A rising Welsh rugby star has capped off a remarkable week, while a legend calls for changes in the Champions Cup to improve competition.
Merthyr: It’s been an exciting week for Welsh rugby! Wales U20s had a solid win against Scotland Development U20s, finishing 31-7. The match took place at Merthyr RFC, and the crowd was buzzing with local schools and colleges cheering on.
Steffan Emanuel, a rising star from Cardiff, really shone in the game. He made a fantastic intercept, and with Scott Delnevo scoring and Harri Wilde kicking well, Wales quickly took a 14-0 lead. The team kept pushing, and even though Scotland managed to score, Wales ended strong with Evan Lloyd crossing for the fifth try.
Coach Richard Whiffin was thrilled with the team’s effort, praising their work rate and execution. He felt they played well, especially in the first half, and it was great to see them come together after just a few training sessions.
Speaking of Emanuel, he’s had a week to remember! Just last weekend, he became the youngest player to represent Cardiff in European competition at just 18 years and 159 days old. Big names like Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies and Ellis Jenkins have been singing his praises, calling him a talented player to watch.
On another note, Dan Biggar, a Welsh rugby legend, is calling for changes in the Champions Cup. He’s concerned about the travel demands on teams, especially with South African teams involved. Biggar believes this travel can lead to teams fielding weaker sides, which isn’t fair for the competition.
He suggested restructuring the tournament to allow teams to travel in blocks, similar to the URC format. Biggar wants the Champions Cup to be the best it can be, and he feels that current travel schedules are making it tough for teams to perform at their best.
In other news, England rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio shared a heartfelt message after a body was found in the search for ex-rugby star Tom Voyce, who went missing during a storm. Dallaglio expressed his condolences and shared fond memories of Voyce, highlighting the impact he had on those around him.
Meanwhile, Sale had a great win over Racing 92 in the Champions Cup, with a score of 29-7. They started the night at the bottom of their pool but turned things around with a strong performance. It was a much-needed boost for them after a tough start.
On the flip side, Munster faced a tough loss against Castres, falling 16-14. Despite some strong efforts, they couldn’t quite pull off the win, leaving them with a lot to think about moving forward.