Centre Williams signs new Ospreys deal
Ospreys centre Keiran Williams has signed a new contract to remain with his hometown region.The 27-year-old has been a regular in the starting line-up since making his debut in 2016, notching up 91 appearances.He has also been capped by Wales, featuring in the warm-up match against England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. "I'm really happy to be staying, this is where I've spent my whole career and I'm looking forward to continuing it with this group," said Williams.
"The team are playing some great rugby under Mark [head coach Jones], and the backs have really benefitted from the expansive game we've been playing."Boss Jones said Williams is an "integral part" of the team and an "extremely consistent performer"."We all know about what he does well on the pitch, on both sides of the ball, but it's his attitude that has impressed me the most since I joined the club," Jones said."His dedication to improving is second to none and we are all excited to see him continue to push on and contribute for us in the coming seasons."
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Wales Online
29 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Wales find a 6ft 8in teenage giant who loves to 'beat up' opposition players
Wales find a 6ft 8in teenage giant who loves to 'beat up' opposition players Luke Evans is a player Welsh rugby bosses are getting very excited about Giant Wales U20s lock Luke Evans in action against Italy U20s (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) There is a school of thought that Wales' struggles at senior level are down to a collective lack of size and power in the pack. That may well be true right now, but the future looks far brighter — and far bigger — in that regard. Last Tuesday, Wales U20s invited journalists up to the Welsh Rugby Union's National Centre of Excellence to chat, and every member of the squad was put up for interview. There were two things which stood out; the confidence of the players and the sheer size of many of the forwards who will be more than a match for the traditional heavyweights like England, France and South Africa at the World Rugby U-20 Championship this summer. One such player is Exeter Chiefs second-row Luke Evans, who is 6ft 8in and 117kg. The 18-year-old is one of a number of front five forwards Wales are excited about, with the likes of tighthead Sam Scott, loosehead Ioan Emanuel and hooker Harry Thomas among a plethora of players capable of mixing it with the stronger packs at U20s level. Evans is keen to showcase his physical prowess and make his mark this summer. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below "There's a lot of big lumps everywhere you go but I think in this group we've got some very big boys," Evans told WalesOnline. "You've got the likes of Sam Scott and Ioan Emanuel in the front-row while we've got some big boys at lock who can front up. "Even the not so big ones back themselves on physicality so taking on the bigger packs isn't going to be a worry for us this summer. "We aren't going to use size as an excuse. "That's a bit of an oversight by the public because we back ourselves to beat teams physically. "We are alright size wise." Wales U20s will need their pack to be dominant from the outset this summer with Argentina U20s and France U20s - two of the most powerful forward packs - in their pool. Evans is champing at the bit to get stuck into both teams. "I love being able to front up to someone and beat them up legally on the field of play," said Evans. "Size does help but I love that aggressive side of the game being physical and getting stuck in. "That's my favourite part. My work rate is non-negotiable. "I work as hard as I can and I'm as physical as I can be. "As a second-row the set-piece is huge but it doesn't get you everything so being dominant in the set-piece is important. "But I think my point of difference is around the park. I will be very busy in defence and attack. "I like to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and make as many tackles as I can. I relish the physical side of things and like to be as aggressive as I can." Luke Evans of Wales (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Big things are expected of Evans over the next few years. After playing his junior rugby for Llanharan RFC and Pontyclun RFC, Evans made his debut for Wales U18s at just 16 years of age. Such was his potential Evans took up an offer to join the Exeter Chiefs academy and was included in the England U18s squad. The WRU were not prepared to lose a player of his quality so pulled out all the stops to get him back involved in the Welsh set-up. Evans was born in Jersey so is eligible to represent all four of the home nations but makes it very clear his allegiance lies with Wales. "I was only out there (Jersey) for a year but it managed to make me eligible for four different countries but I count myself as Welsh through and through," he said. "All my family are Welsh and this is where I want to play my rugby. "As a kid I always wanted to play for Wales. "Having said that opportunities do come and if its right for you you've got to take them, but my childhood dream is to play for Wales. "When I played for Wales U18s I was quite lucky in that I was 16 playing for those. "I went down to Exeter. I captained Exeter U18s in the academy league when I had a few chats with the England coaches. "I never actually played for England U18s. I went to a few camps but I picked up an injury so didn't manage to play. "At the time it was the best for my progression. "Nothing against Wales because I am Welsh through and through and want to play for Wales. "I just think at the time it did help my progression both physically and rugby wise. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "It was a tough decision at the time to go and choose England but at that time it felt right and was the best thing for my progression into Exeter and international. "I think I came through it a better player." Evans will study Sports Science at Exeter University from September and should get game time in the Bucs Super League while he will also train with the senior Exeter Chiefs squad. This is a well-trodden path with senior Wales internationals Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza having progressed through the same pathway. Exeter Chiefs have endured their worst season in its Premiership history and there will naturally be a changing of the guard next season. Evans wants to follow in Jenkins' footsteps by breaking into the Chiefs side and representing Wales over the next few years. "I remember speaking to Rob Baxter before I signed for the club and what he said was if you are good enough you will play regardless of your age," he said. "I know some coaches like to back experience but he's keen to give youth its chance. "As you've seen this season even though we weren't doing so well he was still picking the youngsters. "When I get the chance to go in and train with the likes of Daf Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza who are down there in my position it's great to compete and train with that level of player. "It's great to go at them, work hard, compare myself to them and try to compete with the best. "You see what he's (Daf Jenkins) done and how quickly it has all happened. I think it shows it is possible. Being around him and just picking things up in training or little things in games is invaluable. "Everyone knows his main strength is his physicality and that's how I want to be like as well. So, I think learning from him, being physical and just picking up things is really helpful. "If I want a little catch up I know he's there to speak to. Learning off him is great and is a perfect pathway for me to hopefully follow in his footsteps and do what he's done." Evans comes from a family of athletes, with his father, David, an outstanding squash player who was once ranked number three in the world and represented Wales at three Commonwealth Games. He also won the British Open event in 2000. His grandfather Derrick also played top class rugby for Cross Keys. Evans has learnt a great deal from his father and grandfather and is confident Wales U20s can compete to win the U20s World Championship this summer. "My dad comes to all of my games as does my grandad," he said. "It's good for them to give me advice. "He (his dad) doesn't speak about it too much but when I speak to other people they all say he was pretty good. Our family is built on working hard and grafting. "We might not be the most skilful but we work hard and that's what we pride ourselves on hard work and physicality. "If we (Wales U20s) aren't going there to win it then it's pointless going out there. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "For us we are going out there to win it. Article continues below "We will back ourselves as you saw during the Six Nations where we beat last year's world champions (England). "We know as a group we can pick ourselves up and beat anyone in a one off game. Of course, it is going to be tough out there with quick turnarounds but we do back ourselves to beat anyone in a one off game."
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
How British pair became kings of Queen's
In the latest edition of Second Serve, our weekly snapshot of the tours, BBC tennis reporter Jonathan Jurejko looks at the rise of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool following their Queen's victory. An historic triumph in the quaint surroundings of Queen's Club showed how the British doubles scene remains in rude health as Wimbledon Cash and Lloyd Glasspool might not be as well known as some of their peers, but they are the in-form British pairing this 28, and Glasspool, 31, had already won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 but this one - on home turf for two players who live in south-west London - is the pair, who only teamed up last year, are the first all-British team to lift the Queen's title in the Open is another feather in the cap for the nation's doubles guru Louis Cayer, who has transformed the quality and depth of the discipline since joining the LTA in 2007."The system we play our tennis under – in terms of tactics and the way we want to play - is very much aligned. It's a philosophy," Glasspool told BBC synchronisation in their patterns and positioning was clear in their title-winning match over Michael Venus and Nikola Metic, as well as the ability of both Britons to serve big and bold in the key a successful doubles partnership often comes down to circumstance and and Glasspool have known each other for several years, but ended up together after both splitting with their previous full-time partners Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara - who paired up and won Wimbledon last year."[Ending partnerships] is always difficult but you can't forget this is a business as well," said Cash, who only started playing doubles full-time in 2022 after coming through the United States college system."You have to do what is best for yourself – it has showed it was better for both Henry and I to go our separate ways."We all still get on really well. Seeing the other Britons doing well and winning Grand Slams is definitely pushing everyone on." British number two Katie Boulter has laid bare the shocking scale of social media abuse she receives, reopening the conversation about how the issue should be tackled.A fun way to attract new fans or damaging the careers of double specialists? The announcement of several superstar pairings for the new-look US Open mixed doubles event has been generating Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, one of the best grass-court players of her generation, says she intends to retire later this year. The most significant move in the ATP rankings this week saw Jack Draper regain his spot as world number the Queen's semi-finals helped Draper move back to his career-high position and ensures he will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon next is that important? It means Draper will avoid top two seeds Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz - who have won the past six majors between them - until at least the semi-finals, should the British number one get that world number one Daniil Medvedev has moved back into the top 10 after reaching the Halle final, while Alexander Bublik - who won the title - has reclaimed a spot in the top 30. Like Draper, Italy's Jasmine Paolini has received a Wimbledon seedings boost after climbing back to fourth in the WTA who was beaten by Barbora Krejcikova in last year's SW19 final, cannot face Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula until the semi-finals. Paolini has traded places with China's Zheng Qinwen, while Nottingham champion McCartney Kessler has secured a Wimbledon seeding by rising to keep an eye on Marketa Vondrousova at the All England Club. The 2023 Wimbledon champion has missed most of the past year after shoulder surgery, but reminded everyone of her ability by winning the Berlin Open. Cash and Glasspool were not the only British doubles success at the Nicholls won her first WTA title with Czech partner Tereza Mihalikova when the pair shocked French Open champions Paolini and Sara Errani in 30, is the nation's leading women's doubles player after forging a strong partnership with Mihalikova and has climbed to a career-high ranking of the singles, Draper reached the Queen's last four despite suffering with tonsillitis, while Fearnley climbed up to 51st in the rankings after a run to the quarter-finals. With Wimbledon now only a week away, many of the world's leading players are continuing their preparations at tour-level events in the UK, Germany and Spain. British number one Emma Raducanu and reigning Wimbledon champion Krejcikova headline the WTA event in Eastbourne, while the men's event features American world number five Taylor Fritz, plus Britons Fearnley and Cameron stars Pegula, Paolini and Iga Swiatek are playing the WTA event in Bad Homburg, while Ben Shelton - who cracked the top 10 last week - is top seed at the ATP tournament in those who have not got direct entry to Wimbledon, there is an opportunity to secure a place in the singles draws as qualifying takes place this week at Roehampton. Got any questions? Got any burning tennis questions you'd like us to answer?Submit them below and our Ask Me Anything team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and can also sign up to get the latest tennis news from BBC Sport delivered straight to your mobile phone.
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cardiff preparations officially under way
Just over seven weeks since Cardiff City said goodbye to the Championship with defeat at Norwich City, the Bluebirds' preparations for the 2025-26 League One season are officially under squad reconvened at their Vale Resort training base on Monday, with players undergoing fitness testing following the summer Bluebirds will go through pre-season with a new man at the helm, after Brian Barry-Murphy was appointed head coach last the first time since he broke through from the academy in 2011, there will be no Joe Ralls at Cardiff during this pre-season after the club announced his Rinomhota, last year's players' player of the season, has also gone, as have Aaron Ramsey, Anwar El Ghazi, Yakou Meite, Dimitrios Goutas, Jamilu Collins, Raheem Conte and Kieron Evans, while loan signings Sivert Mannsverk and Will Alves have returned to their parent clubs. While there are players returning to the fold after loan spells elsewhere - such as Kion Etete, Ryan Wintle and youngster Joel Colwill - Cardiff's squad looks a little depleted given that they are yet to sign a player this summer. For Barry-Murphy, there is work to do in the transfer market as well as on the training ground.
