Tonight’s rugby news as three young Welsh internationals tipped for breakthrough and club legend dies

The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond

Here are your latest rugby evening headlines for Wednesday, April 16.

Tributes paid as Newport legend dies

Tributes have been paid to former Newport prop Nev Johnson after he passed away this week. Johnson enjoyed a long career at the club, being the only member of the Newport forward pack in the team who narrowly lost 3-0 to South Africa in 1961 never to win a cap for Wales, while he also coached them after hanging up his boots.

Cruelly, injuries saw him miss out on a Wales trial and denied him a cap. However, he was still part of the team that defeated New Zealand in 1963 – while he took immense pride from the narrow defeat to the Springboks.

That South African touring side lost just once – against the Barbarians in Cardiff – but Newport pushed them and their mighty forward pack close.

In a programme for Newport back in 1992, Johnson said: “It was in Newport’s game with the 1960 Springboks that I had some of my proudest moments.

“The Springboks’ forwards were a tough lot, but our front row more than held them in the set scrums. After the match their president, Danie Craven, was loud in his praise for us.”

Following Johnson’s death, a statement from the club said: “Everyone at Newport RFC was saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Nev Johnson. Nev was a fine prop forward who played 173 games for the club between 1959 and 1968.

“He then went on to coach the club for several successful seasons. He will always be remembered as a member of the team that beat the New Zealand All-Blacks in 1963. Newport Rugby Football Club send condolences to Nev’s family and friends.”

Paying tribute, former Newport prop Alun Williams said: “Enjoyed my time at Newport RFC being coached by Nev. Enjoyed his coaching and his company. Another who will sadly missed.”

Former Newport, Wales and Lions wing Gareth Evans also paid tribute on social media, saying: “More very sad news. Such a nice bloke. RIP Nev.”

Young Welsh wingers tipped for breakthroughs

Wales age-grade trio Harry Rees-Weldon, Aidan Boschoff and Tom Bowen have all been tipped to break through to senior rugby by Wales U20s coach Richard Whiffin.

All three impressed in the recent U20s Six Nations, with Rees-Weldon crossing against England, Boschoff scoring against France and Bowen dotting down against Italy.

Bowen has already made something of a breakthrough – having featured for Cardiff this season. Boschoff meanwhile has played two Premiership Cup matches for Bristol this season – scoring in both. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

Rees-Weldon hasn’t featured for the Dragons, but Whiffin believes he will soon force his way into contention at Rodney Parade.

“We saw the real Harry Rees-Weldon in the England game,” Whiffin told the South Wales Argus. “We challenged him in the tournament and he has benefited from real competition.

“In Aidan Boschoff, Tom Bowen and Harry we have three of the best wingers we have had for years and that means they have to take their chances.

“Harry played with a smile on his face against England, was physical and backed himself – with that confidence and form in Dragons training then I am sure there will be opportunities.”

England star suffers Lions setback

England second-row George Martin is expected to miss the final weeks of the season, putting his hopes of British and Irish Lions selection in serious doubt.

Andy Farrell will name his squad to tour Australia on May 8, with Martin unlikely to feature for Leicester Tigers between now and the end of the season.

The 23-year-old hasn’t played since being forced off in England’s narrow win over France in the Six Nations back in February. Since then, knee and shoulders have stopped him adding to his 21 caps – while he has also missed Leicester’s Premiership and European fixtures.

Now, head coach Michael Cheika says it is unlikely he’ll play again this season as the Tigers aim for a play-off spot – casting doubt on whether he’ll make Farrell’s squad.

“I think you can almost put a line through him for the rest of the season,” Cheika told BBC Radio Leicester.

“It doesn’t look like he is going to come back any time soon. We will always keep trying.”

When asked specifically about his Lions hopes, Cheika added: “I don’t know about that bit. I’d rather just talk about Leicester and [you] make your own conclusions off the back of that. The important thing is for him to recover at this stage.”

Connacht coach leaves immediately

Pete Wilkins has stepped down as head coach of Connacht.

Wilkins had not been with the team for their last four games, with the Englishman having been on “sick leave”, according to the province.

His role had been uncertain ahead of next season, amid rumours he would be demoted back to defence coach.

“During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club.,” Wilkins said in a statement.

“Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy, but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team.”

Wilkins joined Conacht in 2017 as defence coach before he moved into the role of senior coach in the 2021-22 campaign. The following year, he took over as head coach as Connacht reached the semi-finals of the URC.

They currently sit in 13th in the league this season, with four matches left to play, while they were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Racing 92 on the weekend. Cullie Tucker will remain as interim head coach, having taken charge of their recent fixtures.

David Humphreys, IRFU director of performance said Wilkins had “contributed an enormous amount of growth of the game” in Connacht.

“Irish Rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the province,” added Humphreys.

“A quality coach and respected figure in Irish rugby, Pete can remember his time in Connacht with pride, and I hope that he will continue to progress his coaching career in the years to come.”