The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, July 10.
Wales legend urges Lions to consider France tour
Wales legend Mike Phillips has urged the British & Irish Lions to consider touring France in the future.
Historically the Lions have only toured Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with the odd game against Argentina, Japan or Fiji thrown into the mix.
Phillips took to social media platform X to voice his support of a potential tour of France.
He said: “The Lions touring France would be a game-changer. Imagine the hype, packed stadiums, financial boost and global buzz.
“A rugby powerhouse vs the iconic Lions – huge for the sport, fans and growth.” Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
According to reports the French Rugby Federation have approached the Lions about potentially facing France in a one-off exhibition match at the Stade de France in 2027, although this has yet to be confirmed.
The Lions have played France once before at the Parc de Princes in Paris in 1989 which formed part of the bicentennial celebrations of the French Revolution with the visitors coming out on top 29-27.
The prospect of a full-blown Lions tour in France would undoubtedly be financially lucrative but the Southern Hemisphere nations would likely be against it.
One of the biggest criticisms surrounding the current tour of Australia is the fact the Lions have not been truly tested by the Super Rugby franchises but that would not be the case if they were to tour France where they could play the likes of European champions Bordeaux or Toulouse as warm-up fixtures.
One potential barrier could be the congested calendar and fears surrounding player welfare given the Top 14 is played from August to June.
Rising star swaps Bristol for north Wales
Wales U19s international Gethin O’Callaghan has left Bristol Bears to join Super Rygbi Cymru outfit RGC.
The 19-year-old from Penarth was a member of the Bears academy but has been released and has opted for a move to Colwyn Bay.
O’Callaghan is viewed as a promising player and the powerful centre is an explosive ball carrier with deft handling.
“I’m really looking forward to joining RGC for this upcoming season,” he said.
“To be a part of a team who aim to progress as players but also a club, which has always been a positive insight for me.
“I am excited to be back in Wales and see what we can achieve this year as a group.”
Part of the SRC’s remit is to act as a net to ensure Welsh talent with potential, who have perhaps not quite made it as professionals yet, are retained.
“We are delighted to sign someone of Gethin’s ability and would like to thank Bristol for working with us on his transfer,” said RGC general manager Alun Pritchard.
“He is exactly the type of player we look for with a high ceiling in terms of his potential, the will to develop and the want to be playing rugby on a regular basis.“When we spoke to him, it was clear that rugby was his main focus, he just wanted to come somewhere that would aide his development and hopefully get back into professional rugby.“I’m sure he will enjoy our expansive style of play and that the fans will enjoy watching him play this season.”
Scotland target favourable World Cup draw ahead of Fiji clash
By Mark Staniforth, PA
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has one eye on the “bigger picture” as his side prepare to face Fiji in the first test of their Pacific islands tour in Suva on Saturday.
Townsend has stressed the importance of the fixture as well as the upcoming clash with Samoa as Scotland look to lock in a top-six ranking ahead of the draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia in December.
Currently ranked seventh, his side want to avoid a similar fate to 2023 when they were placed in a group with both Ireland and South Africa and failed to progress to the knockout stages.
“This is a one-off game in terms of our tour, but there is also the bigger picture and that is the World Cup draw in November,” said Townsend. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
“This is a very important game going into the Samoa Test, and also the Tests we have in November, to put ourselves in the best possible position to get into that top six.”
Townsend has made 14 changes to the side that featured in the win over the Maori All Blacks last week, with Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke handed his first cap and 25-year-old Rory Darge stepping up as the team’s stand-alone captain for the first time.
Townsend paid tribute to the recent improvements made by the New Zealand-born Burke, who was part of the Scotland squad throughout this year’s Six Nations but did not get a chance to impress.
“There’s a lot of things to like about Fergus’s game,” added Townsend. “I think the most important element is how physical he’s been with carrying the ball, but in particular in defence, he’s been excellent this year with Northampton.
“His game management and understanding is up there with the best 10s. He’s been a joy to work with, right through the Six Nations when he didn’t get an opportunity, to now on this tour getting his chance for his first start.”
Darge, who has previously co-captained Scotland alongside Finn Russell, steps up after a season tinged with double frustration, with his club Glasgow failing to retain the United Rugby Championship title and Darge himself missing the chance to join Russell in the Lions squad heading to Australia.
Townsend said: “Rory is more than just a leader by actions. When we brought him into the leadership group we thought that was his biggest strengths, but he’s now got an experience and intelligence around the game.
“He’s developing really well and getting opportunities to lead and captain is the best way to grow. We’ve seen that growth in him through this season and on this tour.”
Scotland hammered Fiji 57-17 in their last meeting at Murrayfield in November but Townsend expects a much tougher encounter, with memories of his side’s painful defeat in Suva in 2017 – his first loss as Scotland coach – still lingering.
“We didn’t win the physical battle (in 2017), and that was really disappointing,” recalled Townsend.
“It’s rare to see that happen in a Scotland team and if you have that performance you know you can never let it happen again.
“I think their biggest threat is their physicality. They’re probably the biggest and most powerful men in world rugby, more so even than the South Africans.
“They combine the speed with raw power so we know they’ll bring that with their ball-carrying and their big hits in defence. That’s what we’re going to have to match straight away, and also take our strengths to them.”
Promising trio in line for Ireland Test debuts
By Ed Elliot, PA
Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton and Hugh Gavin will make Ireland debuts in Saturday evening’s match against Portugal in Lisbon.
Munster back-row Kendellen, who led Emerging Ireland on last year’s victorious tour to South Africa, lines up at openside flanker, while Connacht wing Bolton replaces the injured Jacob Stockdale on the left flank.
Connacht back Gavin was initially named on the bench before being upgraded to outside centre following Jamie Osborne’s call up by the British and Irish Lions.
With Osborne departing camp to join the Lions in Australia, Munster wing Calvin Nash has been added to the replacements.
Fly-half Jack Crowley comes in for Sam Prendergast as part of six changes to the team which began last weekend’s 34-5 win over Georgia. He will partner captain and Munster team-mate Craig Casey.
Cian Prendergast has been selected at number eight after recovering from illness, while Munster lock Tom Ahern will make his first international start following his debut as a replacement in Tbilisi.
Cormac Izuchukwu moves to a bench which includes Ciaran Frawley as number 10 cover, with Sam Prendergast and back-row forwards Nick Timoney and Gavin Coombes joining Stockdale in dropping out of the matchday 23.
Interim head coach Paul O’Connell said: “I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
“The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players’ willingness to embrace challenges and hopefully that bodes well again this weekend.
“This Saturday presents another opportunity to go out and try to play our game. Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby and we know that we’re in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters.
“To our three new debutants – Shayne, Alex and Hugh – congratulations on their selection. The team will try to deliver a positive performance for them and their families.”
Ireland team: J O’Brien (Leinster); T O’Brien (Leinster), H Gavin (Connacht), S McCloskey (Ulster), S Bolton (Connacht); J Crowley (Munster), C Casey (Munster, capt); J Boyle (Leinster), G McCarthy (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), T Ahern (Munster), D Murray (Connacht), R Baird (Leinster), A Kendellen (Munster), C Prendergast (Connacht). Replacements: T Stewart (Ulster), M Milne (Munster), T O’Toole (Ulster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), M Deegan (Leinster), B Murphy (Connacht), C Frawley (Leinster), C Nash (Munster).
