The latest rugby news stories making headlines in Wales and across the world
These are your evening headlines on Monday, June 1.
Beard lined up for move
Adam Beard could be on the move again just a year after leaving Wales, with reports in France claiming the lock is being lined up by Top 14 side Lyon.
The Wales international only joined Montpellier last summer on a three-year deal following his departure from the Ospreys, but his stay on the Mediterranean coast may prove short-lived if the latest reports are to be believed.
According to Rugbyrama, Lyon are looking to strengthen at lock and have expressed an interest in signing Beard.
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The 68-cap Wales international has made 20 appearances for Montpellier this season and was a late replacement in their EPCR Challenge Cup final victory over Ulster in Bilbao but he is not first choice at the club.
This could prompt Beard to join Lyon but they would need to pay a transfer fee to Montpellier.
Lyon are currently 10th in the Top 14 but have ambitions to climb up the table over the next couple of seasons.
Jiffy’s tribute to Kear
Jonathan Davies has paid tribute to former Wales coach John Kear, who died suddenly over the weekend.
Kear, a stalwart of rugby league, coached England, Sheffield, Hull, Wakefield, Batley, Bradford and Widnes in a storied career in the game.
He was commentating at Wembley for the BBC, alongside Jiffy, on Saturday during the Challenge Cup final but was taken ill on his return north on Sunday.
His death has stunned the rugby community, with tributes pouring in for the 71-year-old. Jiffy, a dual-code legend in both sports, expressed his sadness at Kear’s passing.
“Devastated with the news of John Kear passing,” Jiffy wrote online, accompanied by a photo of the two of them working side by side at Wembley. “He was in great spirits at Wembley on Saturday as usual. A true gentleman and a proper RL man RIPJK. My sincere condolences to all family and friends.”
Kear took the reins of the Wales men’s side in 2014 and coached them to a European Championship win, beating Scotland, Ireland and France, also leading Wales in two World Cups, in 2017 in Australia and 2022 in England.
WRL chairman, James Davies, said: “On behalf of Wales Rugby League, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to John’s wife, family, and friends.
“John was highly respected throughout the rugby league community, and from my own interactions with him, it was easy to understand why. He was instrumental in the development of many of Wales’ players over the past decade, and I know he took great pride in being part of their journey and success.
“John’s contribution to the game, and to the people he helped along the way, will not be forgotten. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and worked with him.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
Clive Griffiths, director of performance for Wales Rugby League, said: “I am saddened to hear the news of John’s passing.
“He was not only an outstanding international class coach, but more importantly, he was also a great friend and human being.
“His work keeping the Wales Rugby League flag flying will always be remembered and appreciated by everyone connected with WRL.
“My deepest sympathy goes to Dawn, as well as John’s family. JK, my friend, you will be sorely missed.”
The Rugby Football League shared a tribute on social media, which said: “The RFL today pays tribute to John Kear, who died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Challenge Cup Finals.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family and friends.”
His former club Wakefield tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary coach and broadcaster John Kear.
“As a club, the whole of Wakefield Trinity would like to pass on our thoughts and condolences to his wife, family and friends during this time and join the Rugby League family in saying he will be dearly missed.”
Moody joins Weir family for challenge
By Mark Walker, Press Association
Lewis Moody will be joined by the wife and son of former Scotland forward Doddie Weir on his 500-mile charity cycling challenge to raise funds for motor neurone disease.
Former England captain Moody was diagnosed with MND in September last year, while Weir died in 2022 following his diagnosis in 2017. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
Kathy and Hamish Weir will ride alongside Moody and a host of other former players for the Lewis Moody XV Ride, a seven-day challenge travelling from Newcastle on June 14 to Twickenham in time for the Gallagher Prem Rugby final on June 20.
Moody, part of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning side who spent 14 years at Leicester, said: “Having Kathy and Hamish with us feels incredibly poignant and powerful.
“Doddie did so much to change the conversation around MND, and in many ways this ride feels like continuing something he started.
“There’s a real sense of carrying the baton forward. Doddie inspired people because he faced this disease head on with unbelievable courage, humour and determination, and I think all of us involved in the ride feel a responsibility to keep pushing that fight forward.”
The rider line-up includes former England captain Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson, Phil Vickery, Martin Corry and Tom Croft across different stages of the ride.
Fellow MND campaigner and former Scotland wing Kenny Logan, ex-Ireland and Leicester full-back Geordan Murphy and adventurer Alan Chambers will accompany Moody for the whole of the route.
The seven-day challenge will stop at Ripon, Worksop, Oakham School in Rutland, Leicester, Worcester, Bath and Bracknell before finishing at the Allianz Arena, where Moody will deliver the match ball for the Prem final.
Moody added: “I couldn’t be doing this without my own family too. Annie, Dylan and Ethan have been so incredibly strong for me.
“This ride is about raising money, of course, but it’s also about showing the MND community that we’re still fighting, still driving awareness, and still refusing to accept that this disease cannot be beaten.”
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