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Former Wales Women boss Cunningham (centre) has landed a new job(Image: Grant Pitcher/Huw Evans Agency)
These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, January 5.
Former Wales coach lands new job
Former Wales Women head coach Ioan Cunningham has returned to the UK and landed a new role as senior assistant coach of Scotland Women.
The 42-year-old oversaw 30 matches in charge of Wales between 2021 and 2024 before leaving the role by mutual consent as the Welsh Rugby Union faced criticism over the way it handled the negotiation process over new contracts with the women’s team.
He returned to coaching a few months later as it was announced he would lead Fiji Women at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, and he helped guide the team to a 28-25 victory over Wales in the pool stages of the tournament.
Cunningham, who also previously worked as Scarlets‘ forwards coach, Wales U20s head coach and National Academy skills coach, will start his newly-created role with Scotland this week, and will be based in Edinburgh.
His appointment comes after former US Women’s Eagles boss Sione Fukofuka was unveiled as Scotland’s new head coach last month, with the pair set to work with a contracted group of players as part of a new centralised high-performance programme.
“I am really honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work with Scottish Rugby, especially working with the Scotland senior women’s team,” said Cunningham as his new role was confirmed.
“I’m really looking forward to working with such talented players and staff, adding to the continued growth and development of women’s rugby in Scotland.
“I have a personal connection to Scotland as my grandfather was from Kilmarnock, which makes having this opportunity a proud moment for me and my family.”
Scottish Rugby’s performance director, David Nucifora, added: “Ioan brings significant experience from high-performance women’s rugby, alongside strong technical expertise and an understanding of what is required to deliver at international level.
“He has also worked across the men’s professional game and with international age-grade teams which, through the senior assistant coach role, will help Sione lead a strong coaching group that will invest in both developing our player pool and driving the Scotland Women team to reach their full potential.”
Welsh-qualified star reveals Test aspirations
Welsh-qualified lock Tom Lockett has made clear his Test aspirations with England after signing a new deal with Northampton Saints.
The towering 23-year-old – who stands at 6ft 7in and weighs 112kg – has previously played for Wales U18s after qualifying through ancestry, and is understood to have been a player of national interest identified by the WRU as a potential Wales international of the future.
However, he has been lost to Wales for three years, having represented England A in February last year before making another appearance for the side in November. Lockett suffered an injury in that second match but, earlier that week, had been called up to Steve Borthwick’s senior England training squad with full Test honours seemingly set to come soon.
Having chosen to pursue Test rugby with England over Wales, the Saints academy product says he is keen to “establish” himself on the international stage, having put pen to paper on a new deal at Franklin’s Gardens.
“Staying at Saints was an easy decision for me,” said Lockett, who has made 49 appearances for the Gallagher PREM side. “This club is where I grew up playing my rugby; it’s where my mates are, and it’s where we’re building something genuinely exciting.
“Being part of a young group that’s developing fast, but also pushing hard for more silverware, is a brilliant environment to come into every day.”
On his Test aspirations, he added: “Long term, I want to establish myself in the international picture. I’ve had a taste with England A and in senior camps, and being surrounded here by players operating at that level helps drive me forward.
“Representing this town and this club means a lot to me, and running out at cinch Stadium as someone who’s come through the system will never get old. When the town gets behind you it really is something special, so there’s nowhere else I’d rather be playing my rugby.”
Cardiff pay tribute to ‘major figure’
Cardiff RFC have paid tribute to former player Ian Brice, who has died at the age of 81.
Brice, who played for famous invitational side Crawshays Welsh RFC during the 1970s and later served as its president, also played for Cardiff during the 1976/77 season, making 11 appearances at lock.
Tributes have poured in for the “towering figure,” who also played for the likes of Newport, Newbridge and Abertillery over the course of his career, after he passed away on Saturday following a long illness.
“All at the club are saddened to hear of the passing of former player Ian Brice, at the age of 81,” read a statement from Cardiff. “Ian played at the Club during the Centenary Season 1976-77 at lock, making 11 appearances for the 1st XV together with a number of games for the Rags.
“He played for Cardiff Schools as well as representing Newport, Newbridge and Abertillery, where he played in over 400 games covering the major part of his rugby playing career.
“Ian was a major figure running the Crawshays team over a number of years and he made many friends throughout the Rugby Community. He will be sadly missed by all his friends and family.”
The sad news was announced by Crawshays on Sunday night, as the club paid tribute to the man whose involvement with the side spanned half a century.
“It is with enormous sadness that Ian Brice, Crawshay’s Player, Administer, Trustee, and President died last night after prolonged illness,” a statement read. “He has been part of the club for 50 years and his enormous presence will be missed by the Club.”
Journalist Peter Jackson added: “Ian Brice, a towering figure in Welsh rugby and revered president of the famous Crawshay’s RFC, died yesterday after a long illness. My sympathy to Ian’s family and friends.”
Parling pleased with Leicester’s commitment
By Press Association Sport Staff
Director of rugby Geoff Parling praised Leicester’s commitment after an impressive 36-28 win over Saracens kept his side firmly in contention for a play-off spot.
Tigers were in total control for most of the match to lead 26-7 at one stage, but Saracens showed spirit to come away with a losing bonus point even though they were comfortably second best on the day.
Wing Adam Radwan and Billy Searle were Leicester’s stand-out performers, with the former scoring two explosive tries in a man-of-the-match display and Searle kicking four conversions and a penalty.
Olly Cracknell, Freddie Steward and Joe Heyes also scored tries for the home side while Theo McFarland, Rhys Carre, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Charlie Bracken scored Saracens’ tries. Fergus Burke converted all four.
Parling said: “Despite it being here at Mattioli Woods I noticed that Sarries were favourites coming into the game so it was a great win and a great result. We started the game well by moving the ball well and they only remained in the game because of the breakdown as we conceded seven turnovers in the first half.
“The bench could have added a bit more and I would have liked to have kept them out a bit longer and not given them a bonus point. Last week at Exeter the result was on me as I failed to set up the team properly, but there was a good emotional response this week.
“I thought Billy Searle managed the game really well and Orlando Bailey playing in the centre had his best game for the club.”
Radwan said: “Last week at Exeter we felt we didn’t turn up, so after a full review we challenged each other to be better and you saw the difference today, although not for the full 80 minutes.
“I’ve not been here too long but you can’t describe how good it is to play here as the crowd make it a very special place to be and the players feel that we owe them.”
Despite securing a bonus point, Saracens’ director of rugby Mark McCall was hugely critical of his side’s effort.
He said: “Although a losing bonus point may be important at the end of the season, it’s of little consolation today. You can’t turn up at a place like this and play with that attitude for the first 15 or 20 minutes as only one team had any fight for the physical battle.
“We were second best and I wish I knew what it was as we haven’t been able to win back-to-back games since rounds one and two. Some aspects of our second half were good but although they played well in the first half, we allowed them to run at us far too easily.”
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