Sport

WRU pen new £33m Under Armour deal

Published

10 years ago

February 11, 2016

WRU chairman Gareth Davies: With Under Armour CEO and founder Kevin Plank

PERFORMANCE apparel and footwear innovator Under Armour today announced a nineyear partnership extension with the Welsh Rugby Union thought to be worth £33m.

The deal is the longest on record for a Wales kit supplier, cementing a 17-year partnership that will see the brand maximise the national team’s sports performance through to 2025, and reinforces Under Armour’s commitment to making athletes better around the globe.

The global sports brand’s presence in rugby is rapidly expanding. Under Armour first emerged in the sport as Official Technical Partner of WRU in 2008, when the Wales national side became the first licensed rugby team to wear Under Armour’s technical apparel.

Under Armour has also reinforced its commitment to the WRU by becoming title sponsor of Welsh rugby’s autumn international series matches, for the next nine years.

The Under Armour Series 2016 – which will welcome Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa to Principality Stadium on consecutive Saturdays in November – will be the first to boast such a long term brand partnership.

The clash with Japan is the latest to be added to the 2016 Under Armour Series match schedule and they face Wales on Saturday 19th November, kick-off 2.30pm.

The Wallabies kick-start the Series on Saturday 5th November (2.30pm) and the Pumas visit Cardiff on Saturday 12th November (5.30pm), with the Springboks completing a quartet of top quality opposition for Wales on Saturday 26th November (5.30pm).

“The Under Armour Series will be about testing ourselves against the best sides in the world, and with Japan now completing the fixture line-up for 2016, we have four teams from World Rugby’s top ten coming to the Principality Stadium in November,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“Under Armour’s support for Wales has been unerring in every aspect since they came on board in 2008 and it is great news for Welsh rugby that they will be working with us until 2025.”

The long-lasting partnership will also provide WRU with access to Under Armour’s Connected Fitness platform, which will ensure that all athletes will benefit from health, fitness, and training data to improve their performance.

Since the partnership began in 2008, Wales have won the RBS 6 Nations Championship three times, including two Grand Slams and have continued to impress on the international stage.

Kevin Plank, Under Armour Founder and CEO, said: “We have always identified with the WRU’s relentless and determined attitude, which align with our core values at Under Armour. I’m proud to form a long-term partnership with the WRU and look forward to seeing our innovative performance gear produce world-class results on the pitch.”

In addition to match day kits, Under Armour will provide performance training apparel to the WRU first team, age grade squads, Sevens and Women’s teams – all of which will feature Under Armour signature technologies, enabling peak performance in all weather conditions. This includes sweatwicking HeatGear fabric to help keep players cool and dry, and ArmourGrid technology for light, durable strength.

Martyn Phillips, WRU CEO, said: “Welsh rugby’s partnership with Under Armour is a key foundation for our future plans and upholding the legacy of our national sport. We have much in common, in that we are both ‘challenger brands’ who have a tendency to ‘punch above our weight’. The positive impact of this partnership, which also sees Under Armour take on the role of series sponsor for our autumn matches for nine years, will reach new heights on a global scale. I’m excited about the future, the potential for both brands and the opportunity to deliver on higher ambitions.”

Gareth Davies, WRU Chairman said: “With the new partnership extension, Under Armour will become one of the WRU’s longest serving commercial partners, supporting Welsh rugby through three decades. Their support and dedication to our national side has been unwavering, reflecting some great successes for us on the field.”

Under Armour performance training apparel and footwear are currently worn by all Under Armour rugby athletes, including international players Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Jordi Murphy, Drew Mitchell, Jamie Cudmore, James Haskell, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate.

Sport

World Cup qualifiers 2026: How are Wales doing?

Published

16 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Staff Writer

THE 2026 World Cup is going to be bigger and better than ever before, with the tournament expanding to accommodate an additional 16 teams this time around, for a total of 48.

This makes qualifying a little more interesting as many more teams have the opportunity to perform on the highest stage. Teams like England were able to secure their place in the competition fairly early, while other groups have been under more pressure to secure top spots – Wales included.

So whether you’re a casual viewer here for the drama, or a dedicated fan watching both on TV and across online betting apps for the best odds, here’s a rundown of how Wales are doing in the World Cup qualifiers.

How are Wales performing?

Wales have been in qualifying Group J, alongside Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. Despite tough competition, Wales, led by head coach Craig Bellamy, have produced some great performances and have given themselves a reasonable chance of making the finals. This would be their third qualification ever, following on from 2022’s success.

They had a strong start against Kazakhstan, in which they claimed a solid 3-1 victory at home. They then drew 1-1 against North Macedonia thanks to a 96th minute equaliser, and thrashed Liechtenstein 3-0 back in June. The undefeated streak ended with a 4-3 loss to group favourites Belgium in Brussels (and again a loss to Rudi Garcia’s team in Cardiff last month).

With another victory over both Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein under their belts, these results have put Wales in a good position within the group, but they nonetheless face a fight to qualify, being two points behind Belgium, and behind North Macedonia on goal difference.

If Wales win and Belgium lose (as unlikely as that seems), they would qualify for the World Cup automatically as group winners.

Lose or draw and it’s the play-offs for Craig Bellamy’s men. In some senses, there’s less pressure on tonight’s match as Wales have already at least qualified for the play-offs as one of the Uefa Nations League group winners. However, finishing second in the group would give them an easier path to qualification.

Looking ahead to the 2026 play-offs

If Wales miss out on topping the group (which is likely), they will have to settle for a play-off spot, which is a much more challenging route to qualification.

Should they lose or draw tonight, they will have to face a top-seeded team away from home to have a chance at reaching the play-off final. However, should they beat North Macedonia, they will play weaker opposition at home.

Today’s crucial game for Wales

The 2026 qualifiers have and continue to be highly competitive in Europe. Wales are in the mix, having proven that they can challenge, but are sitting very much in between favourites and underdogs.

Tonight’s match is looming, the stakes are high, and anything could happen. A win could put them on the path to automatic qualification if Liechtenstein can overcome the odds, while a draw or loss will force them to rely on the hardest play-off route. Welsh fans will be hoping for a strong performance, as well as a bit of luck.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Week eight results and league table

Published

1 day ago

November 17, 2025

Herald Sport

THE SOUTH Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as the Friendly League – has released the latest results following week eight of the competition.

Last week’s matches saw:

East Williamston 8–2 Cosheston
Kilgetty 7–3 St Twynnells
Reynalton 5–5 St Johns
Llanteg 8–2 Lamphey

The fixture between Hundleton and Carew was postponed, while Badgers had a bye.

Updated league table – Week eight

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Shot Diff	Points
East Williamston	7	7	0	0	160	62
Reynalton	7	4	1	2	34	40
St Johns	7	3	1	3	-2	35
Cosheston	7	3	0	4	33	33
Badgers	7	3	0	4	-10	33
Llanteg	7	3	0	4	-39	33
Carew	6	3	0	3	-20	30
St Twynnells	7	3	0	4	-45	30
Hundleton	6	3	0	3	-8	29
Lamphey	8	3	0	5	-19	29
Kilgetty	7	3	0	4	-54	26

More fixtures are set to follow as the Friendly League moves into the second half of the season.

Sport

Haverfordwest County Women make it two wins from two in Phase 2

Published

1 day ago

November 17, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women continued their strong start to Phase 2 with an impressive 4–2 victory over a determined Morriston Town side on Sunday.

It was a superb all-round performance from the Bluebirds, combining sharp team play with some outstanding individual finishes. Striker Kayla Jones led the way with a well-taken brace, while Ella May Mumford and Tayla Gibbs also got on the scoresheet to secure all three points.

The win makes it back-to-back victories in Division A, further strengthening the squad’s momentum going into the next fixture.

Haverfordwest County now turn their attention to their next home match on Sunday 23rd, when they host Bonymaen Colts Ladies.

Squad: Rhian Jones, Freya Watkins Williams, Erin Frost, Katie Gibbins, Mollie Flanagan, Bethan Chapman, Tayla Gibbs, Ella May Mumford, Emma Smith, Ffion Kirk, Kayla Jones.