I played with Adam and Leigh also," said Jenkins."I haven't coached with them but there's a few familiar faces in the coaching group. "I've worked with Danny [Wilson] as a player, but not as a coach, so it's good to know how he works on the other side of things."Jenkins has taken on the role Forshaw has adopted in the past two-and-a-half years. "I'm not starting from scratch, it's just about what tweaks I can make with the players," said Jenkins."The other thing is when they come back into Wales camp, they have been at four or five different clubs. Sometimes it is a reset anyway. "It's about getting them comfortable with the way I want them to defend. It's not easy for some of them because they might be used to defending in a different way. "When I worked it out, there were only six players I hadn't worked with before. Most of them know me, how I coach and what I want from them." Respect for Japan Japan coach Eddie Jones has warned Wales his side will aim to run the tourists off their feet in what will be stifling conditions."Watching Japan, that's the way they have played for a long time," said Jenkins. "They try to get quick ball and as fast rucks as possible. Their stats in that area are high, so we are aware of what's coming."It's my job to put things in place so we can slow up their ball and impose our defence."Jenkins was part of a Wales side who beat Japan 98-0 in 2004 - but says times have changed."Back then we would always play against Japan or Romania in the autumn and, no offence, you knew we'd score a lot of points," said Jenkins."Those days are long gone. Japan have shown in the last 10, 15 years they can compete with any team on their day. "We are well aware of that and at home how much pride they will have in trying to beat us."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Fearless and brutal' - top 10 Lions icons ranked
Who are the British and Irish Lions' top 10 icons?In a new podcast series on BBC Sounds, former Lions Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts join the BBC's rugby union correspondent Chris Jones to rank a number of Lions tour series covers themes including the greatest Lions tours, Test match animals and can listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds and have your say by ranking your choices at the bottom of this are their picks for the top 10 Lions icons from 10-1. Warren Gatland Warren Gatland was first involved with the Lions as an assistant coach on the 2009 tour of South Africa, before taking charge as head coach for the 2013, 2017, and 2021 former Wales coach won the 2013 series in Australia, drew an epic series in New Zealand four years later, and suffered a 2-1 series loss in South "He may not have had a playing career for the Lions; however, we can't underestimate his role as assistant coach in 2009."His input and how close he was to the players in this new professional era was much more significant than people think."He was so integral in bringing the ethos of what the Lions are back to where it originated from after 2001 and 2005."The pro era needed something different with the Lions."Roberts: "Longevity is massive - he has coached on four tours and been head coach on three."He has won one, drawn one, and lost one. That sets him apart." Sam Warburton Former Wales captain Sam Warburton, who led the Lions in 2013 and 2017, became only the second player - after England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson - to skipper the Lions in two Test prevented Warburton from playing in the final Test against the Wallabies in 2013, but four years later he played a pivotal role in the Lions drawing with New Zealand after calmly speaking to referee Romain Poite to help overturn a late penalty call against hooker Ken "He epitomises the Lions - the way he played and led his players, and the way he talks about it."Roberts: "He won one and drew one. To be one of only two players to captain the Lions twice means you are a special player and leader."Captain of the only Test series win this century. When you think of the Lions, you think of Sam." Jeremy Guscott Former centre Jeremy Guscott was called up to the Lions' tour of Australia in 1989 as a 23-year-old centre with just one England cap to his started both of the Test victories, and played in all six Tests on the subsequent tours of New Zealand and South Africa, famously kicking the decisive drop-goal against the Springboks in "Guscott had iconic moments and was integral to tour wins in 1989 and 1997, with a highlight reel for fun."Tries, key moments - that's what sets him apart. People will remember where they were for that winning drop-goal against South Africa in 1997."Roberts: "Purely Lions - and delivering on tours - is why he just goes ahead of Sam Warburton for me." Barry John Barry John was injured in the Lions' first Test against South Africa in 1968, but he gained four Test appearances on the 1971 tour to New Zealand, scoring 30 of the Lions' 48 points across the four tourists triumphed 2-1, making them the first - and still the only - Lions team to win a series in New "He was nicknamed 'The King' after the 1971 tour of New Zealand. All the best trying to trump that as a player."Barry typified what it meant to be a Wales fly-half, and to just play. His side-stepping and flair - an incredible player." JPR Williams During historic triumphant Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and 1974 in South Africa, JPR Williams accumulated eight Test for his elusive running from full-back, Williams, who died last year at the age of 74, helped seal the 1971 series with a long-range drop-goal in the fourth "It was the reason why my dad gave me two middle names. He wanted me to be a rugby player known as MJS [Matt James Sutherland]. That was because of JPR."Roberts: "To play eight Test matches - all the games in 1971 and 1974 - he brought about a new brand of rugby from full-back."He was a fearless and brutal player. An icon of Welsh and Lions rugby. Around the world, people knew his name and the brand of rugby he played." Martin Johnson In 2001, Johnson made history when he became the first man to captain the British and Irish Lions on two who went on three tours as a player, first led the Lions on their victorious tour of South Africa aged 27 in 1997, which came two years before he become England "Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer [the 1997 Lions coaches] understood Test match animals and Lions greats. They had the secret sauce and formula, which was proven by Martin Johnson's appointment in 1997."They nailed that selection when no one else would have chosen him to be skipper."I never saw a player take him on. He delivered a fear factor to the opposition. An unbelievable leader."Roberts: "He reached performance levels that you were just in awe of, and that was me as a fan." Alun Wyn Jones Alun Wyn Jones has featured in each of the last 12 Lions Tests, captaining the side to a final Test win over Australia in former Wales lock, who was named skipper for the 2021 tour, holds the record for the most international caps (171) and ranks third on the Lions' all-time Test appearances list, starting 10 of his 12 "Four tours and 12 Tests in the modern game is off the charts."Roberts: "Is winning a Test series important to be an icon? That's why, for me, he's behind those who have more than his one series win." Willie John McBride Willie John McBride holds the record for the most Lions Test caps (17) and the most tours, with Mike Gibson the only player to also go on five Irishman captained the Lions' famous 'Invincibles' tour of South Africa in 1974, when they went unbeaten across the entire 22-match "The Lions, with its history and traditions - that's where Willie sits. How it used to be for years and years. We've all heard his speeches." Sir Gareth Edwards Former Wales scrum-half Sir Gareth Edwards went on three tours from 1968 to played in all four Test matches on the 1971 tour to New Zealand, when the Lions beat the All Blacks in a series for the first - and only - "It's the Test series victories in 1971 and 1974 - to win in both New Zealand and South Africa. He's one of the greatest rugby players of all time." Sir Ian McGeechan McGeechan toured with the Lions as a player, winning the series in South Africa in 1974 before losing the 1977 tour to New also led the Lions to series victories as coach in 1989 and "He has done it as a player in one era and then in two eras - amateur and professional - as a coach. That is 20 years of Lions coaching, and successful Lions coaching."
