Australia vs Wales: Josh Hathaway to make his debut and Aaron Wainwright earns 50th cap in Sydney opening Test | Rugby Union News

Australia vs Wales: Josh Hathaway to make his debut and Aaron Wainwright earns 50th cap in Sydney opening Test | Rugby Union News


Josh Hathaway will make his Test debut, Aaron Wainwright earns his 50th international cap and Ben Thomas has been handed the fly-half role for when Wales face Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

Aberystwyth-born Gloucester back Hathaway, who has represented Wales and England at under-20 level, starts on the wing.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland moved quickly to secure the 20-year-old’s services, which was brought into sharp focus after Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was in a similar position last season and chose England.

“We want to make sure we qualify him for Wales,” Gatland said, after naming his training squad in June.

“He is a young player with a lot of potential and we think there is a lot of improvement in his game, whether it is wing or full-back.”

A reshuffled back-three from the team beaten by world champions South Africa at Twickenham sees Liam Williams move from wing to full-back, with Cameron Winnett dropping out after starting Wales’ last six Tests.

Thomas, meanwhile, makes his first international appearance since 2021 after being preferred to Sam Costelow in the number 10 shirt.

He will have some familiar faces alongside him, though, with Cardiff colleagues Ellis Bevan and Mason Grady starting at scrum-half and inside centre, respectively.

Elsewhere, there is a first Test start for Sydney-born Bath prop Archie Griffin, while Exeter forwards Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins join forces in the second row and number eight Wainwright brings up his half-century of international appearances.

Williams, Wainwright and prop Gareth Thomas are the only starting line-up survivors from Wales’ record 40-6 victory over Australia at the 2023 World Cup.

Wales face a tough task against the Wallabies, having not beaten them Down Under since 1969, losing 11 successive games.

Gatland said: “We have had a good week of preparations here in Sydney, and are excited to get out on the field on Saturday.

“This first Test is going to be a great challenge for us.

“Test matches are all about fine margins and we know we need to be accurate, keep our discipline and stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.

“There is a lot of talent within the Australia squad and we know they will want to come out firing and put in a performance against us.”

Wales: L Williams (Kubota Spears); J Hathaway (Gloucester), O Watkin (Ospreys), M Grady (Cardiff), R Dyer (Dragons); B Thomas (Cardiff), E Bevan (Cardiff); G Thomas (Ospreys), D Lake (Ospreys, capt), A Griffin (Bath), C Tshiunza (Exeter), D Jenkins (Exeter), T Plumtree (Scarlets), T Reffell (Leicester), A Wainwright (Dragons).

Replacements: E Lloyd (Cardiff), K Mathias (Scarlets), H O’Connor (Scarlets), C Hill (Secom Rugguts), J Botham (Cardiff), K Hardy (Ospreys), S Costelow (Scarlets), N Tompkins (Saracens).

Wright captains new-look Australia in Schmidt’s first Test in charge

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt takes charge of Australia for the first time after succeeding Eddie Jones as head coach and has named a new-look team for the opening Test against Wales.

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Joe Schmidt enjoyed a successful run as Ireland head coach from 2013 to 2019, including six Six Nations championships

Flanker Liam Wright has been named captain, with uncapped centre Josh Flook and lock Jeremy Williams also selected.

Williams will partner in the second row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who is returning from a stint in England with Northampton for his first Test since 2021.

Tom Wright, who missed selection for the World Cup squad last year, returns at full-back and Andrew Kellaway will move to the wing. Filipo Daugunu was recalled to start on the other wing.

There are also five newcomers among the replacements, including Tom Lynagh, who is the son of Wallabies World Cup winner Michael Lynagh and brother of Italy international Louis Lynagh.

Australia: 15) Tom Wright, 14) Andrew Kellaway, 13) Josh Flook, 12) Hunter Paisami, 11) Filipo Daugunu, 10) Noah Lolesio, 9) Jake Gordon; 1) James Slipper, 2) Matt Faessler, 3) Taniela Tupou, 4) Jeremy Williams, 5) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6) Liam Wright (c), 7) Fraser McReight, 8) Rob Valetini

Watch Wales against Australia live on Saturday from 10.30am on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event (10.45am kick-off). Stream rugby’s summer internationals in 2024 and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.

Archie Vaughan: Michael Vaughan’s son earns first England U19s call-up for Sri Lanka two-Test series | Cricket News

Archie Vaughan: Michael Vaughan’s son earns first England U19s call-up for Sri Lanka two-Test series | Cricket News



Archie Vaughan has been named in the England U19 squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

The son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, who plays county cricket for Somerset, impressed last month in action for the Young Lions Invitational XI against the U19s.

On that occasion, the 18-year-old batter was on the opposite team to Rocky Flintoff, son of his father’s former England team-mate Andrew Flintoff, and cracked 85 from 83 balls.

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s 16-year-old son Rocky reached his maiden second XI century for Lancashire against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. (Credit: Lancashire Cricket)

However, Flintoff’s 106 helped England to a two-wicket win in the 50-over contest after the Young Lions were dismissed for 288.

Vaughan and Flintoff, who recently signed contracts with Somerset and Lancashire respectively, are among 14 players vying to be involved in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Wormsley next week.

Also included in the squad are Farhan Ahmed, the brother of current England spinner Rehan Ahmed, and former England international Joe Denly’s nephew Jaydn Denly.

The side is captained for the first time by Warwickshire’s Hamza Shaikh, who has skippered his county’s Second XI and is a part of the FCC Select XI which plays the West Indies in a three-day warm-up match at Beckenham ahead of their Test series against England’s senior men’s team.

The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree in Freddie Flintoff’s household, with son Rocky smashing bowlers for a series of sixes in a match for Lancashire second XI! (Credit: Lancashire Cricket)

England U19 squad to face Sri Lanka

Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire, captain) Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire), Charlie Barnard (Lancashire), Jack Carney (unattached), Jaydn Denly (Kent), Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire), Kesh Fonseka (Lancashire), Alex French (Surrey), Alex Green (Leicestershire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire), Harry Moore (Derbyshire), Noah Thain (Essex), Archie Vaughan (Somerset).

England vs Sri Lanka Test series fixtures

July 8-11: First Test, Wormsley.

July 16-19: Second Test, Cheltenham.

Watch the first Test between England and West Indies, at Lord’s, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Wednesday July 10 (11am first ball). The series then continues at Trent Bridge (July 18-22) before the final game at Edgbaston (July 26-30)

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Grace Kim hole in one earns her team share of Dow Championship lead after second round | Golf News

Grace Kim hole in one earns her team share of Dow Championship lead after second round | Golf News


Grace Kim had a hole-in-one and combined with Auston Kim for eight birdies for a nine-under 61 and that earns them a five-way share of the lead in the Dow Championship.

The best score of the second round actually belonged to the Danish pair Nicole Broch Estrup and Nanna Koertz Madsen, who birdied their last two holes for a 10-under-par 60.

Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho of the United States had a 64, the same score they had in foursomes during the opening round, to also sit in among the bunched leaders at 12 under, along with the Thailand tandem of Jaravee Boonchant and Chanettee Wannasaen and Taiwan duo of Ssu-chia Cheng and Wei-Ling Hsu.

Three other teams, including England’s Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, are one shot behind. Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson are two shots back at 10 under.

Grace Kim said of her ace at the par-three seventh hole: “I’ve had a lot of close shaves, and this is actually my first one, so it’s very exciting.

“I was obviously just trying to put it close. All I see is it kind of disappear.”

Grace and Austin Kim birdied their next hole, and then had five more on the back nine.

“A lot of good came from that hole, courtesy of Grace,” Auston said. “It felt really positive going forward from there.”

Watch coverage from day three of the Dow Championship, live on Sky Sports Golf from 11pm on Saturday.

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Ryana MacDonald-Gay earns debut England call-up for New Zealand ODI series | Cricket News

Ryana MacDonald-Gay earns debut England call-up for New Zealand ODI series | Cricket News


Ryana MacDonald-Gay has been handed a maiden England call up as a late addition to their squad for the three-match one-day international series against New Zealand.

The 20-year-old seamer has previously represented England A, taking six wickets across two 50-over matches on their tour of New Zealand in March.

England ODI squad to face New Zealand

Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt

MacDonald-Gay impressed for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred last summer when taking eight wickets, including a haul of 4-16 in a win over Manchester Originals.

She also finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in this year’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, claiming 11 wickets in four games for South East Stars at an average of 11.75 apiece.


Wednesday 26th June 12:30pm


Heather Knight’s side face New Zealand in the first ODI of their series in Durham on Wednesday – live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1pm, with the first ball at 1.30pm.

Highlights of England’s victory over Pakistan in the third ODI at Chelmsford

“Ryana has been a standout bowler in domestic 50-over cricket and had a good 50-over tour of New Zealand with our England A team,” England head coach Jon Lewis said of MacDonald-Gay’s call up.

“We have brought her in at this point as we have a couple of niggles in the squad. We have been really impressed with her skill level and accuracy.

“She is an exciting young talent and we look forward to having her in the squad.”

England vs New Zealand ODI series dates

1st ODI – Wednesday, June 26 (Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street) – 1pm start
2nd ODI – Sunday June 30 (New Road Worcester) – 11am start
3rd ODI – Wednesday July 3 (Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol) – 1pm start

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Angel Cabrera: Former Masters champion earns first win since release from prison at Paul Lawrie Match Play | Golf News

Angel Cabrera: Former Masters champion earns first win since release from prison at Paul Lawrie Match Play | Golf News


Two-time major winner Angel Cabrera secure a first victory since his release from prison with an impressive win at the Paul Lawrie Match Play.

Cabrera, who won the US Open in 2007 and The Masters in 2009, beat South African James Kingston 3 and 1 in the final of the Legends Tour event at Hanbury Manor.

The 54-year-old Argentinian was convicted in 2021 of assault, theft and legal intimidation of former partner Cecilia Torres Mana and assault of another former partner, Micaela Escudero. He spent a total of 30 months in prison.

In an interview with Golf Digest following his release in August last year, Cabrera said: “I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted. That was wrong.

“I ask Micaela for forgiveness. I ask Celia for forgiveness. They had the bad luck of being with me when I was at my worst. I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things. I am deeply embarrassed because I disappointed the people closest to me and everyone who loves me through golf.

“Golf gave me everything and I know I will never be able to repay the debt I owe this sport.”

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Cabrera was playing alongside James Kingston in the final at Hanbury Manor

Speaking after his win over Kingston in the Legends Tour event, Cabrera said: “I’m very happy. I worked hard in the last three months, very hard for this. Now, for this moment, I enjoyed it.

“I can say I feel very emotional now. I am going to play next week and then I have to keep working, I’ve got to keep working because this game is very difficult.”

Watch highlights from the 2024 Legends Tour season on Sky Sports, with the best of the action from the Paul Lawrie Match Play available later this month on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.