**Rugby Roundup: Wales Seek Reset After Farrell’s Advice and Lions Hampered by Injury Woes**
It’s another significant week in Welsh rugby as head coach Matt Sherratt draws on insights from British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell to help his squad recover from a frustrating run of results. As anticipation builds ahead of Wales’ second Test against Japan, preparations have included not just time on the training paddock but crucially, time off it – a strategy aimed at healing psychological scars left by a string of defeats. Meanwhile, the Lions’ preparations for their own pivotal tour encounters have been overshadowed by new injury concerns, compounding recent setbacks for the touring squad.
Sherratt, leading Wales on an interim basis, revealed that after last weekend’s painful loss to Japan – the team’s 18th consecutive defeat at Test level – he remembered advice given by Farrell when the two chatted during the Six Nations. Farrell had suggested that, following emotionally charged matches, players sometimes need genuine space to process and recover before re-engaging with coaching staff. “Grieving over anything takes time,” Sherratt remarked, emphasising how this sentiment informed his decision to allow two days of rest for the squad after their 28-21 loss in Kitakyushu.
Wales’ camp, he admitted, was sombre following the defeat, but Sherratt was determined not to force players back into analysis or training too soon. Instead, the side was only shown select moments from the match, including the fact they led Japan 19-7 after 60 minutes — a stark demonstration of how closely they had come to breaking their winning drought. Sherratt remained positive, observing that the group bounced back well and trained with focus and determination, signalling that confidence remains strong within the ranks despite recent results.
As the focus shifts to Saturday’s rematch in Kobe, the Welsh coaching team will be hoping that this considered approach to player welfare will translate into sharper on-field performances and, crucially, a long-awaited win. The decision to address emotional fatigue reflects a growing acknowledgement within professional sport of the psychological pressures players face under constant scrutiny and expectation.
Meanwhile, in a worrying development for the British and Irish Lions, Scotland international Blair Kinghorn is facing a race against time to be fit for the first Test against Australia on 19 July. Kinghorn, a likely contender for the full-back jersey, limped out of the action after only 25 minutes during the Lions’ 36-24 victory over the ACT Brumbies, having already tried to play through a knee injury picked up early in the match. The incident is particularly disruptive as the squad has already lost Elliot Daly for the tour due to a fractured forearm, and specialist cover at full-back is now stretched thin.
Head coach Andy Farrell attempted to strike a positive note, explaining that Kinghorn was ‘in good spirits’ despite the setback, although scans will be needed to determine the severity of the injury. It is yet another test for the Lions as they try to maintain their momentum amid mounting fitness issues.
Selection debates for the first Lions Test are also heating up, particularly after Wales captain Jac Morgan’s omission from the recent match against the Brumbies. Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan believes the break could work in Morgan’s favour, tipping him as the prime candidate for the number seven shirt in the Tests. Both former Lions skipper Sam Warburton and ex-England fly-half Andy Goode have thrown their support behind Morgan, agreeing that his combination of work rate and breakdown impact make him an ideal pick.
Elsewhere, the future of Welsh rugby shone bright as the Under-20s side clinched a resilient 35-25 victory over Spain in their final World Rugby U20 Championship pool fixture in Verona. Coach Richard Whiffin applauded the team’s character, especially after trailing at half-time. Key contributors, including replacement fly-half Harri Ford and second-row Luke Evans, were praised for their game-changing interventions and defensive steel, particularly in holding up Spanish attackers close to the line.
As the young Welshmen advance in their tournament and the senior sides gear up for major Tests, the spotlight remains firmly on the balance between mental resilience, tactical adaptation, and raw sporting talent. Both the national team and the Lions face important weeks in their respective campaigns, hoping that lessons learned in adversity will soon deliver results on the pitch.