Wales Boss Gemma Grainger Believes USA Trip Proves Her Team Are Ready For Euros Campaign
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
It may only have been for one match, but Wales manager Gemma Grainger is convinced her team have shown they are more than capable of competing at the finals of a major tournament.
The USA are off to the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in a fortnight, where they will defend their trophy as champions and tournament favourites.
It’s in that context that Grainger felt satisfied with Wales’ 2-0 defeat to the Americans in a friendly in San Jose on Sunday night.
They held out the Americans until late on, when rising star Trinity Rodman – the 21-year-old daughter of former NBA basketball legend Dennis Rodman – scored twice.
But as preparation for next season’s Euro 2025 qualification campaign, Grainger felt the trip to California was a success.
“For us as a team, this couldn’t have been a better game for us,” she said.
“The depth is something we’ve been striving for. We’re focused on qualifying for a major tournament and this felt like playing at a major tournament.”
Trinity Rodman scored in the 76th minute and again in the 88th, as the Americans finally capitalised on their many offensive chances in their final friendly warm-up for the Women’s World Cup.
It was a gritty display from Wales in San Jose, who looked defensively sound for most of the contest, although they created little to trouble the world champions.
Rodman broke the deadlock when she one-touched a pass from Sophia Smith, then later emphatically delivered again to provide a glimpse of Americans’ youth movement headed Down Under this month.
But Grainger – who will lead Wales into their first Nations League campaign in the autumn – said: “I think for us as a team, particularly with different factors, the different players we had on the pitch today, the time of the season that it is for us, these players are in the off-season, so to be able to raise their game to that level and do it over the game is a real positive.
“We’ve got so much to take forward and that was the most important thing about this fixture.
“A lot of positives, but I’m disappointed also with the defeat. In terms of our mindset and mentality, the preparation we put into the game, we wanted this game to go in a certain way for us and to help us progress in the Nations League and ‘m pleased with that.”
Without captain Sophie Ingle and the inspirational Jess Fishlock, Wales looked comfortable until their final 15 minutes when fatigue started to set in.
They were made to pay for two lapses as Rodman showed her prowess.
Back in Wales, Swansea City began their pre-season schedule with a behind-closed-doors 2-0 victory at home to Haverfordwest County.
The JD Cymru Premier League visitors provided stubborn resistance to the Swans, but the victory was duly achieved with goals from last season’s leading scorer, Joel Piroe, and Josh Thomas.
Cardiff City also played over the weekend – another game with no fans – as they drew 1-1 on Friday at home to Cambridge United.
Callum Robinson put the hosts in front in the second half, only for Cambridge to equalise in stoppage time through Gassan Ahadme.
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Wales Youngsters Face Big Test Against Georgia As Warm-Up Clash For Seniors At World Cup
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Wales will bid to earn a shot at fifth place at the World Rugby U20 Championships on Sunday, when they face Georgia in Paarl, South Africa.
Having lost to New Zealand, beaten Japan, and then lost to France, the best Mark Jones’ team can hope for at the tournament is fifth place.
But first they must beat Georgia in their semi-final, with the winners of that game facing either New Zealand or Australia in the 5th place final.
“We’ve shown that we are a very capable team when we get things right, but we need to be more consistent around our set-piece and our skill set,” said head coach Jones.
The game will be a fascinating pre-cursor to the battle between the respective senior sides of the two countries at the World Cup in France later this summer, when Warren Gatland’s team will be seeking revenge for defeat at the Principality Stadium last year.
Wales beat Georgia 30-24 in the 2022 Six Nations U20 Summer Series in Italy last year in a game in which the lead changed hands four times and both sides scored three tries.
They also beat them 10-9 at the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championships.
The Georgians won two of their U20 pool matches this year, beating Argentina 20-0 and Italy 30-17, and only went down to host nation South Africa 33-23.
As the Wales senior squad continue their own World Cup preparations in Switzerland, one Welsh Premiership player is off on tour with Canada.
The Canadians failed to make the World Cup this year, but are proving useful warm-up opposition for a number of nations who will be in France this September.
In the Canucks’ squad will be Pontypridd openside flanker Sion Parry, who qualifies via his Ontario-born mother.
The Ponty player enjoyed a stellar season in the Indigo Premiership at Sardis Road last winter and his reward has been a surprise offer from Canadian head coach Kingsley Jones to join the two Test tour to Tonga.
He is one of five uncapped players drafted into the 32-strong tour party that will meet the World Cup bound Tongans at Teufaiva Stadium in Nukuʻalofa on 10 and 15 August.
“The club are over the moon for Sion. It’s a fantastic achievement to be called up to any national squad,” said Pontypridd team manager, Dan Godfrey.
“His strong performances have stood out in the Premiership and the two Welsh Canadian coaches Kingsley Jones and Rob Howley have recognised this.”
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Glamorgan To Start Long Farewell To Skipper David Lloyd
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Glamorgan will return to County Championship action on Monday when they host Leicestershire at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
It will be the start of a long goodbye for club captain David Lloyd, who has confirmed he is to leave the Welsh county at the end of the season.
All-rounder Lloyd – who has played over 200 games for the club across all three formats – is set to join Derbyshire next season.
It means a 15-year association with Glamorgan for the 31-year-old will come to an end.
Lloyd scored a triple-century at Sophia Gardens last year against Derbyshire, striking the highest score by a Glamorgan captain, and Welshman, in the process.
Lloyd said: “Glamorgan has been my life for so long and I’ve made friendships that will last forever.
“It has been a difficult decision to decide to leave but the opportunity to relocate and play closer to home in North Wales is what’s best for my young family moving forward.
“I’m very grateful to have represented Glamorgan and honoured to have captained this group. I owe a lot to Matthew Maynard, who’s been a great leader and friend to me, and to so many others who’ve helped me during my time at the club.
“I would also like to thank Mark Wallace and the rest of the Glamorgan staff, players, and supporters for all their support over the years.
“I look forward to finishing the season on a high and striving for promotion into the first division.”
The news is a boost for Derbyshire, who have had a disappointing first half of the summer. They missed out on the quarter-finals of the Blast with six wins and seven defeats, and are bottom of the second division of the County Championship after a winless start to the season.
Mickey Arthur, their head of cricket, said: “David is an experienced county cricketer and one who will bring a great level of leadership and ability into our squad. He has scored runs consistently throughout his career and gives us a different dimension at the top of the order.
“David’s recruitment was key to our long-term plans and by getting the contract signed early, we’ve got time to continue shaping our squad ahead of next summer.”
Mark Wallace, Glamorgan’s director of cricket, said: “We will miss having David at the club both on and off the field but we fully respect and understand his decision to move closer to home for the benefit of his family.”
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Welsh Coach Hannah Dingley Prepares For Next Game After Making History In Her First
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Hannah Dingley is preparing her Forest Green Rovers team to face Coventry City on July 18 in what is likely to be more low key fixture than her first in charge.
The Welsh coach – who grew up in Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire – had to deal with massive media attention midweek when she made history at tiny Melksham United.
Rovers, from League Two, chose the pre-season friendly in Wiltshire to unveil Dingley as their new caretaker manager – the first women ever to take charge of a Football League club.
The story went around the world, but for now it’s homegrown girls and women throughout Wales and England who Dingle is hoping to inspire.
Having stepped up from running the Forest Green academy, she says: “The important thing is role-modelling for other female coaches and young girls and growing up knowing that anything is possible if you work hard enough.
“It’s been a whirlwind and I haven’t taken a training session with the players yet. The players need to be the focus so we can make a positive start to the new League Two campaign.”
Confessing that her appointment on Tuesday had been a “stressful day”, Dingley said: “It’s a bit embarrassing as I was sleeping, and my phone started pinging. I was thinking: ‘What’s going on here?’
“But I’m grateful for all the messages of support. (Luton manager) Rob Edwards who has been at the club was among those who reached out.
“I had no hesitation (stepping up) and I felt it was an opportunity I was ready to take. I haven’t just rocked up today and chose to coach a men’s team. I’ve coached men’s non-league football and in the academy.
“I’ve coached men for 20-odd years. This isn’t different to me, and I’ve never had a problem with players. They just want good coaching and a good programme.
“This is going to sound a bit mean, but the players don’t have a choice. They are professional footballers at a professional club, and in a month’s time they are starting the League Two season. Their responsibility is to prepare properly for that.”
Dingley has yet to confirm whether or not she would apply for the job on a full-time basis.
Cardiff City continue their pre-season campaign on Friday afternoon with a friendly behind closed doors against Cambridge United at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The Bluebirds were 2-1 victors over The New Saints in midweek.
New manager Erol Bulut has completed the signings of striker Ike Ugbo, on loan from French club Troyes, as well as Greece international defender Dimitrios Goutas.
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The Best Seats In The House At The Cricket!
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Sophia Gardens will once again play host to Welsh Fire in the 2023 edition of The Hundred; an action-packed, fast-paced, unmissable, 100-ball cricket competition that will put you on the edge of your seat. Cardiff will welcome some of the best men’s and women’s players in the world, with Glamorgan’s own Dan Douthwaite returning to Wales with Welsh Fire.
Cricket legend Mike Hussey takes the reigns as head coach of the men’s side, with new skipper Tom Abell backed up with the international quality of Pakistani superstar Shaheen Shah Afridi and his countryman Haris Rauf. Head down to Sophia Gardens on Wednesday 2nd August for the first of four double-header Welsh Fire fixtures that month, where both men’s and women’s teams will take to the pitch in their opening fixtures against Manchester Originals.
Hospitality packages for The Hundred are on sale now and start from £95 per person with options for everyone starting with the Premium Ticket package on The Terrace which offers a relaxed yet exclusive setting with stunning views of the cricket. Or if you would prefer to be seated inside, the shared Wild Water Lounge offers some of the best views at Sophia Gardens.
For the ultimate experience, book a private hospitality box, available for groups of 12 to 21, making it the perfect setting for entertaining clients or family and friends.
Sophia Gardens head chef, John Chapman and his team have created a delicious menu for each fixture, including arrival refreshments, a 2-course lunch served between matches followed by savoury snacks served in the interval of the men’s fixture. You’ll also be able to take advantage of an inclusive drinks package of beer, cider, wine and soft drinks.
For Hospitality bookings, please contact hospitality@glamorgancricket.co.uk or buy general admission tickets starting at just £12 for two action-packed games of cricket at thehundred.com.
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The Founders Column - Alex Cuthbert
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
MY HEAD HURTS, MY BODY ACHES, AND MY BOOTS ARE FULL OF SWEAT . . . IT MUST BE WORLD CUP YEAR
“Brutal” is probably the best word to describe a pre-World Cup training camp with Wales. Brutal, exhausting, but necessary.
We are a few weeks into ours now and there have been few surprises – at least not for us older boys who knew that we would be worked extremely hard, harder than we have been worked for a long time.
For the younger guys, they are probably being pushed to limits they have never been pushed to before. Welcome to Camp Gatland, base camp from which we aim to scale the heights of the World Cup.
We have camps in Switzerland and Turkey in July, some warm-up matches in August, and then the lucky survivors are off to France.
So, how hard is it? Well, we went to Qatar for a nine-day training camp before the 2015 World Cup and I still break into a sweat just thinking about it.
We were outside doing a session that lasted about an hour in temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees and extreme humidity. There was a passing drill – simple enough, normally – but every time we made a mistake in the heat, we had to do it all over again.
We were on our knees, my boots were so full of sweat, it felt like I was running in a swimming pool. On the scale of horribly hard training sessions, that one would get 10 out of 10.
So, those memories have all been coming back over these last few weeks.
To be fair, I did some pre-seasons that were pretty horrific when I was playing at Exeter. They were eye-openers compared to pre-seasons I had done in the past.
You might ask, why are the Welsh regional pre-seasons not as demanding as the Wales pre-World Cup summers? It’s a fair question.
I think the answer is that normally, Wales squad players are touring with Wales in these months, so the international players miss most of the hardest regional sessions. By the time we have had our rest periods, we are almost straight into playing matches. But here’s the good news about these brutal Wales sessions before a World Cup. They work.
Warren Gatland is a very demanding coach, he wants an awful lot from us, but it has worked well in the past – before the tournaments in 2011, 2015 and 2019 – and it can do so again.
He’s shown that when he gets us together for long periods, works us hard, that’s when we respond by playing our best.
We have lost a lot of experience with some of the older guys stepping back and the new boys are going to have to really step up.
But Warren has got it right before at tournaments in the past. If you look at his record at previous World Cup tournaments, it’s a pretty good one.
We got further than England in 2011 and 2015, we always seem to do better than Ireland at World Cups, so he must be doing something right.
Brutal, as I say. But it works.
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LEADING Names In Sports, Advertising And Signage Have United Under One Banner.
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Dragon Signs, Route Media, Colour Studios, and Sportin Wales are all now part of Dragon Group.
Employing 80 people at its Cardiff HQ and Colour Studios’ existing base in Radstock, Bath – the Group will be led by Managing Director Rhys Harrington.
He says there has already been significant investment in rebranding and a fresh direction focused on sustainability, innovation, and advances in technology.
With clients including Transport for Wales, Travis Perkins, Cardiff Airport, Leicester Tigers and Apetito, Rhys is confident the organisation will provide a cutting-edge, end-to-end experience for customers.
“As a group, we will be able to deliver an even more progressive and efficient service in the years ahead,” he said.
“There is so much synergy between the businesses that it made sense to bring them together, incorporating the strength of Dragon Signs and Route Media’s digital advertising capabilities with the rapidly growing audience of Sportin Wales.
“That coupled with the sustainable vision of Colour Studios reinforces our decision, it is an exciting time to do this, the companies all have strong reputations and as a collective that will only get stronger, especially as we have an incredible team who already worked closely together on a wide range of projects and national contracts.”
As part of its drive towards becoming a net-zero organisation, Dragon Group is joining forces with CarbonQuota to develop a decarbonisation plan for the organisation.
“This is of huge importance as we move forward,” said Rhys.
“Lowering our carbon footprint is pivotal, and they will help us to identify our output, and that of the supply chain, looking at how we can lower energy and fuel usage and more.
He added: “Thanks to all of our loyal customers for their support, the response we have had is so positive.
“We look forward to revealing more exciting plans in the future – watch this space!”
For more news and information from Dragon Group, visit the website www.dragon-group.co.uk
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Taine Plumtree Could Provide Rich Harvest For Wales Coach Warren Gatland Ahead of World Cup
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
The 23-year-old back row forward – who was born in Swansea when his father John was the club’s head coach – has signed to play for the Scarlets next season.
But Wales coach Warren Gatland is a known admirer of Plumtree junior and it’s understood he is poised to join the squad for their two-week training camp in Switzerland.
The squad were due to leave for the Swiss mountains on Monday afternoon and the former forward with the Auckland-based Blues, is expected to be on board.
He had been playing Super Rugby for the Blues and for Wellington in the Mitre Cup. He played against Wales for New Zealand at the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championships, ending up on the losing side in Argentina.
The Welsh side that day contained three of his new Scarlets teammates, Morgan Jones, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Conbeer and Sam Costelow.
“Taine is an athletic, versatile forward who is able to play across the back row. We have been impressed by what we have seen of him with Wellington and when he has featured for the Blues in Super Rugby,” said Scarlets head coach, Dwayne Peel.
“He is a player of huge potential, and we are excited for him to join the young generation of Scarlets who are coming through the ranks here.
“I’m sure he will fit in well with the style of rugby we like to play and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the group ahead of the new season.”
Plumtree becomes the latest addition to the Scarlets squad for the 2023-24 campaign following the signings of Ioan Lloyd from Bristol, Tomi Lewis from Jersey, Alex Craig from Gloucester, Teddy Leatherbarrow and Charlie Titcombe from Loughborough University and RGC 1404 scrum half Efan Jones.
As the Wales senior prepare for one global tournament, the Wales U20s are already involved in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
Head coach Mark Jones has named a starting side boasting five changes for the crucial Pool A encounter against France on Tuesday.
There is just the one change in the backline where Ospreys winger Tom Florence gets his first start of the campaign after scoring against Japan as a halftime replacement. He replaces his regional teammate Llien Morgan.
Ospreys’ tighthead prop Kian Hire and Harlequins flanker Seb Driscoll get their first starts in a Welsh jersey after both impressed as second half replacements against Japan. They replace Louis Fletcher and Lucas De La Rua respectively.
Dragons RFC’s hooker Sam Scarfe replaces Lewis Lloyd, who drops down to the bench, while Ospreys second row Liam Edwards returns in place of regional teammate Evan Hill.
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Cardiff City Boss Erol Bulut Keen To Convince Aaron Ramsey To Make Emotional Home-Coming
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut is keeping his cards close to his chest, but still hopes his club can pull off the transfer coup of re-signing Aaron Ramsey.
Bulut took charge of his first pre-season game on Saturday, a 2-0 victory over Penybont, one of the emerging forces in the Cymru Premier.
Afterwards, the Turkish coach spoke of his intention to strengthen his squad before the start of the Championship season in a month’s time.
Wales captain Ramsey has been a rumoured target for the Bluebirds for weeks, although he is understood to have other options available, including remaining in France.
The current Nice midfielder strengthened those links when he stated he would like to return one day to the capital club, although the 32-year-old was not specific on when that might be – this season or at some point in the distant future.
Bulut revealed he has only previously met Ramsey in person once – at the Wales v Armenia game – but hopes to share further developments on transfers next week.
“Maybe I’m going to meet him following this. We will see, we never know,” he said.
“I will tell you more next week if we can get to sign some players, so then you will know.”
Goals either side of half-time from Mark McGuinness and Ollie Tanner wrapped up a comfortable win as Penybont were given a thorough examination of their capabilities, ahead of their UEFA Conference League debut in 11 days’ time.
“I’m satisfied that the team are doing well. They are training hard, but only for ten days, so we have to be better for the following games,” said Bulut.
“It was good that I could see the young players and what they have, especially in the second-half. They did quite well, so I could see today that they want it.”
Welsh champions The New Saints visit Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday as part of a pre-season programme that will see the Bluebirds take in games against Braga and FC Porto as they continue their preparations in Portugal.
Despite defeat, Penybont boss Rhys Griffiths will take heart from a performance that saw his side maintain their composure throughout.
While Cardiff spent Saturday in action, Swansea City were on a flight, returning from their pre-season training camp in Spain.
New manager Michael Duff is getting to know his players but knows he has a struggle to hold on to some who will seek to leave before the new season starts.
That group is likely to include the club’s Dutch striker Joel Piroe, who has scored over 20 goals in both of his two seasons so far in South Wales.
Swansea’s Championship rivals Leicester City and Southampton are known to be interested in Piroe and Duff said: “I had some good conversations with Joel at our training camp in Spain last week and he was asking about detail in what I want from him.
“Until anything changes we will keep on having those conversations. If he goes, he goes, and if he doesn’t, he stays – it is not personal, it’s football.
“I understand he’s the big name at the club and only has a year left on his contract. There will be plans in place in terms of the way we play if he stays, and plans for if he goes.”
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Glamorgan Skipper Kiran Carlson Says His Team Need To Burn Brighter For Longer In T20 Blast
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
CRICKET
Glamorgan’s T20 Blast season is over for another year and captain Kiran Carlson has conceded they need to become more consistent.
The county finished the campaign bottom-but-one of the South Group, which was a hugely disappointing outcome for a team that won four out of their opening five matches.
Carlson’s side were unable to build on that excellent start and won only one more game from nine attempts.
The final defeat saw Glamorgan lose by 49 runs to Middlesex on Sunday, despite a fastest ever T20 half-century for the Welsh county by Carlson.
It means Glamorgan finished their T20 campaign in eighth place in the South Group – six points and four places short of making the knockout stages.
“It’s kind of been the story of our T20 season,” admitted Carlson.
“We’ve shown flashes of really good stuff but sometimes some really bad stuff as well. So, stuff to think about, and try and come back next year stronger and learn from it.
“I think they probably got 20 (runs) too many. I think it really hurt us that Peter Hatzoglou had to go off and couldn’t finish his four overs because he was really hard to play on that wicket.
“We felt like we were still in the game. Obviously with our batting line up, we back ourselves to chase anything.
“To be fair to Middlesex, they bowled really well, pegged us back, took a load of wickets, and it’s always going to be tough when you’re six or seven (wickets) down. It’s the way it goes.”
Glamorgan had looked to be romping to victory when they were 95 for 1 off 6.4 overs when Carlson was out for 77, scored off just 29 balls.
They were chasing Middlesex’s 200-9, but Ryan Higgins then took 3 for 20 with his seam bowling, including two wickets in two balls to change the momentum of the match.
HOCKEY
Wales coach Danny Newcombe voiced his frustration as his senior men’s team lost a three-match series, 2-1, away to Ireland.
Wales lost the final game 3-0 on Sunday in County Down, having won the opening match, 2-0, but lost the initiative with a 5-2 defeat on Saturday.
The matches were part of Wales’ preparations for the EuroHockey Championship later this month.
Newcombe said: “It was a pretty frustrating result again and mainly due to the pretty positive performance from the boys today. We played well but simply didn’t execute and made some naive decisions which cost us.
Wales co-captain Luke Hawker said: “I think the boys will quite naturally be disappointed with today’s result.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflects the performance we put in. But, there were certainly some errors and areas to sharpen up on as we move into our next challenge.”