Sportin Wales co-founder Anscombe signs for Bayonne
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Sportin Wales co-founder Gareth Anscombe has signed for French Top 14 side Bayonne, leaving Gloucester at the end of this season.
Anscombe, 33, has signed a one-year deal with Bayonne, who are currently fourth in the French top flight.
“I’m really pleased to announce that I will be joining Aviron Bayonnais next season,” Anscombe said.
“Really looking forward to testing myself in the Top 14 that is arguably the most competitive league in the world at the moment.”
The flyhalf, who co-founded Sportin Wales with Alex Cuthbert and Dean Jones in 2022, has plied his trade at Gloucester this season, with the club currently sitting in fifth with three league matches of the season remaining.
Anscombe played a season in the English Premiership after his deal with Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath fell through because of a groin injury.
He started his career in his native New Zealand before moving to Cardiff in 2014, making his Wales debut, qualifying through his Welsh mother, a year later.
He also spent four seasons at Ospreys from 2019.
In a short statement, Gloucester said: “Gloucester Rugby would like to thank Gareth for his time at the Club and when the time comes, he will leave with the best wishes for him and his family on their next adventure in France.”
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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Blacker resigns for Scarlets after Dragons sojourn
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Scarlets have announced the signing of Dane Blacker from Dragons RFC.
The scrumhalf previously played for the West Wales region between 2019 and 2023 and has plied his trade at Rodney Parade for the last two seasons.
Blacker played 56 times for Scarlets in his previous spell for the club, scoring 15 tries at Parc y Scarlets. His form in 2022 earnt him an international call up during the autumn internationals.
Blacker made the bench for Wales’ match with Georgia, but was an unused substitute.
Since moving east to Dragons, the scrumhalf had appeared 33 times for the region, scoring four times.
‘Exciting team and future’
“I’m really excited to be returning to the Scarlets – a club I’ve truly enjoyed playing for in the past,” said Blacker upon signing.
“It feels great to be coming back to such a passionate rugby environment, with incredible fans who always bring energy and support. I’m looking forward to being part of an exciting team and future.”
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel added: “We are delighted to welcome Dane back to the Scarlets – we were disappointed to see him leave a couple of years ago. He showed then the calibre of player he is, pushing himself into international contention and scoring some great tries.
“He is going to add to the quality in our scrum-half pool with Gareth and Archie here and Rhodri Lewis also pushing hard for opportunities.”
Scarlets squad shaping up
Blacker is the third confirmed signing by the Llanelli-based club, with Joe Hawkins set to join from Exeter Chiefs and Jake Ball returning for a second spell after his brief retirement.
The club have also been busy tying down a number of squad regulars who have helped guide Scarlets to a potential United Rugby Championship play-off spot.
Internationals Joe Roberts, Taine Plumtree, Eddie James, and Kemsley Mathias have all signed new deals, as have promising youngsters Macs Page and Tomi Lewis.
Ioan Lloyd, a regular flyhalf this season and Welsh international, is leaving Parc y Scarlets, though, and is joining Cardiff ahead of the 2025/26 season.
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.
Regions given ultimatum by WRU over Professional Rugby Agreement deal
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have given the Welsh regions a deadline on Thursday to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement (RPA) or risk a notice period of two years.
The WRU have written to Dragons RFC, Scarlets, and Ospreys with this ultimatum after a meeting between the parties on Tuesday.
Cardiff Rugby are excluded as they signed the PRA when they were taken over by the WRU following administration.
The governing body for Welsh rugby announced in February that the 5-year PRA deal had been agreed in principal. Cardiff’s take over has complicated matters, with the other three regions expressing concerns over the impact of their change in ownership.
While the WRU would prefer that the four regions continue, there is now a recognition that the Welsh rugby ecosystem has been caught in limbo for too long and that the deal needs to be signed.
It is believed that should any of the three regions fail to sign the PRA deal by Thursday May 8th, the WRU will call in the two-year notice period on the current PRA which could lead to seismic changes to Welsh professional rugby.
WRU hold the licenses that are needed to compete in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions and does have the power to remove them two years after the notice period is served. However, as was demonstrated during the Cardiff takeover, their would be significant financial penalty if the Union broke their contract with the URC and EPCR.
Cardiff Concern
Having signed the PRA25 ‘in principal’ back in February, the landscape of Welsh rugby has changed significantly.
With Cardiff going into administration and the WRU stepping in to take over in the short term, the three independently owned have expressed concerns about the level of funding the WRU could put into the capital club.
As the PRA currently stands, there is no limit on the amount of money that the Welsh Rugby Union could invest into Cardiff, leading to a potential imbalance within Welsh regional rugby.
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood last month insisted it was the WRU’s intention “to provide the other three professional clubs with similar debt relief”.
The union has suggested that Cardiff will be on the same terms as the other clubs under the new PRA and that the WRU will create a subsidiary to run the region on an independent basis.
The WRU assurances have yet to fully appease the Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons with Thursday’s deadline looming.
Clubs in limbo
With the PRA deal yet to be signed, the Welsh regions are unsure of their playing budgets for next season.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said last week that he is waiting on confirmation before more signing are made at the club.
While Wales internationals Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have signed new deals, the club are yet to announce the signing of Ross Moriarty from French club Brive, despite the deal reportedly being agreed weeks ago.
Adam Beard confirmed that he is leaving the club after over a decade at the Swansea.com Stadium and is making the switch to Montpellier in the Top14.
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.
The Modric Effect: new Swansea signing Inoussa reveals phone call with legend
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Swansea City are already reaping the rewards of their new minority owner Luka Modric as new signing Zeidane Inoussa reveals phone call with the Real Madrid and Croatia legend.
The Welsh club announced the signing of Inoussa from Swedish side BK Hacken for an undisclosed fee on Monday, with the 22-year-old winger signing a five-year deal.
Inoussa is the first signing since Swansea City confirmed that Alan Sheehan would continue as their permanent manager next season, after a successful interim spell that saw the club finish in the top half of the Championship.
It was revealed by the Sweden Under-21 international in an interview with Fotbollskanalen that he had spoken to Modric upon signing for Swansea.
Modric, a Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid legend, joined the Swans in April as a minority investor into the club and is clearly already having an impact on potential incomings.
“It’s funny,” Inoussa told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen.
“I’m not just saying that because he’s a part-owner of Swansea, I’ve said it before too, but I think he’s the best midfielder ever. At least the ones I’ve seen.”
“I actually did [speak to Modric]. It was really fun. It was awesome, actually.
“To hear his view on the project and why I should sign for them, it meant quite a lot. It was very cool.
“It was really big. He mostly talked about the project, his view of the club and the team’s future. Then I doubt he’s seen me play, but he said he’d heard positive things about me. It was a lot of fun.”
Stockholm-born Inoussa, a Sweden Under-21 international, has impressed for Häcken since joining the Allsvenskan club in February 2024.
The pacy forward has 12 goals and nine assists to his name for his current club and featured in all six of their games in this season’s European Conference League play-off rounds.
Inoussa has also previously played for Brommapojkarna, Caen, Real Murcia, and Valencia B.
Sheehan says that the signing of Inoussa will allow Swansea to continue to play an ‘aggressive’ brand of football.
“It’s important that we carry this season’s momentum into next, and getting our first signing done this early is great,” Sheehan said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Zeidane. We want to be an aggressive team with and without the ball, and we believe he has all the attributes to do that and to make us better.”
Swansea Global Head of Analytics and Recruitment, Adam Worth, added: “Zeidane is a really exciting attacking threat and a player we have been keen to bring to the club for a long time.
“The recruitment team have worked tirelessly on this over the past year, and he has consistently excelled on data, video, and live viewings.
“He will add an extra dimension to our attack, and, with the support of our ownership group, we are delighted to have been able to complete this deal so early.”
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.
Labuschagne back at Glamorgan for two May matches
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Marnus Labuschagne will return to Glamorgan for a seventh year with the club, as the Australian is set to play two matches for the county in May.
Labuschagne, 30, has played 57 test matches for Australia and has become Glamorgan’s long-term overseas player since he first signed in 2019.
International commitments and the recent arrival of his second child has limited Labuschagne’s availability for the Welsh county.
The batter is set to play for Australia in the ICC World Test Championship against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11, with two Glamorgan matches providing the perfect chance to acclimatise to conditions.
Glamorgan play Middlesex and Northamptonshire at Sophia Gardens in May – the two matches that Labuschagne will be available for. With Colin Ingram and Asitha Fernando Glamorgan’s current overseas players, Labuschagne’s arrival offers the chance to rest rotate the other two in the middle of the taxing early season schedule.
Labuschagne has hit 10 hundreds and 13 fifties for Glamorgan in County Championship cricket, staying with the county after his form earnt him a recall to the Australian test team in 2019.
Glamorgan were handed another boost ahead of their match with Jonathan Trott and Ian Harvey joining the coaching staff.
Former England batter and current Afghanistan head coach Trott is working with the county for a month on a consultancy basis, while ex-Australia all-rounder Harvey – a former assistant of Glamorgan boss Richard Dawson as Gloucestershire – is expected to be at Sophia Gardens during the T20 Blast campaign.
“Ian and Jonathan were helping out the day before the Derbyshire game and the first three days, providing players with the opportunity to chat to them and helping David Harrison on deck, and having a wealth of experience across the bases,” Dawson said.
“They’ll keep on dipping in and out for the short term, and we’ll put plans in place for them through the season on how they can add to our environment and help the boys get better.”
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.
Tinus de Beer makes Dragons switch after two years in the capital
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Dragons RFC have announced the signing of flyhalf Tinus de Beer from rivals Cardiff.
The South African playmaker makes the move east after a positive two seasons in the Welsh capital, impressing with his running, kicking and defensive resilience.
De Beer established himself as a firm favourite at Cardiff winning both the Fans’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards last season. After the arrival of Welsh international playmaker Callum Sheedy, de Beer has had limited opportunities in the team this season.
The 29-year-old former South Africa Under-20s international played for Blue Bulls and Griquas before reaching back-to-back Currie Cup finals with Pumas in South Africa and then making the switch to the United Rugby Championship.
An abrasive defender who is brave in the tackle area, Pretoria-born de Beer also offers a running threat who enjoys taking the ball to the line along with a long kicking game.
“I’m very excited and honoured to join Dragons RFC,” said de Beer.
“It offers me an opportunity to grow professionally, work on new challenges, and collaborate with new coaches and teammates who bring different perspectives and strengths.
“I’m excited to build strong relationships within the team and be part of a culture that values hard work, honesty, respect, and continuous improvement.
“The history of the club and the support it receives from the community are incredibly inspiring and I’m excited to be part of a club with such a rich history and passionate supporters base.”
Head Coach Filo Tiatia added: “I’m looking forward to getting Tinus into the building. We looked closely at how he plays the game and we’re excited by the way he can add to us and his attacking nature.
“He’s a strong defender, a player who puts himself on the front line, and he brings real tactical awareness to the game.
“We feel he’ll be the ideal fit alongside the likes of Angus (O’Brien) and the young tens we have at the club.”
Backs Coach Matt O’Brien said: “Tinus brings experience into the group he gives us options and depth to our back line.
“He’s a running threat, has a strong kicking game and is tough defensively.
“Tinus has proven he is a top performer in the URC, with an outstanding first season at Cardiff. He’s been unfortunate with injuries this season, but he undoubtedly comes to us motivated to show his best form.
“Tinus is a top professional, all his former coaches have spoken very highly of him, so we’re looking forward to what he will bring to the environment here.”
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.
James Heneghan and Sophie Pikett claim Cardiff 5k crowns
Rhodri Evans
James Heneghan stormed to an outright race victory, claiming the Welsh Title in the process on an entertaining evening at the Cardiff 5k – Race For Victory on Sunday.
This was a first race outing for the Pontypridd Roadent since the UK Indoor Championships in February, leaving him clearly delighted with his victory which improved on his fifth place from last year.
The track specialist broke the tape in a time of 14:21 with a well paced effort that saw him sprint away from Jon Butler and Felix McGrath who had led with around 800m to go.
Butler clinched the Silver medal in the Championships within a second of the race winner in 14:21 with Michael Ward claiming Bronze in 14:26.
Parc Bryn Bach’s Phil Matthews reset Martin Rees’ M45 record to 14:47 to claim the Welsh M45 title.
The women’s race was won by Chelsea Baker competing for the UK Armed Forces Team in 16:03, revising her previous best of 16:16 from the Podium 5k Festival in March. Trish Jackman was the runner-up in 16:11. Sophie Pikett was third overall sealing the Welsh title with a new lifetime best of 16:14.
Relatively unknown Kayley Price followed up on her fourth placed finish at the ABP Newport 10k to claim the Silver medal in 16:32.
Welsh Marathon record holder Clara Evans returned from a short injury spell to claim the Bronze medal in 16:35 on the course where she set her 5km best last year and was the race winner in 2023.
2023 Cardiff 10k winner Alaw Evans was the first Welsh W35 in 16:42.
Course Record Holder Charlotte Dobbs (nee Arter) continued her racing return in a time of 17:07.
Top photo: Les Stills Photography
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.
7 outside bets to make the Lions squad
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
With Andy Farrell set to pick his 37-man British and Irish Lions squad on Thursday, there are plenty of players with an outside chance of making the squad.
Whether it’s those who are battling late injury issues, or have experienced an upturn in form in recent months, Farrell mentioned last week that his coaching staff were considering “around 76 or 77” names for this summer’s tour of Australia.
So, who were initially on the fringes of that group that may now be rearranging summer plans around a trip Down Under? Let’s assess some of the outside bets to make Thursday’s squad.
Henry Pollock
The back row is always the most competitive position and, with four international opensides all fit and in form, you may be wondering why Pollock is being considered.
Well, the 20-year-old Northampton Saint has had a breakthrough season for the ages, standing out at club level and making waves in the international arena.
Pollock is a brash young forward who loves the flashy side of the game. His turnover and penalty count are both high, as is his try-scoring record. Seven scores in seven Champions Cup matches, including a phenomenal individual effort in the semi-final win over Leinster has made him a bit of a human highlight reel.
With the English media full behind the #PollockMustPlay campaign, he has all the backing to be a late contender for the Lions tour. The problem he has is picking who to drop from the squad. It is already likely that two of Jac Morgan, Tom and Ben Curry, Rory Darge, and Josh van der Flier won’t be on the plane, so Pollock has a mountain to climb.

Jamie Osborne
With Farrell likely to pick five centres in his squad, the versatile Osborne is in the mix for a call-up. Able to play in either centre role as well as all across the back three, Osborne offers the flexibility that you need on a long and tiring tour.
With Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, and Huw Jones all pretty likely to go, Osborne may nudge himself ahead of the likes of Robbie Henshaw, Max Llewellyn, and Henry Slade in the pecking order. Throw in Sione Tuipulotu’s injury troubles, and Osborne has a great chance to don the Lions jersey this summer.

Fraser Dingwall
Another Northampton player to make this list, captain Dingwall has shot himself into the reckoning with his performances in 2025.
Solid if unspectacular when called up by England for their last two matches of the Six Nations, Dingwall is an excellent organising centre and is 80 minutes away from captaining his club to Champions Cup glory.
If Tuipulotu does not make the squad, then the Lions could do a lot worse than Dingwall.

Blair Murray
It was only last year that Murray was playing representative rugby for Canterbury in New Zealand. Fast forward 18 months and the speedster could be the perfect back three players for the Lions.
A winger for club side Scarlets, Murray shone at fullback for Wales in the Six Nations, emerging as their best player in a dismal overall tournament.
Like many on this list, his versatility – capable of also filling in a flyhalf in a tour match if necessary – will be key to him making the plane ahead of other more established options.

Jack Willis
Another Englishman on the outside of the squad, Willis’ move to Toulouse in 2022 has seen him reach his high potential – albeit rarely in an England shirt.
A jackal threat and excellent carrier, on his day Willis is the best flanker in Europe. His lack of recent international experience, competition in his position, and lack of availability due to the Top14’s late finish will count against him, however.
Farrell could do a lot worse than Willis, though, and for that he has a chance.

Taulupe Faletau
Our co-founder Alex Cuthbert didn’t just pick Faletau in his squad, he put the Cardiff and Wales legend in the number eight shirt ahead of Caelan Doris – a favourite to be tour captain.
His reasoning is simple: Faletau is the greatest Welsh player of his generation and would be an enormous asset to the Lions squad. Simple, right? Well, with Doris and Ben Earl most likely ahead of him in the pecking order, Faletau may not quite make a fourth tour.
This weekend’s news that Doris will be undergoing shoulder surgery is a massive boost for his potential selection chances.

Tom Jordan
Another one for club versatility, Jordan can play equally well at flyhalf, inside centre, and fullback. Having had an excellent autumn for Scotland, the New Zealand-born back was tested in the Six Nations and, in general, passed with high marks.
Whether Farrell goes for other options remains to be seen, but Jordan is a quality footballer and is playing in a winning club side at Glasgow Warriors.

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.
Glamorgan battle hard in Derbyshire draw
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Glamorgan fell one wicket short of a memorable win against Derbyshire, after Andy Gorvin and Ben Kellaway brought the county to the brink of a first win of the season.
The Welsh county started the first two days strongly, posting 431 in the first innings with scores for experienced players Colin Ingram (81), Sam Northeast (63), and Timm van der Gugten (62), and a sparky 58 for university opener Asa Tribe.
Thanks to the returning Gorvin’s 5-85, Glamorgan reduced their opponents to 162-7, but Derbyshire rallied through Luis Reece and Alex Thomson to end with 350.
When Derbyshire’s New Zealand international overseas Blair Tickner pegged Glamorgan back to 15-3, the match looked as though it was turning the way of the visitors.
However, 109-run and 110-run partnerships between Zain-ul-Hassan and Ingram, and then Kellaway and Chris Cooke took Glamorgan up to 256-7 and, with a lead of 337, Northeast declared.
With the match perfectly poised on day 4, Glamorgan took regular wickets, while Derbyshire scored at a rate that always kept them in the contest. Martin Andersson’s 78 from 95 ball threatened to take the game away from the home side, but when he was caught behind off the bowling of Kellaway, Glamorgan had a sniff.
Three more quick wickets from Ned Leonard and Kellaway – who completed his 5-fer – left Glamorgan on the brink of victory, but Reece and Tickner at 10 and 11 batted out the final four overs for a draw.
Glamorgan took a creditable 14 points from the weekend’s match, but remain bottom of County Championship Division 2 and still searching for a first win of the season.
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.
Mark Williams loses historic World Snooker Championship final
Rhodri Evans

Rhodri Evans
Mark Williams lost a historic World Snooker Championship final 18-12 to Zhao Xintong, who became the first Chinese player to win the tournament.
The 28-year-old extended his 11-6 overnight lead, winning six frames in a row to put him on the brink of victory, before Williams rallied to win two before the afternoon interval.
At 17-8, the 50-year-old Welshman needed a miracle. Williams came out firing on Monday evening, winning four frames with breaks of 101, 96, and 73 the highlights.
Williams who had made history by becoming the oldest player to reach the Crucible final, was unable to stave off the inevitable forever, with Zhao romping home in the final frame to claim the title.
A mountain to climb
Williams lost the two Sunday afternoon sessions by an aggregate score of 13-3 – a margin that proved too wide in a match which is sure to be viewed as a changing-of-the-guard moment.
“Unfortunately I was just never in the final from day one. I was behind from the start and could not get into it,” said Williams.
“I said that if I could get out of the first session at 5-3 down it would have been a result, but I was 7-1 down and it was a bit far for me to get back.
“I’ve got nothing but admiration for what he’s done, coming through the qualifiers. He hasn’t played for two years, bashed everybody up. There’s a new superstar of the game.”
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.

















