The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond.
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, June 29.
Tomos Williams injury update imminent
The British and Irish Lions will provide a fitness update on Tomos Williams during a press conference scheduled to take place overnight UK time.
Williams put in a stunning performance against Western Force in the first match in Australia over the weekend, scoring two tries and adding pace to the Lions attack. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
However, the Treorchy product left the field after scoring his second try, clutching his hamstring in the process.
With concerns over Jamison Gibson-Park’s fitness, Williams had seemingly played himself into Test contention ahead of Alex Mitchell, but now the Lions may have to call upon reinforcements.
The Lions flew from Perth to Brisbane on Sunday ahead of their next match against Queensland Reds on Wednesday, July 2.
Head coach Farrell will speak to the media on Monday afternoon Australia time, which is set to be around 2.30am UK time, and will be able to provide an update on Williams there.
England international Jack van Poortvliet was previously called up to train with the Lions following Gibson-Park’s injury ahead of Leinster’s URC final against the Bulls, but is now in Argentina with England. Scotland international Ben White is also a contender.
Gibson-Park is expected to feature for the Lions soon.
Kinghorn flies to Australia for Lions link-up
Blair Kinghorn is flying out to link-up with the rest of the Lions squad following his Top 14 triumph yesterday.
The Scotland full-back is due to land Down Under tomorrow after helping Toulouse beat Bordeaux in a dramatic fashion, with the former triumphing in extra time 39-33.
For some, Kinghorn is favourite to start the Test series at full-back and Andy Farrell will no doubt be relieved that the player lasted all 100 minutes at the Stade de France and will be raring to go after meeting up with his new team-mates.
The Scot, who this afternoon posted a photo on social media of him having boarded the plane to Australia, said of his anticipation for the Lions series after the win: “I have been so focused on Toulouse stuff that I have not really thought about it too much.
“It feels a bit weird, to be honest. It’s only like the last couple of days when I have had to pack and everything, it’s like, all right, I’m heading out there now.”
Speaking about the win over Wester Force, he added: “It’s always tough coming together. Everyone expects you to be like a great team from the get-go, but you don’t have those connections. So it’s good to see that they bounced back and got a great win.”
Tuipulotu laughs off Aussie gag
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth
Sione Tuipulotu insists the British and Irish Lions must continue to shrug off any provocation during their tour of Australia after their overseas-born contingent were attacked by the Tannoy announcer at Optus Stadium.
Tuipulotu, one of eight players in Andy Farrell’s squad who were born, raised and educated in the southern hemisphere, was among those caught in the crosshairs before Saturday’s 54-7 rout of Western Force.
“Another Aussie at number 12, Sione Tuipulotu,” was how the Scotland centre was introduced when the team was read out for the Lions’ opening match on Australian soil.
Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman were also referenced by the nation of their birth rather than their adopted country, for whom they have qualified either through residency or family heritage.
It continued a theme from the hosts that began when Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt described Tuipulotu and New Zealand-born Ireland international Bundee Aki as a “southern-hemisphere centre partnership” in the build-up to the defeat by Argentina in Dublin.
Tuipulotu emphasised the words “good humour” when brushing aside the jibes that he expected on his return Down Under.
“I knew there would be some ‘good humour’ coming back home to Australia. These are all things we’ve got to take in our stride,” he said.
“To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don’t know how funny that gag is to everyone!
“I’m loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I’m really passionate about it. Andy’s brought the group together so well.”
The victory in Perth exposed several shortcomings such as a high penalty count and creaking set-piece, but there was also much to admire in the attacking exuberance that produced eight classy tries.
Tougher tests than the Force await on tour but combined with the evidence gathered from the Aviva Stadium eight days earlier, Farrell’s Lions are clearly keen to keep the ball alive – and on this occasion the passes stuck.
Finn Russell was at the heart of onslaught in his first outing of the tour and the Scot’s instinctive play drew approval from Farrell, who declared: “He’s ready to go. And that’s good.”
Tuipulotu, who expects to be firing by the Test series as he continues his comeback from a significant ankle injury, said: “We’re taking ideas from all the nations.
“Obviously, the coaching style is very Ireland dominant and there are a lot of ideas that we’re getting from the Irish coaches, but then those ideas are being sprinkled on.
“When Finn comes in, he plays his style. He plays to the structure of the team, but he’s a very instinctive player and he wants to play what’s directly in front of his face.
“There’s a mixture there and that’s what’s going to make it hard to defend for opposition teams.
“They’re not necessarily defending a structure of play, they’re defending a structure of play with really supreme individuals conducting it like Finn.
“Finn’s a world-class number 10 and he’s been here, been there, done that. He’s come off a really good season after winning the Premiership with Bath and I thought him and Tomos Williams controlled the game really well.
“We’re still growing, there’s a lot of growth left in us but the identity at least, you could see how we try to play the game out there.”
Welsh club pays tribute to the late Ian Hall
Swansea RFC have paid tribute to Ian Hall. The centre played for Pontypridd and Aberavon before going on to earn international honours between 1967 and 1974. He passed away at the age of 79 on June 11.
After his playing career finished, Hall went into coaching in the 1980s. He achieved great success alongside Stan Addicott at Swansea, and in his very first season they won the following: the Western Mail Unofficial Welsh Championship, Whitbread Merit Table, Daily Mail Anglo-Welsh Championship and Sunday Telegraph Team of the Season
As part of their statement, Swansea said: “Ian Hall left his mark at St Helen’s as a no nonsense coach and all at St Helen’s wish to pass their condolences on to his family at this difficult time.”
Off the field, Hall was a policeman who rose to the rank of inspector, and even played for the South Wales Police rugby team.
Rugby fans and friends took to social media to pay tribute to Hall’s life.
“Main man, so many great memories of Ian, a lovely man who cared, so sad,” wrote one.
“Such sad news, condolences to the family. Ian was a great inspector and story-teller,” wrote another.
Family and friends will say one final goodbye to Hall at Margam Crematorium on July 2.
