Sport

Wales ring the changes ahead of must-win World Cup clash with Canada

Published

8 months ago

August 28, 2025

WALES head coach Sean Lynn has made sweeping changes to his line-up for Saturday’s crunch Rugby World Cup tie against Canada in Salford.

After being comprehensively beaten by Scotland last weekend, Wales must now upset the tournament’s second-ranked side to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.

New captain and fresh pack

With co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams both sidelined through injury, back-row Bethan Lewis will lead her country for the first time.

The forward pack has been overhauled. An all-new front row of Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon and Sisilia Tuipulotu will start, while Abbie Fleming returns in the second row. Georgia Evans and Bryonie King join Lewis in the back row.

In the backs, Carys Cox takes a starting spot in midfield, while the bench sees opportunities for youngsters Tilly Vucaj, Seren Lockwood and uncapped Branwen Metcalfe. Gwenllian Pyrs is also in line for her 50th cap.

Tough challenge ahead

Canada began their campaign with an emphatic 11-try win over Fiji, six of them scored by full-back Julia Schell. Kevin Rouet’s side need only one more victory to confirm their place in the knockout stages.

Rouet has made six changes to his starting side, including a reshaped front row of McKinley Hunt, Emily Tuttosi and DaLeaka Menin. Veteran Karen Paquin is set for her fourth World Cup, while Tyson Beukeboom will win her 80th cap. Asia Hogan-Rochester makes her World Cup debut on the wing.

Coaches’ words

Wales boss Lynn said his squad had undergone “honest conversations” in the wake of the heavy defeat to Scotland: “We need to bring real energy and pride in the jersey,” he said. “Players have earned the right in training to step up, and I’ve told all 23 to be brave and have no regrets when they leave the field.”

Canada’s Rouet urged focus from his players: “It was great to start with such a strong performance, but we must now switch our mindset to Wales. We’re excited to test ourselves again against another quality opponent.”

Match details

Women’s Rugby World Cup: Canada v Wales

Venue: Salford Community Stadium
Date: Saturday, 30 August
Kick-off: 12:00pm BST
Coverage: BBC One, iPlayer, BBC Sport online, Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds

Line-ups

Canada: Julia Schell; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier, Asia Hogan-Rochester; Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; McKinley Hunt, Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin, Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom, Caroline Crossley, Karen Paquin, Gabrielle Senft.
Replacements: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Courtney O’Donnell, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia Apps, Claire Gallagher, Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans.
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Pyrs, Jenni Scoble, Tilly Vucaj, Branwen Metcalfe, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, Kerin Lake.

Sport

Young Crymych players step up to senior stage

Published

17 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

Five youth team players earn praise after impressing at championship level

CRYMYCH RUGBY CLUB has hailed the contribution of five of its youth players after they stepped up to feature in a senior side at championship level.

The young players, who remain part of the club’s youth setup, were given the opportunity to test themselves in a higher-level fixture, and impressed coaches and supporters alike with their attitude and commitment on the field.

Club representatives said it was “fantastic to see” the dedication shown by the youngsters, who rose to the occasion in what was described as a special experience for both the players and the club.

The match provided a valuable opportunity for development, allowing the next generation of Crymych players to gain experience in a more competitive environment while contributing to the senior squad.

The rugby club said the move reflects its long-term focus on nurturing homegrown talent and creating a clear pathway from youth rugby into the senior game.

Officials added that the future of the club looks bright, with the performance of the young “Teirw” – or Bulls – offering reassurance that the next generation is ready to carry the club forward.

The club congratulated the players on their achievement and said it hopes to see more youth players progressing through the ranks in the coming seasons.

Sport

Tenby youngsters book places in West Wales cup finals

Published

17 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

Under 13s and under 14s progress after District H finals day success

TENBY UNITED RFC’s junior sides enjoyed a memorable District H finals day, with two age groups securing victories and places in the West Wales cup finals.

The club’s under 13s lifted silverware after beating Crymych 32-17, while the under 14s edged a thrilling contest against Neyland, winning 18-17.

Tenby’s under 12s were also involved in a close match, narrowly losing 31-28 to Haverfordwest.

The under 13s and under 14s will now go on to represent the club at the West Wales cup finals at Parc y Scarlets on May 24.

Tenby United RFC congratulated the young Swifts on their achievements, saying: “Well done Swifts.”

Caption:

Winners: Tenby United RFC’s under 14s celebrate their District H final victory.

Sport

Carew set early pace as rain disrupts Pembrokeshire cricket programme

Published

19 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

RAIN played a major part in Week 2 of the Nicholas Insurance Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League, with several Division 1 fixtures abandoned after strong first-innings performances.

Carew made the biggest statement in the top flight, cruising to a ten-wicket win over St Ishmaels to move clear at the top of the table.

St Ishmaels were bowled out for 110, with Tim Hicks (3-18), Shaun Whitfield (3-14) and Logan Hall (2-27) doing the damage. Carew then eased to 111-0, Hicks completing an outstanding all-round display with 55 not out, alongside Morgan Grieve’s unbeaten 54.

Elsewhere, Narberth piled up 301-7 before rain intervened against Herbrandston, Jamie McCormack hitting a superb 104. Lawrenny (297-7) and Burton (203-7) also posted big totals before the weather had the final say.

Division 1 results

Match	Result
Cresselly 30-2 v Burton 203-7	Match abandoned
Narberth 301-7 v Herbrandston 51-0	Match abandoned
Whitland 10-0 v Lawrenny 297-7	Match abandoned
Saundersfoot 205-7 v Neyland	Match abandoned
Carew 111-0 v St Ishmaels 110 all out	Carew won by 10 wickets

Division 1 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Carew	2	2	0	0	36
2	Saundersfoot	2	1	0	1	27
3	Herbrandston	2	1	0	1	25
4	Neyland	2	1	0	1	25
5	Narberth	2	0	0	1	20
6	St Ishmaels	2	0	1	0	15
7	Burton	2	0	1	1	14
8	Whitland	2	0	1	1	14
9	Cresselly	2	0	1	1	11
10	Lawrenny	2	0	1	1	11

Johnston lead strong Division 2 pack

Johnston sit top after a dominant 135-run win over Llangwm, powered by Lewis Boswell’s 99 and Steve Mills’ 62.

Hook maintained their perfect start, edging Haverfordwest by four wickets, while Cresselly II brushed aside Llechryd by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 41.

Division 2 results

Match	Result
Llechryd 41 all out v Cresselly II 44-1	Cresselly II won by 9 wickets
Llanrhian 155-5 v Fishguard 154-7	Llanrhian won by 5 wickets
Hook 143-6 v Haverfordwest 142-9	Hook won by 4 wickets
Llangwm 106 all out v Johnston 241-6	Johnston won by 135 runs
Pembroke Dock 152-2 v Pembroke 168-8	Match abandoned

Division 2 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Johnston	2	2	0	0	40
2	Hook	2	2	0	0	37
3	Cresselly II	2	2	0	0	36
4	Pembroke	2	1	0	1	28
5	Haverfordwest	2	1	1	0	24
6	Pembroke Dock	2	0	1	1	23
7	Llanrhian	2	1	1	0	22
8	Fishguard	2	0	2	0	16
9	Llangwm	2	0	2	0	13
10	Llechryd	2	0	2	0	3

Kilgetty and Carew II lead Division 3 race

Kilgetty and Carew II are locked together at the top after two wins from two.

Lamphey produced one of the standout performances of the week, hammering Burton II by 155 runs, while Laugharne continued their unbeaten start.

Division 3 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Kilgetty	2	2	0	0	38
2	Carew II	2	2	0	0	38
3	Laugharne	2	2	0	0	37
4	Lamphey	2	1	1	0	28
5	Saundersfoot II	2	1	0	1	26
6	Hundleton	2	1	1	0	24
7	Haverfordwest II	2	0	2	0	14
8	Stackpole	2	0	2	0	14
9	Pembroke II	2	0	1	1	13
10	Burton II	2	0	2	0	12

Narberth II lead Division 4

Narberth II sit top after a five-wicket win over Neyland II, thanks to Jordan Howell’s unbeaten 88.

Hook II edged a thriller by one wicket, while Haverfordwest III also maintained a perfect start.

Division 4 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Pts
1	Narberth II	2	2	0	39
2	Hook II	2	2	0	36
3	Haverfordwest III	2	2	0	36
4	Lawrenny II	2	2	0	35
5	Crymych	2	1	1	29
6	Llechryd II	2	1	1	28
7	Neyland II	2	0	2	15
8	St Ishmaels II	2	0	2	15
9	Herbrandston II	2	0	2	13
10	Carew III	2	0	2	11

Rowlands ton headlines Division 5

Tom Rowlands’ superb 108 guided Cresselly III to victory, while Llanrhian II remain joint top after a crushing win featuring Rick Walton’s remarkable 8-13.

Division 5 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Llanrhian II	2	2	0	0	40
2	Cresselly III	2	2	0	0	40
3	Whitland II	2	1	1	0	25
4	Llangwm II	1	1	0	0	19
5	Pembroke III	2	0	1	1	14
6	Llechryd III	2	0	2	0	11
7	Pembroke Dock II	2	0	1	1	11
8	Hundleton II	1	0	1	0	6