Lee-Lo Signs New One-Year Deal
Carwyn Harris
Fan Favourite Rey Lee-Lo has signed a new one-year contract with Cardiff Rugby ahead of next season.
The 38-year-old centre has made 163 appearances for the Blue and Blacks since joining from the Hurricanes in 2015.
Recognised as a consistently solid defender with plenty of flair in attack, Lee-Lo will add to Cardiff’s midfield options which include Wales squad members Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Steffan Emanuel and Rory Jennings.
“I’m just really happy to be staying here with Cardiff for another year, playing with the boys and in front of the amazing Arms Park crowd,” said Lee-Lo.
“I really enjoyed the past season and feel like my form was pretty good. My body is still feeling really good and I have plenty left to give to this team.
“Helping bring through some of the young and exciting players in the squad is also something I enjoy and it has been great to see them becoming top quality players in their own right and earning international honours.
“From a family perspective we are also really happy here in Cardiff. The club, the supporters and the city itself has been so welcoming since we came over in 2015, and it is home for us now.
“We love it here, the support we receive is amazing and I’m looking forward to continuing to pull on the Blue and Black jersey next season.”
Samoan international Lee-Lo, who has 26 caps for his country, made 13 appearances during the 2023-24 season, all of them starts, scoring against Bulls in November.
He is one of only two players who started Cardiff’s 31-30 win against Gloucester in the 2018 Challenge Cup final who will remain at the club next season.
Matt Sherratt said: “It’s great that we have been able to keep Rey for next season.”
“There is absolutely no doubt about his playing abilities. He has been one of the leading centres in European rugby for a number of years and showed he can still perform at a consistently high level throughout last season.
“He has been there and done it and is a great experienced, senior presence for our young players both on and off the pitch. It is no coincidence that the likes of Ben Thomas and Mason Grady have developed so well with Rey often next to them.
“He’s brilliant for our environment, sets standards and calls Cardiff home. It is great that Rey and his family will remain a regular presence at the Arms Park.”
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Debutants Set For South Africa Vs Wales Test
Carwyn Harris
Many have already written off Wales’ chances of defeating reigning world champions South Africa when the two sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday.
South Africa come into the game having not played since they retained the Webb Ellis trophy in their 12-11 win against New Zealand at the Stade de France.
Wales on the other hand lost all five games during the Six Nations, ‘winning’ a first wooden spoon since 2003.
The game also falls outside the international window, clashing with the URC final between Bulls and Glasgow, meaning both sides will be under strength.
Wales are without Six Nations captain Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza who are both at Exeter, whilst Dillon Lewis, Archie Griffin, Nick Tompkins and Tommy Reffell are also unavailable as they are based in England.
Additionally, Will Rowlands, Alex Mann, Ryan Elias and Josh Adams have been rested for this summer whilst Jac Morgan is now set to miss the summer tour with a hamstring injury while Adam Beard, Teddy Williams, Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Williams, Theo Cabango and Joe Roberts are also long-term injuries.
Finally, Sportin Wales co-founder Gareth Anscombe announced he wouldn’t be taking part in the summer tour as he looks to return to fitness ahead of his pending move to Gloucester.
Whilst that list is close to a full XV, their unavailability opens the door for others within the 23.
Wales have four debutants set to appear on Saturday as do the Boks on the other side.
Sportin Wales takes a closer look at the players ready make their international bows.
Ellis Bevan
Bevan is the only starting debutant for Wales, with the Cardiff Rugby scrumhalf set to line up alongside Scarlets playmaker Sam Costelow.
The pair have played together before, having formed a half back partnership for Wales U20s during the 2020 Six Nations, getting memorable wins at England and at home to France.
24-year-old Bevan enjoyed a breakthrough season at Cardiff, starting seven of Cardiff’s final nine games while Tomos Williams was injured.
With Williams set to move to Gloucester next season Bevan could be in with a shout of securing his place as first choice nine at Cardiff long-term.
Bevan’s kicking has improved rapidly this season, with Cardiff not playing much rugby inside their own half and opting to kick, his boot has been a particular area which has become more consistent.
Gatland has repeatedly stated that he’s a fan of Bevan’s ability as a left-footed kicker, in contrast to both other scrumhalf options, Gareth Davies and Kieran Hardy.
Jacob Beetham
Cardiff’s Beetham will wear the number 23 shirt on Saturday and could make his debut off the bench.
Another who featured in the Wales U20s team during the 2020 Six Nations, Beetham is a true utility back, capable of playing at fullback, inside centre, on the wing or at 10.
Beetham made his Cardiff debut at the Cardiff Arms Park against Toulouse in 2021 when the home team were shorn of several of their front-line players due to travel complications surrounding the pandemic.
Whilst he received a red card during that game, he has gone from strength to strength this season having missed most of last season with an ACL injury.
He has enjoyed a battle for the 15 shirt at Cardiff with clubmate and now Wales fullback Cam Winnett, but started six times, including a run of four starts either side of the Six Nations.
Beetham will be there to cover 10 and back three on Saturday having played fly-half as a youngster and is a capable goalkicker particularly from range.
Eddie James
Lining up alongside Beetham in the 22 shirt on the bench is Scarlets’ James.
A former Ysgol Bro Myrddin student, James first rose to prominence in the Wales U20’s team, starting four out of five gams of the 2022 Six Nations.
At 6”4 and more than 16st, you’d be forgiven for thinking he is simply a crash ball centre option but there is a lot more subtlety to his game.
Possessing subtle hands, he has the ability to draw defenders and put others through a hole as he did for Joe Roberts’ try against Munster, whilst he also showcased a range of passing during an impressive showing at Judgement Day despite receiving a yellow card.
Perhaps not the quickest, James is an out-and-out 12 and many at Parc y Scarlets have tipped him for a bright future with the region as they look to the future with the likes of Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies leaving this summer.
James Ratti
Many were surprised to see Ratti’s name in the 23 for Wales v South Africa, unaware that he had been called up as a late replacement for the injured Jac Morgan on Tuesday morning.
Ratti has been called up to Wales’ squad before, having been selected in Wayne Pivac’s final Six Nations squad back in 2022.
That was on the back of an impressive season with Cardiff at eight, but Ratti ended the tournament without making his debut, behind Aaron Wainwright, Ross Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau.
Ratti made the move to Ospreys at the beginning of this season and has played primarily as a second row or six this season.
His season is almost split in two, making his first six starts at blindside flanker before moving to the second row, with 10 of his next 12 starts appearing in the 4 shirt whilst Ospreys endured an injury crisis with James Fender, Adam Beard and Rhys Davies all unavailable for long periods.
At 6”5 he is a useful lineout option, but it’s his carrying where he has offered a lot for the Ospreys this season, often used to get the hard yards to improve speed of ball.
South Africa Debutants
On the other side, the ‘home’ side on Saturday will also have four players set to make their debuts.
Lions pair Jordan Hendrikse and Edwill van der Merwe will line up at flyhalf and on the wing respectively on Saturday.
Hendrikse is rumoured to be on his way from the Lions to Sharks next season, while Dragons fans will have painful memories of the scrum-capped van der Merwe after the winger scored a brace against them in December.
With quick lightning feet, he will be a huge test for Wales defensively although he may be on the end of a high-ball peppering from Wales, particularly against Wales’ kick-chaser in-chief Rio Dyer.
South Africa will also look to unleash Ben-Jason Dixon and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for the first time from the bench.
Dixon is a second row or blindside flanker born in the South African mould. 6”6 and around 17st, the Stormers player will be sure to make his presence known when he appears.
22-year-old Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one who has been outlined for stardom for several years.
Capable of playing at 10 or at inside centre, Feinberg-Mngomezulu won consecutive player of the match awards at the beginning of the season for Stormers including a try-scoring display against Scarlets.
Additionally, he scored twice in a six-minute cameo against Dragons in May.
That’s not where the Welsh connections stop however, he was once a student at Llandovery College during an exchange programme, playing alongside the likes of Scarlets’ Archie Hughes.
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Where Next For Joe Rodon?
Carwyn Harris
It’s the summer transfer window and whilst several players are out in Germany those left at home are caught up in the typical club merry-go-round.
Wales’ Joe Rodon is the latest player caught up in a transfer rumour with football.london suggesting the Spurs defender is involved in a four way battle for his signature.
Rodon spent last season on-loan at Championship club Leeds from Tottenham, making 50 appearances in all competitions missing just two league games after his first start for The Whites on the 18th of August last year.
The total of a half century of appearances is just one fewer than Rodon managed in his previous three seasons combined for Spurs and on loan at French side Stade Rennais.
This saw a large upturn in form for club and country for Rodon and Wales manager Rob Page will be hoping the former Swansea man finds a home where he is given regular football.
Understandably, Leeds are keen to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis, however, after they missed out on promotion in the play-off final against Southampton that could prove a difficult prospect.
Without the financial boost promotion would have provided alongside competition from Premier League rivals, Leeds might find it difficult to persuade Rodon to extend his stay.
According to football.london, all three promoted sides, Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds’ vanquishers Southampton, are interested in signing Rodon to become a cornerstone of their defence.
But which of those clubs would be the best fit for not just Rodon but also Rob Page and Wales?
Leicester City
Leicester on paper seem the sensible option, promoted as champions, immediately bouncing back up to the Premier League, eight years after they won England’s flagship competition.
The Foxes had the best defence in the Championship, conceding just 41 goals, two fewer than Rodon’s Leeds side and look well-equipped to tackle the Premier League.
They have players with top level experience like Harry Winks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whilst Stephy Mavididi was brilliant in the Championship and 37-year-old talisman Jamie Vardy has signed a new one-year deal to stay at the King Power.
However, manager Enzo Maresca has moved to Chelsea and the side are currently without a permanent manager.
It is therefore difficult to say whether they will likely play with Maresca’s preferred 4-3-3 at Leicester or adopt a different approach.
During the Spaniard’s reign, Belgium’s Wout Faes and Denmark’s Jannik Vestergaard were the first-choice centre back pairing, making 46 and 44 appearances in all competitions respectively with both currently with their countries at the EUROs.
Leicester also have the likes of England international Conor Coady and Australian Harry Souttar therefore Rodon’s place in the side would not be guaranteed.
Graham Potter is currently the favourite to succeed Maresca at Leicester, odds on at 1/3 with DragonBet and knows Rodon well from his season at Swansea in 2018-19 where the Welshman made 28 appearances either side of a metatarsal fracture.
Ipswich Town
Elsewhere, Ipswich’s Kieran Mckenna is understood to be a fan of Rodon, a move that would see him join national teammates Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead at Portman Road.
Ipswich enjoyed successive promotions to reach the Premier League and have succeeded in keeping hold of in-demand Mckenna despite interest from elsewhere.
Now they are looking to strengthen their defence.
Ipswich employed a fairly fluid formation last season, much like Italy at this years’ Euros, Leif Davis at left back operates high up on the left flank, whilst Wes Burns is high and wide on the right, leaving the right back to slot into a back three.
Invariably, the two centre backs have been Australian international Cameron Burgess alongside Luke Woolfenden.
Rodon looks a good fit here, capable of playing as part of a four as with Leeds or at the heart of a three as with Wales and would feel confident of forcing his way into the starting line-up.
Southampton
Southampton finished fourth last season in the league, three points behind Leeds having conceded 20 goals more, but earnt their way to the Premier League in the play-offs.
Manager Russell Martin joined the Saints last summer from Swansea City, where he had been since the summer of 2021, the year after Rodon joined Spurs.
Southampton have already made one centre-back signing this summer having brought in Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who made 46 appearances for the Saints last season whilst on-loan from Manchester City.
He joins club stalwart Jack Stephens and Polish international Jan Bednarek.
Martin has often switched between a back three and back four, adopting a back three in the play-off final against Leeds.
Rodon seems like a good fit, however, he would need to displace Bednarek to play in his preferred central position of the back three which may prove to be a difficult task.
Wales
Whichever club Rodon chooses, Wales boss Page will be hoping his defensive lynchpin continues his good form as the national side look to wipe away the disappointment of missing out on EURO 2024 during the upcoming Nations League and World Cup Qualifying campaigns.
Rodon started every game in qualifying for the EUROs and if fit will be a key member of Wales’ defence when they take on Türkiye and Montenegro in the Nations League in September.
The other team in Wales’ group B4 are Iceland who host Rob Page’s men on the 11th of October.
Success in the form of promotion back to Nations League A could play a key part in any further qualification campaigns and the possibility of a play-off much as it did for EURO 2024.
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Sportin Wales Joins The Oranje
Carwyn Harris
The team Sportin Wales are supporting in the EUROs, as voted by you the public, is…*drum roll please*…the Netherlands!
They won the public vote in group D ahead of France, Austria and Poland before just pipping Portugal in our semi-finals alongside Ukraine.
Then in our grand finale against Scotland yesterday they took home the crown with 59% of the vote.
Netherlands is the land of clogs, windmills and plants of all shapes and sizes, but who are the players who will be leading their nation, and us, to glory at EURO 2024?
Goalkeeper
Starting off with the goalkeepers and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen appears to have won the race to be the Dutch number one ahead of Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow and Brentford keeper Mark Flekken.
Verbruggen faced a battle throughout the domestic season with Jason Steele for the starting birth at the Amex Stadium ending up with four clean sheets in 21 starts in the Premier League.
However, with the Dutch he managed two clean sheets in the 4-0 friendly wins against Scotland and Canada along with keeping the ball out of his net three times from four in qualifying.
Defence
In front of Verbruggen, one of the centre backs births will see the imposing figure of Virgil van Dijk wearing the captains armband. He may appear in a back three, however we expect it to be a back four in defence with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake at left back.
If Netherlands do opt for a back three, they have plenty of options for the third centre back with Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, Ajax’s Daley Blind, Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt having all lined up there previously.
However, we believe they will select Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij at right centre back a move which will see Netherlands operate with a back three in possession allowing de Vrij’s Internazionale teammate Denzel Dumfries to bomb forward and provide the goal threat he did in EURO 2020 where he scored twice.
Midfield
Netherlands’ midfield has been hit by injuries with key men Frenkie de Jong and Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners, both pulling out of the squad.
To fill the hole, in come AC Milan’s Tijani Reijnders who will likely play on the left of a three along with PSV Eindhoven pair Joey Veerman and Jerdy Schouten.
Both are likely to feature ahead of current and former Liverpool players Ryan Gravenberch and Georginio Wijnaldum, respectively.
Forwards
Up front the Dutch have an array of options and do have the possibility to change things if the scoreline isn’t going their way.
However, expect PSG loanee and RB Leipzig’s star boy Xavi Simons to start after an impressive season, along with former Manchester United man Memphis Depay and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
The options to change things are aplenty with Wout Weghorst who’s late double nearly dumped Argentina out of the World Cup, along with former Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn and Bayer Leverkusen speedster Jeremie Frimpong.
Their group
The Dutch begin their campaign in group D on Sunday against Wales’ vanquishers Poland, before facing France on Friday and finishing with Austria on the 25th of June.
We are backing them to at least finish second in their group which would see them face second place in Group E which we think will be Ukraine behind Belgium.
Should they win that, they will likely come up against Portugal in the quarterfinals and then anything can happen!
In terms of odds, Dragon Bet have Netherlands at 16/1 to win the tournament whilst Memphis Depay is at a tasty 40/1 to win the EURO’s golden boot as top goalscorer.
Hup Holland Hup!
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Vokes: Page Should Stay On
Carwyn Harris
For the best part of a decade Wales’ mantra ‘Together Stronger’ has been an embodiment of the team itself.
The connection between the players was something other international sides could only envy whilst the red wall has supported its side across all corners of Europe.
From Chris Gunter telling fans to keep their chin up after the 2-1 loss to England at EURO 2016, or the spontaneous singing of the national anthem when Wales needed a goal against Austria, the symbiosis between players and fans has been one of unwavering support.
However, after Wales missed out on qualification for EURO 2024 and then drew 0-0 at Gibraltar before a 4-0 drubbing by Slovakia, fans displayed their anger at both the team and in particular manager Rob Page.
Ironic chants of “in transition” along with boos greeting Page when he tried to take the blame for Wales’ poor performance in Trnava, in the first open protest at Page’s reign as head coach.
There have been murmurings amongst fans for a while. Page took over as Wales’ head coach on an interim basis in November 2020 and led Wales to the last-16 of the European Championships before a 4-0 loss against Denmark where his tactics were criticised after the Danes switched things up in the first half.
Page led Wales to a first World Cup since 1958 in Qatar and was offered a new four-year contract, however, Wales crashed out in the group stages and despite a strong start to their subsequent EURO qualifying campaign, consecutive losses in the summer against Armenia and Turkey left them teetering on the edge of qualification failure.
Ultimately, they would fall at the final hurdle, drawing 0-0 in the play-off final against Poland before losing on penalties.
Speaking on this week’s Sportin Wales podcast talkSPORT journalist Laurence Mora feels Page has been consistently criticised for his failures whilst never praised for his successes.
“We shouldn’t expect to qualify for every single tournament, that’s an expectation that will never be fulfilled, however against Poland I felt we were so dominant and after 20 minutes it felt like that Polish team had nothing to offer,” said Mora.
“I felt we could have been a bit more positive from that position and maybe Rob Page is kicking himself a bit, as if we’d have been a bit more positive and gone after it then it would have been finished in normal time or maybe extra time.
“I can see what Rob’s trying to do and I think he deserves more credit than he deserves, people are a bit too down on him, he took charge in a really difficult time and the Ryan Giggs situation.
“He made life really easy for the FAW and smoothed things over for them, made it an easy transition and the players got behind him because he’s a great bloke and they played for him.”
Wales and Wycombe striker Sam Vokes was part of some of Wales’ most memorable nights, scoring the third goal in Wales’ 3-1 win against Belgium at EURO 2016 and says it was “tough” to hear fans booing their national team.
“Fans are entitled to their opinion, and they’re just as frustrated as the players and staff because it’s been a tough couple of months,” said Vokes.
“The group stages weren’t ideal from our point of view, the points we dropped were huge and that’s why we didn’t get there but I went to the play-off semi-final, and I thought that was as well as we’ve played for a long time.
“The Poland game was frustrating, and that group of lads will be hurting. The expectation is there from the fans and themselves, we’ve been to tournaments, got a feel for it and we want to get back there. But it’s not that easy there’re teams in the way.
“In the early years in the lead up to EURO 2016 there were some tough times, we experienced being out before the group stages even started in some instances and some bad losses away, the Serbia one, 6-1, sticks out massively for me.
“I hope this group will learn for this and that team against Gibraltar shows the transition we’re in as a group and a team as a minute and unfortunately sometimes you have to learn as a group.”
In ‘Transition’
That word “transition” has been at the heart of Wales fans’ frustrations. It has been at the heart of Page’s rhetoric in the post-Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Joe Allen era, however it perhaps hasn’t been accepted yet by the fans.
“The word transition is winding up Wales fans I speak to, about Rob Page using it,” said Mora.
“The reason a lot of Wales fans feel we’re not a team in transition is the nucleus of the team is the nucleus of the last two years just without Gareth Bale and Joe Allen, while Wayne Hennessey has moved on in terms of age and starting matches.
“Behind the starting team the squad players tend to be a bit older with the likes of Josh Sheehan etcetera, while Vokes and co were kids when the likes of John Toshack and Brian Flynn were pushing them through.”
For Vokes, the use of the word transition is representative of moving from “the greatest player for Wales ever” in Bale.
“Bale was the greatest, not just on the pitch but a leader off the pitch and it creates a whole different feeling when he was on the pitch in his flow state,” said Vokes.
“When Gareth was at his peak, we had a great team but sometimes we were just staying in games and he would find a way to win it for us, that Poland game would have been one where it’s 0-0 and he produces a bit of magic.
“It’s a huge transition, we’ve got some great players as a group, but I don’t think we’ve got that individual who can turn it for us in and win us the game. We do have that nucleus with the likes of Ethan Ampadu who has 50 caps which is amazing at such a young age, but we still have a lot to learn away from Bale and Allen.
“I think it’s affected us more than we thought when Bale retired, Allen and Gareth weren’t the most vocal, but they’d lead by example in training every day, some of the greatest players I’ve seen.”
Bale, Vokes, Allen and Aaron Ramsey were amongst a large group of youngsters given their debuts by Toshack, “thrown in at the deep end” according to Vokes before going on to achieve great things with the national side.
Mora feels perhaps a similar approach is needed under Page with the likes of Lewis Koumas, Ethan Biancheri, Charlie Crew and Fin Stevens waiting in the wings, ready to come through.
“I think some players in that game against Gibraltar played themselves out of international football rather than into it,” said Mora.
“It just showed there’s a gap between the first team squad and the talented youngsters coming through.
“Rob Page now has a choice to either take stick with these players on the periphery who don’t look ready for international football or to bring in these 18, 19-year-olds with Crew and Koumas and work with them.
“Not to single out Josh Sheehan but, at 29, is he going to offer Wales a decade of performances? No probably not, so do we go with those sorts of players or go with the youngsters coming through.
“I think the latter is what Rob Page’s got to do and that’s when it would feel like a proper transition for Wales fans, because the side against Gibraltar wasn’t a youth side, it had a lack of caps but it wasn’t that young.”
Koumas ‘Potential’ Shines Through
Koumas was one who was given his debut in the friendly against Gibraltar and as the son of former Wales midfield maestro Jason, he comes from “good stock” in the eyes of Vokes.
“I played alongside his dad years ago when I was coming through and some of the things he did in training, he was so talented,” said Vokes.
“With Lewis you could see against Gibraltar, even just that snapshot, he’s so sharp around the box.
“All you need is for a little bit of luck and for that to go the other side of the post and that’s your first goal and you’re up and running.
“He looks like he’s got a lot of potential, it’s great to see him being in and around the squad and hopefully he can get more caps in the Nations League coming up.”
Should Page Stay Or Go?
So, should Page stay or should he go? For Mora, it would perhaps be premature to assess Wales’ head coach on this summer.
“I think if you back him after the Poland game and say he’s going to be the man for the Nation’s League then on the back of a couple of friendlies it feels a bit unfair to sack Rob Page,” said Mora.
“EURO 2016 apart, we’re never really any good in the summer and we’re a different side in the Autumn and whether Page is in charge or not I can see us challenging Iceland, Turkey and Montenegro and potentially winning that Nation’s League group.
“I think Page has a hard job on his hands convincing the fans he’s the man to take them forward which is maybe a bit unfair considering what he’s done and the success he’s had with Wales and the joy he’s brought with the World Cup qualification.
“It’s a tricky situation at the moment but we’ll see what the FAW does because as every footballer knows that if the chairman or CEO is coming under pressure, then there’s normally only one winner and it’s not the manager.”
Vokes believes Page is still the right man for the job.
“It’s been a bad week for Wales, but I don’t think you can judge Page on this last week,” said Vokes.
“I personally think he’s still the right man, he’s had a lot to deal with over the last year or so and I think the transition has been a huge thing.
“Also, you can see there’s that unity between the staff and the manager as well.”
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Woodman Returns To Lead Wales To Championships
Carwyn Harris
Wales have named their squad for the upcoming U20 World Championships in South Africa and will be buoyed by the return of Dragons player Ryan Woodman.
The 20-year-old, capable of playing in the second row or back row, broke his thumb in January and missed the U20 Six Nations before returning at the end of the season.
He will captain Wales in their campaign, which begins on the 29th of June as they take on New Zealand.
Wales finished sixth last year but face a tough test in this year’s pool stages as they are drawn alongside six-time winners Baby Blacks as well as reigning champions France.
The final team in the group are Spain who are making their debut in the tournament.
Wales have also called up new Cardiff signing Steffan Emanuel and his brother Ioan who could make their debuts in the tournament, whilst hooker Isaac Young returns after missing the Six Nations with injury.
With the return of Woodman, Wales’ head coach Richard Whiffin faces a selection headache in the backrow.
As captain, Woodman will be expected to slot into his preferred birth at six ahead of one of the triumvirate who played so well in Wales’ win over Italy in the forms of Lucas de la Rua, Harry Beddall and Morgan Morse.
Whiffin will also be hoping Bath scrum-half Ieuan Davies can continue his good form from the Six Nations.
Fly-half Harri Ford and back rower Owen Conquer are included in the squad fresh on the back of the news that they have signed senior academy contracts with the Dragons alongside Woodman’s younger brother Oli, and prop Owain James.
“Yesterday was a tough day, telling players who have worked incredibly hard that they haven’t made the plane,” said Whiffin.
“There were obviously some tough conversations but to be fair they’ve reacted well and the group have got tight around them and picked them up. But that is the nature of the job.
“Hopefully we have a team who can be competitive in what is an extremely competitive pool.”
On the return of Woodman, Whiffin said:
“He has had a massive impact in the two weeks he has been in with us,” said Whiffin.
“He has come back in, in very good nick after his injury-forced absence. His physicality now will be a key addition to the squad but not only that, his calmness around the group is also a positive effect. He is a natural leader and the players look up to him.”
Wales U20 Championship squad:
Forwards
Jordan Morris (Dragons), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby), Harry Thomas, Isaac Young (both Scarlets), Will Austin (Sale Sharks), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Sam Scott (Bristol), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC – Capt), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Owen Conquer (Dragons RFC).
Backs
Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Lewis (Opsreys), Lucca Setaro (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Ford (Dragons RFC), Macs Page (Scarlets), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Rugby), Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC), Kodie Stone (Cardiff RFC), Huw Anderson (Dragons RFC), Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby).
Wales U20 pool fixtures:
Saturday 29 June, Wales v New Zealand, Athlone Sports Stadium, 6pm
Thursday 4 July, Wales v Spain, Athlone Sports Stadium, 1pm
Tuesday 9 July, Wales v France, Athlone Sports Stadium, 3.30pm
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Swansea PDC Out To Make Welsh Girls’ Wales ‘Dreams’ Come True
Carwyn Harris
Cast your mind back to November 2021. Wales women have finished bottom of a shortened Six Nations and are set to go into Autumn internationals against Japan, South Africa and Canada having only won once in their previous nine games, including a 29-5 defeat to Spain.
However, in that same November, the WRU announced they would introduce professional contracts, which came into place in January the following year.
What followed was a noticeable upturn in form as players benefitted from their rise in professionalism, finishing third in the next two Six Nations.
After two years of progression, last autumn’s WXV1 tournament and the 2024 Six Nations have seen a period of stagnation for the senior national team, resulting in one win in their last eight games.
So how can Wales continue to develop and improve to become one of the best development programmes in the world?
Well one of their hopes is in their player development centres (PDC’s) put in place in West Wales – Swansea University, East Wales – Cardiff Metropolitan University, and North Wales – Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) at Parc Eirias.
The three centres were announced in May last year aiming to develop between 25 and 35 players each year to improve the depth of talent within the women’s game.
The leaders of these programmes are former Wales international Elinor Snowsill at Cardiff, Lucy Brown at RGC and former Ospreys and Wales sevens player Lloyd Evans at Swansea.
Evans began playing rugby at Bridgend Athletic, before joining Bridgend Ravens and was then offered a contract with the Ospreys as a flanker.
“During that time, I was con-currently studying at Cardiff Met and I think it was my third year when I joined Ospreys,” said Evans.
“After two or three years I signed full-time with Wales sevens playing on the HSBC world series for six years playing 100-odd games, then I finished, went back to Cardiff Met at 30 to do a PGCE and then I became a teacher.
“I was at Cwmtawe and then this job came up with Swansea University and the WRU, rugby is what I’m passionate about, so I moved from teaching to this current role and I’m also playing for Swansea Whites as well.”
The opportunity to help develop the next crop of Welsh talent was too good to refuse and Evans is enjoying working with a programme which is “the first of its kind”.
“The player development centres are to support the development of high-potential women and girls across Wales, for me that is to help them achieve their ambitions and become elite rugby players and their dreams of playing for Wales,” Evans added.
“The PDC is a key stepping stone for women and girls who when they finish their international pathway blocks, they can step back to the PDC, and we offer that 360o approach to develop their skills and offer that analysis.”
“The work that Lloyd Ashley and Verity Cook do as Swansea University athlete support offers is second to none. We strive to cater for the whole athlete and look to support them in other ways within their career/education settings.
“We offer wellbeing workshops and support showing that our program isn’t just about what we can create on field but the support and guidance we provide off it.
“Our aim is to become sector leading and we hope to achieve that with the support of the WRU, Swansea University and our stakeholders to drive the performance of women’s and girls’ rugby within Wales.”
The programme is designed to help 16–23-year-olds however Evans has plans on expanding the programme to develop younger players as well.
“Because it’s in its infancy, and I came in in November we haven’t been looking at the depth chart of players as much as we’d like to because we’d like to look at U16s and U17s within the pathway,” said Evans.
“We’re just scratching the surface, highlighting the Welsh pathway and University girls. That’s why I was given the opportunity run the u17s pilot scheme, lowering the age and watching the regional age grade block, highlighting players who I don’t expect to be the finished article but can jump into the environment and quickly progress
“Being part of the development programme, where we can offer them strength and conditioning training and guidance, nutrition, one-to-one technical and tactical support.
“We’re looking to bridge the gap, so everything is aligned and the PDC underpins their transition between pathway, University and Celtic Challenge and I think it’s important to keep refining those small skills along with the rugby basics of catch, pass and kick.
“It’s important when they make the step up, they are at a level where they can develop in those environments, it’s exciting to be part of this programme and I’m thankful to be part of it because this could be so special in terms of rugby in Wales.”
“The WRU have had some negative press but the things they’re putting in place are really accelerating the women’s game and we’re seeing more female athletes transitioning from other sports earlier and earlier,” Evans added.
“At the moment, rugby is so special in Wales because you could pick up a rugby ball and within two years you could be playing in a World Cup or Six Nations.”
Evans is keen to utilise the skills he learnt during his playing career particularly with sevens to aid the players in their development.
So, who are the stars withing the first crop of youngsters to look out for coming from Swansea’s PDC?
“Some of the girls like Meg Fisher, captain of Swansea Uni for two years, she joined the PDC and has excelled, played for Wales U20’s and is looking to continue her studies up north and link up with Sale and PDC North,” said Evans.
“Someone like Anna Stowell, who thrived in the Varsity scoring a forty metre try and I think that’s down to the work and how she’s conducted herself in the PDC.
“Then there’s Finley Jones, again in the PDC, probably wasn’t even meant to be in the Celtic challenge but has worked hard on and off the field, starting alongside Alex Callender and Sioned Harries in the back row for Brython Thunder.
“Also, Hannah Marshall up in Hartpury. A lot of her stuff is remote but because she’s still engaged in the programmes, she’s still reaping the rewards, it doesn’t have to always be in person, but she’ll be one in the Wales set up sooner rather than later.
“This is going to be accelerated at a rate of knots, what I’d love is to see someone come in at 16 and then us as a coaching team to go out and watch her win her first cap on the national stage.
“That’s something we’ve talked about as coaches and that would be an amazing feeling for us.”
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Ospreys Make The Improbable Possible With Play-Off Success
Carwyn Harris
When Ospreys stepped out on the pitch at Cardiff City Stadium, all the mental arithmetic had been completed, the job was clear.
Win, with four tries or more, and they would continue their season into the play-offs.
Ospreys’ chances of finishing in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship had been calculated as low as 2% before this weekend but that would soon change.
Connacht fell on Friday night to Leinster, whilst Benetton secured their place by thrashing Edinburgh 31-6 ensuring the Scottish side left Italy without a losing bonus-point.
At the same time, Lions fell to a 29-24 defeat at 14-man Stormers meaning they were in eighth before a ball was kicked between Cardiff and Ospreys.
Ospreys were in 11th but trailed Lions by five points, meaning they needed a bonus point win against Cardiff, their 10th of the season, crucially one more than the number managed by Lions which would put them ahead of the South Africans in eighth.
All caught up? Right, onto the game itself.
Any suggestion Ospreys would focus solely on winning the game and not the bonus point seemed to be dispelled early on. Ospreys captain Justin Tipuric asking his fly-half to kick to touch early doors rather than go for posts.
The decision was justified however, after Keiran Williams went close, Nicky Smith, on what might have been his final appearance for Ospreys, bundled his way over inside seven minutes.
Cardiff, however, were intent on ensuring this wouldn’t be a procession for Ospreys and responded immediately.
Tinus de Beer wrapped around Ben Thomas before feeding Wales hopeful Theo Cabango, who showed good gas to beat wing rival Keelan Giles on the outside and reach out to score.
Sadly, Cabango was forced off barely two minutes later, slipping on the Cardiff City Stadium turf as he attempted to chase his own kick and appearing to pull his hamstring.
Both sides struggled to gain control for the next 15 minutes but then came one of Welsh regions’ tries of the season.
After Huw Sutton’s knock-on inside Cardiff’s 22, the home side looked to counter but Mason Grady’s clearing kick was gathered by Max Nagy and Ospreys’ response was devastating.
The fullback broke through initially and on the next phase, Jac Morgan went through a hole in midfield.
The ball was then spread wide to the left and little looked on when Giles received the ball but he made a half break before offloading speculatively to Dan Edwards who showcased good hands to gather before throwing a back door pass out to his captain Justin Tipuric who scored in the corner.
Cardiff’s Mason Grady came incredibly close to a response before half time, a victim of Cardiff City Stadium’s short in-goal area, he was unable to prevent Cameron Winnett’s grubber kick going dead in goal.
Not to be denied however and with seconds remaining in the half, Grady would get his score.
Evan Lloyd was found on the outside from a brilliant ball from Winnett, with the hooker showcasing good speed to burst down the touchline before feeding captain Thomas who was hauled down inches from the line by Owen Watkin.
Thomas offloaded off the floor and Grady fell over the line when he might have considered taking the ball closer to the posts to make the conversion an easier one for de Beer who ultimately missed the kick leaving the scores level at half time.
Ospreys began the second half the stronger, a brilliant James Botham turnover halting one attack but minutes later they would have their third.
After Dewi Lake went close from a driving maul Ospreys went over through Smith again from short range. Additionally, Ben Donnell saw yellow for a transgression in the maul leaving Cardiff down to 14.
Once again, Cardiff responded well. Good hands from Ben Thomas and Cameron Winnett put Lloyd through a hole but, with Shane Lewis-Hughes on his outside, he showed a dummy and was dragged down by Max Nagy who was perhaps fortunate to avoid a yellow card after cynically stopping the ball coming back.
Thomas kicked the resulting penalty having taken over kicking duties after de Beer had been forced off with injury and Cardiff managed their period down a man well, despite Thomas missing another penalty soon after.
Crucially Ospreys would get their fourth however. From a high kick, Edwards did brilliantly to avoid the clutches of Grady before kicking ahead and when Thomas fumbled the ball in-goal, Ospreys were presented with a scrum five metres out.
After their first effort on penalty advantage was repelled, Ospreys opted for the scrum again and this time they were successful as Edwards’ cut-out pass found Luke Morgan who had a walk-in for Ospreys’ crucial fourth try.
Bonus point secure, now time to secure the game from an Ospreys perspective.
That task looked as though it was about to become immediately more difficult when Gabriel Hamer-Webb kicked on and chased his own kick only to knock the ball on with the try-line at his mercy.
Ospreys fans might have been forgiven for thinking luck was on their side but Cardiff weren’t finished and came again with Thomas the creator, stepping inside and outside both Nagy and Giles before offloading to Hamer-Webb to score.
Thomas converted the kick to leave just four points in it going into the final 10 minutes.
With minutes remaining Cardiff appeared to have momentum only for substitute Seb Davies see red for a high shot on Ospreys centre Watkin.
Ospreys kicked to the corner and secured the result with their fifth try. Their driving maul looked destined for the try line only for Rory Thornton to drag the maul down and referee Adam Jones showed no hesitancy in running under the sticks for a penalty try.
As they had throughout the game, Cardiff fought back immediately and when Rey Lee-Lo was stopped short, substitute Luke Davies became the fourth player to receive a card for cynically stopping the ball from coming out of the ruck.
With the clock in the red, Thomas’ brilliant pass found Grady out wide who powered over for his second try of the game and yet another losing bonus point for the capital region but it was the Ospreys who’d celebrate an improbable top eight finish.
Cardiff: (12) Tries: Cabango, Grady x2, Hamer-Webb, Con: de Beer, Thomas x2, Pen: Thomas.
Ospreys: (12) Tries: Smith x2, Tipuric, L. Morgan, Penalty, Con: Edwards x3.
Cardiff: Winnett (Beatham 65mins); Cabango (Hamer-Webb 14mins), Lee-Lo, Thomas, Grady; de Beer (Halaholo 45mins), Bevan; Carré (Domachowski 48mins), Lloyd (Daniel 65mins), Assiratti (Litterick 48mins), Lewis-Hughes (S. Davies 65mins), Thornton, Donnell, Botham, Lawrence (Timani 59mins).
Ospreys: Nagy; L. Morgan, Watkin, K. Williams, Giles (Houston 72mins); Edwards (O. Williams 75mins), Morgan-Williams; Smith (Thomas 54mins), Lake (Parry 61mins), Botha (Henry 54mins), Ratti, Sutton, J. Morgan, Tipuric, Morris (Deaves 72mins).
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Wales Rugby: Hopefuls For South Africa & Australia Challenge
Carwyn Harris
Three of Wales’ four regions know that Judgement Day will mark the final game of a long season but for some there’s the opportunity of international honours this summer against Australia.
With Scarlets, Cardiff Rugby and Dragons unable to reach the postseason playoffs you would be forgiven for thinking nothing was on the line.
However, with Warren Gatland set to name his squad for the summer tests against South Africa and Australia there are still plenty of places up for grabs at Twickenham and on the plane to Sydney and Melbourne.
So who is sure of their place, who is nearly there and who could yet make a late push for Warren Gatland’s squad?
The Certainties
On the back of performances during Wales’ Six Nations and domestic form, some players are certain on their place this summer.
Starting with the backs and Cardiff Rugby’s Cam Winnett who has been one of the most consistent performers for club and country this season, he will certainly be on the plane and will likely be joined by clubmate Josh Adams.
By his own admission, Adams didn’t have his most successful of seasons, however, the British and Irish Lion offers much needed experience to what is likely to be a young backline including the likes of Dragons’ Rio Dyer who is almost guaranteed to start.
Centres is where there is the most uncertainty, with George North’s international resignation and Joe Roberts out with injury there are few out and out 13s aside from Mason Grady who also offers an option on the wing to cover for Dyer and Adams.
At fly-half, Gatland has strongly backed Sam Costelow to be the future for Wales and despite a season blighted by injury along and disappointing results he will surely be on the plane, whilst Tomos Williams will be there if he recovers from ruptured ankle ligaments.
In the forwards Dragons eight Aaron Wainwright will be hoping to continue after a successful Six Nations and Leicester’s Tommy ‘Turnover’ Reffell will surely join him, despite being unavailable for Wales’ game against South Africa as it falls outside the international window.
Two others who may miss the game against the ‘Boks are Six Nations captain Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands as they are based at Exeter and at Racing 92 respectively but both will surely be on their way to Australia in the second row.
Front row will see Ospreys’ Gareth Thomas and Cardiff’s Corey Domachowski head as looseheads whilst the hooker position will see Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee on the plane alongside tighthead Keiron Assiratti.
The Probables
World Cup co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake are almost certainties having returned from injury in recent weeks for Ospreys. Exeter’s Christ Tshiunza was another who missed the Six Nations, but with Teddy Williams and Adam Beard out he offers cover at either six or in the locks.
Taine Plumtree could join him after a lengthy spell out with injury, but should he and Tshiunza go to Australia, it would limit opportunities for Cardiff Rugby’s Alex Mann, who performed well during his debut Six Nations.
Ioan Lloyd looks almost certain of a seat on the plane, with Callum Sheedy injured and both Jarrod Evans and Rhys Patchell unavailable to face South Africa at least. Owen Watkin has been consistent this season and is able to play in either position in the centres.
Scarlets’ Gareth Davies and Kieran Hardy, who will be at Ospreys next season, could be the scrum-halves alongside Tomos Williams, however, they may be under pressure from Reuben Morgan-Williams after a good season for the former Ystalyfera pupil.
The Possibles
One who perhaps deserves a chance again on the international stage is Cardiff’s Ben Thomas, who hasn’t appeared for Wales since the autumn of 2021. Thomas has played predominantly at 12 this season, although he impressed against Sharks at 10 recently and Gatland has previously said he’d like to see the 25-year-old at outside-half.
At eight, Mackenzie Martin was given an opportunity in the Six Nations and looks like a hot prospect but many, particularly at the Swansea.com Stadium, will hope Ospreys’ Morgan Morris gets rewards for his brilliant form, having won three player of the match awards in Ospreys’ last four wins.
Nick Tompkins has been a mainstay of recent Welsh squads in the centres but will miss the game against South Africa as will Gloucester’s Max Llewellyn. Ospreys’ Kieran Williams and Scarlets’ Johnny Williams are other possible options who were in Wales’ World Cup training squad.
On the wing, Keelan Giles and Theo Cabango could be in line for first caps along with Scarlets’ Tomi Lewis, whilst Tom Rogers offers the capability of playing at full back.
Nicky Smith could well be playing his last game in an Ospreys shirt on Saturday before joining Leicester Tigers and has arguably been the best scrummaging loosehead in Wales this season. However, he has been overlooked by both Gatland and Wayne Pivac in the past and may well miss out in favour of Scarlets’ Kemsley Matthias.
On the Sportin Wales podcast this week, former Wales prop and Wales U20s coach Chris Horsman suggested he’d like to see Bath prop Archie Griffin get an opportunity this summer after his debut against England.
Other tight-head props who may be available include: Dragons’ Leon Brown; Scarlets’ Harri O’Connor; Rhys Henry and Tom Botha from Ospreys; while Will Davies-King could be in with a shout from Cardiff along with Dillon Lewis at Harlequins.
Of those above Brown, O’Connor, Griffin and Lewis all played a part in the Six Nations along with Assiratti, but it is hard to argue against the scrummaging form of Botha and Henry at Ospreys.
Rob Sidoli said he’d like to see Dragons lock Ben Carter get an opportunity along with 10 Will Reed, who could replace his Rodney Parade teammate Cai Evans in the squad.
Carter could fit in at second row as could Ospreys’ James Ratti who has shown good form this year, although both could miss out in favour of Ratti’s teammate James Fender who went from a relative unknown to one of the form players in Wales at the beginning of the URC season before suffering a shoulder injury in January.
This summer may come too soon for Fender in which case Seb Davies could receive make a first appearance in two years for his country.
The Wildcards
There are quite a few possible wildcards this summer.
Murmurings continue that Gatland might call up Liam Williams and Cory Hill from Japan and Tomas Francis, based in France, whilst any Welsh supporter who has seen Cameron Hanekom play for Bulls this season will hope he turns down double World Cup winners South Africa for Wales.
Both Dragons youngsters Joe Westwood and Ryan Woodman could make an appearance this summer, however Woodman may well go to the U20s World Cup as captain and Westwood might be too inexperienced at this stage.
Harri Deaves has had a brilliant season for Ospreys this season, however faces an uphill task to get in at seven ahead of Morgan and Reffell and may miss out to the versatility of James Botham or Taine Basham.
Dan Edwards could be one to sneak on the plane to gain experience at fly-half, with the 21-year-old looking like a good prospect for the future or perhaps even the present although this may come too soon in his development.
Gloucester’s Josh Hathaway has played for Wales and England U20s and may well be offered an opportunity to gain an international cap.
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‘Now Is The Time For Rugby League’ – Hibbard
Carwyn Harris
Recently appointed CEO of Welsh Rugby League Richard Hibbard believes now is the time for rugby league to take hold in Wales.
He said this at the launch of the Welsh Rugby League Conference, a league which has a fresh new feel about it.
The league is now sponsored by JES Group, a company which offers pipeline installations along with structural steelwork design from their base of Port Talbot, and the league has a new trophy dedicated to the steel background.
The new format will see eight teams go head-to-head throughout the season with each team playing each other once, with one randomly drawn looped fixture.
Then the top four teams will go into the playoffs before a Grand Final at Neath’s The Gnoll ground on August 18th.
The games begin this weekend as reigning champions South Wales Jets face Bridgend Blue Bulls on Saturday.
The other teams include Hibbard’s former club Aberavon Fighting Irish, Cynon Valley Cavaliers, Rhondda Outlaws, South Wales Saints, Swansea Rams and Torfaen Tigers.
Additionally, the league will be underpinned by youth competitions for U13s, U14s and U16s.
For Hibbard, it’s crucial league takes the learnings from Crusaders Rugby League who played in the Super League in 2009 and spent three seasons in the league before disbanding in 2011.
“For us it’s getting it right from the start,” said Hibbard.
“We’ve tried it before when we went too high club-wise with Crusaders which was a great and I loved it at the time but there was nothing coming through underneath it and without the development aspect it would always be difficult.
“We need to be financially stable make sure the bottom of the pyramid is really strong rather than have nothing to rest the top on and not blow our money on black and hope for the best.
“I know we produce quality rugby league players and I reckon we can unearth a couple of sleeping giants.
“It’s about introducing everybody to the brand and we want to expose everyone to rugby league.”
This new emphasis on league comes at an interesting time in the wider landscape of Welsh rugby.
Wales’ wheelchair side have secured their place at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, whilst Wales women are one game away as they prepare to face Netherlands in June.
The men’s side could also qualify but have spent a long period without a game, having not played at home in three years.
Additionally, whilst the traditional rivalry between union and league appears to be dissipating, league could take advantage of a period where the XV code is struggling.
“I think this is a huge time for rugby league,” said Hibbard.
“In a time of doom and gloom, rugby league is an entertaining, gladiatorial spectacle and what makes it better it’s a summer sport and it’s a prime opportunity for rugby clubs and players to go out and enjoy the sun.
“It’s fantastic to watch and even better to play. I hope this will catch the eye of people who’ve fallen out of love with rugby union and are looking for something to play.”
For Justin Johnson, Director at JES, sponsoring the league was a no-brainer.
“The discussion came about 10 days ago, I met with Richard [Hibbard] and the day after I said yes we want to sponsor the league,” said Johnson.
“Richard’s passion was contagious and I said yes as I want to be involved.
“Rugby is close to my heart and I’m from this town. My father played in the late 80s and it instilled me with a passion for it, I started playing at 17 and was lucky enough to play for Wales students at a World Cup in Sheffield.
“The way rugby union is going it’s pretty dire at the moment and this is a refreshing change in the summer without games being called off, it’s a fresh start.”
The trophy they will all be fighting for is inspired by the steelworks, which provided a key component to the league press day, held at Aberavon Green Kings RFC with Port Talbot steelworks in the background.
For Brandon Shaw, who is a coach at Cynon Valley Cavaliers, the league and development system is crucial for the South Wales Valleys.
“It’s the second year of us having a senior team and, having just missed out on the playoffs last year, we’ve got a good core of under 16s coming through and we’re in a stronger position and it’s exciting,” said Shaw.
“We’re based up in Hirwaun and they haven’t had mini and juniors teams up there, even in the union in I think in 10 years, so it’s good we’ve got every age group competing in the leagues, even the seniors so it’s nice to see rugby back up there and thriving.
“I’m a Hirwaun boy and used to play for the mini and juniors and the last few years have been hard to see, but it’s good to see people from all up the Cynon Valley coming to play.
“We have to be a bit more patient than other clubs, waiting for union to finish before we start with league training. We aim for middle of April for training but most of the boys didn’t finish union until the 18th of May but as soon as the season kicks off everyone’s buzzing for it!”
For 21-year-old Alex Hounsell, who plays at Hibbard’s former club Aberavon Fighting Irish, the league is a fantastic opportunity for dual code players to play in.
“We’ve been deprived of rugby league in South Wales in my opinion and now that Richard has come in, it’s developing and we’re going places,” said Hounsell.
“There’s a history of rivalry between union and league but something’s changed and now we’ve got a lot of dual coders like myself and the sport is growing.”
With so many games getting called off in union due to incremental weather there has been a lot of talk about moving union to a summer calendar, something which is already in place in league.
South Wales Saints’ Max Hendy is another who is loving the opportunity league offers, particularly the brighter weather.
“Last year was the first season so it was a bit of a tough old season,” said Hendy.
“But we had a friendly last week and it’s already 10 times better and we’re gelling as a rugby league side.
“I’m really excited especially with the league expanding. I’ve been playing for about six years since the league was set up originally and it’s nice to see it expanding with a lot more competition.
“It’s good for fitness but the main thing if I’m honest is the weather. Playing December rugby union in Pen-y-Graig is not brilliant so it’s nice to have summer rugby!”
Saturday’s fixtures are South Wales Jets v Bridgend Blue Bulls, Swansea Rams v Cynon Valley Cavaliers and South Wales Saints v Rhondda Outlaws.