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Wales beat England 20-9 in Rugby World Cup warm-up

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WALES have beaten England in the opening World Cup warm-up match of the summer, putting on an impressive display in Cardiff.

Led superbly by captain Jac Morgan, Warren Gatland’s men dominated the second half to secure a convincing 20-9 victory over a lackluster England side.

The match began with England taking an early lead through the boot of Marcus Smith, who successfully converted two penalties to give his side a 6-0 advantage. However, Wales quickly responded, showing glimpses of their attacking flair orchestrated by the young fly-half, Sam Costelow.

As the first half unfolded, Wales found themselves level with England, with Leigh Halfpenny adding two successful penalties. Despite Wales’ dominant attacking displays, the first half remained closely contested, leaving the teams tied at 6-6 going into the break.

The second half saw Wales take complete control of the match. Gareth Davies and George North both crossed the try line, showcasing their attacking brilliance and execution. Davies orchestrated a well-worked move, while North displayed his power and speed to score under the posts. Halfpenny, celebrating his 100th cap, was impeccable from the tee, adding ten crucial points with his accurate kicking.

Wales’ back row was particularly impressive, with Jac Morgan leading by example, and Aaron Wainwright causing havoc with his dynamic play. Their combination of flair and physicality put England’s defense under immense pressure.

On the other hand, England struggled to find their rhythm and were plagued by handling errors throughout the match. Their lineout and scrum issues further undermined their efforts to gain a foothold in the game.

While this was very much the appetizer to the World Cup next month, it bodes well for Wales as their summer training camps appear to be paying dividends.

Warren Gatland, the Wales head coach, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance after the match. Speaking to Amazon Prime, Gatland said, “I was a little bit apprehensive this morning as I wasn’t quite sure how things were going to go. I know the players have been working hard, and I was looking for a performance, and it was a good start today.”

Gatland emphasized that the victory itself was not the primary concern; instead, he was more interested in the team’s performance. He was pleased with the way the players delivered on the field, with some outstanding individual performances.

The Wales head coach praised players like Aaron Wainwright and Jac Morgan for their excellent contributions during the match. He also highlighted the impressive display from the second-row pairing. Gatland acknowledged that there were some issues with the scrums, which needed further clarification.

Young fly-half Sam Costelow’s growth during the game was evident to Gatland, who believes the experience will be valuable for the young player’s development. The new caps in the team were also commended for their performances.

Wales captain Jac Morgan also shared his thoughts on the match during an interview with Amazon Prime. He expressed his delight with the team’s performance, stating, “It was a great day, a great game, we really dug in deep, especially after the training we’ve had over the last couple of weeks.”

Morgan highlighted the team’s unity and hard work, which he believes contributed to their success on the field. He expressed his satisfaction with the result and emphasized the importance of sticking together and executing their game plan.

The Wales captain credited the team’s defensive efforts, praising the work of their coach, Mike Forshaw, in preparing them to be aggressive on defense. He noted their ability to win turnovers and regain possession as a crucial aspect of their game.

Going into halftime, Morgan revealed that the team knew they had more to offer in terms of defensive aggression. They made it a priority to be even more assertive in their defensive efforts during the second half.

Leading the side was an honor for Jac Morgan, but he also acknowledged the presence of multiple leaders within the team. Looking ahead, he acknowledged that there is another game next week, and they will build on their performance and continue working hard as they prepare for upcoming matches.

With this victory, Wales has set a positive tone for their World Cup preparations, and Gatland will be pleased with the strides his team has made in their summer training camps.

Full Time: Wales 20-9 England

Charity

Wales sees surge in food bank use as celebrities urge UK Government to act

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171,673 emergency parcels distributed across Wales last year

A GROWING number of Welsh families are relying on food banks, with new figures showing that nearly 172,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025.

The data, released today (Friday, May 23) by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust, shows the scale of food poverty in the UK – with 2.9 million parcels handed out nationally. Over one million of those were for children.

In Wales, food parcel distribution has increased by 26% since 2019/20, a sign that for many communities, hunger is becoming normalised.

The figures have sparked renewed calls for government action, with well-known faces including Dame Julie Walters and Lesley Manville urging ministers to address what they describe as a national emergency.

Dame Julie said: “Emergency food distribution is being normalised in the UK. These stats highlight the need for us to come together and play our part in saying this isn’t right.”

In Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales, campaigners warn that the situation is worsened by isolation, limited services, and higher energy bills – all pushing vulnerable people to crisis point.

Actor Lesley Manville, who recently won an Olivier Award, said: “I’m shocked at the extremely high levels of emergency food parcels being distributed by food banks, especially the sharp rise in children under five needing support. This has to be a wake-up call for the UK government.”

In Wales, more than 187,000 parcels were distributed the previous year – a drop in 2024/25, but still far above pre-pandemic levels. Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said this cannot be seen as a success: “Thousands of families, disabled people, and working households had to access food banks. This should be a massive wake-up call.”

Comedian Rosie Jones said that proposed UK Government cuts to disability benefits could make matters worse: “Slashing the income of someone already struggling to cover life’s essentials is cruel and counterproductive.”

In Pembrokeshire, food banks such as PATCH in Milford Haven and the Trussell-linked outlets in Haverfordwest and Fishguard have seen sustained high demand. Volunteers warn that without local donations and support, they would struggle to meet needs.

TV presenter and Trussell ambassador AJ Odudu added: “Right now, someone needs an emergency food parcel every 11 seconds. It’s never been more vital that we all play our part.”

The charity is calling for an urgent re-think on proposed welfare cuts and for the UK Government to take decisive action to reduce hunger and hardship.

Campaigners are also urging the public to donate food or money to their local food bank. A postcode search tool showing how many parcels were distributed in each area is available at: campaign.trussell.org.uk/parcels-by-postcode

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Community

£1.8m investment to modernise Wales’ libraries, museums and archives

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Government funding aims to make cultural services more accessible and sustainable

A £1.8 MILLION boost to libraries, museums, and archives across Wales has been announced by the Welsh Government, aimed at modernising cultural services and ensuring they are accessible, inclusive, and fit for the future.

The funding, delivered through the Cultural Transformational Capital Programme, will benefit six public libraries, three museums, and two archive services. The investment is part of the Welsh Government’s recently published Priorities for Culture strategy, which places cultural development at the heart of community well-being, sustainable growth, and the promotion of the Welsh language.

Announcing the investment, Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant said: “Cultural services across Wales provide vital spaces for communities to learn, connect, and engage with our rich heritage. This £1.8 million investment will help transform these services to be greener, accessible, and responsive to local needs.
“Programmes like these are key to ensuring our cultural assets remain modern, sustainable and relevant to future generations.”

Among the recipients is the National Trust’s Powis Castle in Welshpool, which has been awarded around £60,000 to support a redesigned exhibition for a significant item in its South Asian Collection — the tiger head finial from the throne of Tipū Sultān. The new display will explore the object’s complex colonial history and invite public engagement with questions about Wales’ role in global heritage.

Shane Logan, General Manager at Powis Castle and Garden, said: “This vital support from the Welsh Government will allow us to share and discuss a key moment in British and South Asian history through the lens of Tipū Sultān’s tiger head finial. It is an exciting step forward — allowing us to tell more inclusive histories and inviting reflection on what our shared past means for a more equal Wales.”

Other projects to benefit from the scheme include the creation of a new museum at Shire Hall in Monmouth, the development of modern archival storage at Wrexham Archives, and a major refurbishment of Penarth Library in Cardiff to create a modernised community and local history space.

The funding aims not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to ensure that cultural institutions across Wales remain central to the life of their communities for decades to come.

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Community

New Mayor and Sheriff appointed in Haverfordwest civic ceremony

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Deputy Mayor pledges to build trust and community spirit

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL held its annual mayor-making ceremony this week, formally appointing Councillor Roy Thomas as the new Mayor of Haverfordwest and Admiral of the Port for the 2025–2026 civic year.

Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner

The ceremony, held at a packed Shire Hall, also saw Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner appointed Deputy Mayor of Haverfordwest.

Speaking after his appointment, Cllr Thomas-Turner said he was “deeply humbled and honoured” to take on the role. He pledged to engage actively with local businesses, organisations, and residents, with a focus on building trust, strengthening community spirit, and fostering collaboration across the town.

He said: “My aim is to ensure that Haverfordwest continues to grow, thrive, and truly become the best in the west.”

Also announced during the ceremony was the appointment of the new Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Councillor Dani Thomas-Turner—who is also the wife of the new Deputy Mayor.

The event brought together councillors, local dignitaries, and members of the public to mark the official start of the new civic year.

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