**Calls Grow for Anglo-Welsh Rugby League as Critics Question Wales Women’s Fitness**
The headlines across the rugby world this evening are dominated by renewed speculation over the prospect of an Anglo-Welsh league, concerns over the fitness of the Welsh women’s rugby team, and significant updates ahead of the British and Irish Lions’ next tour. Here are the key developments from Wales and beyond.
**Anglo-Welsh League: A Return to Historic Rivalries?**
Bristol’s director of rugby, Pat Lam, has added his support to longstanding calls for an Anglo-Welsh league, suggesting it would be a major boost for English and Welsh clubs alike. Speaking on WalesOnline’s *Welsh Rugby Podcast*, Lam reflected fondly on his time at Connacht facing the Welsh regions, and believes there is appetite for a cross-border league.
Lam remarked, “For us, it makes sense if we’ve got 10 teams and there’s four over there. I don’t want to be controversial but I can see an Anglo-Welsh league would be huge as well.” He conceded the ultimate decision rests with powers above his pay grade but underlined what he described as the “close affinity” between Welsh and West Country rugby, citing a proud tradition of Bristol-Cardiff fixtures that regularly attracted sellout crowds.
Talks over an Anglo-Welsh conference within the United Rugby Championship had recently collapsed, much to the disappointment of many Welsh supporters who had hoped for closer ties with English rugby. The idea, however, clearly retains considerable interest from both sides of the Severn.
**James Hook: Wales Women “Not Fit Enough”**
In a more sobering assessment, former Wales international James Hook has called into question the fitness of the national women’s squad. Speaking after Shaun Lynn’s team suffered a heavy 44-12 defeat to Italy in the final round of the Women’s Six Nations – a result that saw them finish bottom of the table – Hook told the BBC’s *Scrum V* podcast, “They’re not fit, are they? They don’t look fit. That showed in their second-half performances. They lost three or four games by 40-plus points, 60-odd against England.”
Hook argued that a lack of conditioning has left the team unable to deliver on accuracy and intensity, and identified issues from the attacking breakdown to kick-chasing and defensive lapses as evidence this is a fundamental problem. “Six of the eight players that came off the bench played in the Celtic Challenge, the starting XV were all playing in England – that’s probably an issue as well,” Hook explained.
This blunt assessment echoes concerns among supporters and analysts that structural changes may be needed if Wales are to compete at the highest level.
**Referees Announced for British & Irish Lions Tour**
Attention now turns to the international stage, as World Rugby has confirmed the referees for the forthcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. For the first time in Lions history, the officiating panel will include both an Italian and a Georgian, with Andrea Piardi and Nika Amashukeli joining New Zealander Ben O’Keefe as match officials.
O’Keefe is scheduled to take charge of the first Test and the opening warm-up fixture, while Piardi and Amashukeli will oversee the second and final Tests respectively. Australian referee Nic Berry, ineligible for Lions matches, will referee France v New Zealand, while Kiwi officials James Doleman and Paul Williams will handle Lions games against Argentina, Queensland Reds, and the NSW Waratahs.
This mix brings a fresh international flavour to the upcoming tour, heralding new milestones for both the officials and the teams they will oversee.
**Hamish Watson Commits Future to Edinburgh**
Meanwhile, Edinburgh and Scotland flanker Hamish Watson has agreed terms for another year at his only club, extending a remarkable 15-year association. Watson, a 2021 British and Irish Lion, recently became the first back-row forward to reach 150 appearances for the club and has so far earned 59 caps for his country.
Expressing his pride at extending his stay, Watson said, “Pulling on this jersey and representing the club where I’ve spent my entire professional career still means so much to me. We’re absolutely buzzing for Saturday’s European semi-final – it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the club’s last one. It would be an amazing feeling to achieve something special with this club.”
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt echoed these sentiments, highlighting Watson’s professionalism and value as a role model for younger players coming through the ranks.
**A Sport in Flux and a Nation Looking Forward**
With the rugby landscape continuing to evolve, from the top-down reshaping of leagues to renewed scrutiny of team performances, these tonight’s headlines serve as both a reflection of the unique pressures facing national sides and a reminder of the ever-present ambition to innovate through collaboration and leadership, on and off the pitch.
Fans and players alike will be watching closely to see whether calls for reform – from the grassroots to the elite – will be heeded, as Welsh rugby in particular searches for a winning formula. In the meantime, the energy and anticipation around upcoming club and Lions fixtures offer a timely shot in the arm for supporters across the home nations.