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Wales finally ended their losing run against Japan last weekend (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news from Wales and around the world<\/p>\n
07:46, 18 Jul 2025Updated 07:59, 18 Jul 2025<\/p>\n
Wales finally ended their losing run against Japan last weekend (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)<\/p>\n
Here are your rugby headlines for Friday, July 18.<\/p>\n
Bevan issues grave Welsh rugby warning<\/p>\n
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions wing John Bevan has issued a stark warning over the state of Welsh rugby, insisting the sport is on the brink of \u201coblivion\u201d without deep and lasting reform.<\/p>\n
Bevan, who played for Wales during the 1970s and toured with the Lions in 1971, says a complete overhaul is urgently required if the game in Wales is to survive \u2014 and thrive again in the long term.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s root-and-branch,\u201d he told The Times<\/a>. \u201cRoot-and-branch, not cosmetic stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n His sobering comments come at a critical time for Welsh rugby. The national team only recently ended an 18-Test losing streak, beating Japan in Kobe last weekend. But the result has done little to paper over the deep cracks in the game.<\/p>\n Off the field, the Welsh Rugby Union is under pressure amid ongoing speculation about the future of the domestic game, with talks ongoing over the possibility of reducing the number of professional regions from four to two. Such a move would have major implications for player development, regional identity and the sport\u2019s popularity across Wales. 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 Bevan believes only long-term commitment to proper structural change will offer hope.<\/p>\n \u201cSomebody\u2019s got to put their hands up and say, \u2018It\u2019s going to take 12 years minimum, but we\u2019ve got to do it. We\u2019re going to have to take it on the chin for 12 years, and we\u2019ll be back, if everybody buys into it,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a painful 10 years, or it\u2019s going to be the oblivion of rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevan\u2019s comments echo concerns raised by other former players and coaches in recent months, who say the WRU has failed to put in place a coherent long-term plan for the game at all levels \u2014 from grassroots to professional to international.<\/p>\n Welsh rugby stalwart dies<\/p>\n Cardiff<\/a> Rugby have led tributes following the passing of former player Carl Smith, who represented the club throughout the 1970s and went on to have a successful spell at Pontypridd<\/a>.<\/p>\n Smith, a tough and committed back-row forward, played for Cardiff RFC between 1971 and 1980, featured during a celebrated era for the club based at the Arms Park. He famously scored a try for Cardiff in their game against the All Blacks in 1978.<\/p>\n He later moved to Pontypridd, where he continued to impress with his work rate, physicality and leadership on the field. He made 93 appearances for Ponty between 1980 and 1983.<\/p>\n A product of the Welsh rugby pathway, Smith also played for Wales Youth and Glamorgan County, underlining his pedigree at both regional and national representative levels. Many count him unlucky for not donning the No.8 shirt for Wales’ senior team.<\/p>\n Confirming the news in a statement, Cardiff Rugby said: “All of us at the Arms Park are saddened to learn of the passing of Carl Smith.<\/p>\n “The back-row forward played for Cardiff between 1971 and 1980 before moving to Pontypridd. He also played for Wales youth and Glamorgan. Our thoughts are with Carl’s family and friends on this sad day.”<\/p>\n Ponty’s Alun Granfield said: “The club has just heard that one of Pontypridd\u2019s great former players has died. Carl Smith joined us at the start of the 1980-81 season and played 93 games for our club over the next three seasons, scoring 21 tries. At the end of the 1978-79 season Pontypridd had lost the services of arguably the best No. 8 in Wales at the time, Chris Seldon, who was constantly overlooked by the Welsh selectors and decided to try his luck in rugby league<\/a> with St. Helens. Chris left a huge hole in our side, and it was difficult to see who could fill it. Then along came Carl.<\/p>\n “When he came to us Carl had spent 10 years with Cardiff playing 235 times, and a recent Cardiff website published a list of the greatest uncapped XV that the club could have put out, and Carl Smith was in it at No. 8. He could play at either No. 8 or at lock and the site said that he \u201cwas a fearsome sight on a rugby field\u201d and simply a fantastic player and a great athlete. Very true!<\/p>\n “I understand that part of the reason that he left Cardiff was that they wanted him to play regularly at lock, and Carl felt that he still had a lot to offer in the back row. His career with Pontypridd proved him correct. He had power and pace, was great in defence and attack, and never shirked the hard stuff. He is remembered by us not so golden oldies at Pontypridd with great affection and respect and the club sends its condolences to Carl\u2019s family on their huge loss.”<\/p>\n Nigel Owens responds to controversial Springboks act<\/p>\n Former international referee Nigel Owens has weighed in on the tactical innovations used by South Africa in their recent Test victory over Italy \u2014 questioning the legality and sportsmanship of the Springboks\u2019 ploy.<\/p>\n