Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, May 28.
Welsh duo appointed coaches at English club
Two Cardiff Rugby players have been appointed as coaches at an English rugby club ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Wales international Callum Sheedy and Cardiff back-rower and former Wales U20s international Alun Lawrence have both taken up roles with Chew Valley RFC, who compete in Regional 1 South West, the fifth tier of the English rugby pyramid.
The appointments were announced by the club in a social media post as they launched a recruitment drive ahead of pre-season, which begins on June 30.
Chew Valley confirmed that Lawrence will serve as head coach, while Sheedy has been named backs coach. Ash Groves has also joined the setup as player-coach.
The club posted: “Looking for a new club for the 2026/27 season? Whether you’re returning to rugby, moving clubs, or giving the game a go for the first time, there’s a place for you at Chew Valley RFC.
“This season our senior men’s teams will be led by: Alun Lawrence – Head Coach, Callum Sheedy – Backs Coach, Ash Groves – our new Player Coach.”
The move sees fly-half Sheedy continue to strengthen his coaching credentials while still playing professionally for Cardiff Rugby.
The 30-year-old returned to his hometown club in 2024 after spending a decade with Bristol Bears, where he became a fan favourite and made more than 150 appearances.
Lawrence, meanwhile, returned to Cardiff from Jersey Reds in 2023 and has become a familiar figure in the Welsh capital’s back row.
The coaching appointments continue a growing trend of current Welsh professional players taking on roles in the community game.
Earlier this month, Wales fly-half Sam Costelow was named as a coach at Pencoed RFC, where he is set to work alongside former Wales star Gavin Henson.
Content cannot be displayed without consentMulder lands new long-term Cardiff deal
Cardiff Rugby scrum-half Johan Mulder has signed a new long-term contract to remain at the Arms Park.
The South African has enjoyed an impressive spell in the Welsh capital since arriving ahead of the 2024/25 season and has quickly become a fan favourite with his combative style and attacking spark.
Mulder has made 33 appearances and scored four tries in Blue and Black colours, while his performances have seen him establish fierce competition with Aled Davies and Ellis Bevan for the No.9 jersey.
The 26-year-old says life in Cardiff has exceeded expectations and admits he now views the city as a second home. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
“I’m delighted to extend my stay with Cardiff,” said Mulder. “I’ve loved my time here so far and feel really settled at the club and in the city.
“To be part of Cardiff during the club’s 150th year is really special, and I’m excited about what this group can achieve together over the next season.
“I’m also looking forward to continuing my own growth and development as a player.”
Mulder came through the system in Pretoria and previously spent time with the Blue Bulls, Griquas and the Lions before making the move north.
It was his prolific form for Griquas, where he scored nine tries in 20 appearances, that first alerted Cardiff to his potential.
Cardiff forwards coach Corniel van Zyl believes Mulder still has significant room for growth and says the scrum-half is central to the region’s ambitions moving forward.
“We are really excited that Johan Mulder is staying on at Cardiff,” said Van Zyl.
“He’s come a long way in finishing up his second season here, moving from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere and adjusting his game.
“He’s worked really hard at it and has been a great asset for us. He forms a big part in what we want to showcase on the pitch in fighting for the jersey and growing our brand of rugby.
“He’s a tough player, he defends well and is obviously very good at the breakdown defensively.
“His speed in attack, kicking game and controlling the players around him is what he is known for.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what the next level of his game looks like and what the future holds for him.”
Mulder’s contract extension comes as Cardiff prepare for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Stormers in Cape Town.
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Wales star admits ‘disappointing’ season
Wales centre Max Llewellyn has admitted Gloucester’s players are “disappointed” with how their season has unfolded as they battle to salvage a place in Europe next term.
The Cherry and Whites sit ninth in the Premiership with two games remaining after defeat to Saracens last time out ended a run of back-to-back home victories.
George Skivington’s side travel to league leaders Northampton Saints this weekend before finishing the campaign at home to bottom club Newcastle Falcons.
Despite Gloucester’s inconsistent season, Llewellyn says the squad are still targeting a top-eight finish to secure European qualification for next year.
“As a playing group we feel disappointed with how we have been performing, but it is definitely something we are going after,” the 27-year-old Welsh international told the BBC.
“It will be a real challenge between now and the end of the season to show everyone how well we can actually perform, and what we can do as players, because we haven’t been happy with how it has been before.
“The chance that we have as players is to redeem ourselves, go after it, and show the fans what we can do.”
Gloucester finished fifth in the Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign, but endured a difficult European campaign this season after finishing bottom of their Champions Cup pool.
Head coach Skivington, however, believes his side have shown enough resilience to still fight for a return to European competition.
“That’s definitely a trait that has come through in this group, they have stuck together through thick and thin,” he said.
“They have worked really hard, never taken a week off or come in on a Monday with their heads dropped, they have kept fighting and fighting.
“I am proud of the character they have shown this season.
“The objective is to be better, have a good final two games and hopefully pick up enough points to be in the top eight, that would be important.”
Llewellyn was also asked about training during this week’s heatwave, admitting conditions have been gruelling ahead of the trip to Northampton.
“It has been tough, we have had a few tough sessions already and the temperatures don’t make it easier,” he said.
“One of the worst things is when you come off at the end of a session, and you’re trying to cool off but there really is nowhere to hide from it.
“You just end up sweating for the rest of the day.”
Skivington added: “There are a few ways of dealing with the heat, you can try getting out the heat or shorten the sessions up – you have to be a little smart.
“Ultimately, it is going to be hot at the weekend, and the boys have ripped into it, so we have tried to be as smart as possible without hiding away from it.”
Welsh rugby boss excited by emerging talent
Dragons boss Filo Tiatia says he is excited by the emergence of the region’s next generation of talent after several youngsters broke into the senior side this season.
The Men of Gwent handed opportunities to a number of academy products during the 2025/26 campaign, with Harry Beddall, Jordan Morris and Owain James all gaining valuable first-team exposure.
And ahead of next season, Tiatia believes the summer break will be a crucial period in the development of the region’s young prospects as they look to physically and mentally step up to the demands of professional rugby.
“We’re excited to see the young talent coming through,” said Tiatia.
“There are two parts to it. Firstly, the young guys need to physically develop, and we have five weeks when we break up.
“They will all have reviews, but when they go away there is the opportunity to grow.
“When we come back in for day one it is exciting, but they also get tested straight away.
“There are some markers they need to get to and hopefully they achieve those and the things they need to keep improving on.”
Tiatia, who has completed his first full season as Dragons head coach, says the next challenge is helping those players develop the finer details of their game.
“The next part, once we get physical development, is we have incremental growth with feedback around their game, what they need to go and chase to improve,” he added.
Tiatia says he has enjoyed his first full year in charge and is now focused on ensuring the region build on the foundations laid this term.
“I’ve enjoyed the season,” he reflected. “The simplicity of the way I coach is just really making sure there is a lot of care in the building, there is learning and challenge. It’s now how we do that productively next season.
“We have some reflection time, so we are clear on how we move forward and really attack it.”