Wales U20s Triumph in 13-Try Epic
Wales Under-20s secured a dramatic 53-40 victory over Scotland in a 13-try thriller at Meggetland on Friday, June 12, providing a significant confidence boost ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship. The young Welsh side surged into a 31-14 half-time lead and extended their advantage to 46-26 with 15 minutes remaining, but Scotland mounted a remarkable comeback to close within six points before Wales intercepted in the dying seconds to seal victory in a game that produced 93 points.
Rhys Cummings opened the scoring for Wales after 14 minutes, cutting inside from the left wing and beating two defenders to score in the corner. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones added the conversion. Scotland responded through prop Will Pearce after sustained pressure close to the Welsh line, with Jake Dalziel converting to level matters. Wales then found another gear, with Sam Morgan crossing in the left corner before Lewis Edwards raced over on the opposite flank as the visitors repeatedly exposed Scotland out wide.
Dalziel kept Scotland in touch with a converted try of his own, but Dylan Scott finished off a flowing Welsh move after a superb looping pass from Leggatt-Jones. Morgan then grabbed his second try just before half-time, dummying his way over in the left corner before Leggatt-Jones converted to send Wales into the break with a commanding 31-14 advantage. Scotland came flying out of the blocks in the second half, with Dan Halkon crashing over from close range before replacement prop Jamie Stewart finished off a 20-phase attack to reduce the deficit to just five points.
Any hopes of a Scottish turnaround were briefly halted when Wales struck back through replacement hooker Oscar Thomas, who was driven over from a lineout maul. A bizarre score then followed as a kick ricocheted off the face of Brogan Leary before bouncing kindly for the Welshman to dive on the loose ball over the line. Osian Williams added another impressive Welsh try, slicing through the defence to score and seemingly putting the game beyond Scotland at 46-26. But the hosts refused to go away, with Stewart powering over for his second try before a brilliant break from Harry Soboil created a score for Daniel Kelly under the posts, cutting the gap to 46-40 with only minutes remaining.
Scotland sensed an unlikely comeback and attempted to launch one final attack from deep inside their own half. Instead, Wales had the last word. As the Scots looked to run the ball from their own 22, replacement Cai Healy intercepted and sprinted clear to score beneath the posts. Lloyd Lucas added the conversion to complete a dramatic 53-40 victory.
Wayne Pivac Praises Rhys Patchell Ahead of Benetton Move
Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac has tipped Rhys Patchell to make a "very good coach" after hiring him at Italian club Benetton. Pivac took over the United Rugby Championship side ahead of next season, with one of his first acts to hire the former Cardiff, Scarlets and Wales fly-half as his attack coach. "I know Rhys pretty well and he has got a fantastic work ethic," Pivac told BBC Scrum V. "We signed him from Cardiff and he was a big part of us winning the championship with the Scarlets in 2017 and that was a special time in Welsh regional rugby. He understood the way we wanted to play and was able to execute what we wanted on the field and in training."
Pivac believes the pair will improve each other despite a 30-year age gap. "He's going to make a very good coach," added Pivac. "I know the Benetton people are excited about the one and only signing I've done to date, which is Rhys. I am looking forward to helping him kickstart his coaching career. For a young coach to be in with an older experienced coach, it's a win-win. He'll keep me young and hopefully I'll help him in the trying moments to relax and enjoy it for what it is."
Six Players Summoned Over Betting in French Second Tier
Six players in France's second tier have been summoned to a disciplinary committee next week over sports betting. Aurillac duo Simeli Tabaki and Kaifevili Talalua, Angouleme's Leo Labarthe, Grenoble's Eli Eglaine, Agen's Mathias Jean have been mentioned in a statement issued by the National Rugby League in France, as has Irakli Tskhadaze, who has been without a club since 2024. The statement adds: "The following players are summoned before the Disciplinary and Regulations Committee, following referrals to the Committee by the President of the LNR and the General Secretary of the FFR. The six players are not suspended pending their hearing, which will take place on June 17, 2026."
Former Springbok Jean-Luc du Preez Forced into Retirement
Former South Africa back-row Jean-Luc du Preez has reportedly been forced into retirement after a series of concussions. The 30-year-old has not played since January following the latest in a long history of concussions. Midi Olympique report the 14-cap international has decided to retire. Recently, his club president at Bordeaux Bègles, Laurent Marti, admitted that Du Preez should seriously consider retirement. "I have serious doubts, but there are medical experts for that," he told Sud Ouest. "If it were my son, I would ask him to stop because I'm very scared. It would be a huge loss for us because he's exactly the kind of player who would have done us a lot of good."
Welsh Duo Confirm Club Future After English Exit
Wales internationals Jasmine Joyce and Alisha Joyce have confirmed they will play in Wales next season, weeks after leaving Bristol Bears. The married couple will return to Wales after six years in the Premiership Women's Rugby in England. They'll likely join Llanelli-based Brython Thunder, having made their debuts for the club in the Celtic Challenge earlier this year. The move will also allow them to spend more time with their son Ralphie. "This has not been an easy decision but one we have made for family reasons," said Wales flanker Alisha. "The travel to and from Bristol to train and play is not ideal when you have a young family and we know we need the support network provided by our families and friends to bring up Ralphie."
"Our son Ralphie is at the centre of our decision-making now and we want the best for him while maintaining our rugby careers as professional athletes," said three-time Olympian Jasmine. "We are both still very ambitious and feel we have things to prove at club and Test level with Wales. Both of us have always wanted to play a high standard of club rugby in Wales but we have never had that opportunity until now."
