Wru issue statement after ugly scenes and four wales internationals cut

THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM WALES AND AROUND THE WORLD 17:10, 02 Jun 2025 These are your latest rugby headlines on the evening of Monday, June 2. WRU ISSUE STATEMENT AFTER VIOLENT SCENES The

Welsh Rugby Union has issued a statement after ugly footage of fight believed to involve a Welsh rugby team at a bar in Canada circulated on social media. Several members of Nelson

RFC's senior men's team are believed to be involved in the video, which sees them grappling with what are believed to be locals outside the bar in Calgary city centre on Saturday,

May 23. The video shows punches being thrown outside the establishment while a growing crowd watches on from the pavement. Nelson play in the WRU Division One East league and are believed to

have been in Canada on a rugby tour. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The club said last week that

it is working to investigate the incident with the WRU, but the union have now issued a statement saying it is taking the matter "extremely seriously". A WRU spokesperson said: “We

are investigating allegations around the behaviour of individuals associated with one of our community game member clubs whilst on a recent overseas rugby tour and take these matters

extremely seriously. Article continues below "We are not yet in a position to provide any further information as the investigation is ongoing.” WALES SQUAD NAMED AS FOUR CUT Wales Women

head coach Sean Lynn has named an extended 45-player training squad ahead of his side's tour of Australia and this summer's Women's Rugby World Cup in England. After a

winless Six Nations campaign, Wales are looking to break their losing streak when they face the Wallaroos in a two-Test series during the British & Irish Lions tour, while attention will

then soon turn to their World Cup opener against Scotland at the end of August. The extended squad - which will be cut down to 30 players before the Australia tour - features all of the WRU

contracted players as well as new faces from Wales' U18s and U20s sides and the Celtic Challenge teams. Backrowers Lucy Isaac, Chiara Pearce and Jorja Aiona; props Katherine Baverstock

and Stella Orrin; centres Savannah Picton-Powell and Isla McMullen, lock Tilly Vucaj and scrum half Seren Lockwood are among those called into the squad, while star player Sisilia Tuipulotu

returns after missing the Six Nations with a hamstring injury. However, the squad announcement also saw confirmation that four players - Ffion Lewis, Carys Williams-Morris, Meg Webb and

Niamh Terry - have seen their contracts with the WRU expire. All four had been part of Wales' 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup squad, while Lewis revealed in April that her contract

would not be renewed by the union at the end of the season and suggested that her international career may now be over. Confirming the news, a WRU press release read: "The WRU confirms

that Ffion Lewis, Carys Williams-Morris, Meg Webb, and Niamh Terry have not been selected as their contracts have now expired, we wish them well." On the squad that he has named, Lynn

said: “Our 2025 World Cup preparation starts here, and we are excited to get back together and working hard to lay some real foundations ahead of the biggest World Cup in the history of

women’s rugby. “We have named some young exciting, uncapped players who have impressed at Wales U20s, Wales U18s and in the Celtic Challenge, and they are part of the future Wales family and

have an opportunity to learn what is required at the highest level. “All of them are very much in the mix for selection for the exciting challenge of a tour to Australia and ultimately the

World Cup squad in England. They are here on merit and have an opportunity to prove they have what it takes for the national side. “The players, coaches and staff have all had time to

reflect and review what was a disappointing Six Nations campaign and we have to use that disappointment as the fuel to learn and improve for the challenges ahead of us," he added. “We

all know we have a point to prove and that we have to put the work in on and off the field to get better as a squad. This summer training camp will be tough and demanding and we make no

excuses for that. The players will be worked hard to prepare them for the honour of representing the nation and they know what is at stake.” WALES WOMEN EXTENDED TRAINING SQUAD: FORWARDS:

Abbey Constable, Abbie Fleming, Alaw Pyrs, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis, Bryonie King, Chiara Pearce, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Gwen Crabb, Gwenllian Pyrs, Gwennan Hopkins,

Jenni Scoble, Jorja Aiono, Katherine Baverstock, Kate Williams, Kelsey Jones, Lucy Isaac, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Natalia John, Rosie Carr, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Stella Orrin, Tilly Vucaj

BACKS: Carys Cox, Catherine Richards, Courtney Keight, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Jones, Isla McMullen, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Kerin Lake, Lisa Neumann,

Lleucu George, Meg Davies, Nel Metcalfe, Robyn Wilkins, Savannah Picton-Powell, Seren Lockwood, Sian Jones ENGLAND AND LIONS BACK COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT Former England star Billy

Twelvetrees has come out of retirement to sign for Worcester Warriors as the revived club builds for a fresh start ahead of their return to the second-tier of English rugby next season. The

36-year-old has joined the revived club as a player-coach and follows the likes of former Dragons player Will Reed and Wales international Lloyd Williams to Sixways Stadium ahead of the

2025/26 campaign. Twelvetrees - who won 22 international caps for England and toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 - retired from playing at the end of the 2023/25 season before

taking up a role as backs and attack coach for Hartpury University. However, he will now pull on his boots again as part of his new role with head coach Matt Everard's team.

"Joining Worcester Warriors as a player-coach is a fantastic opportunity," said the former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers star. "I'm excited to contribute both on and

off the field, helping to develop talent and bring real energy to the squad. Article continues below "It is a challenge that I am ready for and I can't wait to get started."

Everard added: "Billy's impact will be felt every day. Billy is one of those special people that after spending just a short amount of time with, you will never forget. "Kind,

incredibly hard working and always has such a positive impact on people. He is someone I feel very grateful to be working with every day and I look forward to welcoming him, Georgie and

their brilliant family to Sixways."