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Lions pair Williams and Adams targeted by same French club

Josh Adams of the British & Irish Lions charges upfield with Liam Williams in support during the 3rd test match between the South Africa Springboks and the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Wales and Cardiff back three players Liam Williams and Josh Adams have been reportedly targeted by French Top 14 side Lyon.

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Rugbyrama in France report that Xavier Garbajosa’s side are keen on both of the British & Irish Lions and actively seeking their signatures.

The two are currently playing for Dai Young’s Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC), but the continuing uncertainty over salary and contracts could lead them to consider taking up lucrative offers in France. While progress has been made in recent weeks, under a new, self-imposed salary cap, regions will struggle to keep talent of the ilk of Williams and Adams.

Meanwhile Lyon, who are currently third in the Top 14 table, are keen to strengthen their squad with the addition of the proven finishers. The French club is known for its financial muscle and has been successful in attracting some of the world’s best players in recent years. In the case of Williams, LOU would have to beat the offer of Kobe Steelers in Japan, who have been linked with the 31-year-old in recent months.

The uncertainty over salary and contracts in the URC has made it difficult for Welsh rugby clubs to retain their top players in recent months. The pandemic has also added to the financial pressure on clubs, leading some players to consider moves to more financially stable clubs. Will Rowlands has already signed with Racing 92, while flyhalf Jarrod Evans has been linked with a move to Harlequins.

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The proposed loosening of Wales’ 60-cap rule could also play a role in Adams’ decision to move. The rule, which requires players to have at least 60 caps for Wales to be eligible for selection while playing outside of Wales, has been under review by the Welsh Rugby Union. If the rule is relaxed, it would mean that Adams could play for Lyon but still be in contention for selection by Warren Gatland for Wales – an attractive proposition no doubt.

It remains to be seen whether one or both will accept the offer, but the prospect of playing in France’s top league and earning a lucrative salary may be too good to turn down.

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Williams is an experienced Welsh fullback who has played for Wales on 83 occasions, scoring 18 tries. Josh Adams, on the other hand, has scored 20 tries in 47 appearances for Wales.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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