Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Dylan James

Tonight's rugby news as one Wales star announces new arrival and another has 'unfinished business'

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, May 26.

Wales star's unfinished business

Gareth Anscombe insists he has unfinished business with Wales after the heartache he suffered ahead of the last World Cup.

Anscombe has been named in Warren Gatland's Wales training squad for the tournament in France later this year, four years after his world came crashing down at the last minute before the 2019 competition.

The fly-half suffered a serious knee injury in a warm-up match that ruled him out for more than two years. He also struggled to make an impact in 2015 because of injury.

SIGN UP: Get the latest exclusive stories and breaking rugby headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter.

"There is a World Cup looming and it would nice to be a part and play a leading role," Anscombe told the BBC.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into the Welsh environment. We start camp soon and they are going to be tough - Gats (Gatland) has already spoken about that.

"I haven't spent time under this new management, so I'm going in there to train hard and see what happens.

"I have twice gone through the hard work and had injuries that have either ruled me out or stopped me playing a big part in a World Cup, so there's unfinished business.

"I feel I still have a lot to offer Welsh rugby but there's lots of competition. Wales have talked about changing things and you can see from the Six Nations we need to improve. I'd like to think I can add to that.

"The training camps are brutal and I'm not looking forward to those, but there is a big carrot at the end that I would like to be a part of."

Kieran Hardy and wife Ellie welcome second child


Wales star Kieran Hardy and wife Ellie have announced the birth of their second child.

It comes almost a year after their fairytale wedding in Jersey, which took place in August 2022. The couple then announced the news that Ellie was pregnant with a second child in November.


Ellie revealed the birth announcement via Instagram in the early hours of Friday morning.

She posted another story with the caption: "And just like that, nine of the quickest, craziest and worrying months of our life; with a complex pregnancy, our bubs is earth side, happy, healthy and safe. Mummy, Daddy and big sis longed for you little one and you're finally here. Can't wait to share bubs with you all soon and bloody hell I think birth story is going to need to be filmed after today. The quickest 0-100 birth ever, it was absolutely mental, can't wait to tell you more! Biased but, Kieran Hardy, we make beautiful babies."

The pair welcomed their first child, Piper, back in December 2018, in what Hardy called: "The proudest day of my life."

Hardy is part of Wales' World Cup training squad and will hope to have a place in Warren Gatland's team before the squad head to France for the competition after the summer.

Wales star goes for Twickenham glory

Wales centre Nick Tompkins goes for silverware tomorrow when he lines up outside Owen Farrell in the English Premiership final.

Tompkins' Saracens take on Sale Sharks at Twickenham as the season comes to a mouth-watering finale.

The centre has enjoyed another impressive season for the English giants and is hoping to make himself first-choice under Warren Gatland at the Rugby World Cup.

Saracens are back at English rugby headquarters a year after Freddie Burns' late drop-goal saw Leicester crowned champions.

But victory over Sale, who have reached a first Premiership final since 2006, would give Saracens a sixth league crown in the past 13 seasons.

Stormers impressed by Munster

Stormers head coach John Dobson has hailed Munster's "phenomenal" run to the United Rugby Championship final ahead of Saturday's clash in Cape Town.

While the Stormers are chasing back-to-back URC titles, Munster have not won a major trophy for 12 years.

But Graham Rowntree's team - beaten finalists in 2015, 2017 and 2021 - have shown their quality through some outstanding late-season form.

And their sequence of impressive results includes a 26-24 away victory over the Stormers last month.

"They came here and ended our unbeaten record, then they go to the Sharks (in Durban) - a fully-loaded Sharks - and draw.

"They go to Scotstoun in Glasgow, who haven't lost there in the whole season, they win in Glasgow and they then go and win in Leinster. That is phenomenal.

"Graham Rowntree is obviously a very bright coach. He has done an exceptional job with Munster. He is a really nice guy, a true rugby guy, and what they have done lately is remarkable."

Rowntree has made three changes from the side that defeated semi-final opponents Leinster, with centre Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-half Conor Murray and wing Calvin Nash all returning after completing return-to-play protocols following the quarter-finals.

Read more:

Gareth Anscombe publicly calls out 'mess' and says players have been let down by those in power

Welsh region target signing of giant 19st South African with big reputation

Ospreys announce signing of Wales squad member from rival region

Today's rugby news as Wales star shocked by Alun Wyn statement and Gatland's players arrive in camp for World Cup countdow

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.