Latest news with #Exiles
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County signing Matt Smith hungry for more Wales caps
The Exiles have pulled off a coup by landing the 25-year-old, who made 25 appearances for Scottish Premiership St Johnstone last season. He has signed a two-year contract and is a key arrival in a department that struggled in 2024/25 after the loss of Aaron Wildig to injury and sale of Bryn Morris. If Smith, who is from the West Midlands but qualifies for Wales through a grandfather from Blackwood, is the heartbeat of the County side then he should catch the eye of Craig Bellamy. That would give the 19-times capped midfielder a shot of being the first Exiles player to win a Welsh cap since Josh Sheehan in 2021. TUSSLE: Republic of Ireland's Jayson Molumby (left) and Wales' Matthew Smith battle for possession in 2020 (Image: Brian Lawless) 'It's always been a massive honour to represent Wales,' said Smith, who was a member of the squads at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. "Every time I put on the shirt was a really proud moment and something I look back on with fond memories. "I'd love to get back to that level again. I spent a number of years involved in the set-up and it's something I truly cherish 'Being around players of that calibre, you see the standards every day in training and around the camp. I've learnt a lot from those players, and I hope to take those experiences forward here.' Smith adds experience to the current crop of midfielders who learned plenty when getting a first proper taste of the EFL. Cameron Antwi, Kai Whitmore, Keenan Patten are all on the books, with new boss David Hughes sure to look for more options in the coming weeks. Smith came through Manchester City's academy and had loan spells with FC Twente in the Netherlands, QPR, Doncaster, Charlton and Hull before a permanent move to Milton Keynes Dons. MOVE: Matt Smith has joined County from St Johnstone, who he played for against Rangers at Ibrox (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'I've been fortunate to experience different cultures, different teams, and different systems, which have definitely helped shape me as a player,' said Smith. 'I've learnt from both the positive and challenging moments and used them to grow stronger.' The arrival of Smith sets the tone for what County hope will be a strong summer recruitment drive as they bid to improve on a campaign that saw them slip to 22nd in League Two, even if they always had a comfortable lead over the relegation zone. 'I want to be a big part of this team and help Newport push up the league and finish as strongly as possible,' said Smith. "It's got a fantastic fanbase. I've always admired the club from afar, especially with the Welsh connection, and I've seen the passion the fans bring. 'I'm hungry to be a Newport County player and I'm really excited about what's ahead. I know the fans will get behind me and the team, and I can't wait to get going.'
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Nick Townsend leaves League Two Newport County for Eastleigh
The 30-year-old goalkeeper entered negotiations with the Exiles at the end of last season but opted for a fresh challenge after seven years at Rodney Parade. The Antigua & Barbuda international, who racked up 209 appearances to become a County great, will now drop out of the Football League to play for the Spitfires. Eastleigh finished 13th out of 24 in the National League last season and Townsend will play under a boss who is a former goalkeeper, former Southampton, Wimbledon and Ipswich stopper Kelvin Davis. It is fair to assume that the contract length and financial package made the move to the south coast more attractive than staying in League Two on fresh County terms for stalwart Townsend. Arguably the Exiles are only still in the fourth tier thanks to his performances, particularly in a vital run of wins in February. LEGEND: Goalkeeper Nick Townsend passed 200 appearances for County (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'I'm glad it's all done now and it's an exciting start for me and my family to have a fresh start down here,' said the Brummie, who made the second most amount of saves in the EFL last season behind Stoke's Viktor Johansson. Townsend faced Eastleigh twice in 2024 when County earned a shot at Manchester United in the FA Cup by winning a replay at Silverlake Stadium 3-1 after a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade. County currently have just one goalkeeper, Jacob Carney, on the books after the departures of Townsend and Lewis Webb, who failed to make an appearance after arriving midway through last season as back-up. Carney struggled when he got chances in his first season in Newport and the Exiles are closing in on a new stopper, who is likely to be first choice. 'Manager David Hughes has been prioritising a replacement and the club has already agreed personal terms with a new number one, due to be announced in due course,' said a County statement when confirming Townsend's exit. The Exiles are still in negotiations with three experienced players over fresh terms – centre-back James Clarke, midfielder Aaron Wildig and full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin.
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales discover Welsh-qualified New Zealand rugby stars and giant South African prop
Wales discover Welsh-qualified New Zealand rugby stars and giant South African prop Wales' exiles programme had identified some intriguing new names before being disbanded recently Hurricanes centre Riley Higgins is thought to be Welsh qualified (Image: Getty Images ) A couple of weeks ago the Welsh Rugby Union took the difficult decision to cut its Exiles programme. The WRU have replaced it with a system it feels is better placed to persuade the best Welsh-qualified players in England and beyond to represent Wales at senior international level. Whether this new system will be successful or not remains to be seen but the old exiles programme did play a big part in unearthing Welsh qualified players outside of Wales, from Will Rowlands to Nick Tompkins, among others. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Prior to the disbandment of the programme the Exiles had a number of players they were trying to persuade to go down the Welsh route or were at least investigating believed Welsh links. Here are a handful of Welsh-qualified players who should styill be on the WRU's radar. Riley Higgins The 22-year-old New Zealander plays for Super Rugby Pacific outfit the Hurricanes while he has also figured for the Wellington Lions in the Bunnings NPC. Article continues below Higgins can play 12 and 13 while he has also accrued minutes out on the wing but has only played four times this season in Super Rugby after breaking his leg. He is highly thought of in New Zealand rugby circles and made his Super Rugby debut before playing any NPC rugby, while he has also represented New Zealand U20s and an All Blacks XV. Higgins is an explosive centre who regularly breaks the line while he also possesses an excellent offloading game. He is believed to qualify for Wales through his grandmother and is another high quality player who should be monitored. Tahlor Cahill The 21-year-old has enjoyed plenty of game time for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific this season making nine appearances and was a replacement in last Saturday's 32-12 victory over the Queensland Reds. Cahill is an athletic forward, who can play at lock and the backrow, is an excellent lineout forward who is also a powerful carrier capable of making significant post contact metres. The Crusaders lock qualifies for Wales through a grandparent and was on the Exiles' radar. He has also represented New Zealand U20s and is highly rated by All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, meaning Wales are up against it. But Cahill is already a high quality player who looks destined to play Test rugby so should be targeted as a potential option by Warren Gatland's long-term successor. Tahlor Cahil of the Crusaders (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Josh Penney The 21-year-old outside-half was a member of the Waikato Chiefs academy but has been playing for Counties Manukau in the Bunnings NPC. It is thought he qualifies for Wales through his Welsh mother and is another player who was included in the Exiles' database. Wales have some real talent coming through the system at outside-half with the likes of Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Math Jones, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford and Lloyd Lucas while both senior number tens Sam Costelow and Dan Edwards are very young. But Wales needs to build as much depth as it can and the same can be said for its four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets. Kaleb Kriek The 21-year-old South African tighthead packs a serious punch at 6ft 4in and 140kg. Kriek is Welsh qualified through his mother and is part of the Blue Bulls academy. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free It will come as no surprise to readers that Kriek had a reputation at age grade level of being a destructive scrummager while those who have seen him play also compliment his ball carrying. Tighthead prop is not exactly an area of strength in Welsh rugby, with Wales having struggled to replace the experienced Tomas Francis. Just because a prop is 140kg doesn't automatically mean he will cut it as a professional but given the dearth of high quality scrummaging tightheads in Wales somebody like Kriek is worth looking at. Robert Carmichael The 22-year-old second-row was born in Hong Kong to a Scottish father and a Welsh mother but moved back to the UK in 2019. Carmichael was a member of the Leicester Tigers academy and represented England U20s before making the move north to join Edinburgh in 2024. At 6ft 11in and 125kg Carmichael packs a physical punch and is an outstanding lineout forward who has played for the Emerging Scotland side. But he remains Welsh qualified and one of Wales' professional clubs could do far worse than signing Carmichael if he was willing. Beau Farrance The 24-year-old English-born tighthead has been a regular starter for Agen in the French PRO D2 but is believed to be Welsh qualified. Farrance is a powerful scrummager in a league which puts a huge emphasis on the set-piece. He started his rugby journey at Old Elthamians RFC before moving to France. Farrance is now in the Joueurs Issus des Filières de Formation (JIFF) category, which is very important for players wishing to get a professional contract in France. To become JIFF qualified, players must spend five years playing age grade rugby at any French club or spend three season's with a French professional club's academy by the age of 23. He's certainly a player the Welsh clubs should be monitoring. Kienan Higgins The 25-year-old is the older brother of Riley Higgins and also plays centre. Higgins senior plays his rugby for Hawke's Bay Magpies in the Bunnings NPC and is a solid performer at that level who looks capable of playing professional rugby in Europe if given the chance. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Robbie Deans and Mikey Jones Robbie Deans is a 20-year-old loosehead who is part of the Glasgow Warriors academy and has represented Scotland U20s. He is thought to have Welsh qualifications on his mother's side. Article continues below Mikey Jones is also a prop but plays for Edinburgh and also qualifies for Wales.
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League Two: Newport County off FIFA transfer ban list
The Exiles were placed on the list on Friday, May 30 ahead of the summer transfer window opening on Sunday, June 1. County insisted that it was a 'minor administration dispute' with FIFA over a compensation fee for an academy player that had been paid months ago. They stressed it was 'nothing for supporters to concern themselves with' and so it has been proved after the go-ahead was given to add to their squad. Owner Huw Jenkins has already stated that County, who finished in the last safe spot in League Two last season, need to add a handful of players with experience of the Football League to help new boss David Hughes guide them up the table. Contract offers have also been made to the experienced quartet of goalkeeper Nick Towsend, centre-back James Clarke, full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin and midfielder Aaron Wildig. 'We've made offers, and we're waiting on responses. David is fully across all of it,' said Jenkins last month. 'There may still be changes — players assessing their role under the new regime – but we know we need four or five experienced signings in vital areas. 'David's contacts, and ours at clubs like Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol [City], will hopefully help bring in a few loan players or squad additions.' The released and retained list was announced on May 16 and players must notify the club in writing within one month whether they accept 'their offer of re-engagement' or it will automatically lapse.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Goalkeeper Townsend departs Newport County
Newport County goalkeeper Nick Townsend has opted to leave the League Two club after seven Supporters Player of the Year for the last two seasons, Townsend was out of contract this Antigua and Barbuda international was offered a new deal by The Exiles, but will depart Rodney Parade after 209 statement the club said: "Newport County would like to thank Nick for his service, commitment and dedication over the last seven years and wish him well with his new challenge."County, who appointed David Hughes as manager last month, have agreed personal terms with a new goalkeeper which they will announce "in due course."
