Today's rugby news as Wales arrange Six Nations warm-up clash ahead of France match
These are your rugby headlines on the morning of Wednesday, January 22.
Wales to take on under-20s
Wales will take on the U20s team this Friday as they look to ramp up their preparations for their Six Nations opener against France the following week.
A Friday night clash in Paris means Wales are limited with their time in camp ahead of the Six Nations, as they look to end a run of 12 Test defeats.
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As such, they'll go up against Richard Whiffin's side at the end of this week to gear up for a clash with Fabien Galthie's French outfit. The move is part of Wales' plan to create greater alignment between the senior time and the pathway sides, with Rob Howley's new role covering both the seniors and under-20s. The live session is expected to be officiated by one of the WRU's referees.
With all of Wales' English and French-based players going back to their clubs at the end of this week, Gatland will be without 11 of his 34-man squad. With numbers limited at the end of this training week, it's understood Gatland did consider calling up reinforcements - as he had alluded to last week. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
With Cardiff lock Teddy Williams the only second-row left in camp, with everyone else in his position plying his trade outside of Wales, Ospreys youngster James Fender was considered as an option to bring in - but he'll remain with the Ospreys for their Friday night clash with Benetton instead.
Speaking about the limited preparation time, Gatland said: "Monday was more of an administration day, with a little bit of skills. Some training sessions today and tomorrow. Then a runout against the U20s on Friday.
"Hopefully it would be a positive, but we lost 10 or 11 players going back to their clubs. It's very much limited preparation time in terms of getting ready to play France.
"But everyone is kind of in the same boat, unless you're one of those teams (England and Ireland) going away on camps tomorrow in Italy or Portugal."
Biggar: Poor Six Nations will see change
Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar believes a poor Six Nations for Wales could usher in change in Welsh rugby.
Warren Gatland's men have lost their past 12 Tests and will be looking to avoid finishing bottom of the competition table for the second year in a row. Many are tipping Wales for the Wooden Spoon, especially with the way the fixtures fall this time around.
Biggar says an injection of new ideas could help this new crop of Wales players who are, at present, unaccustomed to winning Test matches on a regular basis.
"Clearly Welsh rugby is in a really, really tough spot, it feels like it needs a freshen up somewhere," Biggar said on The Rugby Pod with Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode. "A poor Six Nations then there will probably be some decisions to be made.
"It almost feels like there needs to be a freshen up in terms of ideas and game-plan potentially in terms of the group that they've had for the last 10-12 years, this group is a very different group and it probably needs a different style of coaching.
"I think the review that went on, obviously I'm not quite sure what came of that!"
Biggar then referenced the "mixed messaging" that has been coming out of the Wales camp since the Six Nations squad was selected, particularly the omission of Gareth Anscombe.
"It's a little bit of mixed messaging," he said. "The whole thing has been 'we haven't had enough experience in this team' and we' haven't had enough guys who have been there, done it'. Gareth (Anscombe) is one of those (who has). Everything seems a bit muddled. It's like, OK, Gareth Anscombe isn't going to be around for the World Cup but we'll pick Toby (Faletau)."
Stephens signs Cardiff deal
Cardiff winger Iwan Stephens has penned fresh terms with the club.
His new contract sees him agree a long-term deal with the Blue & Blacks. Currently on the sidelines with an ACL injury, the 24-year-old won't play again this season.
"I'm really excited to have signed a new deal with Cardiff, I have really enjoyed my time here so far," said Stephens.
"Obviously I am gutted that my season was cut short early, but I loved pulling on the blue and black jersey and will be back better than before to show everyone what I am capable of."
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: "He is a great lad, who has a real hunger to learn and give his best for the club, and he has grasped his opportunity with both hands.
"I have no doubt that he will come back ahead of next season with the same appetite to succeed.
"So I am delighted to keep him here at the club and it is something he thoroughly deserves."
Tigers sign England winger
By PA Sport Staff
Leicester have signed England international wing Adam Radwan from their fellow Gallagher Premiership club Newcastle.
The Tigers said that 27-year-old Radwan has joined them with immediate effect on what they described as a “multi-year deal”.
Radwan’s arrival in the east midlands comes less than a week after Tigers’ England wing Anthony Watson announced his retirement because of a back injury.
Radwan, who made 128 appearances for Newcastle, won two England caps in 2021.
“Adam is an exciting player with a proven record for finding the try-line,” Tigers head coach Michael Cheika told the club’s website.
“He is someone who will add great competition to our back-three ranks, as well as bring with him a wealth of experience.”
Newcastle rugby director Steve Diamond said he understood that Falcons supporters would be disappointed to see Radwan exit Kingston Park.
“Adam is a great lad who has been nothing but professional during my year of working with him, and I know everyone at Kingston Park will join me in wishing him all the best for his move,” Diamond said.
“I understand our supporters will be disappointed at losing a player of his ability, and of course we share those sentiments.
“Adam is an ambitious player who came to us and expressed his desire to take up this opportunity with Leicester.
“There is absolutely no animosity between Adam and ourselves, and he will always be welcomed back here as a player who has given tremendous service to this club.”
