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The latest rugby news emerging from Wales and around the world
These are your rugby headlines on the evening of Friday, January 23.
Biggar leads Williams tributes
Dan Biggar and a host of Wales internationals have paid tribute to Liam Williams following the announcement of his international retirement.
The current Newcastle Red Bulls full-back, who also represented Scarlets, Cardiff, Saracens and Kubota Spears, has hung up his Test boots at the age of 34 and earning 93 caps.
He scored 21 tries while wearing the red shirt, winning two Six Nations titles while also touring with the British & Irish Lions twice.
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His former Wales and Lions team-mate Biggar said on social media: “The biggest compliment I can give you is that I’d want you alongside me going into battle. Gave everything every time you pulled on the jersey. Massive respect on an incredible international career mate.”
Alex Cuthbert added: “‘Like tackling a bag of spanners’. Some career in that Welsh and Lions shirt. Was a pleasure,” adding a picture of him and team-mates with the caption “good times over the years, not bad for a scaffolder.”
Gareth Anscombe paid his own tribute, saying: “Was a pleasure to play a small part in it my man.”
Announcing his decision, Williams wrote: “I have decided that the time has come to say goodbye. The three feathers. My home. Thank you.
“I turned professional in 2011, and earned my first cap for Wales in 2012. Over the following 14 years, I had the privilege of representing my country 93 times, something I could never have imagined when I was growing up.
“The trophies. The wins. But also the losses. They all taught me something.
“From working as a scaffolder in Port Talbot steelworks, to pulling on that famous red jersey. It’s been a journey built on hard work, sacrifice, and the support of so many people along the way.”
Former Lion dies
Former England and British & Irish Lions wing Peter Squires has died at the age of 74.
Squires represented England 29 times during the 1970s, scoring six tries, while he toured New Zealand with the Lions in 1977 as one of just five Englishmen in the squad.
After scoring a try in his first appearance for the touring side against Wairarapa/ Bush, he started the opening Test against the All Blacks in the back three alongside Andy Irvine and JJ Williams.
Also a talented cricketer, Squires played 49 first-class matches for his home county of Yorkshire in the 1970s, playing both cricket and rugby for Harrogate and Ripon at club level.
Both clubs have paid tribute, with Harrogate describing him as “a wonderful rugby player, an even better man, and a proud part of our club’s history,” while Ripon announced plans to hold a minute’s applause in their former player’s memory ahead of their match this weekend.
England and the Lions both expressed condolences to Squires’ family, while Yorkshire County Cricket Club chairman Gavin Hamilton paid a touching tribute to the former opener.
“For someone who achieved so much in an era when sport was as tough as it gets, Peter truly shone and, above all, he remained incredibly humble about his achievements,” said Hamilton.
“He will be sorely missed and I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to Gail and the rest of his family.”
Cardiff rip up team
Cardiff Rugby coach Corniel van Zyl has made 12 changes to the side that was beaten by Exeter Chiefs for this weekend’s clash with Benetton.
Liam Belcher is back as skipper for the crucial clash on Saturday night (7.45) at the Arms Park, with the trio of Josh McNally, James Botham and Jacob Beetham the only players retained from the loss at Sandy Park.
Belcher is joined by Rhys Barratt and Keiron Assiratti in the front row, while McNally, George Nott, Alex Mann, Botham and Alun Lawrence complete the pack.
Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy combine at half-back, Ben Thomas and Harri Millard line up in midfield and Josh Adams, Iwan Stephens Beetham form the back three.
“We take it week by week and we are focussed on the next challenge,” van Zyl said. “We have prepared well and the boys are excited for another opportunity to fight for the jersey and do our supporters proud.
“Benetton are a very competitive team. They’ve got a mix of experienced foreign players and a lot of Italian internationals, so we know exactly how tough this test is going to be. Our preparation has been about making sure we’re accurate, physical and ready to take our opportunities.
“Hopefully we’ll have another big crowd and the boys can put our game on the pitch early, to get them behind us and into the game.”
Cardiff: Beetham; Adams, Millard, B Thomas, Stephens; Sheedy, Davies; Barratt, Liam Belcher (capt), Assiratti, McNally, Nott, Mann, Botham, Lawrence.
Replacements: Lloyd, Domachowski, Sebastian, Thornton, D Thomas, Mulder, Lloyd, Grady
Benetton: Smith; Mendy, Menoncello, Marin, Odogwu; Farias, Uren (capt); Aminu, Maile, Pasquali, Marini, Ruzza, Favretto, Zuliani, Cannone.
Replacements: Bernasconi, Spagnolo, Gallorini, Scrafton, Fa’aso’o, Kingi, Garbisi, Drago.
Scarlets name team for Ulster
Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies has made four changes in personnel for the clash against Ulster at Parc y Scarlets tomorrow (3).
Davies has reshuffled the back three, with Tom Rogers back on the right wing, meaning Ellis Mee switches to the left. Blair Murray has been named at full-back.
Eddie James, making his 50th appearance for west Walians, partners Joe Hawkins in the centre.
Jake Ball is undergoing return-to-play protocols after leaving the field early at against Northampton Saints last time out, with Harvey Cuckson and Sam Lousi coming in in the second-row. Prop Archer Holz also returns to the walk-on side.
Davies said: “It’s a great challenge. Ulster are playing a lot of rugby. They have changed the way they play a little bit, so they are a threat with the ball and it’s a team we haven’t beaten for a long time.
“But that’s all in the past. We are focused on the future and underpinning our performances with the values we have spoken about and being ruthless.
“Last week, we talked about winning. This week, we’re focused on what it takes to win — being brave in how we play and fully connected in how we work.”
Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, James, Hawkins, Mee; Costelow, A Hughes; Mathias, Elias, Holz, Lousi, Cuckson, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Morse, H O’Connor, Price, J Taylor, Blacker, J Williams, Page.
Ulster: Lowry; Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, Kok; Murphy, Doak; Bell, Stewart, O’Toole, Henderson (capt), Irvine, McCann, Timoney, Ward.
Replacements: Herring, O’Sullivan, Wilson, Sheridan, Dalton, McKee, Flannery, Postlethwaite.
Furbank in England squad
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
George Furbank has been named in England’s squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations with Greg Fisilau also included as one of three uncapped players.
Furbank is present in a 36-man group despite having been limited to just four senior appearances for Northampton this season because of a niggling calf problem, with a start against Sale on December 20 his most recent outing.
The 29-year-old was England’s first-choice full-back until suffering a broken arm in December 2024, with the last of his 14 caps being won against Japan a month earlier.
“George is back on the grass and will be involved in some game-time for Northampton this weekend,” head coach Steve Borthwick said.
“It’s been a while since he was in the squad but he’s a super player, a 15 who also offers 10 cover.
“He has a great understanding of the backs given the number that come from Northampton, so I’m delighted to be able to select him.”
Fisilau is rewarded for his blockbuster form for Exeter by being given the chance to compete with Ben Earl and Chandler Cunningham-South for the number eight duties, while uncapped props Billy Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun also feature.
“Exeter have been outstanding and Greg’s work-rate is absolutely exceptional,” Borthwick said.
“The number of carries he makes and his ability to win the gainline and carry tight and wide. He has that athleticism and skill-set. He also has great hands, linking very well.
“He gives us more number eight cover, but he can play in other positions across that back row. A very talented, athletic rugby player.”
Sela helps fill the void created by the absence of Will Stuart and Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who will miss the entire Six Nations because of respective Achilles and shoulder injuries.
Joe Heyes will follow up his breakthrough 2025 by entering the tournament as first choice in the position, while there is also a recall for veteran Trevor Davison.
Iyogun is needed as cover for foot-injury victim Fin Baxter, who is among a group of players who will be spending the pre-Six Nations camp in Girona in rehabilitation in the hope of being involved in the early rounds.
Borthwick said: “Regarding the props, would we want all the props fit and available that we had playing in the autumn? Yes. Is it the disruption we asked for? No. But have we planned for this? Yes.
“We have always known the depth chart, always known which players were on it, and we know who is ready to come in.
“I’m confident that we are going to continue to build even more depth over the next seven, eight weeks.”
Centre Ollie Lawrence (knee) and Fin Smith (calf) are also among those who will be receiving treatment next week.
