My latest piece for Talking Rugby Union, a season preview of the Welsh teams ahead of the #URC Any likes or shares would be appreciated, still open for any freelance opportunities over the coming season! www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/united-rugby...

Wales international Adam Beard’s first start with Montpellier ends up in a convincing 44-14 win over Toulouse. Australian internationals Tom Banks and Jordan Uelese amongst the try scorers. #Top14

From the 2 Top14 games I have watched today from start to finish. There has been 156 points scored in all.

A new experience for me last night to attend the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association awards evening, many congratulations to the award winners. Piece below includes quotes from Jac Morgan and Kate Williams. Any likes or shares would be appreciated. opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/19/j...

And after all that, Australia are top of the Rugby Championship. And the rest of the day will be spent watching 2 women’s RWC QFs and whatever Top14 offering Premier Sports is providing (3 games!)

South Africa have been absolutely immense, 36-0 in the second half. FT score of 43-10 in Wellington, a record home defeat for the All Blacks. #NZLvRSA

Well, this is a thumping! #NZLvRSA

Ethan Hooker has been sublime for the Springboks tonight! #NZLvRSA

That’s one of the best tries I’ve seen in quite a while! Simon Parker, I wasn’t familiar with your game! #NZLvRSA

The Rugby Championship again providing some excellent entertainment. Yet this competition won’t be around next year, bonkers! #AUSvARG

Really enjoying the test series between Australia and kicking off on the advertised time. Just an added factor, at least this week gave me 15 minutes to properly wake up! #AUSvARG

A small innovation in offloading has changed how teams attack over the last year, expect to see the 'pop offload' used quite abit during the 2025/26 season. I do enjoy writing these analysis pieces, I hope it makes sense! Any shares appreciated. opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/t...

There has been a big drive in recruitment from the Dragons ahead of the 2025/26 season, here's a piece on two of their new signings, Fine Inisi and Fetuli Paea. Any likes or shares would be greatly appreciated! opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/11/w...

Do not adjust your social media settings. I will hopefully have an article out tomorrow morning on The Openside Blog, first piece on there since the 22nd of July. Hopefully around 8AM, unless I forget what my password is to my own website.

Ioan Cunningham will be the happiest Welshman in Exeter tonight. 12th in the rankings for Wales women following three defeats in the Rugby World Cup, a very disappointing tournament. #WALvFIJ

Well that was excellent. #NZLvRSA

The harmonies from the choir has already won player(s) of the match. #NZLvRSA

I’ve just realised there’s a lot of rugby on this weekend, I best get back writing at some stage too.

It's Tuesday afternoon, yet I haven't seen any Welsh rugby politics chaos anywhere this week* So, does this mean I can finally start writing other things? *Yet.

Great test match, great atmosphere. Argentina’s kicking game is excellent, a first win over the All Blacks on home soil for Los Pumas. #ARGvNZL #TheRugbyChampionship

A ridiculous intervention from Beauden Barrett in the half’s final minute. Proper game this. #ARGvNZL

Busy day yesterday. The briefest of cameos on Newyddion S4C to discuss the WRU optimal solution. Before appearing on LBC News last night to explain the situation with Charlotte Lynch. Full 7-minute interview can be found here, image is timestamp of when interview starts!

My piece for Talking Rugby Union on the WRU proposed optimal solution for the professional game in Wales. www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/wru-eyes-rad...

I understand Welsh rugby isn’t in the healthiest state at the moment. But if the reports of a cut to two teams are true, then I really do fear for the future of the game.

Just seen this from the Telegraph. If the WRU insist on cutting the number of pro teams, then the URC isn’t the answer if they add teams from USA. Of course, plenty of speculation to come but expect a bumpy few weeks (I just want to write season previews 😢) www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

All Blacks rolling maul has been excellent. Great call to opt for the corner when momentum had shifted midway through the half. #ARGvNZL

Well, what a bonkers period of play that was, finished off by Tom Wright who crosses for a 6th Australian try. 38 unanswered points away in South Africa, remarkable from Joe Schmidt’s side. #RSAvAUS #RugbyChampionship

Max Jorgensen. Stop that! #RSAvAUS #RugbyChampionship

Considering the opening 20 minutes, this has been an excellent performance from Australia. #RSAvAUS #RugbyChampionship

WRU CEO Abi Tierney will step away from her role on the 22nd of August to undergo treatment after being diagnosed with cancer.

FT: Cardiff City 2-1 Swindon Town. The Bluebirds survive a second half scare to advance to the second round of the EFL Cup. Swindon knocked out of the first round in this competition for an 11th straight season. #CCFC #STFC

HT: Cardiff City 2-0 Swindon Town Cardiff in control here at the CCS, goals from Cian Ashford and a Rubin Colwill free kick giving them the lead. #CCFC #STFC

✍️| Something totally different for me, a football match! ⚽️ Cardiff City vs Swindon Town in the first round of the EFL Cup. Kickoff at 7:45pm.

CXO of House of Luxury Simon Kozlowski is already an interesting character.

Major investment at the Scarlets, with House of Luxury Group acquiring a 55% stake of the club. I’d never thought I’d see David Moffett and Dan Biggar together on the same board at a club, mind.

Enjoyed today at the Principality Stadium, great to hear from Steve Tandy and Abi Tierney. Pieces to come soon I hope! A big thanks to Talking Rugby Union for the opportunity.

Tell me you don’t watch the Top14 without telling me you don’t watch the Top14

Hopefully a consistent string of pieces for me on Talking Rugby Union over the coming weeks/months. To start, here’s an analysis piece on Australia’s victory over the British & Irish Lions. www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/australia-s-...

Seeing Ryan and Itoje a little bit rattled by Will Skelton, imagine if Adam Beard was in green and gold alongside him. They wouldn't stand a chance!! 😉

Dylan Pietsch is everywhere! #AusvLions #Lions2025

The drop off from the Biggar and O'Gara partnership on commentary to having Will Greenwood in the box is staggering already. #AusvLions

Just catching up with the Lions starting XV for the weekend. If you know, you know. I’m deleting all social media for the foreseeable.

Have been experimenting with short form content over the last few weeks to keep myself busy whilst looking for work. If you have an interest in TikTok (apparently it’s the app that everyone uses) - then you can drop me a follow on there. www.tiktok.com/@iestyn_thom...

Best clean out in Lions history from Jac Morgan. #Lions2025

A finish that a winger would be proud of by Tom Curry, excellent handling from Conan and great awareness from Gibson-Park to see the space. Game on. #Lions2025

Yeah, this is what happens when you face an angry Wallabies team, excellent 28 minutes from Joe Schmidt’s side. #AUSvLions #Lions2025

A good win for Wales Women’s this morning down in Australia. Meanwhile, some good news for any Ospreys supporters out there. www.rugbypass.com/news/james-f...

Well, my running joke for the last four years is about to come to an abrupt end. This selection has made me question everything I know about the sport, which makes total sense considering I haven’t got a job yet. I do hope he makes a good impact though.

I’ve been impressed with Jamie Osbourne and as a type, that’s a lovely Owen Farrell dummy.

I’ve been trying to root for Irish second row James Ryan throughout the tour in his bid for a test spot. (After a long history of Irish stick) But he’s blown it and we were all denied Adam Beard becoming a two time tourist. #Lions2025