**Welsh Rugby Icon Rey Lee-Lo Begins Coaching Career as Attention Turns to Lions Series**
The rugby community woke up to major news on Saturday, 28 June, as two high-profile Welsh names grabbed headlines: the beloved Cardiff Rugby star Rey Lee-Lo has transitioned into coaching with the Arms Park side, while international winger George North made waves with his predictions ahead of this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.
Starting with the much-loved Rey Lee-Lo, the Samoan international, who recently ended a stellar decade-long playing career with Cardiff, has been appointed as a transition coach at the club. The decision comes after Lee-Lo’s retirement following the 2024/25 season, during which he cemented his legacy as one of the finest overseas talents to grace the Welsh game in recent memory.
Lee-Lo’s new position will see him mentoring young centres, including highly rated Wales U20 products Steffan Emanuel and Elijah Evans, as they look to progress through the ranks. The 38-year-old will also play a significant role in supporting Cardiff’s emerging talent alongside the club’s established coaching staff. Head coach Matt Sherratt will undoubtedly be hoping that Lee-Lo’s immense experience and leadership will influence the likes of Emanuel, Evans, Osian Darwin-Lewis, and Mason Grady, who is currently returning from an ankle injury.
Lee-Lo joins an experienced backroom team for the upcoming season, working alongside the likes of Corniel van Zyl (forwards), Gethin Jenkins (defence), Jonny Goodridge (attack), and Scott Andrews (assistant forwards). The club’s move to retain Lee-Lo’s expertise is being seen as a clever investment in player progression and long-term club success.
Meanwhile, George North, another stalwart of Welsh rugby, has been generating debate with his views ahead of the Lions test series in Australia. Speaking to the BBC, North suggested that the Wallabies may spring a surprise in the series opener, predicting a narrow 2-1 overall victory for the touring Lions but starting with an Australian win in the first Test. “Controversially, I’m going to go for Australia in the opener, then Lions for the next two,” North commented, echoing a sense of respect for Australia’s resurgence over the past year.
North’s connection to the Lions’ Australian adventures is intimate, having played a pivotal role during the 2013 tour. Many supporters recall his memorable “Izzy Folau carry” and his exhilarating try in the second Test. North reflected on those moments with pride, noting how becoming a Lion remains a career highlight and a source of regular fan discussion. “Playing for your country is the biggest honour, and I never expected to even be part of the Lions conversation, let alone tour twice and contribute to such iconic moments,” he said.
Back in Scotland, Rory Darge, the powerful back-rower, has admitted to strong emotions after missing this year’s Lions squad selection. Despite being philosophical before the announcement and preparing his mind for the outcome, Darge described the moment his name was bypassed on television as a “gut punch”. Nevertheless, he was full of praise for his selected compatriots and stressed his current focus remains with Scotland, who have a string of matches in the South Pacific against teams such as the Maori All Blacks, Fiji, and Samoa.
Darge also reaffirmed his readiness should a late Lions call arise. “The Lions aren’t my main focus now, but if the call comes, I’ll certainly be ready,” he said, highlighting the intensely competitive nature of squad selection and the unpredictable route to a call-up due to injuries.
This weekend, Andy Farrell’s Lions squad begin their preparations with a warm-up against Western Force in Perth. While earlier predictions largely favoured a straightforward Lions series, improvements in the Australian national side’s form since the autumn have created a sense of anticipation and uncertainty as both teams vie for supremacy.
As the rugby world anticipates the outcome in Australia and celebrates fresh coaching appointments back home, the blend of experienced campaigners and rising stars continues to be a running theme in Welsh and British rugby. The developments this weekend serve as a reminder that the sport thrives on both moments of high drama on the field and the nurturing of future talent off it.