The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, June 30.
Morgan picked after ‘shocking news’
Jac Morgan will have another chance to lay down a Test marker for the Lions, being named to start against the Queensland Reds on the same morning that it was confirmed he was the only Welsh player left on the 2025 tour of Australia.
Monday morning saw scrum-half Tomos Williams cruelly ruled out of the remainder of the tour, having picked up a hamstring injury during a two-try performance. Scotland scrum-half Ben White has been called up to replace the Gallagher Premiership player of the year. You can read the latest Lions team and injury news here.
Speaking about Williams’ injury, Lions tour manager and former Wales wing Ieuan Evans said: “This is desperately sad news for Tomos and we wish him all the very best in his recovery.
“Tomos is an exemplary Lion who has had a brilliant season, having joined the tour after being named Premiership Rugby’s player-of-the-season. He lit up this Lions tour with his personality and his talent.”
Farrell said: “It’s shocking news for us all. We’re not just going to miss an outstanding player – he played unbelievably well and it was some try that he was actually injured by,” Farrell said.
“We’re also going to miss the bloke. We have only been together for a few weeks now but his character is everything you want to have in your group on a Lions tour. He’s very popular and that makes it a little bit tougher.
“Ben will be devastated for Tomos, like we all are. But at the same time, he’s super excited.
“He obviously had ambition to get into the squad – as did many others who didn’t get selected – so now he gets his chance.”
Williams’ replacement White won’t feature against the Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is in line for his first appearance of the tour following injury, with Alex Mitchell on the bench.
However, it’s another start for Morgan on the openside which will draw the eye of Welsh onlookers. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia.
Morgan had started the tour opener against Argentina in Dublin, being solid if unspectacular in a understandably disjointed team performance.
However, a marker has been laid down by Ireland’s Josh van der Flier in the weekend’s victory over the Force – even if the Perth side were Australia’s worst-placed Super Rugby franchise.
Morgan will now start alongside Tom Curry and Jack Conan in the back-row as he looks to push his Test credentials.
Since 1899, when Wales were first involved with a tour and the Lions played a Test series, at least one Welshman has been selected to start every Lions Test – meaning they have stood alone in Lions history as the only nation to have provided players for every Test for the last century.
Scotland last failed to provide a starter in 2017, Ireland in 1989 and England in 1950. However, with just one Welshmen left on tour, the chances of Wales keeping up their remarkable record have taken a significant blow.
Lions team to face Reds on Wednesday: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Garry Ringrose.
Joe McCarthy enjoying friendship with ‘good fella’ Henry Pollock
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth
Joe McCarthy has struck up an unexpected friendship with Henry Pollock as the British and Irish Lions rookies step up their hunt for Test selection.
The forwards delivered eye-catching performances in Saturday’s 54-7 victory over Western Force in Perth, seizing their chances three weeks out from the series opener against Australia.
McCarthy finished man of the match after embellishing a mighty shift in defence with some impactful attacking moments, while Pollock made up for flashes of indiscipline with the dynamism only he can bring to the back row.
Off the field, Ireland enforcer McCarthy has found himself forming an unlikely bromance with the swaggering England flanker.
“Henry’s actually a good fella. He’s proper high-energy and he’s been very sound,” McCarthy said.
“He can be a bit much at times but he is himself and I’ve probably got on with him way better than I thought I would. Like we saw against the Force, he’s class to have in your team as well.”
McCarthy was part of the Leinster side that were knocked out of the Champions Cup semi-finals by Pollock’s Northampton, leading to some awkward initial moments when the rivals first entered Lions camp earlier this month.
“We got there and were thinking ‘oh for f***’s sake, it’s these fellas again!’,” McCarthy said.
“But I’ve played golf with Alex Mitchell and me and Tommy Freeman are doing ‘thought for the day’ on the bus, so it’s interesting to hear Tommy’s thoughts.
“One I liked was ‘today is the oldest you ever have been and the youngest you ever will be’.”
England U20 begin title defence with emphatic win over Scotland
England U20 kicked off their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign with a dominant 56–19 victory over Scotland in blistering heat in Verona.
Despite going down to 14 men for the final 25 minutes, Mark Mapletoft’s side ran in eight tries to open their Pool B account in emphatic fashion. Flanker George Timmins was shown a straight red card for leading with the elbow in a ruck — just moments after scoring England’s sixth try of the afternoon.
Scotland struck first through scrum-half Noah Cowan after a strong start, but England responded swiftly with a penalty try that swung momentum firmly in their favour. They raced to a 42–12 lead by half-time thanks to a ruthless display of attacking rugby.
Winger Jack Bracken crossed twice, while Will Knight and Kane James powered over from close range. Josh Bellamy delivered a standout solo effort before turning provider with a pinpoint grubber kick to set up Ben Redshaw.
Kane James and Tom Burrow made strong carries throughout, and fly-half Ben Coen steered the team expertly with a composed performance. England’s replacements also made an impact, with Archie McParland catching the eye in the closing stages.
Scotland grabbed a late consolation through Hector Patterson, but were unable to match England’s physicality and tempo as the match wore on. England now face South Africa on Friday in what could be a decisive Pool B showdown.
