Wales Coach Tandy Calls for Fan Support in Nations Championship Opener
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has appealed to rugby supporters to attend Saturday's match at Cardiff City Stadium as the team begins its inaugural Nations Championship campaign against Fiji. Around 18,000 tickets have been sold for the game, designated as a home fixture for Fiji, but Tandy hopes a strong walk-up crowd will boost attendance. The upper Ninian Stand will remain closed.
"I think our supporters are amazing. You've seen it with Italy, with every home game, the way the crowd responded to the team and the team respond to the crowd. I think that's part of our identity. That's part of who we are," Tandy said. "For me, I hope as many people can get there on Saturday as possible to get behind the team. I know there is that feeling of connection to our supporters and I'd just like to encourage people to go because it does mean so much to the players."
Wales U20s Draft in Two Players for South Africa Clash
Wales have flown in two new players ahead of their final group match at the World Under-20s Championship in Georgia. Dragons RFC winger Rhys Cole and Bristol Bears loosehead prop George Leyland have been drafted into the squad due to injuries. Dylan Scott suffered a leg injury early in Wales' second Pool A clash against Uruguay, while Issac Godfrey withdrew before the game with a leg injury after being named on the bench.
Both Cole and Leyland will be considered for Tuesday's showdown against defending champions South Africa. Wales have so far beaten Georgia and Uruguay in the competition.
Spanish Player Accused of Racism at U20s Championship
Spain replacement Mateo Aragon has been summoned to a disciplinary hearing after being accused of racism during a Junior World Rugby Championship match against France. World Rugby cited Aragon for an "offence contrary to law 9.12 (verbal abuse)" following the match in Georgia. Aragon, a product of Bordeaux-Begles' academy, allegedly made comments in French to Toulon fly-half Luka Keletaona.
France won the pool stage match 57-32. Keletaona said after the match: "I was there to get the lads together under the posts. The Spaniards passed us and that’s when the racist remarks were made. Racist comments have no place on a field. It must not go unnoticed. I want it to go higher up." He reported the remarks to his captain and the referee. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) stated it fully supported Keletaona and would file an official complaint to World Rugby. "We understand that such remarks could shock and affect him. We commend his courage in speaking out against this situation," the FFR said.
Scarlets Prop Gabe Hawley Signs First Senior Contract
Welsh-qualified prop Gabe Hawley has signed his first senior contract with the Scarlets. The 23-year-old tighthead, born in Ipswich and qualifying through his grandmother, joined from Ealing Trailfinders' academy in 2024. He has made nine senior appearances and was a regular for Llandovery during their Super Rygbi Cymru title-winning season.
"I’ve learned a lot in the two years I have been here and am looking forward to continuing that development in the senior squad this season," Hawley said. "Getting a taste of senior rugby, playing against top sides in the URC and European competitions, gives you an appetite for more." Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies added: "Gabe is another player who continues to progress... He is an intelligent player, with a strong desire to learn and progress his game and possesses the stature to become a formidable front-row forward."
Ashley Beck Appointed Full-Time Wales Women Attack Coach
Ashley Beck has been appointed Wales Women attack coach on a full-time basis. The former Ospreys and Wales international centre joined Sean Lynn's coaching team for this year's Six Nations on a temporary contract, which has now been made permanent. Beck will step away from his role as Brython Thunder head coach in the Celtic Challenge.
Beck said: "This was an opportunity I simply couldn’t turn down after being with the national side in the recent W6N campaign. We took real steps forward during the championship and the players really bought into the new team identity and playing philosophy." Lynn commented: "Ash’s relatability to the players and the knowledge of his squad at Brython Thunder has proved invaluable." Wales begin their WXV campaign with home games against South Africa on September 18 and the USA on September 26 at Cardiff Arms Park, followed by two Tests in Japan.
Scotland Captain Excited for Nations Championship
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu expressed collective excitement among players about the inaugural Nations Championship. Scotland face Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday, then South Africa in Pretoria on July 11, before hosting Fiji at Murrayfield on July 18. The top sides from each hemisphere will play corresponding ranked teams in November, with the final at Twickenham.
"I don’t think we’re talking about the tournament as a whole yet... but in terms of the excitement, I can sense the players are really excited about this tournament because frankly, we don’t get the opportunity to come away and play these southern hemisphere teams if it isn’t at a World Cup," Tuipulotu said. "This is the perfect preparation for us, a year out from the (2027) World Cup, to challenge ourselves against the best in their own backyard."
