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Former Wales star Mike Phillips(Image: Ryan Hiscott\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyondFormer Wales star Mike Phillips(Image: Ryan Hiscott\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, July 10.<\/p>\n
Wales legend urges Lions to consider France tour<\/p>\n
Wales legend Mike Phillips has urged the British & Irish Lions to consider touring France in the future.<\/p>\n
Historically the Lions have only toured Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with the odd game against Argentina, Japan or Fiji thrown into the mix.<\/p>\n
Phillips took to social media platform X to voice his support of a potential tour of France.<\/p>\n
He said: “The Lions touring France would be a game-changer. Imagine the hype, packed stadiums, financial boost and global buzz.<\/p>\n
“A rugby powerhouse vs the iconic Lions – huge for the sport, fans and growth.” Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.<\/a><\/p>\n According to reports the French Rugby Federation have approached the Lions about potentially facing France in a one-off exhibition match at the Stade de France in 2027, although this has yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n The Lions have played France once before at the Parc de Princes in Paris in 1989 which formed part of the bicentennial celebrations of the French Revolution with the visitors coming out on top 29-27.<\/p>\n The prospect of a full-blown Lions tour in France would undoubtedly be financially lucrative but the Southern Hemisphere nations would likely be against it.<\/p>\n One of the biggest criticisms surrounding the current tour of Australia is the fact the Lions have not been truly tested by the Super Rugby franchises but that would not be the case if they were to tour France where they could play the likes of European champions Bordeaux or Toulouse as warm-up fixtures.<\/p>\n One potential barrier could be the congested calendar and fears surrounding player welfare given the Top 14 is played from August to June.<\/p>\n Rising star swaps Bristol for north Wales<\/p>\n Wales U19s international Gethin O’Callaghan has left Bristol Bears to join Super Rygbi Cymru outfit RGC.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old from Penarth<\/a> was a member of the Bears academy but has been released and has opted for a move to Colwyn Bay.<\/p>\n O’Callaghan is viewed as a promising player and the powerful centre is an explosive ball carrier with deft handling.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m really looking forward to joining RGC for this upcoming season,” he said.<\/p>\n “To be a part of a team who aim to progress as players but also a club, which has always been a positive insight for me.<\/p>\n “I am excited to be back in Wales and see what we can achieve this year as a group.”<\/p>\n Part of the SRC’s remit is to act as a net to ensure Welsh talent with potential, who have perhaps not quite made it as professionals yet, are retained.<\/p>\n “We are delighted to sign someone of Gethin\u2019s ability and would like to thank Bristol for working with us on his transfer,” said RGC general manager Alun Pritchard.<\/p>\n “He is exactly the type of player we look for with a high ceiling in terms of his potential, the will to develop and the want to be playing rugby on a regular basis.”When we spoke to him, it was clear that rugby was his main focus, he just wanted to come somewhere that would aide his development and hopefully get back into professional rugby.”I\u2019m sure he will enjoy our expansive style of play and that the fans will enjoy watching him play this season.”<\/p>\n Scotland target favourable World Cup draw ahead of Fiji clash<\/p>\n By Mark Staniforth, PA<\/p>\n Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has one eye on the \u201cbigger picture\u201d as his side prepare to face Fiji in the first test of their Pacific islands tour in Suva on Saturday.<\/p>\n Townsend has stressed the importance of the fixture as well as the upcoming clash with Samoa as Scotland look to lock in a top-six ranking ahead of the draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia in December.<\/p>\n Currently ranked seventh, his side want to avoid a similar fate to 2023 when they were placed in a group with both Ireland and South Africa and failed to progress to the knockout stages.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a one-off game in terms of our tour, but there is also the bigger picture and that is the World Cup draw in November,\u201d said Townsend. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis is a very important game going into the Samoa Test, and also the Tests we have in November, to put ourselves in the best possible position to get into that top six.\u201d<\/p>\n Townsend has made 14 changes to the side that featured in the win over the Maori All Blacks last week, with Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke handed his first cap and 25-year-old Rory Darge stepping up as the team\u2019s stand-alone captain for the first time.<\/p>\n