The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, May 18.
Tandy flies to Australia on scouting mission
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has flown to Australia on a reconnaissance mission to visit the stadiums his side will play in at next year’s Rugby World Cup and scout out potential training facilities.
Before facing both Tonga and England, Tandy’s side will begin their tournament campaign against Zimbabwe at the Adelaide Oval on October 2. Alongside team and operations manager Martyn Williams and head of physical performance Huw Bennett, the Wales boss has now been taken on a tour of the venue by tournament officials.
Tandy also watched local AFL team Adelaide Crows – who play their home games at the Oval – during their captain’s run and met with the side’s coaching team.
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After looking around the stadium, the Wales head coach admitted he was impressed by what he had seen and now expects an “amazing” atmosphere when they return to Adelaide in just over 16 months’ time.
“The stadium is absolutely amazing,” said Tandy. “Just speaking to the [Adelaide Crows] guys, the crowds they get, it’s an amazing atmosphere. It’s absolutely special and we can’t wait to come back here and play. I think all the facilities we’ve seen, we’ll be very lucky and all the venues look amazing.
“I think fans will be excited, hopefully there’ll be lots of support for Wales and coming to Australia, it’s an amazing spot,” he added. “I lived here for two years in Sydney. It’s a special place for me as well and my family. The players will love every minute of it.
On the support expected to follow Wales out Down Under, he added: “The Welsh fans are amazing. They travel really well and I think if we can replicate anything like it is in Cardiff, it’ll be really inspiring for the boys.
“It does mean a huge amount to the players and the players have massive pride to represent the nation as well. So the more red shirts you get in all these venues, it’ll make a huge difference to the players.”
New Welsh rugby fixtures confirmed
The dates of two Welsh derbies for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season have been confirmed ahead of the full fixture list being released on Tuesday.
With the regular URC season now over, Cardiff are the only Welsh representatives in the play-offs and they have now revealed the dates of two matches to be held next season.
The Arms Park side’s campaign will begin with a Welsh derby, as they travel to Llanelli to take on the Scarlets on Saturday, September 26, with kick-off confirmed for 7.45pm.
Corniel van Zyl’s side will then face Zebre at home on Friday, October 2, with kick-off again at 7.45pm.
Cardiff v Scarlets is not the only all-Welsh affair in the opening rounds next season, with the Dragons also revealing that their home opener will come against Dwayne Peel’s side at Rodney Parade on Saturday, October 3, with kick-off at 3pm.
The full list of fixtures for next season’s URC campaign will be released at 12pm on Tuesday.
Cardiff-linked coach lands new job
Former England international Matt Banahan has landed a new job following reports that Cardiff were interested in adding him to their coaching staff ahead of next season.
The 16-cap international, who represented Bath and Gloucester at club level, has spent the last year as an assistant coach with Premiership Women’s Rugby side Gloucester-Hartpury, following a two-year stint with Scotland Women.
It was reported earlier this month that Cardiff boss Corniel van Zyl was believed to be interested in offering the 39-year-old, who has a growing reputation in the world of coaching, the role of backs coach at the Arms Park.
However, while Banahan has indeed decided to move on from his current role at Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of the season, he is not moving as far as Wales, having been offered a new job with Hartpury RFC. He will not only coach the CHAMP Rugby side, but also take on the role of lead coach for Hartpury’s ACE college programme.
On leaving Gloucester-Hartpury, the Jersey-born coach said: “Coming back to the area and working with this group has been incredibly rewarding. Unfortunately due to personal reasons, the training schedule has become increasingly challenging to commit to, and I have to put my family first.
“Coaching some of the best players in the game has taught be a huge amount, and I hope I’ve been able to give something back to them along the way. I’m grateful to Murph and everyone at Gloucester Hartpury for their support and I wish them all the best for what’s ahead.”
Martin Haag, Head of Performance Rugby at Hartpury University and Hartpury College added: “We’re delighted that Matt is joining Hartpury.
“We’ve seen first-hand the impact he has had with Gloucester Hartpury and are excited to see him continue his promising coaching career at Hartpury. Matt will coach Hartpury RFC while also taking on the role of lead coach for our highly successful ACE college programme.
“Having worked closely with him, I know the quality he brings as a coach and the potential he has to make an even greater impact in the years ahead. He will be a tremendous asset to our unique rugby pathway and will play an important role in developing both people and players across the programme.”
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