Cian is a writer who has written for football and rugby publications. He is an avid Wales and Ospreys supporter, and has played age grade rugby growing up. He has come to Read Rugby with a wealth of knowledge and breadth of interest.
The United Rugby Championship heads into its final round with almost every major position still up for grabs, from top spot and home advantage to the final play-off places and Champions Cup qualification. Round 17 delivered another weekend of twists. Glasgow Warriors moved to the top of the table with a commanding win over Cardiff […]
There are flashier players in Welsh rugby. Bigger personalities, too. But few modern players have earned respect in quite the same way as Aaron Wainwright. When he walked off the pitch at Rodney Parade for the final time on Saturday night, it felt like the end of something bigger than a club career. It felt […]
The Welsh Rugby Union has formally lodged an expression of interest to enter a side into the expanded Premiership Women’s Rugby, marking the clearest sign yet that Welsh women’s rugby could soon join Europe’s premier domestic competition. The move represents a significant shift in ambition from the WRU, which has spent the past few years […]
Ospreys will say goodbye to the Brewery Field this weekend with silverware, derby bragging rights and emotion all wrapped into one final home fixture against Scarlets. Saturday’s URC clash marks the end of the Ospreys’ spell in Bridgend before next season’s move to St Helen’s in Swansea. In just two seasons, the Brewery Field has […]
Ealing Trailfinders are reportedly in advanced discussions over a shock move to the United Rugby Championship, a development that says as much about the state of English rugby as it does about Ealing’s own ambitions. After years of dominating the Championship without a realistic route into the Premiership, Ealing appear increasingly willing to explore opportunities […]
Cornish Pirates have secured what the club describes as “landmark” investment from US-based Stonewood Capital Management in a move that could reignite long-standing ambitions of bringing top-flight rugby to Cornwall. The Championship side confirmed that Pittsburgh businessmen J. Kenneth Moritz and John H. Tippins will join the club’s board of directors as part of the […]
Tom Willis looks set for a return to the international stage this summer after being named in the Barbarians squad to face Wales at Allianz Stadium on June 27. The Saracens No.8 has spent the season producing some of the strongest performances of his career, yet remained absent from England plans following confirmation of his […]
Carys Cox will make her return to Wales’ starting XV this weekend as head coach Sean Lynn makes three changes for the trip to Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations. After heavy defeats earlier in the campaign, Wales head to Belfast searching for signs of progress as much as points. But Lynn’s latest selection suggests […]
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has hinted that new investment at Sandy Park could give the club greater freedom in the transfer market this summer, as Exeter prepare for a pivotal vote on the club’s future. Members will decide on Thursday whether to approve a proposed takeover involving American investors, widely understood to […]
Zoe Harrison has delivered a blunt verdict on plans to introduce smaller rugby balls into the women’s game, calling the move “the worst decision someone has ever made.” The England team’s fly-half did not hold back when asked about World Rugby’s decision to trial size 4.5 balls, slightly smaller than the standard size five, during […]
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has turned to squad depth for this weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific fixture, with injuries forcing key changes ahead of the meeting with Moana Pasifika. Roigard and Love sidelined The Hurricanes will be without two of their most influential backs. Cam Roigard faces up to a month out, while Ruben Love […]
Leigh Halfpenny never chased the spotlight, but the spotlight found him anyway. As he retires at 37, the reaction across the game tells its own story. Players, coaches and supporters all point to the same thing; consistency at the highest level, delivered without ego or noise. In a sport built on collisions and personalities, Halfpenny […]
