Stuart Manley Wins In France As Brier Pair, Hannah And Joe, Earn Family Double In Cardiff
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
It was a winning weekend for a number of Welsh sports stars – from golf to athletics, to horse racing at Royal Ascot.
GOLF
Pride of place should probably go to Welsh golfer Stuart Manley for a notable tournament victory he hopes will push him up the European rankings.
Manley is waiting for a climb up the ladder after he won his fourth European Challenge Tour title.
The 44-year-old clinched the Blot Open de Bretagne title with a birdie at the 72nd hole on Sunday.
Manley, whose last win came at the 2021 Euram Bank Open, battled through a testing final day with the lead changing hands several times, but holed a 15-foot birdie at the last to secure victory.
It was the former Walker Cup player’s second win in France following his triumph at the 2018 Hauts de France Golf Open, adding to his first title from Finland in 2013 and he was delighted to return to winning ways in Brittany.
“It feels amazing, awesome. I’m lost for words,” he said.
“It’s been a long, tiring week. I was really pleased with my 62 in the second round. That is probably my lowest round on the Challenge Tour and DP World Tour.
“To have the lead at the start of the third round is always quite tough and I didn’t have my game during the last few rounds. I managed to keep the ball in play and stayed close to the guys, managing to hole the odd putt, and then I’ve hit the best shot I’ve hit all year at the last which I’m chuffed about.
“Fingers crossed I can get it done for the rest of the season. It gives me some confidence and puts me inside the top 20 on the Rankings.”
ATHLETICS
While Manley was winning on French soil, brother and sister, Hannah and Joe Brier, were triumphing in Cardiff in a unique family double.
Both won their respective events to become Welsh champions at the Welsh Athletics Championships on Saturday.
Stepping up from the 100m and 200m distances – which have seen her represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games – Hannah won the women’s 400m title at her first attempt.
Minutes later, brother Joe took the men’s title over the same one lap distance, which has seen him represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games.
The family double is believed to be the first time siblings have won the same event at a Welsh Championship.
Proud mum Lynne Brier, who is herself a coach with Swansea Harriers, said: “Watching Hannah run first would have inspired Joe because he’s not one to ever let her get the better of him!
“There’s a bit of competition between them, they support each other but there’s competition there as well. Neither of them likes the other to get on top.”
HORSE RACING
The Ascot victory belonged to Welsh co-owners, Guy and Huw Leach, who have a stake in the remarkable horse, Pyledriver.
Generally always an underdog, Plyedriver came through to win the Hardwicke Stakes at odds of 7/2 on Saturday, the final day of the meeting.
The horse had not raced for a year but showed his class by hitting the front in the final furlong.
CYCLING
There was also a Welsh presence on the podium at the British National Cycling Championships, where Stevie Williams and Elynor Backstedt both finished third.
Williams – who rode at the Giro d’Italia last month – finished third in the senior men’s road race behind winner Fred Wright and runner-up James Knox at Saltburn in Yorkshire on Sunday.
Beckstedt also took third behind Anna Shackley and Flora Perkins in the Women’s U23 road race.
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Wales Youngsters Suffer Cruel Defeat At Junior World Champ, But Vow To Learn Lessons From Baby Blacks
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
It was almost a dream start for Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa, but captain Ryan Woodman insists the team have learned a valuable lesson.
It’s a piece of wisdom, their senior national team colleagues will be familiar with – namely, that when you have a New Zealand team on the ropes you simply have to find a knockout punch.
Wales scored three tries and led 19-5 at one stage in their opening match of the tournament in Paal at the weekend and seemed in complete control.
But the Baby Blacks hit back in the second-half and Wales eventually suffered an agonising one-point defeat, losing 27-26.
“It was hard to replicate the same intensity of the first half in the second because they really came out firing with the elements behind them,” said Woodman.
“We were good with the ball and they did well to keep it away from us. In the end, it came down to a kick.
“I thought we played well and there were plenty of positives to come out of the performance. That said, there is plenty to work on and we are all gutted.”
Head coach Mark Jones saw his side move into a commanding lead through tries from Lloyd Lewis, Dan Edwards and the impressive Morgan Morse.
But New Zealand came storming back with 22 unanswered points, although a late try from Sam Scarfe ensured Wales picked up two bonus points.
Jones, who was in charge for the first time after taking over from Byron Hayward, said: “I’m so proud of their effort. Our line-out was a real weapon, we were dangerous with ball in hand and we finished far stronger.
“We just need to work on nailing the detail in big moments like that 15-minute period just after half-time when we allowed New Zealand to take back momentum.”
Wales now turn their attention to their second match of the tournament, against Japan on Thursday.
There were Welsh winners, however, in the English women’s game as Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Lisa Neumann were all in the Gloucester-Hartpury squad that beat Exeter Chiefs 34-19 in the final of the Premier 15s.
They did it in front of a record crowd for a final, too, with 9,668 turning up at Kingsholm which was renamed “Queensholm” for the day.
As Wales’ senior men’s squad continue their preparations for the World Cup with their Vale of Glamorgan training camp, their pool stage rivals Australia have named their captain for the tournament.
The Wallabies have gone for co-captains and will take on Wales with Michael Hooper and James Slipper sharing the role.
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Mark Jones Promises Wales U20s Will Go All Guns Blazing Against New Zealand
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Mark Jones has promised Wales will live by the sword when they open their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against New Zealand on Saturday.
The question is whether they will also die by the sword up against the renowned Baby Blacks.
When Jones was in his pomp as a player, he was one of the most exhilarating sights in the game – flying down the wing, high knees pumping – for both the Scarlets and Wales.
Now, as temporary head coach, having taken over from the departed Byron Hayward, he wants Wales’ youngsters to play with the same spirit of thrill-seeking adventure.
“Counterattack is definitely an area of the game from which I think we can produce more points,” says Jones.
“We’re hoping that the conditions will be decent enough to allow us to move the ball around a little bit.
“I think there’s an opportunity for us to improve from the unstructured side of the game. The boys have shown a great appetite to try and get stuck into that.
“They were pretty dangerous off set piece during the Six Nations and there are areas of the game we can grow and build upon. My philosophy around the game is it’s a ball in hand game.”
Parachuted in at late notice when Hayward decided to stand down, Jones couldn’t have asked for a tougher start with an opening game against the Kiwis.
New Zealand are six-times previous winners, but have not won this annual tournament since 2017.
The Baby Blacks won their first 21 matches in a row on the U20 Championship stage, but it was Wales who ended their run with a 9-6 victory in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 2012.
Jones has called up five uncapped players to his 30-strong squad as Wales look to bounce back from disappointment in the U20 Six Nations, when they lost all five matches.
Skipper Ryan Woodman and his men went through a tough time, as they were whitewashed for the first time.
But they put themselves in a position to win a couple of the games and now find themselves facing New Zealand, France and Japan in their pool in South Africa.
Seeded sixth for the Championship, Wales captain Woodman insists: “We’ve looked back at the Six Nations and there were things that went well, and other bits that we need to improve on. We’ve gone after those pretty hard for the last three and a half weeks.
“You can’t fix everything all at once, but I’m confident that this group of players will be able to put the Six Nations behind them and treat this tournament as a one-off.
“They all want to put their best game out on the field and really try and show that they’ve improved in a short space of time.”
World Rugby U20 Championship
Pool A – Wales v New Zealand
Saturday, June 23 – 3.00pm (UK)
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New Swansea City Coach Michael Duff Hints At Change Of Style Next Season
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Swansea City finally have a new head coach, but the question for fans now is whether that means a fresh approach.
Michael Duff has been confirmed as the new man at the helm in succession to Russell Martin – who has moved to Southampton following a long and protracted dispute regarding compensation, which has still only been partially settled.
Martin was hugely popular with most Swans fans, yet there was always a feeling among some that his no compromise possession-based style of play often left the team vulnerable to conceding too many goals.
Duff – who has moved to the Championship club from League One Barnsley – has said he wants to “evolve” that style, hinting a more pragmatic approach may be on the way.
“We need that one team mentality; the players, staff, fans, and board. Everyone needs to pull in the same direction because that’s the only way you’re going to achieve success,” Duff told Swansea’s official club website.
“I’ve had seven promotions in my career as a player and manager so I know what an environment should look and smell like.
“I want to play good football and I know that there is an expectation of that at this football club, but it’s about evolving it, moving it and being a bit more on the front foot and a bit more progressive at times.
“It’s about getting the balance of all those things because ultimately it’s a winning business. You’ve got to win.”
Former Burnley midfielder Duff spent just a year at Oakwell but guided them to the League One play-offs last season.
The Tykes lost 1-0 in the last minute of extra time to Sheffield Wednesday in the final at Wembley.
Duff spent four years as Cheltenham manager, winning League Two in 2021 – the club’s first league title in their history – before cementing the Robins’ place in League One and joining Barnsley last summer, finishing fourth.
Swansea finished 10th in the Championship last season under Martin.
Duff added: “There were lots of reasons I wanted to come to Swansea; the step up in level, but also the infrastructure that’s already at the football club, and speaking to the owners and the ambition they’ve got for the club it matches my own ambition.
“My immediate aims are to get a helicopter view of the landscape and the players, physically and mentally. What do they look like? What is their attitude like? And that’s the same for all the staff too.
“Ultimately, we want to walk out of pre-season with a fit group of players who are fresh.
“Hopefully the supporters are as excited as I am. And all being well, we’re going to see some really good football which is a little bit more on the front foot.
“We need the supporters as much as they need us and if we both turn up every week, then we’ll get more wins than losses.”
Swansea’s recently-appointed chairman Andy Coleman said: “Michael has a proven track record of galvanising a group of players into a collective unit, and he has consistently outperformed expectations at his previous clubs.
“Every conversation I had with him only reinforced the view that he is exactly the type of leader we need here at Swansea City.
“He is a proven winner, both as a player and as a manager, and I’m confident he will bring that mentality here.
“I believe in his ability and his belief in the Swansea Way, while he also possesses the capability to adapt within games to drive results.
“This is a results-driven business. Our position in the table matters to all of us and we are focused on supporting Michael with everything he needs to succeed.”
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Glamorgan In Last Chance Saloon, While Top Welsh Athletes Compete For Domestic Titles In Cardiff
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
CRICKET
Kiran Carlson insists Glamorgan can still make the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast T20 – even though the odds look stacked against them.
After two bruising back-to-back defeats to Surrey and Somerset, Glamorgan must beat Sussex Sharks at home on Friday night to stay in contention for the top four places in the South Group.
Even then, they would still need to win their remaining two fixtures and hope that other results go in their favour.
“We’ve been outplayed by two quality teams this week but we’ve just got to look to bounce back on Friday,” said Carlson.
“I think the two home games are very winnable. We’re pretty comfortable at home, obviously most of the time we’re pretty happy with the way we’ve gone about it.
“It’s made it pretty simple for us now – win every game and hope for the best.”
Head coach Mark Alleyne has named an unchanged 14-man squad to face a Sharks team who were winners last time out at Gloucestershire.
ATHLETICS
Meanwhile, sprinter Sam Gordon will be among the Welsh international athletes taking part in the Welsh Senior Athletics Championships this weekend at the Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff.
Reigning Welsh 100m champion Gordon aims to defend his crown against Josh Brown and Joseph Berry with Great Britain star Jeremiah Azu away competing in Europe as he prepares for the European U23 Championships in Finland next month.
Azu won senior European bronze in Munich last summer and heads to Espoo looking to retain the European U23 100m title that he won in Tallinn two years ago.
But the Welsh Championships will still feature British and Welsh champion Adele Nicoll in the women’s shot put as well as Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Harrison Walsh in the men’s discus.
Jenny Nesbitt will be opening her track season in the senior Women’s 1500m and will be looking to retain her title from last year’s Championships.
Great Britain Olympian Joe Brier will take on Gordon in the 200m on Sunday.
PARA – ATHLETICS
Tokyo 2020 shot put gold medalist Aled Davies will be in action as he prepares for the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris next month.
Joining him in the event is Mike Jenkins, who will have a busy weekend competing in three throw events including shot put, discus, and javelin.
Also competing on Sunday is Tokyo bronze medallist Hollie Arnold, who will be in action in the senior women’s javelin.
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What Supplements Should We Be Taking?
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
By Jess Bloom, Nutritionist
Okay, the truth about supplements. As an online coach it’s wild how often I get asked about this! As somebody who spent a long time yo-yo dieting in the past, I fully remember being one of those people who thought “I want to be healthy, I better go and get some supplements” – and it would almost be the first port of call?
First of all, the word ‘supplement’ is exactly that – it is to SUPPLEMENT your existing diet. Fill a deficit in an area where you may need extra help. As much as I’d love you to read the entire article, spoiler alert, unless prescribed to you by a doctor you actually do not need any supplements (there are a few exceptions to this which I will get onto later)
So why do people take them?
And why are these industries making MILLIONS selling supplements to vulnerable people? Exactly the same way the fad diet market is still so big, most people just want a quick fix. They might think “I want to lose fat” so they take ‘fat burners’ (please don’t do this) or “I want nicer hair” I’ll take a hair supplement.
If you think about everything that’s going into your body on a daily basis, all of the meals, drinks, snacks, what makes you think a tiny pill is going to override all of that and give you something you desire?
Food first
So here are the facts! First of all, food first! You can get all of the required vitamins and minerals from your diet. This is with the exception of Vitamin D in the winter months (which should be supplemented by everyone in the UK between October-March), Folic Acid if you’re pregnant (ideally 12 weeks prior to conception and the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) and Vitamin B12 if you’re vegan (as we can only get this from animal products so being deficient in this can lead to things like anemia and generally feeling very tired and fatigued).
How can we optimise our diets to eradicate the need for any unnecessary overpriced supplements?!
One word, variety. Our bodies thrive on diversity and variety in our diets. An ideal diet will have a great balance of good sources of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats as well as an array of lots of colourful fruit and vegetables. Let me give you some examples of the foods you could be eating to replace some of the most popular supplements on the market;
Examples of what to eat in place of common supplements:
Protein Powder. I’ll start with this as it doesn’t sit in the same bracket as the other supplements that come in pill form that I’ll mention. Protein powder is actually a great way to fill a protein deficit – but like anything, you should aim to get enough protein from your food first, but if you do need to boost it for the day then a good quality whey protein is cheap, versatile, convenient and perfectly healthy for you as it’s essentially just a milk powder (pea protein alternatives are also great). Good sources of protein to try and aim for first in your usual diet are things like eggs, Greek yoghurt, chicken, tofu, beef, cheese, salmon, prawns etc.
Hair skin and nails supplements. Essentially, this will most likely just be your omega 3’s in pill form (which you’ll know all about if you read last month’s article!) Omega 3’s are amazing for your hair skin and nails so try and include oily fish like mackerel and salmon, raw oils, like unheated good quality olive oil or flax seed oil, walnuts and chia seeds into your diet (as well as staying hydrated – water will do more than any pill can do for your skin!)
Probiotics. Probiotics are great for feeding the good bacteria in our gut, and there are amazing things you can include in your diet without forking out on overpriced supplements, think fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut. Probiotics are often very expensive so just focus on having a lot of colour in your diet, drinking enough water, eating enough fibre in the day with some fermented foods thrown into the mix and you will have a lovely harmonious digestive system!
Multivitamins. These are probably my least favourite and one of the most common ones! They usually include small amounts of things like vitamin c, calcium, iron, potassium, all of which you can absolutely get from your diet and it’s so much more beneficial to actually EAT these vitamins! So again, try and be as colourful as possible in your next food shop, as a multivitamin categorically cannot replace a well-balanced diet.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea! Enjoy saving your money and eating like a king/queen along the way!
For online coaching with myself being your nutrition coach as well as a personal trainer with a decade of experience just head to www.nourishandgain.com
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Sam Parry To Stay At Ospreys For Season No.10
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
The shake-up at the four Welsh regions ahead of next season continued at the weekend with some comings, goings and staying.
The status quo is at the Ospreys where Wales hooker Sam Parry has signed up for a 10th season.
The 31-year-old front-rower, who won five caps under former Wales coach Wayne Pivac, was the club’s top try-scorer last season with seven and has crossed 33 times in his 138 appearances to date for the region.
“I’m thrilled to be staying with the Ospreys and continuing my rugby journey with the region. It’s an exciting time to be part of the squad, with some top youngsters coming through alongside some seasoned vets,” said Parry.
“We’ve got a great group of players and coaches here, and I look forward to working hard with them to achieve our goals in the upcoming season.”
Parry will challenge Wales World Cup hopeful Dewi Lake for the starting berth next season. The Ospreys also have another Welsh international hooker on their books in Scott Baldwin, but lost a fourth Test star in Tonga’s Elvis Taione at the end of last season when he retired.
But Liam Williams is reported to be leaving Cardiff one season into his two-year deal with the Arms Park region.
The Welsh international full-back is understood to have signed a deal to join a Japanese side after the World Cup. No names have been confirmed, but the expectation is that Williams will join the Japanese champions, the Kubota Spears.
Reports have also suggested that because of his injury history the 32-year-old will need to pass a medical after the World Cup in order to take his place with his new club.
The Spears bid former All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty farewell in the final of this season’s Japanese league season which frees up a spot for an international player in their ranks.
Williams’ departure would come off the back of Josh Navidi’s retirement at Cardiff , while Dillon Lewis and Jarrod Evans are both joining English Premiership outfit Harlequins.
Rhys Priestland, Rey Lee-Lo and Willis Halaholo have all said they are moving on, James Ratti is rejoining the Ospreys, Lloyd Williams has moved to Ealing Trailfinders, and Max Llewellyn has signed for Gloucester.
Patchell could be in line for a move to the Dragons, who have also been linked with a move for Leigh Halfpenny, who has left the Scarlets.
But Dragons coach Dai Flanagan has suggested if Halfpenny does move to Rodney Parade, it is likely to be as a kicking coach, while the veteran full-back continues his playing career elsewhere.
Flanagan told the South Wales Argus: “I’ve got a really good relationship with Leigh and he has lots more left in the tank.
“But I am sure he has more in terms of ambition than just being someone’s kicking coach.”
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The Ice Man And The Ferret Combine To Put Wales On Top Of The World
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Wales have new world champions – although it’s a reclaimed crown for dynamic darts duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.
It’s not often Wales can boast they have won a World Cup, but then the nation is not often blessed with not just one, but two of the best competitors in the world in their chosen field.
So, a huge ‘Da iawn’ is due to Price and Clayton for a job magnificently done at the weekend, when they lifted the World Cup of Darts for the second time.
Their second trophy for Wales was secured with a clinical performance in their 10-2 victory over Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright in Frankfurt.
A year ago, Price and Clayton again reached the final, but lost to Australia.
The 2020 champions had beaten Belgium in a nervy 8-7 thriller to reach the title decider against the Scots, who had eliminated German hosts Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler to set up the all-British final.
The Iceman Price credited his team-mate for the win, telling Sky Sports: “Honestly I think I struggled a little bit in that game. Jonny was the one to pick our trophy up. He won it for us tonight.
“He was fantastic at scoring, checking out. I was there in between but he was clinical. Fair play to Jonny. What a player, an absolute gentleman as well.
“It’s a difficult sport against the best players in the world week-in and week-out and to win by that margin is a little bit flattering. We’re thrilled to win and Jonny carried me tonight, so happy days.”
The Scots were still in good spirits as Anderson lavished praise on his opponents, though he joked he might not feel so festive come the end of the year.
He said: “The Welsh have got a cracking darts team. We tried, and we’re not getting any younger but we’ll still try.
“You’ve got Gerwyn, what he’s done in darts over the last few years and you’ve got the Ferret (Clayton) – I ain’t sending him no Christmas card this year!”
Another Welsh star who enjoyed a winning weekend was athlete Melissa Courtney-Bryant.
She moved into second place on the Welsh all-time 1500 metre rankings as she clocked a lifetime best of 4 min, 00.45 sec in winning at the Stanislas Meeting in Nancy, France on Sunday.
The 29-year-old cracked the qualifying mark for the British squad for the World Championships this summer for a second time this month.
Courtney-Bryant edged ever closer to Hayley Tullett’s current record Welsh mark of 3.59.95 set at the World Championships in Paris 20 years ago.
Welsh rally star Osian Pryce was unable to taste similar triumph over the weekend, but his 14th place finish at Rally Latvia marked significant progress.
It was only Price’s second FIA European Rally Championship event in a Škoda Fabia Rally2.
“My lack of experience with the Fabia is showing and we’ve been chasing our tails as regards the set up on this event – but we know the pace is there and it’s just a case of unlocking it,” said Pryce.
Some technical tweaks that Pryce made improved the Fabia, as he and co-driver Stéphane Prévot moved from 13th to 11th on day one.
However, some adjustments simply didn’t work and instead made the car more difficult to drive, and on day two Pryce slipped back to finish 14th.
Welsh tumbler Megan Surman has announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics.
The 24-year-old, originally from Swansea, bows out as a multiple major championship medallist.
Surman said: “After tearing my Achilles last year, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my gymnastics career to date and think about what the future holds outside of the sport.”
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Wales’s Turkey Trip Gives Them An Instant Chance To Make Amends.
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Wales will face Turkey tonight, desperate to salvage something from their European Championship qualifying window.
Most pundits and former players had talked optimistically about a four-point tally from the two ties – against Armenia on Friday night in Cardiff and then the trip to face the Turkish.
But that four-point target is already out of reach following the shock 4-2 defeat to the Armenians which manager Rob Page called a “slap in the face”.
Punch in the guts might have been a better metaphor since it was far more painful than the mere sting of a shock scoreline.
To most – including Page, judged by his pre-match comments – the three points from the home fixture against the Armenians was a banker. Now, the cheque has bounced.
Page signed a four-year contract in September but has come under increasing pressure after a dreadful run of one win in 11 games since qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
“We had a group meeting (on Saturday) and addressed what needed to be said,” Page said ahead of Monday’s crunch qualifier against Turkey in Samsun.
“We’ve put it to bed and full focus is on the challenge here and we’ll all be ready for it.
“What I want is a reaction from the players, and that is in the performance. If they do that the result will take care of itself.
“We’re a team in progression, a team in transition, so we have to remind ourselves where on the journey we are.”
Wales supporters let their anger known at the final whistle on Friday as defeat allied to Turkey’s last-gasp 3-2 win in Latvia left them off two points off the Group D leaders.
Page said disappointment was heightened by expectation after Wales’ first World Cup for 64 years in Qatar and the poor run of results were partly down to the quality of opposition they had played.
“I think the reason it was such a low moment was because of expectations we put on ourselves, because of results we’ve had and performances we’ve had,” Page said of Wales’ first European Championship home qualifying defeat for 12 years.
Skipper Aaron Ramsey insists Wales can turn their fortunes around with the Turkey clash representing the halfway point of the qualifying campaign.
“I believe in this team, I am confident,” said Ramsey.
“We have a good opportunity to get back on track, concentrate on performance and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.
“We are in a decent position. If we can take full advantage of tomorrow night we will be back in this group.”
Vice-captain Ben Davies has not travelled to Samsun as the Tottenham defender has stayed at home for the birth of his first child.
Kieffer Moore also misses out after being sent off in the closing stages against Armenia.
While Wales are in Turkey, in neighbouring Greece former Wales manager Chris Coleman spent the weekend celebrating.
Not a victory on the field, but the extension of his contract with Greek Super League club Atromitos for a further season after 18 months in charge.
Coleman said:
“I have been in Greece and in Peristeri for a year and a half now. During this time, I feel everyone here is like a family. The staff, the commanders, everyone. And, of course, the fans.
“From the first moment they have loved me and I have loved them and together we can have Atromitos in a very strong position and improve.”
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It's A Whole New Ball Game For Wales In South Africa
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
When coach Mark Jones leads his Wales U20 squad to South Africa next week they will be breaking new territory in rugby.
Captain Ryan Woodman and his players will be among the guinea pigs for a new high-tec rugby ball that is being used for the first time at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
The Wales team kick-off their campaign against New Zealand when they will get their first taste of the new ‘smart technology’ ball that has been developed by sports technology specialists Sportable with rugby ball manufacturers Gilbert. The ball can be tracked in real time using beacons which determine its position up to 20 times a second, giving immediate feedback on every kick pass or throw.
The technology is expected to help officials detect forward passes more easily, measuring the relative velocity of the ball relative to the player as it leaves their hands, so indicating whether the ball has been ‘thrown forward’ in the act of passing. It will also be able to accurately plot the location when the ball is kicked for touch, ensuring that line outs take place at the correct location.
Decisions on whether or not a ball has been touched in flight will be aided by the technology and it will also help to determine whether or not the ball has crossed the try line.
At lineouts, it will be possible to provide immediate feedback to decide if the ball has been thrown in straight. This is done by measuring the angle of the throw from release to being touched by a player.
A direct feed of the data is sent to the TMO, who is then able to pass the information onto the referee.
“A fast game is a good game, and it is right that we explore technology that has the potential to help aid the flow of the game, reduce stoppage time and speed up match official decision-making,” said former Wales international Phil Davies, now director of rugby at World Rugby.
“Rugby refereeing is perhaps the most difficult officiating job in sport, there are multiple decisions or non-decisions that are made at any given moment and the advancement of broadcast and social media means that such decisions are pored over long after the event.
“The evolution of smart ball technology opens the door to assist match officials in reaching accurate decisions more quickly, removing subjectivity and reducing the chance of error.
“While this is a trial and the technology is new, we are excited about its potential and look forward to seeing it in action at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship.”
The World Rugby Under 20 Championship, which is scheduled to begin on June 24, will also incorporate a trial of the TMO “Bunker” in a further attempt to refine officiating.
The tournament is returning after a three year absence due to the COVID pandemic and it will be a first test for Jones who has taken over on a temporary basis after the departure of Byron Hayward.