Sport
Wales U20 name squad to face Ireland
WALES head coach Byron Hayward has announced his squad to face Ireland at Musgrave Park on Friday in the opening fixture of the U20 Six Nations. (KO 8pm, S4C)
Cardiff Rugby flanker Alex Mann returns as captain and is among six starters who are playing in their second campaign along with Ospreys centre Joe Hawkins who starts from the bench.
Mann’s regional teammates Efan Daniel and Nathan Evans return as hooker and tighthead prop respectively while Dragons’ Joe Peard features in the second row.
Scarlets scrum half Harri Williams and regional colleague Eddie James who slots in at inside centre are the only backs who played in last year’s championship.
Hayward is under no illusions at the task that awaits his young side in Cork.
“Ireland are always a strong side. They have a great system bringing players through so it is going to be a massive challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to,” he said.
“It’s simply just great to see how much the boys are looking forward to it – you can see it in the squad, they are so looking forward to just playing rugby in a meaningful game in front of a crowd.
“People forget that the players have lost nearly two years of their development and for a lot of the boys this could be their only chance of playing and representing their country.”
“It has been difficult with the boys not playing [due to Covid] and that can become monotonous, especially when you haven’t got an end game. But we managed to get in two friendly games which was massive for us and I know the boys enjoyed them and performed well in them and all things considering, I’m looking forward to the weekend as much as the players.”
The home side will start as firm favourites and haven’t lost to Wales since a 38-41 defeat at Donnybrook in 2018 but Hayward isn’t letting recent history sway belief within the squad.
“All we’ve talked about this week is focussing on us and what we can control and that has been since the start of the week. We respect Ireland but we’re not really paying too much attention to them and just focussing on getting our game right,” he said.
Wales U20 side to face Ireland, Musgrave Park, Friday, February 4:
15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Harri Huston (Ospreys)
13 Bryn Bradley (Harlequins)
12 Eddie James (Scarlets)
11 Oli Andrew (Dragons)
10 Daniel Edwards (Ospreys)
9 Harri Williams (Scarlets);
1 Joe Cowell (Cardiff Met)
2 Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
4 Joe Peard (Dragons)
5 Lewis Jones (Ospreys)
6 Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – CAPT)
7 Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Ben Moa (Dragons)
Replacements:
16 Morgan Vennes (Ealing Trailfinders)
17 Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby)
18 Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys)
19 Benji Williams (Opsreys)
20 Tom Cowan (Bath Rugby)
21 Morgan Lloyd (Dragons)
22 Jac Lloyd (Bristol Bears)
23 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys)
Sport
All football in Wales postponed as Storm Darragh threatens severe disruption
THE FAW has announced the postponement of all football matches scheduled for Saturday, December 7, as Storm Darragh is set to bring life-threatening conditions to the country.
The decision follows a rare red weather warning issued by the Met Office, forecasting winds of up to 90mph and heavy rainfall across Wales and parts of southwestern England. This is the first red alert since Storm Isha in January, with forecasters warning of extensive disruption, including potential damage to buildings, power outages, and severe flooding.
An FAW spokesperson said:
“The Met Office has issued red, amber, and yellow weather warnings for the vast majority of Wales due to Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain, causing significant disruption and danger to life.
“It is not safe to drive in such weather, including travelling to and from football matches. Being outside in high winds increases the risk of injury, and the Met Office advises people to stay indoors if possible.
“Clubs have been advised to check for and secure any loose items around their grounds if it can be done safely. This includes bins, furniture, goalposts, and fences.”
Precautions and ongoing assessments
The FAW confirmed that matches scheduled for Friday, December 6, and Sunday, December 8, will be reviewed individually, depending on league policies and updated weather conditions.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for rain in Wales from 3:00pm today until midday tomorrow, alongside two amber warnings for wind on Saturday. Rhondda Cynon Taf, where severe flooding affected between 200 and 300 properties during Storm Bert last month, is among the areas bracing for renewed challenges.
Residents are urged to prepare for potential disruptions and stay informed of weather updates. Storm Darragh’s impact is expected to be one of the most severe weather events in recent months, underscoring the importance of adhering to safety advisories.
Sport
Football: Manderwood Second Division Cup, Round 1 (Nov 30, 2024)
Carew 0 – 7 Neyland
NEYLAND stormed into the next round with an emphatic 7-0 triumph over Carew. Max Bowman-Davies stole the show with a hat-trick, supported by two goals from Alfie Crawford. Joe Gale and Dylan James rounded off the scoring in a match dominated by Neyland from start to finish. Carew struggled to contain their visitors’ relentless attacking display.
Monkton Swifts 3 – 0 Broad Haven
Monkton Swifts advanced comfortably, beating Broad Haven 3-0. Rhys Sture set the tone with an early goal, followed by a strike from Phil John to double the lead. Rudy Poole capped off the win with a penalty, ensuring a clean sheet for the Swifts and a place in the next round.
Fishguard Sports 7 – 0 Solva
Fishguard Sports delivered a commanding performance, crushing Solva 7-0. Ieuan Llewellyn netted twice, while Jack Griffiths, Luke Thomas, Greg Hughes, Anthony Couzens, and Adam Lawrence each added a goal. Solva had no answers to the relentless attack from the home side.
Narberth P-P Johnston
The fixture between Narberth and Johnston was postponed and will be rescheduled.
Sport
Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1 Roundup
Goodwick United 7 – Monkton Swifts 2
GOODWICK UNITED extended their lead at the top of the table with a commanding 7-2 victory over Monkton Swifts. Rhys Dalling was the standout performer, netting four goals, including a stunning solo effort to complete his hat-trick. Goodwick led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Kieran Blundell and Rhys Jones. The second half saw an attacking masterclass as Jonny Horgan added two more before Dalling rounded off the scoring. Monkton Swifts managed a brilliant 25-yard strike from Connor Davies but were unable to contend with Goodwick’s relentless firepower.
Clarbeston Road 4 – Carew 4
A dramatic 4-4 draw unfolded as Carew snatched a stoppage-time equaliser at Clarbeston Road. Marcus Griffiths gave Carew an early lead, but Laurie Haworth and Ben John turned the game in favour of the hosts by half-time. Leon Davies’ brace put Carew back in front, but goals from Matthew Davies and a second from Haworth saw the Road edge ahead once more. Zac Rowell salvaged a crucial point for Carew in the dying seconds, lifting them out of the relegation zone in a pulsating encounter.
Hakin United 2 – St Ishmaels 0
Hakin United climbed to second in the standings with a solid 2-0 victory over St Ishmaels. The Vikings took control early, with Ryan Wilson opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort. Liam Parks doubled the lead with a close-range finish. Despite dominating the game, Hakin couldn’t extend their advantage further. The result pushed St Ishmaels into the relegation zone after a tough outing.
Pennar Robins 3 – Milford United 1
Pennar Robins overturned a first-half deficit to secure a 3-1 win against Milford United. Milford took the lead just before the break through Jack Dyer, despite Pennar dominating possession. Ben Adams equalised early in the second half, followed by a stunning finish from Cameron Brunton to put the hosts ahead. Luke Phillips sealed the victory with a late penalty. Milford goalkeeper Charlie Malloy put in an impressive display, but his heroics couldn’t prevent the defeat.
-
featured5 days ago
Teenager killed herself after ten months of hell, says heartbroken mum
-
Top News5 days ago
Top international artist brings solo exhibition to North Pembrokeshire gallery
-
Crime4 days ago
Former police officer appears in court over paddleboarding deaths
-
Community7 days ago
Haverfordwest shines bright at Riverside Winter Fair
-
Top News3 days ago
Torch artistic director Chelsey Gillard shares her love of the power of panto
-
News7 days ago
Pembroke lantern parade lights up the town
-
News5 days ago
Drug addict found unconscious at Pembrokeshire industrial estate
-
News4 days ago
Andrew RT Davies resigns as Welsh Conservative leader after confidence vote