News

Wales hit rock bottom but there is hope

Published

9 months ago

March 20, 2025

THE HAMMERING the men’s senior international team took against England last Saturday (March 15) raised familiar questions about the decline of rugby union in Wales.

Identifying the problems and their causes has become a national pastime.

The WRU has been accused of neglecting the national team, the regions, and the community game and of not doing enough to secure the game’s future while the senior team was successful. All of those complaints have some foundation, with some better founded than others.

However, to get to the root of the issues, it is necessary to strip away some of the myths surrounding Wales’s relationship with rugby. Starting with the most straightforward one: rugby is not Wales’s national game. Far more people play football in Wales than rugby, and football clubs are distributed more evenly across the country. Even in areas of Wales that are traditionally and strongly associated with rugby union, more people play soccer than rugby.

For a nation that harps on about the past’s glories, uniquely among Tier One rugby nations, Wales has failed to tap into the knowledge base of its former top international players. Consider the great Welsh teams of the 1970s: none of them went into top-class coaching. The WRU’s approach to amateurism was partly to blame for the loss of their knowledge. Still, even when the amateur game turned professional, the number of top-ranking players taking on senior roles in coaching and player development remained small.

That is not to say that having former players coaching and developing players is the answer to Welsh rugby’s woes. The challenges run far deeper. But there is hope.

HIT AND MISS PLAYER SELECTIONS WASTE TALENT

For young players, getting on the right development pathway often has more to do with whether your face (or your parents’ faces) fits. Staying on a player development pathway with regional academies is also fraught with difficulty.

Imagine the lunacy of losing promising players because they want to pursue an academic career away from Wales or take advantage of superior coaching and facilities in England. But that’s not only happened in Wales, it’s still happening.

One promising young player from Pembrokeshire spent a long time on The Scarlets development pathway. Nobody knows whether he would’ve made it to the top level. However, the Scarlets dropped him like a hot brick as soon as he made it clear he wanted to pursue his higher education outside Wales and not attend Coleg Sir Gar. Because of the way he was treated, that young player no longer plays at any level. He fell out of love with the game he’d played since he was six or seven years old.

At a more elevated level, the player who scored Italy’s final try against Ireland in Rome last weekend hails from Pembrokeshire. Stephen Varney made a couple of outings for the Scarlets Under-16s but was not picked up for further development with the West Wales region. Whichever way you cut it, dropping a player from a regional squad who ends up with a successful international career must raise questions about the selection processes and regions’ commitment to developing local talent instead of buying it in.

THE FUTURE COULD BE BRIGHT

Not all is doom and gloom.

One coach told us that, provided the current crop of young players (16 and under) is developed, they will have every chance of becoming world-beaters.

He told us: “There are a huge number of players coming through Haverfordwest High because they have an excellent coaching team that also coaches the Scarlets. However, funding was pulled for similar roles. So, a guy from Pembroke School in a similar role was let go despite being a very recent under-20s international who also coaches the county.

“The schools have the final say on the funding, so some choose to use it elsewhere or not have rugby programmes.

“At junior level, what I’ve tried to do is get in guys who are athletically promising and transfer their talents towards rugby. That means hoovering up all the talent that doesn’t go to other clubs or who fell out somewhere else. In many ways, a band of misfits taking a second chance are easier to coach and build a team ethic among. It takes time, but they’re already physically gifted, so they need time to play as much rugby as possible.

“I see my role as developing these guys for rugby further down the line. That’s how clubs should be, but they all want to win the next game. We won’t win every game now, but next year, we might win a few more, and the next year, we might win the cup.

“Everyone wants a quick fix, though. Local clubs will try to poach your vest talent (which happens all over Wales). That means lads who aren’t physically or mentally there yet get discarded. That’s where we come in.

“Most importantly, we look at the player as a whole. We have players who come from difficult educational and family backgrounds. They deserve a chance to enjoy rugby and be as good as they can while playing it. It’s about giving players a chance.”

WHY SIZE MATTERS

Another coach told us: “We have to accept that not every good player is going to make it at the professional level, let alone the international game. However, all players must be given the chance to make the most of what they have. That means focussing on skills and fitness. You can be the fastest runner on the field, but that’s no use unless you can catch, pass, and kick. You can be a mound of muscle and strong as an ox, but scrummaging and forward play require technical ability and nous, as well as strength.

“The best players need to be big enough, fast enough, and have the physical assets that allow them to compete at the top level. If you can’t compete physically, you’re already lost. Look at the Welsh backs last weekend. I don’t doubt they’re good players. I don’t doubt their skill. But compared to the English backs, they were tiny. If you are thirteen stone and quick, you’re going to get smashed by a player who is just as quick but three stone heavier and six inches taller. You have to be a once-in-a-generation world-class player like Shane Williams to buck that reality.”

One coach told us their approach would be: “Bring back the A team. Have a head of coaching who oversees the age group, regional and possible future A team coaches. Have the same in strength and conditioning. If you’re playing professional rugby, why are you not fit enough or strong enough to play international rugby?”

They continued: “Everyone playing the pro game should be physically able to play for Wales. It’s madness that they can’t. It’s their job, for Christ’s sake!

“Wales had a guy doing that, and when we became successful, they got rid of him; that’s typically Welsh.

“In New Zealand or South Africa, every pro player can play international rugby. Why are Welsh players having to do so much extra work on their fitness and skills once selected? It’s farcical.”

Farming

Basic Payment Scheme 2025 balance paid to 95% of Welsh farmers

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Final year of BPS as transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme begins

The WELSH Government says more than ninety-five per cent of farm businesses have now received their full or balance payment under the final year of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), ahead of the introduction of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026.

Announcing the update on Friday (Dec 12), Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that over 15,400 Welsh farm businesses have been paid £68.7m. This comes on top of the £160m issued in BPS advance payments since 14 October.

Final round of BPS payments

The Basic Payment Scheme, which has been the backbone of farm support in Wales for a decade, provides direct income support to help farmers plan and manage their businesses. BPS 2025 marks the last year in which full BPS payments will be made before the scheme begins to be phased out.

The Cabinet Secretary said officials would “continue to process the outstanding BPS 2025 claims as soon as possible,” adding that all but the most complex cases should be completed by 30 June 2026.

Payments issued today represent the main balance due to farmers following earlier advances, giving many businesses the cash flow they need during the quieter winter period—traditionally a challenging time in the agricultural calendar.

Shift to Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026

From 1 January 2026, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a major reform to how agricultural support is delivered. The SFS will reward farmers for environmental outcomes such as habitat management, carbon reduction and biodiversity improvements, alongside continued food production.

The government has argued that the new scheme is essential to meeting Wales’ climate and nature targets while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. However, the transition has been closely watched by farming unions, who have raised concerns about the administrative burden, income stability, and the speed at which BPS is being phased out.

Mr Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying: “This government is steadfastly committed to supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food. This is demonstrated today in our payment of the BPS 2025 balance payments and will continue throughout the transition period.”

Sector reaction

Farming unions are expected to scrutinise the detail of today’s announcement, particularly around remaining unpaid cases. Last year, late payments led to frustration in parts of the sector, with unions calling for greater certainty as the industry faces rising input costs, supply chain pressures and continued market volatility.

The move to the SFS remains one of the most significant agricultural policy changes in Wales since devolution. Ministers insist the shift is designed to support both food production and environmental stewardship, while critics warn the transition must not undermine farm viability—especially for family-run livestock farms that dominate rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

What happens next

Farmers still awaiting their BPS 2025 balance will continue to be processed “as soon as possible”, the Welsh Government said. Officials will also publish updated guidance on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ahead of its launch.

The coming year will therefore become a pivotal moment for Welsh agriculture, as the long-standing BPS framework—which provided over £200m annually to Welsh farmers—makes way for a new results-based model that will shape the industry for decades to come.

News

Improved train timetable launches across Wales

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Extra services, later trains and boosted Sunday routes as £800m rail investment takes effect

An improved train timetable has come into force across Wales today (Sunday, 14 December), with Transport for Wales (TfW) introducing more frequent services, stronger connections and additional late-night trains on key routes.

The winter timetable update brings one of the most substantial uplifts in recent years on the Wales and Borders network, forming part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing £800 million investment in brand-new rolling stock and reliability improvements.

More trains and later journeys

Among the upgrades, passengers will see:

A new hourly additional service between Chester and Wrexham, effectively doubling the frequency on one of the region’s busiest commuter corridors.
An extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, supporting shift workers and the night-time economy.
A new hourly Sunday service on the Coryton line in Cardiff.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said improved connectivity was “absolutely vital” for economic growth and passenger confidence.

“These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity,” he said. “This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

“We will see the doubling of trains between Wrexham and Chester and a later service from the capital to valley communities. In South Wales, people will continue to benefit from simpler, fairer fares through TfW’s Pay As You Go service, and its forthcoming introduction in North Wales will help even more passengers access easy, transparent pricing.”

Full details of the updated timetable are available at: tfw.wales/service-status/timetables

News

Wrecked guard boat still under watch off north Pembrokeshire coast

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tidal changes monitored after dramatic early-morning rescue

A GUARD VESSEL that ran aground off the north Pembrokeshire coast in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11) remains under close observation as tides continue to shift.

The Resolute, a 24-metre guard boat understood to be working for an offshore wind project off the Irish coast, had been sheltering in worsening weather when she was pushed onto rocks near Aber Hywel, Dinas, shortly after 3:25am.

Four crew members were onboard when the vessel grounded in rough seas and a strong southerly wind.

Major rescue effort launched

The crew issued an emergency alert, prompting a full multi-agency response.
A coastguard rescue helicopter, both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats, and coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene.

Turbulent air made a winch rescue impossible and Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat was unable to get close due to cliffs and submerged hazards. The inshore lifeboat was instead deployed to attempt a transfer in extremely challenging conditions.

During the evacuation, the third crew member descending to the vessel’s life raft slipped, fell into the water and was swept away. Speaking afterwards, RNLI crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the team immediately switched into “hyper-focused” mode as training took over.

Despite the casualty drifting, helm Warren Bean — a volunteer with more than 30 years’ RNLI experience — manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, allowing crew to haul the man to safety. The remaining crew member was then retrieved, and all four were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and brought ashore to Fishguard.

All rescue units were later stood down.

Vessel still stranded and taking on water

The Herald understands that the Resolute remained aground on the rocks yesterday and was taking on water. The crew were later assisted back onboard by a local fisherman to assess damage on behalf of the vessel’s operators.

Management representatives from Ireland were due to arrive to draw up a recovery plan, including arrangements to remove fuel to prevent any potential environmental impact.

Further inspections have been taking place today as the team evaluates the next steps.

Coastguard statement

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “At 3.28am on Thursday morning, HM Coastguard was made aware of a vessel with four persons onboard aground on rocks at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene. The four people aboard were rescued by lifeboat, and the helicopter was stood down. The vessel, which is still aground, is being monitored as tidal conditions change.”