Scarlets release statement after new WRU twist and Wales star wins Six Nations award The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Comments Sport John Jones Sport Reporter 07:10, 23 Apr 2026 View Image The Scarlets have released a statement (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) These are your latest rugby headlines on Thursday, April 23. Scarlets issue statement The Scarlets have issued a statement welcoming the opportunity to enter the PRA25 agreement and confirming that it aims to sign it "shortly", following yesterday's announcement that the proposed takeover of Cardiff by Y11 Sports & Media has fallen through. The Welsh Rugby Union announced on Wednesday that, following a period of exclusivity which lasted the best part of three months, it had agreed with Y11 that the Ospreys owners should withdraw from the purchase of Cardiff due to "constructive discussions". In a statement, the union also reaffirmed that, subject to the completion of due diligence, both the Ospreys and Scarlets would be offered the opportunity to enter the PRA25 agreement to bring them in line with the Dragons and Cardiff. Both west Wales sides had refused to sign the agreement last year following the WRU's purchase of Cardiff after the club entered administration. They feared the WRU had plans to turn Cardiff into a super club at the expense of the other three, although the Dragons did sign PRA 25. JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more However, after the WRU said the Ospreys are set to sign PRA25 shortly, the Scarlets have confirmed they are set to follow suit as they issued a statement on Wednesday evening. "Scarlets welcome today’s announcement from the Welsh Rugby Union confirming that the club has been offered the opportunity to enter the Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA25)," the statement read. "We will continue to engage constructively with the WRU on its future strategy, with the aim of signing the PRA25 agreement shortly following due diligence. "The PRA25 update is welcomed as it brings the prospect of increased stability, security and clearer governance over the next two years – with greater clarity and a more equitable framework for the professional game." The development comes less than three weeks after the Scarlets revealed they had landed significant new investment and rejected claims about the club's potential demise. "This follows significant new investment into Scarlets by the club’s funding group who continue to be firmly committed to our future success and growth," the statement continued. "The investment is a clear vote of confidence in Llanelli , in our heritage, and in the future of professional rugby in West Wales and its deep connections to sport, community and culture. "With a strong early uptake of Scarlets season ticket sales this week, together with key sponsor and partner commitments being extended, we now head into a run of three high profile URC fixtures with renewed momentum and positivity. The hard work, energy and forward focus at our club on and off the field continues at full pace. "Our future rugby programme is in place to drive higher performance standards and improved results to bring Scarlets back to top tier play-offs. Aligned to the future Scarlets rugby programme, there will be a series of rugby recruitment and retention announcements in coming weeks. "Last weekend’s Welsh derby once again highlighted Parc y Scarlets as a powerful platform for the game in Wales as an established world-class club rugby and community facility," the region added. "With more than 1,000 sold out hospitality places, a community festival involving 500-plus junior players from grassroots clubs and a crowd of over 9,000, it was a demonstration in challenging times of the passion and support for rugby in West Wales which is heartening and positive. "We would like to thank our supporters, staff, players, partners and the wider Scarlets family for their continued hard work, commitment, loyalty and belief." Wales star rewarded for magic moment Wales star Rhys Carre's remarkable solo effort against Ireland has been voted the 2026 Six Nations' try of the championship. The loosehead prop made headlines around the world during his side's defeat to Andy Farrell's team in Dublin, as he burst clear to run in a stunning try from around 30 metres out. Carre collected the ball on the blindside and accelerated past Tadhg Furlong on the outside, before selling a dummy to the scrambling Robert Baloucoune, bouncing off a poor tackle from the Irish wing and showing a sharp turn of pace to race clear and score. It was quickly hailed by some as the greatest try ever scored by a prop and was one of the standout moments of this year's championship. Unsurprisingly, therefore, it has been named as the official try of the competition, with Carre taking the fan vote to beat a trio of backs, including last year's winner Louise Bielle-Biarrey. The Saracens front rower sealed 43% of the vote, with Italy's Leonardo Marin in second with 33%, Bielle-Biarrey in third with 17% and Scotland's Darcy Graham in fourth with seven per cent. Former referee and Six Nations boss dies Tributes have been paid to former referee and Six Nations boss Allan Mitchell Hosie, who has died at the age of 80. Hosie was a distinguished international referee, taking charge of 22 Tier 1 matches - including two Test matches between New Zealand and Australia - between 1973 and 1984. He later became chair of the Five and Six Nations committees, playing a pivotal role in admitting Italy to the championship in 2000. Hosie then rose to the role of president of the Scottish Rugby Union, serving as Scotland’s representative on the British and Irish Lions as well as the game’s global governing body, then the International Rugby Board. In recent years, he had endured many health challenges, including having both of his legs amputated, and he passed away on Wednesday morning. The Saltire at Murrayfield is being flown at half-mast as a symbol of respect to Hosie. A private cremation will be held, and we will advise dates of a memorial service in due course. The Saltire at Scottish Gas Murrayfield is flying at half-mast as a symbol of our respect to Allan Hosie. Paying tribute to Hosie, former Scotland international and fellow past SRU president Andy Irvine said: “He had an outstanding rapport with us as players. He had a great sense of humour and would quite often take the mickey out of us players and in those days, we couldn’t say anything naughty in response! “He really knew his refereeing, and we shared many happy times together. “Above all, Allan was a fantastic referee and administrator when he retired. He had a brilliant sense of humour and was just a really great guy, and the players all loved him. It’s a great loss to Scottish rugby.” Andrew Macpherson, Scottish Rugby’s High Performance Match Official Manager, said: “I played with Allan’s son Malcolm at Ayr in the minis and Allan would always be happy to do a wee bit refereeing. “Everybody knew who he was and occasionally there would be some good-natured comments from the crowd. Allan never took himself too seriously, but he did remind one spectator that not only did he know the laws, he actually wrote them! “His connection to the Ayr club certainly encouraged me to take up refereeing and I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside his other son, Andrew at the WXV3 tournament in Dubai a few years ago. Allan will be very much missed.” Article continues below Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.walesonline.co.uk