**Welsh Rugby Evening Round-Up: Young Talent Moves Home, and Calls Grow for Historic Lions Tour to France**
The rugby world is never short of talking points, and tonight brings a series of significant developments both at home and further afield. From a prodigious youngster returning to Wales, to fresh calls for the British & Irish Lions to break with tradition, change is in the air.
One of the headline stories revolves around former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, who has thrown his weight behind the idea of a British & Irish Lions tour of France. The Lions, a celebrated side composed of players from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, have typically restricted their major tours to the longer-established rugby nations of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. While the odd fixture against the likes of Argentina or Fiji has cropped up, such games have never been full tours.
Phillips took to X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) to advocate for a radical change, suggesting that a French tour would generate immense excitement, sell-out crowds, and much-needed revenue. “A Lions tour in France would be a complete game-changer,” he argued, positing that the move would be hugely beneficial to fans and the sport at large. His comments come amid reports that the French Rugby Federation has approached the Lions with a view to a high-profile exhibition match at the Stade de France in 2027, although no official confirmation has emerged.
Were such plans to go ahead, it would not be the first time France has played host to the Lions. The two sides last clashed in 1989 at the Parc de Princes, with the Lions snatching a nail-biting 29-27 win in a game arranged as part of the French Revolution’s bicentenary celebrations. The financial allure of a modern day tour would be significant, particularly when compared to the waning interest in the current tour of Australia, which has faced criticism over the lack of truly competitive opposition. In France, however, the Lions could line up against domestic giants such as Bordeaux or Toulouse—a prospect that would provide a sterner test.
Naturally, such a shift would not be without its obstacles. The already crowded rugby calendar and concerns over player welfare—especially with the French Top 14 competition stretching from August to June—pose real challenges. Some in the Southern Hemisphere rugby hierarchy may also be less than enamoured with the idea, seeing it as a disruption to tradition and an economic threat.
Back on Welsh soil, there has been notable movement among young talent. Gethin O’Callaghan, a Wales Under-19 international, has left English Premiership outfit Bristol Bears to join RGC 1404, North Wales’ semi-professional team in the Super Rygbi Cymru. The 19-year-old, hailing from Penarth, had been part of Bristol’s academy set-up but has now chosen to further his development closer to home. O’Callaghan, a dynamic centre with a reputation for explosive runs and clever distribution, expressed his excitement about the move, saying: “I’m thrilled to be joining RGC for the forthcoming season. Being part of a club that values progression for both players and team is hugely appealing.”
RGC general manager Alun Pritchard welcomed O’Callaghan’s signing, praising both the player’s untapped potential and his ambition to return to top-tier professional rugby. Pritchard emphasised the important role RGC plays in giving young Welsh players a platform to develop and stay in contention for higher honours, especially those who might have started their careers abroad or in English academies.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s men are firmly focused on the future as they embark on a Pacific Islands tour, beginning with a Test match against Fiji in Suva. Head coach Gregor Townsend has spoken openly about the bigger picture, noting that these matches are a crucial step in securing a more favourable World Cup draw for 2027. Mindful of their difficult group at the 2023 tournament—when they failed to emerge from a pool containing both Ireland and South Africa—Townsend is targeting a top-six world ranking to avoid a repeat scenario.
The Scottish side for the Fiji match will see substantial changes, with Saracens’ Fergus Burke set to earn a first cap at fly-half. Leadership duties fall to Glasgow’s Rory Darge, who has previously co-captained his country but now gets his first solo stint as captain. Townsend praised Burke’s physicality and game management, noting his progression during the past season, while also highlighting Darge’s growth as both player and leader.
Looking further afield, Ireland will cap three new faces—Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton, and Hugh Gavin—when they go up against Portugal in Lisbon. Interim coach Paul O’Connell spoke of his satisfaction with the squad’s attitude during challenging conditions on their recent tour of Georgia, while emphasising the opportunities for new caps as the team builds depth ahead of future campaigns.
Across the rugby landscape, tonight’s news reflects a sport balancing its heritage with the evolving needs of players and fans, while promising young talents seek new opportunities at home and abroad. As summer tours unfold and new fixtures are mooted, rugby remains a game both rooted in its traditions and open to the excitement of change.