Tonight’s rugby news as S4C strike Lions tour deal and Welsh ‘maestro’ reminds Wales he’s available

The latest headlines from Wales and around the world

These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, May 30.

S4C strike Lions tour deal

This summer’s British & Irish Lions tour is reportedly set to be shown on free-to-air TV with S4C understood to have agreed a deal for a highlights package. The Welsh language channel is believed to have bought highlights rights for all three of the Lions’ Test matches against Australia, as well as their six tour games, with those highlights set to be broadcast in Welsh only, according to the Guardian.

S4C are also set to provide full live coverage of Andy Farrell’s side’s clash with Argentina in Dublin on June 20, which will be available in both English and Welsh.

While it will only be shown in Welsh, the highlights package will be available to watch across the UK via S4C’s iPlayer service and YouTube channel. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

For the eighth successive Lions tour, Sky Sports has the exclusive live rights for the touring side’s matches, while it will also broadcast its own highlights show in addition to the live action.

However, while there are just three weeks to go until their opening game of the summer, it is believed that Lions bosses are also hopeful of securing another free-to-air highlights deal in England.

For the 2021 tour to South Africa, it was Channel 4 that bought the UK highlights rights, but the broadcaster has not made an offer this time around.

BBC, ITV and Channel 5 have also not made a bid as it stands, with the former also failing to secure live radio rights for the tour of Australia. Instead, the Lions have partnered with talkSPORT for the fourth successive tour.

The reported S4C deal comes despite just two Welsh players being named in head coach Farrell’s 38-man squad. Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams are Wales’ sole representatives in the squad, in what is the lowest Welsh contingent on a Lions tour in nearly 90 years.

As it stands, there will be one Welsh representative within Farrell’s coaching team, with Carmarthen-born Aled Walters appointed as head of athletic performance.

Analyst Rhodri Bown, doctor Geoff Davies and physiotherapist John Miles have all also been included in Farrell’s staff for the tour of Australia, as has soft tissue specialist Susie Gill, who joined the WRU earlier this year from Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins.

Welsh ‘maestro’ reminds Wales he’s available

Grenoble star Sam Davies has issued a pointed reminder to Wales over his Test eligibility following his heroics for the French side in their Pro D2 play-off semi-final win over Provence.

The former Ospreys and Dragons fly-half produced another remarkable performance as his side moved a step closer to the Top 14 with a 38-17 victory on Thursday night, pulling the strings and contributing 18 points with his boot.

As well as nailing three conversions and three penalties, Davies also landed a stunning 40-metre drop goal towards the end of the first half, while a moment of magic saw him set up his side’s third try with an inch-perfect crossfield kick minutes after the break.

The 31-year-old rightly earned the plaudits from his team-mates, fans and the media after the match, with reports in France hailing him as “impeccable” and “a maestro”.

His consistently impressive performances have led fans to question why Davies – who won the last of his eight Welsh caps in 2017 – has not been called back into the Wales squad, with the man himself insisting he is still eligible to represent his country.

The outside-half attracted interest from English and Welsh sides earlier this season but opted to sign a new deal to remain at Grenoble. However, while he falls short of 25 caps there is a loophole in the controversial law which could make him eligible.

Immediately following the win over Provence, Davies retweeted an X post that put forward his eligibility claims and featured quotes from his appearance on the Rosbifs Rugby Podcast earlier this year.

“A great opening 40 for both @FCGrugby and Sam Davies,” the post read. “What a drop goal that was!! Let’s not forget that Davies believes he is eligible to represent Wales despite signing a new contract with Grenoble and falling short of 25 caps.

“Speaking on the @RosbifsRugby podcast, he said: ‘I think I am allowed really because the rule around whether you get an offer from a region or a fair one is related to the cap rule. ‘There’s an argument to say I never got a fair offer and before this contract I’ve just signed, a couple of Welsh clubs were trying to talk to me but I didn’t even entertain it so there were no offers.'”

Cult hero lands new job

Former Cardiff flanker Olly Robinson has landed a new job as head of rugby at Collegiate School in Bristol.

The 33-year-old, who also represented Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers during his career, became a fan favourite during his five years at the Arms Park and captained the side on a handful of occasions before leaving by mutual consent in 2022.

The son of former England, Scotland and Lions coach Andy Robinson, the ex-back rower also had coaching spells as Cardiff and Vale College, the University of South Wales and the University of Bristol.

After leaving Cardiff, he also worked as Collegiate as a coach, but is now set to start a new role at the private school in August, ahead of the new school year.

Sharing the news on X, Robinson said: “Really looking forward to September and getting started with @CollegiateSB! Delighted to be back involved in the game, and looking forward to working with the students and staff to build on the school’s fantastic rugby history.”

He also told the school’s website: “I am delighted to be joining Collegiate School as Head of Rugby. The school is especially meaningful to me, having lived on site as a child when my dad worked here, and I feel privileged to contribute to the school’s proud and rich rugby history.

“I am excited to support every student to achieve and expand their potential both on and off the pitch, whilst aiming to inspire a lasting enjoyment of the game.”

Headmaster Jeremy McCullough added: “We were fortunate to attract a very strong field of candidates and were delighted to have had direct input in the process from Bristol Bears.

“What really impressed us all was Olly’s determination and desire to pass on his knowledge and experience in the game to our next generation of players, helping to improve their understanding of, and love for, the game of rugby.

“This combination of leader and educator is a strong one and we look forward to seeing him in action soon.”

Cardiff star signs new contract

Cardiff have confirmed that playmaker Rory Jennings has signed a new deal to stay at the Arms Park.

The 29-year-old, who signed for the region from Newcastle Falcons last summer, made 17 appearances for Matt Sherratt’s side in his first season in the capital, featuring in the centre and at fly-half.

A former England U20s international who has also played for Bath, Clermont and London Irish, Jennings will continue to compete with Ben Thomas while also helping to bring through the likes of young talent Stef Emanuel.

“I’m really excited to be staying at Cardiff for another year,” he said as his new contract was confirmed.

“It was an easy decision for me to make in the end. We have a squad with a huge amount of talent and potential, and I have been impressed with the staff and players from the moment I joined.

“I’m now looking forward to contributing in any way I can to help the club win, during the season ahead.”

Head coach Sherratt added: “Rory has added massive value to the club both on and off the field. His input to our game off the field has been excellent and most importantly he has brought exactly what we’d hoped for on the field.

“He adds to our game model in that second receiver role where he can connect our game with his voice and skill set. I’m delighted that we have been able to keep him at Cardiff.”