The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, May 19.
MP: WRU’s handling of announcement ‘shockingly poor’
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith has slammed the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for its handling of the announcement regarding the future of the Welsh regions, calling it “shockingly poor” and warning that it has created “chaos and uncertainty” for professional teams, particularly the Scarlets and the Ospreys.
The funding announcement, made by the WRU over the weekend with what has been described by the clubs as “minimal prior consultation”, reportedly gave regions just one minute’s notice before the public release.
It confirmed the governing body has significantly altered its plan of maintaining four equally-funded teams going forward amid a change in the financial landscape. WalesOnline understands the end game is set to be a reduction to three teams as things stand, although the WRU has not publicly said this and maintain no decisive decisions have been made yet.
Speaking out, Griffith said the lack of transparency and poor communication have left affected clubs scrambling to respond. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
“Leaked the night before, but with only one minute’s notice to the regions affected before the WRU issued their official statement on Sunday, the manner in which it was made was shockingly poor,” she said.
“It has left both the Scarlets and the Ospreys, in particular, to pick up the pieces and move forward in the most positive way that they can.
“I attended a grassroots rugby event at Parc y Scarlets yesterday and met with Scarlets Managing Director Jon Daniels to pledge my support.
“The WRU must now urgently work constructively with all four regions to deliver an agreement that safeguards professional rugby in a way that works for all parts of Wales.”
Highlighting the Scarlets’ deep roots in the community and their contribution to Welsh rugby both on and off the field, Griffith stressed the need for Llanelli and west Wales to remain central to the sport’s future.
“Scarlets have a huge role to play in the future of Welsh rugby, with their history, tradition, and rich resource of players, coaches and supporters,” she added. “Our town and region can and should be an important part of any solution.”
Lloyd Williams joins Worcester
Worcester Warriors have confirmed the signing of three-time Six Nations winner Lloyd Williams, making him the fifth addition to the squad ahead of their return to competitive rugby in next season’s expanded RFU Championship.
Williams joins Matt Kvesic, Josh Bassett, Tiff Eden, and Tim Anstee at Sixways Stadium as the club builds for a fresh start. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
The experienced scrum-half, 35, made his debut for Cardiff in 2010, later captaining the side and helping them lift the Challenge Cup in 2018 with a win over Gloucester. After leaving Cardiff in 2023, he joined Ealing Trailfinders and has made 16 appearances in the Championship this season.
Internationally, Williams played at under-20 level and for the Barbarians before earning his full Wales debut in 2011 against Argentina. He has three Six Nations titles and 32 caps to his name.
“There is a real buzz around Worcester Warriors right now, and it is the perfect environment for a new opportunity,” said Williams. “I love a challenge and the chance to help this club rise and thrive is something I couldn’t pass up. I can’t wait to call Sixways home.”
Head coach Matt Everard added: “Lloyd is an outstanding player and leader with an incredible amount of international and European experience. When I first met him I was very impressed by his calm manner, and I know this style of leadership will be brilliant for us bringing a full team together.”
Wales international relegated with famous French club
Historic French rugby club Biarritz Olympique has been relegated from Pro D2 to the third-tier Nationale by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) following concerns over the club’s financial stability.
Once Top 14 champions and European finalists, Biarritz failed to satisfy the LNR’s financial watchdog, which cited a lack of sufficient investment guarantees and ongoing financial issues dating back to 2020. Despite a recent board change and a late-season push to avoid sporting relegation, the club’s off-field troubles proved decisive.
The LNR was unconvinced by the club’s new leadership—Shaun Hegarty, Marc Baget, and Flip van der Merwe—and also imposed a six-point deduction for the 2024–25 Nationale season due to budgetary rule breaches.
Five-cap Wales international Tyler Morgan, 29, is one of the players who has suffered relegation. The centre joined the French side in 2022, following a two-year stint with the Scarlets.
The demotion also casts doubt over the future of several key players, including Charlie Matthews, Cornell du Preez, and Zach Kibirige, with the club now exploring all available options.
Biarritz, who finished ninth out of 16 teams, has lodged an appeal against the decision, asserting in an official statement that it is committed to proving its financial viability and retaining its place in Pro D2. The club emphasized the effort made by players and staff to avoid relegation on the field and vowed to continue its development plans.
Despite the setback, Biarritz says it remains united and determined to fight for reinstatement to the second tier.
Ex-Wales captain warns cutting a team has wider ramifications
Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas has warned of the wider ramifications Welsh rugby could suffer if the WRU decide to cut one of its professional teams.
Thomas, who captained the now-defunct Celtic Warriors before their sudden disbandment in 2004, voiced his concern following the latest tensions between the WRU and two of its regions, the Scarlets and the Ospreys.
Both teams have refused to sign the WRU’s new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA), citing concerns that the deal would “disproportionately benefit” Cardiff, which was taken over by the union last month. As a result, they have been served notice on their current agreements, which are due to expire in 2027, potentially placing their futures in jeopardy.
Speaking to the BBC, Thomas said the implications of losing a regional side go beyond rugby: “It’s not just about livelihoods of the rugby players — it’s about the town itself, the area, the region they live in.”
He recalled the lasting impact of the Celtic Warriors’ demise on communities like Bridgend and Pontypridd. “Shops closed. People weren’t inspired anymore. Children didn’t want to play,” he said.
“There’s a real other narrative here that I feel is a little bit more important than the fate of Welsh rugby — and that’s the state of inspiration for towns, cities, and regions.”
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has reiterated the union’s commitment to retaining all four regions but has not ruled out a reduction in the future.
Thomas said the current uncertainty evokes painful memories. “It’s just another sad day and another sad story in Welsh rugby. We need to understand — it’s not just about rugby.”
