The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, June 20.
Chief clear on Smith’s future
Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson says he wants Franco Smith to stay on as Glasgow Warriors boss beyond his current tenure, after the South African was linked with succeeding Warren Gatland as Wales head coach. Smith – who is also viewed by many in Scotland as a natural successor to national team boss Gregor Townsend – emerged as an early candidate to take over from Gatland following the New Zealander’s departure from the role during the Six Nations.
While Townsend’s assistant Steve Tandy remains the front runner for the top job in Wales, Smith still finds his name being linked to the vacant role, which is being filled in the interim by Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Smith – whose contract with Glasgow runs until the end of next year – also left the door open to the move earlier this year, as he revealed in a television interview that he would like to coach international rugby again, teasing that “you never know” what he might do next.
However, Williamson has made it clear where he sees Smith’s future, as he outlined his vision for the immediate future of Scottish rugby in an interview with MailOnline.
The former House of Fraser CEO is keen for Townsend – whose contract expires next spring – to stay on as Scotland’s head coach despite a disappointing Six Nations campaign, and wants Smith and Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt to also remain in their posts going forward.
“We absolutely want continuity with the coaches and we really like the three guys we’ve got and we’d really like to keep them,” said Williamson. “I think that those three men’s coaches [Townsend, Smith and Everitt], I anticipate them being our coaching team. That’s my preference, in the same roles as now.
“I’m touring with Scotland and I’m going to have plenty of time with Gregor [to hold discussions]. His manager is in New Zealand as well so that’s all helpful. And we’re talking to Franco and Sean as well.
“Because I haven’t had the conversation with [Townsend] I really want to recognize there’s a two-way flow here but we really like the idea of the continuity of the three guys here.
It comes after Smith expressed frustration over the decision to not retain some of Glasgow’s foreign players like Henco Venter in favour of focusing on Scottish-qualified talent.
“When we’re talking about Franco, we absolutely want him in,” Williamson added. “In fact, I fully respect his emotional frustrations.
“You kind of want your coaches to be loaded and charged and emotional and frustrated, particularly in moments like those, but I don’t actually think there is a huge gap between what Franco wants and what we’re talking about.
“The challenge is probably that the structures aren’t bedded in and as a consequence we’ve not really had the opportunity to test and stress test the thinking.
“We all believe that there is a place for foreign players, they just have to be the right ones in the right moments.”
Wales international saved from drop
French side Biarritz have been successful in their appeal against being relegated from Pro D2.
The former Top 14 champions – who count former Wales international Tyler Morgan among their players – were demoted to the Nationale 1 at the end of last month due to financial irregularities.
The club have been plagued by financial problems for the last five years, and having failed to provide guarantees of future investment that would help them to overcome those issues, they were automatically relegated to the third tier.
However, they have now managed to have that decision overturned and will be back in the Pro D2 next season, albeit with a three-point penalty from the start of the campaign.
In a statement, the club said that the decision “represents an important step for an institution that wishes to start anew on a healthier footing and build a more stable future.
“As part of this decision, the Federation also deducted three points from the standings for the 2025-2026 season,” the statement continued. “The club accepts this decision and acknowledges the facts with which it is accused.
“It is fully aware of the sporting challenge this sanction represents. It accepts, responsibly, to do everything possible to quickly overcome this handicap. The entire institution, from players to staff, including employees and volunteers, is mobilised to meet this challenge with determination and ambition.
“Initial structural changes have already been initiated. These will be followed by other strong measures necessary to ensure the club’s long-term future.”
As a result of the decision, Stade Nicois are the only team relegated from Pro D2 this season, with promoted Caracassonne replacing them in the next campaign as they move up from the Nationale 1.
Shingler joins Scotland set-up
Former Scarlets and Cardiff back Steve Shingler has been made an assistant coach of Scotland Women, two months ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
He has been appointed to the coaching team alongside Ross Miller following the departure of former England winger Matt Banahan, who has left his role as an attack coach to move on to another coaching opportunity.
Shingler – who played for Wales U20s and is the brother of former Wales senior international Aaron – joins the Scottish set-up on secondment from Premiership Women’s Rugby side Trailfinders, where he has worked as an assistant coach for the past season.
Head coach Bryan Easson admitted he was “disappointed” by Banahan’s exit, but said he had been “really impressed” by Shingler, who also worked with Scotland during the recent Women’s Six Nations.
“This does now present an exciting opportunity to reset and refresh our coaching team,” said Easson. “We welcomed Steve into camp during this year’s Six Nations and we were really impressed by him then.
“We have several players at Trailfinders, including some of our key attacking players, who have a fantastic relationship with him already and know what he’s about which will give us a smooth transition.
“Ross has bedded back in with us really well, we’ve had a brilliant few weeks as a group with him so far. We’ve worked together for a long time, and he did a great job with us at the last Rugby World Cup.
“I think he’s a brilliant addition to the group, he knows the players and the players know him which helps too.”
Freeman: Lions will be ‘fun and dangerous’
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Tommy Freeman insists the British and Irish Lions’ heavyweight threequarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin.
Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu.
All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday’s curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under.
Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side that is ranked fifth in the world.
“Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It’s going to be a lot of fun – and dangerous,” Freeman said.
“We’re not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can.
“There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space.”
The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions’ tactical identity under Farrell.
Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina, but even the tourists’ attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination.
“We’ve got power, pace and no little skill in between. I’m excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside,” Wigglesworth said.
“They can definitely test the gain line, but they’ve also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back.”
Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open.
The challenge facing Freeman and his team-mates is to capture the eye of the Lions head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause.
“Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture,” Freeman said.
“You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team.
“This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can’t ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself.”
