Latest news with #Dragons
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons closing in on Mackenzie Martin from Cardiff
The 21-year-old from Ely is under contract for another season at Cardiff but talks are ongoing about him becoming the fourth player to switch from the Arms Park to Rodney Parade this summer. The Dragons have held talks with Martin and got references from those who know him well, but a move was held up due to the Blue and Blacks wanting compensation. However, it now looks like the five-times capped forward will be making the move and will become a ball-carrying option for head coach Filo Tiatia. Martin's route to the XV will be just as formidable at the Dragons as it was at Cardiff – Wainwright is the shoo-in rather than Taulupe Faletau – but there is a lack of specialist depth. TARGET: The Dragons are in talks for Cardiff and Wales forward Mackenzie Martin (Image: PA) Taine Basham has left for the capital and there are big question marks over the future of Solomone Funaki, who is yet to play for the club because of injury. The Tongan suffered a knee infection after opting for a summer clean out operation last summer, then suffered an arm injury when playing in Super Rygbi Cymru and ended the campaign with more knee issues. Funaki is still on the books but must prove he is up to the demands of professional rugby after his injury misfortune. Harri Keddie is a possible option at number eight but is now seen more as a flanker while Evan Minto and Owen Conquer are up-and-coming prospects likely to play plenty of SRC. The Dragons want Ryan Woodman and Shane Lewis-Hughes to be their leading senior blindside options and Thomas Young, Keddie and Harry Beddall to be contenders at 7. That means Martin would have a good shot at racking up minutes in the United Rugby Championship, whether as a starter or adding oomph off the bench. The promising prospect will hope to get his career back on track in 2025/26 after making just six replacement appearances last season at pro level and nine for the Rags in SRC, with four of them as a lock. The Dragons have had a busy recruitment drive with deals confirmed for nine players – wing Fine Inisi, centre Fetuli Paea, fly-half Tinus de Beer, loosehead Wyn Jones, tighthead Dillon Lewis, locks Levi Douglas and Seb Davies and opensides Young and Beddall. South African tighthead Robert Hunt is arriving from the Cheetahs while a scrum-half is needed to join Rhodri Williams, Morgan Lloyd, Che Hope and Logan Franklin. Franklin faces a spell on the sidelines with a broken arm that ruled him out of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Five Dragons get Wales call for World Rugby U20 Championship
Head coach Richard Whiffin has confirmed his squad of 30 players for the tournament in Italy that pits the Welsh youngsters against Argentina, France and Spain in the group stages. Flanker Harry Beddall, who is moving to Rodney Parade from Leicester this summer, is captain and is joined by four players who made their senior Dragons debuts last season – fly-half Harri Ford, tighthead Owain James, lock Nick Thomas and back row forward Evan Minto. Thomas proved his fitness with a successful return against Italy in last Friday's friendly win at Cardiff Arms Park after being out since an ankle injury suffered in the Six Nations opener against France. However, Dragons winger Harry Rees-Weldon, who suffered a hamstring injury in training, has been joined on the sidelines by Franklin, who looked set to be a key figure in the tournament. The scrum-half misses out after suffering a serious arm injury in the opening stages of the win against the Italians. That leads to a call-up for Neath's Ellis Lewis, who is the only uncapped player in the squad. There are five Dragons and also included are Pontypool hooker Evan Wood and Gwent outside backs Aidan Boschoff and Jack Woods, who play for Bristol and Bath respectively. CAPTAIN: Dragons flanker Harry Beddall (centre) will lead Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championship but Logan Franklin (right) is injured (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations,' said Whiffin. 'We've got a pack that we feel can really deliver at the World Cup and look to be dominant at both the scrum and line-out and as a team we fully understand how we want to play. 'We've got some fantastic work rate in our outside backs that will not only get the ball back for us but be a real threat when we've got the ball.' Wales will need to show the fighting spirit that earned them Six Nations upsets against Ireland and England after they had edged out Italy in the second round of the championship. 'The pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid,' said Whiffin. 'We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen. 'It means we'll need to play well and back those performances up but the boys are confident and we were close last year but didn't get over the line. 'I think we've proved in the Six nations we can knock over some of those tighter games so hopefully we can see that in the World Cup.' Wales, who finished eighth last year, start against Argentina on Sunday, June 29 (kick-off 7.30pm) then face second seeds France on Friday, July 4 (kick-off 2.30pm) and finish the group stages against the Spanish on Wednesday, July 9 (kick-off 2.30pm). That is followed by two more fixtures, either to play for the trophy or placings with the 12th-placed side dropping down to next year's World Rugby U20 Trophy. Wales U20 squad Forwards (17): Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Louie Trevett (Bristol), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Saul Hurley (Aberavon), Evan Wood (Pontypool), Sam Scott (Bristol), Owain James (Dragons), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Tom Cottle (Cardiff), Dan Gemine (Ospreys), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), Harry Beddall (Dragons – captain), Caio James (Gloucester), Evan Minto (Dragons). Backs (13): Sion Davies (Cardiff), Ellis Lewis (Neath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Harri Ford (Dragons), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff), Elis Price (Scarlets), Elijah Evans (Cardiff), Osian Roberts (Sale), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol), Lewis Edwards (Ospreys), Jack Woods (Bath), Tom Bowen (Cardiff).
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Whiffin names 'balanced' Wales U20 squad for World Champs
Richard Whiffin took over the role of Wales Under-20s head coach from Mark Jones in December 2023 [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Wales head coach Richard Whiffin says his squad head to the World Rugby U20 Championship believing they can "compete with so-called top teams". Whiffin has named a largely settled selection for the tournament starting later this month in Italy, with Neath scrum-half Ellis Lewis the only uncapped player in a squad of 30. Advertisement Dragons scrum-half Logan Franklin was unavailable after injuring his arm in Friday's 47-19 final warm-up win against Italy in Cardiff. Wales begin their campaign in Pool B against Argentina on 29 June in Verona. Whiffin's side then face France on 4 July in Rovigo and complete the pool stage against Spain on 9 July back in Verona. "I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations," said Whiffin. Wales placed eighth at last year's Championship. They finished third in this year's Six Nations with three wins, including victory against England. Advertisement Whiffin used more than 40 players in two preparation games - they were also beaten 47-14 by world champions England in Pontypool - before finalising his squad which will be captained by Dragons flanker Harry Beddall. "The England game was always going to be tough on the back of what was a really tough training week, and then to challenge ourselves against the world champs was brilliant," said Whiffin. "I thought it cemented a few thoughts in our heads - 14-14 at 60 minutes I thought we had competed well and then we had a very polished performance against Italy. "We're excited about the Championship but we still have a week's training ahead of us before we get on the plane for Italy, but we've done the hard work in terms of whittling down what was a really strong training squad to the 30 selected." Advertisement Having denied England a first Grand Slam in four years with a 23-13 victory at Cardiff Arm's Park in this year's Six Nations finale, Whiffin also believes his squad head to Italy with no fear. "I think the pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid," he said. "We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen." Wales squad: Forwards: Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Saul Hurley, Evan Wood, Sam Scott, Owain James, Jac Pritchard, Luke Evans, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Caio James, Evan Minto. Advertisement Backs: Sion Davies, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford, Steffan Emanuel, Elis Price, Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Aidan Boshoff, Lewis Edwards, Jack Woods, Tom Bowen. Wales' Pool B fixtures Sunday, 29 June Argentina U20 v Wales U20, Payanini Center, Verona (19:30 BST) Friday, 4 July France U20 v Wales U20, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (14:30 BST) Wednesday, 9 July Wales U20 v Spain U20, Payanini Center, Verona (14:30 BST)
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Whiffin names 'balanced' Wales U20 squad for World Champs
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin says his squad head to the World Rugby U20 Championship believing they can "compete with so-called top teams".Whiffin has named a largely settled selection for the tournament starting later this month in Italy, with Neath scrum-half Ellis Lewis the only uncapped player in a squad of scrum-half Logan Franklin was unavailable after injuring his arm in Friday's 47-19 final warm-up win against Italy in begin their campaign in Pool B against Argentina on 29 June in side then face France on 4 July in Rovigo and complete the pool stage against Spain on 9 July back in Verona."I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations," said placed eighth at last year's Championship. They finished third in this year's Six Nations with three wins, including victory against England. Whiffin used more than 40 players in two preparation games - they were also beaten 47-14 by world champions England in Pontypool - before finalising his squad which will be captained by Dragons flanker Harry Beddall."The England game was always going to be tough on the back of what was a really tough training week, and then to challenge ourselves against the world champs was brilliant," said Whiffin."I thought it cemented a few thoughts in our heads - 14-14 at 60 minutes I thought we had competed well and then we had a very polished performance against Italy."We're excited about the Championship but we still have a week's training ahead of us before we get on the plane for Italy, but we've done the hard work in terms of whittling down what was a really strong training squad to the 30 selected."Having denied England a first Grand Slam in four years with a 23-13 victory at Cardiff Arm's Park in this year's Six Nations finale, Whiffin also believes his squad head to Italy with no fear."I think the pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid," he said."We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen." Wales squad: Forwards: Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Saul Hurley, Evan Wood, Sam Scott, Owain James, Jac Pritchard, Luke Evans, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Caio James, Evan Sion Davies, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford, Steffan Emanuel, Elis Price, Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Aidan Boshoff, Lewis Edwards, Jack Woods, Tom Bowen. Wales' Pool B fixtures Sunday, 29 June Argentina U20 v Wales U20, Payanini Center, Verona (19:30 BST)Friday, 4 July France U20 v Wales U20, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (14:30 BST)Wednesday, 9 JulyWales U20 v Spain U20, Payanini Center, Verona (14:30 BST)
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales star set to switch regions on loan in hope of reigniting career
Wales star set to switch regions on loan in hope of reigniting career The Wales international looks to be on the move for the 2025/26 season Wales backrower Mackenzie Martin looks set to join the Dragons (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) The Dragons are set to sign Wales international Mackenzie Martin on loan from Cardiff. WalesOnline understands Martin has agreed a move to Rodney Parade, with the deal expected to get finalised over the next few days. The 21-year-old backrower burst onto the scene last season and has won five caps for Wales after making his Test debut against Ireland in the 2024 Six Nations. But Martin has struggled to kick on over the past year and has been playing a lot of his rugby for Cardiff RFC in Super Rugby Cymru, even figuring in the second-row at times. Martin is a player with huge potential and the Dragons will be hoping they can get the best out of the powerful backrower. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. In general in Welsh rugby big, powerful and explosive forwards are in short supply but Martin is one player who fits the bill. Martin is a very powerful and dynamic ball carrier capable of making significant post-contact metres and is a player who can dominate the collisions. Article continues below He is also a very talented footballer, with an outstanding offloading game which can unlock opposition defences. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. With Wales great Taulupe Faletau extending his stay at Cardiff it is arguably in everyone's best interests that Martin seeks opportunities elsewhere with his game-time expected to be limited at the Arms Park. WalesOnline understands the Dragons have swooped to secure his services on a loan deal. If the deal is finalised Martin will join a strong pool of backrow players at Rodney Parade which includes Shane Lewis-Hughes, Aaron Wainwright, Thomas Young, Ryan Woodman, Harry Beddall and Solomone Funaki. It has been a bitterly disappointing season for the Men of Gwent but there is every reason to believe they will perform significantly better in 2025/26. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Head coach Filo Tiatia has been busy strengthening his squad and has made a number of key signings. Article continues below The likes of Wales props Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis, Cardiff lock Seb Davies, Welsh qualified lock Levi Douglas from Biarritz, Thomas Young, South African playmaker Tinus de Beer along with Tongan pair Fine Inisi and Fetui Paea have been added to the squad. A change of scenery could do Martin the world of good and Tiatia will be desperate to unlock his obvious potential. Martin is a player who could be a huge asset to the national side over the next few years and the hope is a move to Rodney Parade could reignite his career.
