The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
Wilson said joining Wales was “simply too good an opportunity to turn down”(Image: Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)
These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, September 11.
Harlequins respond to Wilson exit
Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple has reassured supporters after head coach Danny Wilson left the club just over two weeks out from the start of the new PREM Rugby season to join Steve Tandy’s Wales coaching team. Earlier today, it was confirmed that the 49-year-old – who took charge of Wales’ forwards on the summer tour of Japan under interim coach Matt Sherratt – has permanently joined Tandy’s staff, taking responsibility for the lineout and contact areas.
Wilson previously worked with Tandy as part of Gregor Townsend’s coaching team with Scotland, while he also led Cardiff to European Challenge Cup glory in 2018 and has held prominent coaching roles with Wales U20s, the Dragons and the Scarlets.
His appointment has been hailed as a major boost for Wales, but has sparked concern amongst Quins fans, with the start of the new league campaign rapidly approaching. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Wilson will lead the side for the final time in their PREM Rugby Cup clash with Newcastle Red Bulls tomorrow night before starting his new role with Wales ahead of the autumn international.
His exit has left Quins without a head coach just over two weeks out from their league season kicking off at home to reigning champions Bath, with the club’s coaching group of Nick Evans, Jason Gilmore, Gerard Mullen and former Wales prop Adam Jones assuming greater responsibility in the interim, alongside general manager Andy Sanger.
However, Dalrymple says he has full confidence in those coaches to “step up and deliver” following Wilson’s departure.
“While we recognise that we are close to start of the new Gallagher PREM campaign, we are confident in our coaching team’s ability to step up and deliver, and we are excited to kick off our PREM season,” he told the Quins website.
“Things with the WRU have moved quickly but we have been keen to support this move for Danny, which allows him to return to coaching at international level and also supports him from a personal perspective. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for his contribution to Quins.
“For us, the focus is now on Friday night’s PREM Cup game at Newcastle, our home PREM Cup fixture against Leicester Tigers that follows a week later and then, on September 26th for our first Gallagher PREM fixture at home against Bath, where we are expecting a sell-out crowd to watch us take on the current Champions at The Stoop.”
Meanwhile, Wilson said: “This has been a really tough decision for me to make as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Quins, but the chance to join Wales and return to international rugby was simply too good an opportunity to turn down.
“There have been some incredible moments while I have been at Quins, and as always, some that have been more challenging. But the run into the 2023/24 Champions Cup semi-final with memorable victories over Racing 92, Glasgow Warriors and Bordeaux alongside our victory over Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season will stay with me for a long time.
“I am also hugely proud of the work we’ve undertaken in the last two seasons to blood the next generation of Quins players, and I know this will stand the Club in good stead for the 2025/26 season and beyond. Finally, I’d like to thank the players, Board, staff and fans for all their support during my time at Quins.”
‘Heartbroken’ Wales star undergoes surgery
Wales co-captain Alex Callender has undergone surgery following her side’s exit from the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Last month, there were fears that the 25-year-old would miss the tournament, having suffered an ankle injury against Australia in the second Test of Wales’ tour Down Under and left the match on crutches.
However, she returned to fitness in time to lead Sean Lynn’s squad alongside fellow co-captain Kate Williams, playing in their pool stage defeats to Scotland and Fiji, either side of sitting out their clash with Canada due to injury.
With Wales dumped out of the tournament without a win to their name, Callender has seemingly opted to sort her injury issue out once and for all, revealing on Thursday that she has gone under the knife.
While the Harlequins back-row has not specified the injury, or how long she will be sidelined for, it is believed that the procedure is to address her ankle issue.
Sharing a photo of herself in a hospital bed, Callender wrote: “Surgery done. Naughty Liz has been dealt with… Al Cal 2.0 begins now. I’m seeing this as an opportunity to work on myself on and off the field.
“This past year’s been a rollercoaster — from getting injured at the start of the year, finding myself again in the first game out in Australia and then getting injured in the second test. I never thought I’d be making it to the World Cup and captaining my country.
“Massive shoutout to our amazing medical team. They have been absolutely unreal and without them it wouldn’t have even been possible.”
On her team’s World Cup campaign, she added: “It didn’t end the way we wanted, and I’m genuinely heartbroken! But the fight isn’t over. We’ll be back stronger. I am such a passionate Welsh Woman and those results bloody hurt me!!”To my teammates, staff, coaches, family, friends, and every single supporter — thank you. You’ve carried me through the tough days and made the good ones even better. Couldn’t do this without you.”Now it’s time to rebuild, focus and get back out on the pitch. The journey starts here. LET’S HAVE IT!!!”
England ‘have to earn the right’
By PA Sport Staff
England are determined to avoid being overcome by the occasion when they clash with Scotland in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.
The Red Roses are red hot favourites to register a 31st successive Test victory with the winners at Ashton Gate going on to face France or Ireland in the all-Six Nations half of the knockout phase.
Anything other than lifting the World Cup on September 27 would be seen as failure, but forwards coach Louis Deacon insists England are approaching each obstacle as just another day in the office.
“It’s one of those things where you don’t make it bigger than it already is. You want it to feel normal to the players, which is exactly what we’ve done,” Deacon said.
“We’re focusing on our process. It’s a normal week and we’re not adding anything extra that we don’t need to.
“Knockout rugby is a different competition. You have to earn the right, you have to earn another week. Scotland will l be looking forward to it as much as we are.”
England have been lifted by Zoe Aldcroft’s return to training after their skipper missed the Pool A victories over Samoa and Australia with a knee injury.
Aldcroft is expected to be restored to the back row when head coach John Mitchell names his team on Friday.
“Zoe is somebody who everyone respects. She drives a hard standard in training, leads by example and everyone follows, so our training standards have gone through the roof so far this week,” Deacon said.
World player of the year Ellie Kildunne is observing a 12-day stand down period because of concussion symptoms so Emma Sing or Helena Rowland will start at full-back.