Dragons sign Tongan international Fine Inisi
Rhodri Evans
Dragons RFC have announced the signing of Tonga international winger Fine Inisi ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The electric wing – who can also operate at outside centre – will make the move to the Newport-based region this summer from Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific.
Inisi, who stands 6ft 2in and weighs 95kg, has scored 11 tries for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific since his debut in 2022.
Known for his blistering footwork and a formidable fend, the 26-year-old has won 15 caps for his country and featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Reunited with Tiatia
“I am very excited to work with Fine again having done so previously during our time at Moana Pasifika,” Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said.
“He brings good values as well as an attacking threat with his footwork and ball carrying ability.
“I look forward to Fine taking his form from Super Rugby Pacific to Rodney Parade next season.”
A firm favourite at Moana Pasifika, Inisi was named joint Fans’ Player of the Year with younger brother Lotu last season.
Auckland-born Inisi has also represented North Harbour in the NPC, where he worked alongside new defence coach Dale MacLeod.
‘Put my best foot forward’
“I’m grateful and excited for the opportunity to play in the northern hemisphere for a great club,” Inisi said.
“It’s going to be a challenge but I’m keen to put my best foot forward in helping the Dragons achieve greatness.
“Adjusting to new traditions in Wales will be different for me and my little family but we are excited to fully immerse ourselves in the culture.”
Backs Coach Matt O’Brien welcomed Inisi’s arrival this summer and added: “Fine is a good athlete and has outstanding one-on-one ability, brings speed and is a proven finisher.
“He adds firepower to our back line and gives us more competition on the wing.
“Fine has enjoyed another very positive season with Moana Pasifika and we look forward to him arriving.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
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Clwb cap promotion season with Malcolm Thomas cup victory
Rhodri Evans
Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd capped their promotion-winning season with silverware after defeating Old Illtydians 55-22 in a keenly-contested final at Barry RFC to lift the Worthington’s Malcolm Thomas Cup.
Having suffered the gut-wrenching disappointment of missing out on promotion by a single point 12 months ago, Clwb Rygbi regrouped and went on to power to promotion from Division Three East Central this season alongside division winners Wattstown.
The team have racked up more than 100 tries in all competitions this season and they saved a magnificent seven of those for the East District showpiece as they ended the season in style with a cup final triumph.
Left wing Tomos Jones scored in each half, with hooker Rhodri Williams, flankers Huw Gwyn and Sion Davies, captain and No 8 Harry Moyle and outside half Remiel Wharton also on the scoresheet.
Full-back Gruff Ab Ieuan had a perfect night from the tee, successfully converting all seven tries as well as sending over two penalties.
For Old Illtydians, openside flanker Freddie Robson dotted down in each half, with skipper Mike Hiscocks also going over in the second half.
Outside half Cam Burgess converted both second half tries in addition to his first half penalty.
In truth, the final margin of defeat was harsh on Division Four East Central outfit Old Illtydians who, despite being one division below their opponents, were more than a match for Clwb, particularly early on.
They were only 7-5 down when they lost centre Jacob Purcell to the sin-bin after 25 minutes. Clwb seized on their numerical advantage, kicking the resulting penalty and scoring two converted tries in quick succession to open up a 24-5 lead.
Trailing 27-8 early in the second half, Old Illtydians still refused to fold and with around 10 minutes remaining were still very much in the fight at 34-22 down having just scored their third try.
A breakaway Clwb try proved to be the knockout blow and put the result beyond doubt and then two more tries in the closing minutes gave the final scoreline a more flattering look.
And, after picking up the cup, Clwb skipper and try scorer Moyle acknowledged his men had been in a battle against Old Illtydians – who were relegated from Three East Central at the end of last season.
“We knew them quite well having played against them last season when we had some tough games with them,” said Moyle.
“They put a shift in, a hell of a fight.”
On his own side’s success this season, Moyle added: “It was obviously quite tough coming back together last summer and starting from scratch after the season before.
“We were determined to go up this time and we did that with a couple of games to go so it was less of a nervous ending.
“It was nice to get that one of our backs this season – and this cup win is the cherry on top really.”
Division Two East Central now beckons for Clwb Rygbi while it’s been a season to remember across the whole club with the women’s team reaching the WRU Plate Final at the Principality Stadium.
Old Illtydians can look to next season with confidence having consolidated with a fifth placed finish in Four East Central and reached a cup final this season.
That is after a difficult previous couple of years before that which yielded only three league wins across two seasons and ultimately resulted in relegation from Division Three.
Club treasurer Andrew Maunder said: “There’s a bit of disappointment in terms of the scoreline in the final against Clwb, but I don’t think it reflected the boys’ efforts.
“The boys can be proud of the way they stuck in there and we played some good stuff.
“We’d have liked to have kept it closer for longer, but we never stopped trying so that and the level of performance stands us in good stead.
“On balance, it’s been a really positive season and we want to push on if we can next season.”
Header image credit: Mike Jones/Replay Images
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Tarling wins first Grand Tour stage at 2025 Giro d'Italia
Rhodri Evans
Josh Tarling has won his first individual stage at a Grand Tour event, by riding home in stage two of the Giro d’Italia.
The 21-year-old Welsh cyclist won stage two of the Italian classic by one second over Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic, in Albania’s capital city Tirana.
This is the time trial specialist’s first individual stage victory at a Grand Tour and is Welshman Tarling’s third victory at the World Tour level, following time trial wins at the 2023 Renewi Tour and this year’s UAE Tour.
Time trial specialist Tarling completed the course in 16 minutes seven seconds then faced an agonising wait for 58 riders, including other stage favourites and overall contenders, to finish.
“I can’t believe it, I’m so happy,” said Tarling.
“The wait was not nice, I don’t want to do it again, it was a long day for 13km.”
Tarling is now the youngest winner of a time trial in Giro history and has a chance for another time trial victory on stage 10 on 20 May.
Stage two results
-
Josh Tarling (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) 16mins 07secs
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Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +1sec
-
Jay Vine (Aus/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +3secs
-
Edoardo Affini (Ita/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +6secs
-
Mathias Vacek (Cze/Lidl-Trek) Same time
-
Daan Hoole (Ned/Lidl-Trek) +8secs
-
Mads Pedersen (Den/Lidl-Trek) +12secs
-
Brandon McNulty (US/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +13secs
-
Ethan Hayter (GB/Soudal Quick-Step) +14secs
-
Juan Ayoso (Spa/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +17secs
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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What do Cardiff and Scarlets need to qualify for the URC play-offs?
Rhodri Evans
Despite contrasting results over the weekend, Cardiff and Scarlets are still in with a good chance of making the United Rugby Championship top eight.
With all four Welsh sides in South Africa last weekend and this one coming, it will be a tough test for the two teams still in with a chance of qualifying for the play-offs.
Ospreys’ 29-10 defeat to the Sharks has unfortunately put them out of the reckoning this one game remaining. Let’s assess the chances of Cardiff and Scarlets:
Scarlets in pole position
Scarlets recorded a bonus-point 19-32 victory over Lions in Johannesburg to boost their chances of top eight qualification.
A first victory on South African soil since the four South African franchises were introduced in 2021 came at the perfect time for Dwayne Peel’s side, who are now up to sixth in the table with just one round to play.
Wales wing Blair Murray shook off any British and Irish Lions selection disappointment to dot down for a first half brace, before second half scores from Taine Plumtree and Johnny Williams sealed the 5-point result.
Scarlets travel to Durban to take on Sharks who have already guaranteed their play-off spot. With their match falling as the second last of the weekend, Scarlets will know what they need in order to seal a place in the next round of the competition.
Cardiff suffer Bulls blow
Going into the final two weeks of the regular season, Cardiff were in a great position to qualify. Their bonus-point victory over Munster had left them potentially only needing bonus points.
However, the capital region came up against a rampant Bulls side at altitude in Pretoria. 31-0 down at halftime, Cardiff came back well, scoring three tries through Alex Mann, Teddy Williams, and Gabe Hamer-Webb.
However, their efforts were not enough to earn either a try-scoring or losing bonus point, allowing Scarlets, Benetton, and Munster to leapfrog them.
With Cardiff outside of the top eight going into the last weekend, and Munster facing Benetton, Matt Sherratt’s side can guarantee qualification with a victory.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Portugal, Japan & Australia: Where Have the Welsh No.1 Tennis Players Been in 2025?
Rhodri Evans
Wales is proudly represented on the global tennis stage by its No.1 players Mimi Xu (17) and James Story (23), both climbing the world rankings to new career highs, here is what they have been up to.
Mimi Xu
Currently at a career-high WTA No. 427, Mimi has competed across Europe, Asia, and Oceania at both junior and senior levels this year as she comes to the end of her junior career.
She began her 2025 season in Thailand, playing a W75 event in Nonthaburi, where she reached the Round of 16, defeating higher-ranked opponents before withdrawing to manage a minor injury ahead of the Junior Australian Open.
At the Junior Australian Open, Mimi reached the third round, winning against Ava Beck and Diana-Ioana Simionescu before losing to Austria’s Lilli Tagger.
She stayed in Australia to compete in two W75 events in Brisbane, qualifying for both competitions’ main draws and beating players comfortably near her ranking. A highlight was her three-set comeback win against world No.239 Leonie Küng. By the end of the trip, she reached a then-career-high ranking of No.455.
In March, Mimi competed in two W50 events in Japan reaching the quarterfinals in Kyoto and scoring a career-best win over top seed Kyoka Okamura (No.179). That run boosted her to her current WTA No.427.
Mimi is expected to appear in all junior Grand Slams this year as she did in the last 2 years of competition. Also, Mimi may play the newly relocated, Lexus Wrexham Open (W100) in October, which would be her first pro tournament on home soil.
James Story
Since finishing college tennis in the U.S., James has made strong progress on the men’s circuit, rising from ATP No.789 to No.622 in just a few months.
To start the year, he played four M15 ITF events, reaching the Round of 16 in Bressuire and the quarterfinals at an M30 in Glasgow. Most excitingly he also won the M30 Glasgow doubles title with fellow Brit Finn Bass.
In February, James earned a wild card spot into an ATP Challenger 75 in Glasgow, he won his two qualifying games & got into the main draw. He was also runner-up at a UTR Pro Tennis Tour event at Cardiff Met, where he trained as a junior. Off the court James’ rise in the ATP rankings & success at the collegiate level earned him the Tennis Wales Player of the Year award.
March took him to Portugal, where he made the semi-finals in singles and doubles at M30 Vale do Lobo. James also played at M30 Loulé and Saint-Dizier in France, a highlight for James was his win over ATP No.361 Toby Alex Kodat.
Other Welsh Highlights so far this year include:
- Megan Davies won the BUCS National Championships with Loughborough University and represented GB Universities, earning a win at Wimbledon against the All England Club team.
- Viktor Frydrych, a former junior Grand Slam competitor, is now training professionally in Spain as he starts his senior career.
- Felix Bockelmann Evans won his first adult title at the Progress Tour event in Cardiff despite only being 17 years old at the time.
- Elizabeth Evans has made three ITF J100 quarterfinals in Spain and Sweden.
- Fletcher Davies was runner-up at the U11 Lexus National Tour event and represented GB vs France.
- Max Lendrum competed at Les Petits As, the U14 world championship.
- Archie Gray won an ITF J30 doubles title in Liverpool.
- Felix Bockelmann Evans & Evan Lendrum were runners-up in doubles at the ITF J60 in Poland, a big moment for Welsh junior tennis.
- Emma Ketler reached the final of an ITF J30 doubles event in Sweden.
Welsh players are currently representing U.S. and UK university 1st teams, continuing to develop their talent while earning education through tennis. Overall Welsh tennis players have started the year in fine form, we look forward to seeing how 2025 continues to go!
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Reviewing the 'Trump Effect'
Rhodri Evans
By Stuart d’Ivry, Managing Director of Pure Wealth Management
At the time of press this could be old news as markets move fast but this month, I have reviewed the recent volatility that no doubt all readers have heard about over the last few weeks. What does it mean both now and for the future.
So, what happened?
President Trump delivered his “Liberation Day” announcement, ending weeks of anticipation and speculation.
The measures were toward the more extreme end of expectations. I will try not to reprise what is widely available in the press, but it’s worth a quick reminder on the background.
Very early in his second term, President Trump ordered the US Trade Representative to investigate potential trade frictions imposed by America’s trading partners which might cause their exports to America to be more competitive than America’s exports to them.
He asked for it to be a thorough review going beyond tariffs to also include non-tariff barriers.
What was announced?
Despite decades of progress in reducing tariffs and trade barriers, there remain frictions and to some extent these are inevitable.
At the end of March, this report was produced and based upon it, the administration have determined that every country exerts protectionist policies which the US needs to reciprocate.
The impact of this is significant. The average tariff suffered by US imports has risen by around 20% so far during his second term.
How will this affect the economy?
Best estimates of the impact on growth from these tariff measures is that they could reduce US GDP by around 3% while prices are likely to rise by more than 1.5% due to the measures.
These figures are relatively easy to estimate as they reflect the increase in prices and taxes. The potential offset to this would be if the government were to return the tariff revenue to the economy through tax cuts.
What happens next?
Above all the two key truths about Donald Trump remain as relevant now as ever:
- He has an obsession with tariffs (which he is currently indulging).
- He loves to negotiate.
There is no question that the impact of these tariffs is negative for the global economy. There are environmental and social consequences of trade, but it is economically positive, and its curtailment is a headwind.
He has already signalled his willingness to negotiate, and the unpopularity of prices increases should encourage him to come to the table, so it would not be surprising to see these tariff rates reducing over time in a succession of triumphant announcements.
How will this impact investments?
Markets had been bracing for this announcement for weeks. Now that it has landed it was towards the more extreme end of what investors considered possible and that has weighed on the markets over the last few weeks.
The impact on companies is complex and varies stock by stock. The impact does not depend upon where companies’ shares are listed, or even where they sell their goods, but rather where they manufacture their goods.
After two years of strong stock market returns a period of volatility reminds us why it is useful to invest in diversified portfolios for example gold has given good protection to the volatile stock market.
These periods of volatility are stressful, but they also offer opportunities, so at Pure Wealth we continue to be vigilant in our assessment of the big picture as well as individual investments.
My advice is as follows:
- Don’t let short term noise remove yourself from your long-term objectives.
- Review the risk you have accepted in your portfolio, is this still correct?
- Look back on the history of markets, they do not act in a straight line and this event is likely to be a small blip on an ever-growing line.
- Speak with your financial adviser for advice and recommendation. Or even better speak to Pure Wealth!
So, who are Pure Wealth Management?
Pure Wealth are an independent financial advice practice offering holistic whole of market advice to individuals and businesses across South Wales. We are not tied to any company or provider and will work in partnership with our clients to offer bespoke financial planning typically on an ongoing basis.
Pure Wealth is part of the wider Pure Group which consists of specialists in other areas such as residential property, property investing, commercial property and development. This ensures that clients of the Pure Group have the peace of mind that they are receiving independent advice across all areas of their finances.
Should any of the readers require any advice or have any question in relation to mortgages or any other areas of their financial planning please get in touch mention Sportin Wales Magazine, and we will ensure the first consultation is free of charge.
Contact 02922 671957
Email info@purewealthmanagement.co.uk
Investments can go down as well as up. You may not get back the original capital invested.
This article is for information purposes only and does not represent advice or recommendation to act.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Career best Kellaway leads Glamorgan to dominant innings victory
Rhodri Evans
Ben Kellaway’s 181* helped Glamorgan to an innings and 161 run victory over Kent, their first in the County Championship this season.
Kellaway’s mammoth innings propelled his side to 549-9 declared, before the Glamorgan seamers ran through the Kent batting line-up twice on days two and three to wrap up a 23-point victory.
Put into bat away in Canterbury, Glamorgan started well, led by university student Asa Tribe’s sparky 94. However, when Tribe was castled by Callum Parkinson, with the Welsh county on 193-4, the innings had the potential to peter out into an average score.
Colin Ingram, so often Glamorgan’s batting rock, was joined at the crease by Kellaway, and put on 133 for the fifth wicket before the South African overseas departed for 70.
Kellaway, who is rapidly emerging as Glamorgan’s player of the season so far, kept batting on, forming key partnerships with Chris Cooke, Timm van der Gugten, and Andy Gorvin. When captain Sam Northeast called Kellaway and Asitha Fernando in on 549-9, the team had a perfect chance to post a first win of the season.
Kent’s batting mirrored Glamorgan’s. Within 15 overs, the returning James Harris and van der Gugten had reduced the talented Kent top order to 23-5. Even with Chris Benjamin’s defiant 94*, the home side were bundled out for 212, leaving them 347 short.
Northeast consulted his bowlers and asked Kent to follow on. Again, Glamorgan were rampant. Sri Lankan overseas Fernando took out the top order, and van der Gugten the middle.
There was even enough time for Kellaway to cement his player of the match credentials by taking the final two wickets with his unique brand of right-arm and left-arm spin.
This result has lifted Glamorgan up from bottom of Division Two of the County Championship, and above Gloucestershire and Lancashire into sixth.
Last week, the club confirmed that Australian international Marnus Labuschagne would be returning to Sophia Gardens for a seventh summer. With the World Test Championship Final coming in early June, the 57-test cap batter is available for the next two matches against Middlesex and Northamptonshire.
The club are now only 22 points behind Derbyshire in second and Glamorgan are finally looking up to those above them with intent.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Sportin Wales Team of the Month: Christ College Brecon
Rhodri Evans
Congratulations to Christ College Brecon who are the Sportin Wales Team of the Month for May!
Sport:
Hockey
Age Range:
Boys’ and Girls’ U18
About Us:
Christ College Brecon has been working with Hockey Wales to host this year’s National Schools Hockey Finals.
The talent on display from all school teams who took part in the tournament was exceptional and it was wonderful to see their team spirit and camaraderie shine through.
Both the boys’ and girls’ U18 teams from Christ College progressed through from regionals to the finals and were delighted to be able to compete at home for their final matches.
The girls’ team was up first, with matches against five other schools in Wales. Having kept a clean sheet all day, with some excellent defence and goalkeeping, it all came down to the final game, where Christ College needed a win in order to become the overall Welsh Champions. With two minutes left in the game, a strike from the top of the circle saw Christ College take the lead and finish off the game in style.
Next up, it was the U18 boys who were competing against three other Welsh school teams in their finals. Their dedication and hard work throughout the season paid off, securing another win for Christ College!
What We’re Really Proud Of:
This remarkable achievement of both the boys and the girls becoming Welsh Champions, is testament to the skill and teamwork of the players and the coaches. Congratulations to everyone involved for a competitive tournament that really showcased outstanding sportsmanship!
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Lions squad reaction: Cuthbert and Shanklin on the 2025 touring party
Rhodri Evans
Former Lion Alex Cuthbert says that Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams “fully deserve” their selection in Andy Farrell’s 2025 British and Irish Lions touring party.
Speaking in the aftermath of the Lions squad selection, in which Morgan and Williams were the only two Wales players picked, Cuthbert says that “it’s an unbelievable achievement” for the duo.
With Wales on an unprecedented 17-match losing streak, the pair’s excellent individual performances have propelled them into contention when others – such as Dewi Lake and Taulupe Faletau – missed out.
“”It’s an unbelievable achievement for Jac and Tomos,” Cuthbert said exclusively to Sportin Wales.
“Playing for the Lions is an amazing honour, and something that I was lucky enough to experience in 2013. Both players are immensely talented and definitely have the quality to impact the test series against Australia in a big way.”
“They’ve been Wales’ best players in a difficult period for the team. Both sides of the ball, Jac is right up there with the best in the world in the back row.
“Tomos has that extra bit of magic to conjure something out of nothing that you need in those tight, high level contests.”
‘Gutted for the guys who missed out’
A number of talented Wales players missed out on selection, most notably in the forwards, with Lake, Faletau, and Dafydd Jenkins all unlucky not to make the tour.
For Cuthbert, though, Wales’ recent form counted against a number of the squad in those tight 50-50 calls.
“Obviously it’s difficult to take so many Welsh players with the team not winning in this current moment,” the 2013 Lions tourist added.
“Dewi and Taulupe are both unlucky to miss out, as are Dafydd and Nicky Smith in my opinion. I’m gutted for those guys that will have watched the squad be announced and heard bad news.”
No Faletau a ‘mistake’
With Ireland captain and favourite to be the test number eight Caelan Doris suffering a late shoulder injury in Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton, there was a chance that Wales and Lions legend Taulupe Faletau would be selected.
Having had so many recent injury issues himself, Faletau’s inclusion always felt a little unlikely, but Cuthbert maintains that, without his quality and experience, the Lions are diminished slightly.
“Not taking Taulupe is a bit of a mistake in my opinion,” Cuthbert said.
“With Doris injured, you need an experienced player in the back row and Toby has that in spades.
“He’s been on three Lions tours and played test matches in all three. He showed recently that, when fit, he is still one of the best forwards in Europe.”
‘We were hoping for more’
Another Lions tourist, Tom Shanklin, expressed his disappointment that only two Welshmen made Andy Farrell’s squad.
Speaking to Sportin Wales at Cardiff Rugby, where fans were left ruing the lack of Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams in the squad, Shanklin suggested that utility back Blair Murray had a good chance of making the squad.
“I think we were all hoping for more,” Shanklin said.
“Tomos and Jac have been really good performers so it’s good that they’ve been picked. The likes of Blair Murray, Dafydd Jenkins, Taulupe Faletau, and Dewi Lake can count themselves as unlucky not to make the tour.”
Shanklin, who was selected for a Lions tour twice – in 2005 and 2009 – was realistic that only 2 Welsh tourists is a reflection of “where Welsh rugby is at the moment.”
“I don’t think we can argue too much,” Shanklin added.
“We are 17 game without a win and back-to-back wooden spoon ‘winners’. We have to be a bit realistic with how many are going to go.”
Leinster vs Northampton a ‘trail’ match
Perhaps the most surprising omission from the Lions squad announcement was that of Leinster and Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast.
The clip of Henry Pollock – himself called up after scintillating 2025 for Northampton and England – burning the 22-year-old on the outside went viral and sparked debate over his defensive ability.
With Northampton and Leinster accounting for 16 of the 38-strong touring party, both sides are well accounted for. Shanklin believes that Prendergast played himself out of contention for a place with his recent performances.
“Maybe Leinster vs Northampton in the Champions Cup was a trial,” Shanklin pondered.
“Prendergast definitely didn’t have his greatest game, whereas Fin Smith [who was called up], I thought he was absolutely amazing that day.
“Marcus Smith also allows you to go 6-2 on the bench, with his ability to play fullback, so Prendergast was just squeezed out in the flyhalf position.”
Versatility a massive factor in selection
A number of players have been called up due to their ability to play in a number of different positions.
In the forwards, Farrell raised some eyebrows in selecting six locks, but with Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, and Maro Itoje all able to fill in at blindside flanker, the Lions have a very flexible group of back five forwards.
Similarly in the back three, Elliot Daly makes the squad. Capable of playing outside centre as well as wing and fullback, Daly is an excellent option and two-time Lion. Tommy Freeman and James Lowe also have experience in the 13 shirt despite normally starting on the wing for club and country.
Blair Kinghorn and Marcus Smith are also both capable of playing at flyhalf or fullback. Clearly, on a tour with a packed schedule of matches, the versatility of certain players played into their favour.
“Look at Elliot Daly, he’s in the squad because he can cover centre, wing, and 15,” Shanklin explained.
“For Marcus Smith, that versatility has massively counted towards his inclusion.”
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Itoje captains Lions squad with only two Welshmen included
Rhodri Evans
Only two Welsh players have made Andy Farrell’s 38-man British and Irish Lions squad, as Maro Itoje captains the team on their 2025 tour of Australia.
Jac Morgan, Wales captain during the 2025 Six Nations, and Tomos Williams make the Lions touring party, with the small number of Welsh tourists a reflection on the team’s recent struggles.
Wales have lost their last 17 test matches, including back-to-back Six Nations wooden spoons. This poor international form may have counted against the likes of Dewi Lake, Dafydd Jenkins, Taulupe Faletau, and Nicky Smith who were all thought to be in with a chance of selection.
Elsewhere in the squad, 20-year-old flanker Henry Pollock is the major beneficiary of Caelan Doris’ untimely shoulder injury, with the Northampton Saints tyro making the plane after putting in some massive performances in 2025.
Pollock has only been capped by England once – against Wales at the end of the Six Nations, where he scored two tries as a substitute – and had only played one English Premiership match before this season.
Sam Prendergast, a surprise exclusion from the squad, misses out in place of Scotland co-captain Finn Russell and English playmaking duo Marcus Smith and Fin Smith. It also means that Owen Farrell, England stalwart and Andy Farrell’s son, also misses out.
Morgan and Williams are Wales’ only Lions, with a contingent of just two making Wales’ lowest ever on a Lions tour.
Big Names Miss Out
As well as Prendergast and Farrell, plenty of talented players and former Lions tourist missed out on selection.
Two-time Lion Jamie George misses out, as does Welsh hooker Lake, as Farrell opts for Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, and Luke Cowan-Dickie in the number two shirt.
In the backs, England’s George Ford, Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw, and Scotland trio Ben White, Darcy Graham and Tom Jordan also fail to make the plane.
In the ultra competitive back row sees Scotland regulars Matt Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, and Jack Dempsey miss out, as do Faletau and Aaron Wainwright of Wales, Ben Curry, Jack and Tom Willis of England, and Ireland flankers Peter O’Mahony, Caelan Doris, and Ryan Baird.
12 Leinster Players Make the tour
Andy Farrell, who is on secondment from his usual role as head coach of Ireland, has lent heavily on Irish players in his squad. 15 Ireland players make the Lions squad, with 13 English, 8 Scottish, and just two Welsh.
Remarkably, 12 players from Irish club side Leinster will be representing the Lions this summer, with Blair Kinghorn the only French-based player making the tour.
With Tomos Williams currently playing for Gloucester Rugby, Jac Morgan is the only Wales-based player in the squad.
Lions Touring Party:
Forwards
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (capt)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.