Latest news with #Ospreys
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales coach explains why rising Welsh talent has been completely overlooked this summer
Wales coach explains why rising Welsh talent has been completely overlooked this summer He is one of the best prospects in British rugby but won't be in action this summer Morgan Morse in action for the Ospreys (Image: Getty Images ) Wales U20s boss Richard Whiffin believes rising Ospreys star Morgan Morse will come back stronger after his shock omission from the summer tour to Japan. Morse is one of the brightest backrow prospects in the British game, with many pundits expecting the Ospreys backrower to tour with Wales this summer. The 20-year-old also remains eligible to represent Wales U20s in the U20s World Cup later this month but instead will get the summer off. "In terms of Morgan, he is being looked after," said Whiffin. "He was in the selection mix for the senior squad and Matt Sherratt has gone down the route of picking incredible experience in terms of Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright with more than 150 caps. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "In terms of the Welsh Rugby Union and Ospreys' point of view, we had the conversation last year in terms of that being his last Under-20s World Cup. "It was his third and he was already competing well in terms of URC. We had committed to that plan. Article continues below "He will probably be at home frustrated, but he will come back rip-roaring." Morse is a sensational talent with huge potential and it is only a matter of time before he breaks into the senior national squad. The powerful backrower scored a long-range try from deep inside his own half for the Ospreys against Cardiff on New Year's Day 2024. He is an explosive carrier who rarely fails to get over the gainline, is outstanding at the breakdown and has a number of big moments in games. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free And Whiffin expects Morse to take the season by storm for the Ospreys in 2025/26. "He will have a pre-season under his belt, which he has not had for the last three years, because he has been with us," said Whiffin. Article continues below "Everybody's development is different and he was an early developer. "He is the most capped Wales Under-20s player and certainly done his bit. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "He will benefit from having a good rest period and pre-season with Ospreys and will push his international case even further next season."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as rugby league star joins Wales coaching team and powerhouse tipped for breakthrough
Tonight's rugby news as rugby league star joins Wales coaching team and powerhouse tipped for breakthrough The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Ben Flower has joined the Wales Women's coaching team (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, June 16. Rugby league star joins Wales coaching staff Former Welsh rugby league star Ben Flower has been appointed to the Wales Women's coaching team for their summer training camp. The 37-year-old - who was also part of the coaching staff for the last Women's Rugby Word Cup in New Zealand - joins Sean Lynn's team as collision coach and will play a key role as the squad prepare for a two-Test match tour to Australia and their 2025 World Cup campaign in England later this summer. Cardiff-born Flower represented the Welsh-based Crusaders as well as Super League sides Wigan Warriors and Leigh Centurions during a glittering career that saw him win the Challenge Cup, three Super League titles and the World Club challenge with Wigan. On the international stage, he won 17 caps for the Wales rugby league side. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Having moved into coaching, Flower has taken charge of the South Wales Jets rugby league side as well as working with Wales Women four years ago. Upon returning to the coaching staff for a busy summer of rugby, he said: "Being involved with Wales is always a privilege and being asked and to have the chance of being involved with my country is an honour you don't turn down. Article continues below 'Having played at a World Cup as a player and to have this chance to play a role as Wales prepare for a World Cup is an opportunity I am looking forward to.' Wales are looking to turn around a poor run of form that saw them lose every match at the recent Women's Six Nations, with head coach Lynn hoping that added focus on their collision work will make a big difference during their upcoming World Cup campaign. Welcoming Flower to his staff, Lynn said: "'Ben is someone who has worked with this squad of players before and the W6N review highlighted the need to improve our collision work and dominance, both sides of the ball, as a real area we can improve on.' Ospreys powerhouse tipped for Wales call-up Departing Ospreys star Adam Beard has tipped teammate James Fender to become a Wales international despite missing out on a place on the summer tour to Japan. The 23-year-old lock has been a consistent performer for the Ospreys, with his no-nonsense style, athleticism and huge physicality seeing him dominate stronger packs, all while getting through a massive amount of work in defence. He had been on Warren Gatland's radar last season, but injuries prevented him from being called into the Wales squad. With Beard and Will Rowlands also not selected for the Japan tour by interim coach Matt Sherratt, Fender could count himself as extremely unlucky not to be picked, with many onlookers viewing it as the perfect time for him to be blooded as an international. Fender has been tipped to win international honours But while he looks set to have to wait to win his first cap, Beard has no doubt that Fender has the ability to thrive as an international second row, with another teammate, Rhys Davies, also tipped to add to his three Wales caps if he can steer clear of further injuries. 'There are some good second rows in Wales,' Beard told RugbyPass. 'I know from playing at the Ospreys that they have boys pushing through. "James Ratti is in the squad but they also have Rhys Davies and James Fender. Rhys has had some bad luck with injuries. If he has a run of games, it won't be long before he's wearing the Welsh jersey again. 'James is only 23, but he has all the attributes to be an international second row," he added. "He's had good exposure over the past couple of years, has taken charge of the set-piece and is learning with every game.' Borthwick names England squad By PA Sport Staff England head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36-man training squad for next weekend's match against a France XV. The squad includes nine Bath and Leicester players – Charlie Ewels, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Will Muir, Max Ojomoh, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet – that featured in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final, plus Bath's Sam Underhill, who missed the game due to suspension. However, there is no place for 21-year-old Saracens scrum-half Charlie Bracken, the son of former England international Kyran, one of 16 uncapped players named in the original training group when it was confirmed by England Rugby on Monday. Sale flanker Ben Curry is included among a list of players in rehabilitation along with Northampton duo Fraser Dingwall and George Furbank and Bristol's Harry Randall. Players who have been called up to Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions party for their tour to Australia were not considered for selection, and neither were Joe Batley, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Lozowski, George Martin or Ollie Sleightholme. An England XV will face a France XV at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday ahead of Test matches against the United States and Argentina. Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Manny Iyogun (Northampton), Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), Curtis Langdon (Northampton), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Guy Pepper (Bath), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Sam Underhill (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens). Article continues below Backs: Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Joe Carpenter (Sale), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale), Will Muir (Bath), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales international left heartbroken again and new cap reveals tearful phone call
Today's rugby news as Wales international left heartbroken again and new cap reveals tearful phone call The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Sam Davies of Grenoble during the Top 14 Access Match between Grenoble and Perpignan (Image: Getty Images ) Here are your rugby headlines for Sunday, June 15. Sam Davies heartbreak after play-off defeat Sam Davies was left heartbroken once again after his Grenoble side were narrowly beaten by Perpignan in the play-off match for a spot in France's Top 14 next season. Grenoble were defeated in the Pro D2 play-off final against Montauban last week, however they were granted another opportunity for promotion in what is called the 'Top 14 Access Match' – a play-off between the runners-up and the 13th-placed team in the Top 14. However, Wales international Davies, who has been sensational for Grenoble this season, was unable to steer his side to victory, with Perpignan coming out 13-11 winners. Perpignan made a flying start, with Tavite Veredamu crossing the line in just the third minute. Grenoble thought they had hit back through winger Wilfried Hulleu, but the officials correctly ruled out two potential tries. Thomas Lainault eventually got Grenoble on the board, and a Davies penalty nudged them into an 8–7 lead at halftime. The second half remained tense and tactical. Tommaso Allan restored Perpignan's advantage with a penalty in the 65th minute, only for Romain Trouilloud to level things up ten minutes later. But Allan had the final say, slotting over a decisive kick two minutes from time to seal the victory and secure Perpignan's place in the Top 14. Article continues below For Grenoble, it's back to the drawing board — yet again — with questions continuing to mount. It's their third promotion play-off defeat in a row. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Wales prop's dad left in tears Uncapped Wales player Garyn Phillips has revealed that his father was in tears after his call up. The Ospreys front row was one of six players called up by Matt Sherratt who have never played international rugby. Teammates Keelan Giles and Reuben Morgan-Williams were also given the call. The three Swansea-based players featured in a recent interview on the Welsh Rugby Union's social channels, with Phillips explaining what it was like getting called up for the first time. "I was sat on the settee with my missus," began Phillips. "The first person I told was my old man, gave him a ring and he was a bit teary on the phone. I gave my old girl a call then." Speaking about how he has settled in to camp, Phillips explained that knowing the Ospreys boys has helped him to integrate. "I've played with a lot of the boys before in the U20s and U18s," he continued. "Obviously familiar with Nicky (Smith) and Gar (Thomas) as well. It's been pretty easy to settle in." Join our WalesOnline rugby WhatsApp community here. Leinster crowned URC champions By PA Sport Staff Leinster lifted their first trophy since 2021 after a convincing 32-7 BKT United Rugby Championship grand final win over the Pretoria Bulls at Croke Park. The wet weather failed to deter an attendance of 46,127 - a record for a league decider in Ireland - as Leo Cullen's men became the first table-topping team to win the title in the URC era. Despite Jamison Gibson-Park's pre-match withdrawal, Leinster roared into a 19-0 half-time lead with tries from captain Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett and Josh van der Flier. Beaten finalists in 2022 and 2024, the Bulls crossed in the 50th minute through replacement Akker van der Merwe to cancel out a Sam Prendergast penalty. Prendergast took his haul to 10 points and replacement Fintan Gunne's closing try was fittingly converted by the Gloucester-bound Ross Byrne. Conan pointed the way for the hosts with a fifth-minute try, crashing over following an initial maul and Prendergast quickly converted. Departing All Black Barrett got his right boot to Luke McGrath's deft dink in the 13th minute, opening up the Bulls' back-field to brilliantly score beside the posts. Van der Flier emerged through a maul to make it 19-0, as penalties continued to prove costly for the Bulls. The South Africans finally got some momentum, battering away before Willie le Roux was guilty of a poor kick and then a forward pass. Although Prendergast opened the second-half scoring, the visitors hit back when Van der Merwe drove over for Johan Goosen to convert. It remained 22-7 with the Irish province failing to capitalise on a tap penalty, while Prendergast pushed another one wide. The young fly-half was back on target in the 67th minute and Gunne then scored from a neat wraparound move - a fine finish to the campaign for Leinster's 12 British and Irish Lions representatives. 'Sky's the limit' for Bath after ending 29-year title drought By Rachel Steinberg, PA Bath captain Ben Spencer declared "the sky's the limit" after his side ended a 29-year wait for a Premiership title and secured an historic treble with a 23-21 triumph over Leicester at Allianz Stadium. Leicester came up just short of a fairytale farewell for scrum-half Ben Youngs and prop Dan Cole, who have both called time on their careers after this season and were introduced after the break. Bath held on after a late Tigers surge narrowed the deficit to two points - despite going down to 14 men after Cole was controversially sent to the sin bin - through a late Emeka Ilione try to raise the Twickenham tension. "Just relief, pride," said Spencer, when asked to sum up his feelings. "This has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people. Relief not just for me, but for the players, the staff, and the fans. The fans are a massive part of why I joined the club. "I think the future of this club is unbelievably bright, no matter who pulls on the shirt. I can't speak highly enough of the guys coming through. Their work ethic is second to none, and as long as we keep our feet on the floor and wanting to get better, the sky's the limit for this team." Bath's tries came from Thomas du Toit and Max Ojomoh on what became a brilliant afternoon for Scotland's Finn Russell, who overcame early frustrations to kick 13 points, also teeing up Ojomoh after snatching an interception from inside his own half. Jack van Poortvliet opened the scoring with a try for Leicester, while second-half tries from Solomone Kata and Ilione nearly sparked a comeback. Handre Pollard added three Leicester conversions but the World Cup-winning South African fly-half will rue what might have been after a rare penalty miss. Tigers twice had men sent to the sin bin - departing captain Julian Montoya late in the first half, while Cole's swansong concluded unceremoniously with a controversial yellow. Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said: "Our whole focus this season was on winning the Premiership. We gave ourselves that goal, kept that within the circle." The South African coach said he would now pause for a moment of reflection before focusing on next season. He added: "The day you stand still is the day somebody catches you. You must always train like number two because the other guys are coming. The best is yet to come." Article continues below Leicester head coach Michael Cheika - to be replaced by Geoff Parling - will leave this summer at the end of his one-year contract, in addition to Argentina hooker Montoya, Pollard and former England back Mike Brown. And although he felt he would get himself "in strife" for disclosing what he felt about some of the decisions that went against his side - vowing to take it up with the RFU's officiating chief Paul Hull as a "final bit of banter" - Cheika was delighted by his team's resilience and felt the future of the club was bright. He added: "I feel like if we can take those things that are intangible around belief and the standards you need to have to be able to compete, then it won't be long before they are on that podium themselves."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales duo go for glory and South African signs for Welsh region
Today's rugby news as Wales duo go for glory and South African signs for Welsh region The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond Evardi Boshoff has signed permanently for the Ospreys (Image: Charle Lombard/) Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, June 14. Ospreys seal permanent deal for impressive South African The Ospreys have signed South African centre Evardi Boshoff on a permanent basis following two successful loan spells. The 26-year-old initially joined the Ospreys on loan for the second-half of the 23/24 campaign, before spending last season on loan with them as well. Having made 23 appearances for the club, his performances quickly made him a fan favourite. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 'I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to re-join the Ospreys," said Boshoff. "I'm looking forward to having a full season with this group and reconnecting with the fans who have been great since I first came here. 'I've really enjoyed life in Wales, the people here are so welcoming and the boys in the team have always made myself and Dan (Kasende) feel at home. This is a special club and it's a privilege to be a part of.' Ospreys head coach Mark Jones added: 'Evardi is both a talented and dedicated player who has already proven his ability at this level, so we're really appreciative that the Toyota Cheetahs have allowed us to sign him on a permanent basis. Article continues below 'I was really impressed with how he stepped up to the plate for us last season. With the injury to Owen (Watkin), he had to play a lot of rugby and with that came increased responsibility. 'We've seen in the past how much he can contribute on and off the field, and his return not only brings a familiarity to our backline, but also some valuable experience amongst it as well.' England stars set for Twickenham farewell as Wales duo target silverware Leicester Tigers have named an unchanged 23-man squad for Saturday's Premiership final against Bath at the Allianz Stadium as two Welshmen go for silverware. England duo Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will both make their final career appearance off the bench, while departing Tigers Julian Montoya and Handre Pollard both start. In the pack, in-form former Ospreys back-row Olly Cracknell partners Wales international Tommy Reffell and Hanro Liebenberg at the back of the scrum, with Lions tourist Ollie Chessum lining up alongside Cameron Henderson in the second-row. In the front-row, Wales prop Nicky Smith starts on the loosehead, with Joe Heyes the other side of captain Montoya. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free In the backs, Michael Cheika - coaching his final game for the Tigers after just one year in charge - has the likes of Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack van Poortvliet on hand to strengthen their bid for the Premiership title. Star fly-half Finn Russell has overcome his injury concern to start as Bath go in search of a first Premiership title since 1996. The British and Irish Lions tourist was a slight doubt for the final after limping off in last Friday's semi-final win over Bristol, but he has been deemed fully fit to feature in the number 10 jersey. Welsh back-row addresses Test future Welsh back-row Carwyn Tuipulotu has addressed his Test future after committing to stay in France with Section Paloise. The former Scarlets No. 8 left Llanelli midway through the season to join the Top 14 outfit, signing a new deal with the club on Thursday to stay for two more years. Following his decision to stay in France, he admitted he still harbours ambitions to play for Wales. 'Right now, I am uncapped, which leaves me qualified to play for other nations like Tonga or England," he told RugbyPass. "It has always been an ambition of mine to play for Wales, but at this stage of my career is vital that I play more games, something that I wasn't getting on the Scarlets setup. "I hope I can shape up to be the player that Wales needs, as they need ball carriers and people who can take the ball forward.' He added: 'I do miss home, but obviously it was the right time to leave. I had gone a bit complacent, and I needed a new challenge. I want to change the perception that some fans have of me, to show that I can be the player they expected me to be. 'I would advise players who are in the same position as I was to take the leap and come to France if they have the chance. It is a great environment and experience. For me, I left my comfort zone and was able to enjoy rugby again. It was the challenge I needed to come out of my shell. I can now become my own man and player. Thanks to Pau, I have matured and became a different player.' Dawson urges Lions to tour France British and Irish Lions great Matt Dawson says they would be 'insane' not to organise a full tour to France. The Lions are understood to be open to expansion, but so far, that would appear to mean a one-off fixture against France ahead of the next tour to New Zealand in 2029. But former England scrum-half Dawson - who toured with the Lions to all three of the southern hemisphere giants during his playing career - says a full-on tour of France should be explored. 'If that doesn't happen at some stage that is probably going to be one of the greatest sporting misses ever,' Dawson told The Times. 'It would be insane not to do a Lions tour of France and to put it on the roster. I know that upsets the apple cart and there is significant revenue every 12 years for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa at the moment. But this is about broadening the game. 'The Lions in France could catapult the game globally into a different stratosphere. I think it could be that important, and hopefully the southern hemisphere sides will understand. Do we do it every three years? I don't know, but that would be the magic step for me. Article continues below 'All of a sudden it opens up the Lions to millions of people that have got no chance of watching the Lions. I bet you a lot of French people would love to go on a Lions tour. And imagine how many people from Britain and Ireland love watching on television but never in their wildest dreams could they think that they are going to go down to the southern hemisphere. [Going to France] would be off the charts. What a tour.'
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ospreys sign South African Boshoff on permanent deal
Centre Evardi Boshoff will rejoin Ospreys from Toyota Cheetahs on a permanent deal for the 2025-26 first joined the Ospreys on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 season and returned for a second loan spell the following 26-year-old South African has made a total of 23 appearances for Ospreys during his previous loan spells."I'm looking forward to having a full season with this group and reconnecting with the fans who have been great since I first came here," Boshoff said."I've really enjoyed life in Wales, the people here are so welcoming …. This is a special club and it's a privilege to be a part of."Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: "Evardi is both a talented and dedicated player who has already proven his ability at this level."I was really impressed with how he stepped up to the plate for us last season."We've seen in the past how much he can contribute on and off the field, and his return not only brings a familiarity to our backline, but also some valuable experience amongst it as well."
