HTSPORTSNEWS

Harlequins Jarrod Evans has been given another chance on the international stage in this year’s Guinness Six Nations after not playing for Wales since 2021.

He was overlooked by both Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland during that time, but in two defeats to Ireland and Scotland the 28-year-old has come off the bench on both occasions.

“I never thought I’d be back on the international stage again,” insisted Evans who was called up by interim head coach, Matt Sherratt.

“You keep putting in the work and the hours in rugby and it can all change very quickly, as we’ve seen. I’m just pretty happy and grateful to be back out there.”

“But when I got on the field, I enjoyed it personally. We talked about having a big start. We knew Scotland would come out the blocks. We didn’t quite manage to do that. Obviously, it’s a tough result but we managed to make it look respectable.”

Evans who now plays in the Gallagher Premiership with Harlequins, joined the English based side back in 2022 after leaving Cardiff. However, he left the Cardiff Arms Park side with only eight international caps which meant he was unable to play for Wales as he didn’t have 25 caps.

Under the Professional Rugby Board’s law on the 25-cap ruling, it states a player can remain eligible for Wales if he is not offered a regional side contract or has been low balled with a new offer.

When asked about the phone call he had with the interim head coach, Sherratt, he said: “Like I said, I didn’t think it was going to happen. I’ve had two stints with Jockey and I’m grateful he called me back in.

“The emotions initially were strange because I’d been out of the squad for such a long period. I was just so over the moon I could help the boys and the team in some way. Hopefully, moving forward, we can grow and develop.

He came on for Gareth Anscombe at Murrayfield, and made an immediate impact by vastly improving Wales’ attack, and that was telling after his helping hand in Ben Thomas’s try on 60 minutes.

He added two conversions from tee but ultimately the first 40 minutes cost his side, as Scotland narrowly won 35-29.

“We were chasing our tails obviously so it would have been quite easy to fall into the trap of playing a lot of rugby against that defence,” added Evans.

“They’re a well-organised team. They’ve got a very good contact area which caused us a lot of problems today. I thought when we had a mindset of moving the ball a little bit more, we had some pay along with some tired bodies come the end of the game.

The 28-year-old will be looking to go head-to-head with his Harlequins teammate, Marcus Smith in their final game of the Six Nations at Principality Stadium. “We’re good mates off the field so I’ll be looking forward to seeing him next week,” admitted Evans.

“I’ll probably speak to him before the game. We speak quite regular anyway, so I’ll drop him a message.”

England will head to the Welsh capital still in contention of picking up silverware after their 47-24 win over Italy on Sunday afternoon.

On facing Steve Borthwick’s England side Saturday, he added: “Back at the Principality, I think it’s important the group stays positive.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted today. But I thought there were a lot of positives last week and this week which we can take and improve on going into next week.

“We’re going out there, even last week, believing we can win and I think it’s important we keep that belief and positivity in Welsh rugby and amongst the team.

“There is no reason why we can’t. We were one score away this week and similar last week. We’re not a million miles off. I think it’s important we keep believing and keep positive.”

Ahead of Wales’ Guinness Six Nations encounter against Scotland, Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has praised captain, Jac Morgan for standout performances.

After strong outings against France, Italy and Ireland, Morgan has shown all the ingredients of being a great in the game and certainly has put his name in the hat for contention for a British and Irish Lions spot.

On the 25-year-old, Sherratt said: “He’s been brilliant.

“I knew him to say hello to from playing and training against the Ospreys. But you can see why he’s captain. He’s very, very popular in the squad. He’s not a captain who talks a great deal. He’s more of an action captain for me.

“That’s why he’s topping all the stats. He’s got a very good manner in the squad. I don’t see a hierarchy. A player like Ellis Mee who we’ve just talked about is as respected by Jac as much as someone like Toby Faletau.

“He’s very good at doing that – being what I call the thermometer of the group. He’s very good at going between the junior and senior figures. He’s as effective and as popular with all of them. He’s been brilliant for me as well and really supportive.”

In what will be his penultimate match as Wales head coach, Sherratt has named the same starting XV in consecutive matches for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

After giving Ireland a scare in Cardiff last timeout, Sherratt stated that he was keen to “let them go again” for their clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Saturday will also see for the first time since the World Cup pool stage matches against Georgia and Australia in Japan, that Wales’ starting lineup hasn’t been changed. Under both Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland’s second stint as head coach, Wales have not managed to put out the same starting team in consecutive matches.

“It wasn’t hugely deliberate against Ireland. I just thought that it was good enough to give them all a go again,” said Sherratt.

“When you think of the best teams you ever supported you could pretty much name the team. While they have gone well, let’s let them build the combinations.

“The fallow week wasn’t helpful and coming back in on Monday you could tell there was a bit of re-learning to do. Eight or nine days back in their clubs means they are picking up different languages in terms of calls for the same type of movements.

“So on Monday it was almost like we need to re-learn again. By Tuesday they were talking in a Wales team language once again.”

Despite the spirited performance against Ireland, Wales have lost their last 15 Test matches, but that performance at a packed out Principality Stadium certainly brought back some sort of belief in Welsh Rugby.

“I’ve sensed a lot of positivity which has been brilliant for the players,” Sherratt added.

“On that, a lot has been made about three training sessions but I’ve got to say the staff as a whole has been brilliant. It’s not been about me coming in. The other coaches, our defence was excellent against Ireland.

“The set-piece was very good thanks to Humphs (Jonathan Humphreys) and Bomb (Adam Jones). TR (T. Rhys Thomas) has come in too and done a lot of the forward skills. A lot of the phase shape has been coached by him. The medics, S&C and analysts have been outstanding. Really supportive to me and got right behind the players.

“The players have really felt that support from the staff and the icing on the cake is support from the country as a whole. That’s given the players a major boost.

“It may add some extra expectation, but I think the players have got that themselves. They want to go up to Scotland and build on what they’ve done, rather than let last week be last week.”

Having only played six times in the last 17 months Cardiff Rugby’s, Taulupe Faletau has his eyes set on a fourth consecutive British and Irish Lions Tour this summer.

The 34-year-old who had a standout performance in Wales’ 27-18 defeat to Ireland, showed his value and perhaps kept his hopes alive of being picked in Andy Farrell’s travelling squad for this Summer’s Tour of Australia.

Faletau, who has toured previously with the Lions in Australia (2013), New Zealand (2017) and South Africa (2021) spoke at the Vale Resort about his ambitions of being picked for his fourth Lions Tour.

“I would be lying if I said ‘no’ about that,” said Faletau.

“But the main aim is to get back on the pitch. And once you are on there, all you can do is play your best and everything else will come and go as it will.

“I will try to play well and see what happens.”

Faletau who started his first match of this year’s Guinness Six Nations in Italy, will potentially win his 107th cap for Wales if picked in Matt Sherratt’s match day squad that will take in Scotland on Saturday.

Despite his absence on the International stage in recent times, the experience of the 34-year-old has definitely strengthened this Wales side that are currently on a run of 15 Test defeats.

“At the start of January, I didn’t think I would be here, so it is nice to be here,” added Faletau.

During the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage match against Georgia, Faletau suffered a broken arm and this was followed by returning to his regional side, Cardiff where he fractured his shoulder.

When asked whether he considered retirement due to these setbacks, the 34-year-old insisted: “The body felt good, so it was a case of getting the injury right itself.

“I just had to let the injury heal itself, and that took a little bit longer than expected.”

Matt Sherratt will unveil his Welsh team tomorrow afternoon (12:30pm) that will face Scotland at Murrayfield, and for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup the side is set to be unchanged.

With interim head coach, Sherratt taking over the role for the remainder of the Championship, he oversaw a vastly improved performance against Ireland. This has left many Welsh fans with the sense of optimism of whether they can end the Six Nations with wins over Scotland and England.

“I think everybody was just excited for that Ireland game, and it showed.

“He (Matt) just brings a lot of excitement out of everyone, and I feel like he has come in and he has done that.

“He encourages everyone to be brave and just play to spaces. He encourages you to take the opportunities if they are there. It is different and he runs a different system.

“I think Jockey is more hands-on. He is out on the pitch coaching, and stuff like that, whereas Gats would be managing other coaches to do other things,” concluded Faletau.

Wales head to Hive Stadium, Edinburgh on Friday evening as they look to make it a hat-trick of wins in this year’s U20 Six Nations for the first time since 2017.

Head coach, Richard Whiffin has made four personnel changes to his starting XV that put aside Ireland 20-12 at Rodney Parade last timeout. Tom Bowen switches from wing to fullback and after making his debut for Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship, Harri Ford gets his first start of the Championship replacing Harri Wilde.

Elijah Evans makes his return to the starting XV as he replaces Osian Roberts at outside centre. Dragons RFC’s, Harry Rees-Weldon returns on the wing. After missing the Ireland encounter due to injury Gloucester Rugby’s, Deian Gwynne replaces to Dan Gemine at blindside.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, head coach Whiffin said: “We really feel we’re starting to build some depth in the squad and the way we feel the game might go will suit certain players in different positions.

“We want to be able to test the squad as we’re looking for a good performance obviously on Friday night but we’re also prepping for a world cup at the back end of the year so we need to know a little bit about our squad.

“We’re taking Scotland seriously as it is going to be a very tough challenge up there – we know any away game in the championship is going to be tough. Scotland will be desperate to get a win in their last home game of the Six Nations. 

“They have a couple of key individuals who give them go forward so we will need get on top of them so we collectively can put our own game plan into action,” added Whiffin.

Wales U20 v Scotland U20, Hive Stadium Fri 7 March, 7.15pm

Starting XV:

15 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) 
14 Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons) 
13 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby) 
12 Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby) 
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears) 
10 Harri Ford (Dragons) 
9 Logan Franklin (Dragons); 
1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby) 
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets) 
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears) 
4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears) 
5 Tom Cottle (RGC) 
6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester) 
7 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers) (c) 
8 Evan Minto (Dragons) 

Replacements:

16 Evan Wood (Cardiff Met) 
17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears) 
18 Owain James (Dragons) 
19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) 
20 Caio James (Gloucester) 
21 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby) 
22 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby) 
23 Elis Price (Scarlets) 

Scrum coach, Adam Jones admitted that all the pressure is on Gregor Townsend’s Scotland side ahead of their Six Nations clash with Wales at Murrayfield on Saturday, despite Wales’ 15 consecutive Tests defeats.

Wales come into the contest in the Scottish capital on the back of an impressive performance against Ireland last timeout, under new interim head coach Matt Sherratt. Jones’ Wales side head to Edinburgh at the foot of the table having lost to France, Italy and Ireland. Their last outing at Principality Stadium has brought back some belief in Welsh Rugby albeit after a 27-18 defeat. 

However, they will head up to Scotland without winger, Josh Adams as Jones stated: “Josh can’t play, he’s out.” On the other hand he did confirm that outside half, Gareth Anscombe is fit after passing a HIA.

The last time Wales had tasted victory at Murrayfield was back in 2023 and since the 2023 Rugby World Cup they have failed to record a Test win. “There’s no pressure on us, there’s pressure on Scotland,” said Jones.

“This is probably one of the best sides they’ve ever had, if not the best side they’ll ever have.

“They’ll be expecting to beat us pretty comfortably at home, against a team that’s lost 15 times.

“We haven’t put much of an underdog tag on us, but results probably dictate we are.

“They’ll relish being favourites. They’ll expect to win. They’ve got good coaches. My old friend Steve Tandy has done a brilliant job with the defence.

“But we’ll certainly go up there to put the frighteners on them a bit. You can rattle good players and get stuck into them.” 

Despite being on a run of defeats, Jones stated: “We showed we can go toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the world and rattled them a bit.

“We didn’t get across the line, but we’ll keep building on that with the confidence we’ve got.

“There’s no point going up there and being in awe of them. 

“They’ve got a good side with some standout players. You’ve just got to rip into them as much as you can and I’m sure the boys will. I know I said they’re the best Scottish team ever, but there’s a bit of confidence and feel-good factor now with us.

“We want to get the monkey off our back, we’re going up there to win. We’re not going up there to make up the numbers.” 

One of the positives from the encounter with the Irish in Cardiff was how strong the Welsh scrum was. The standout performance came from, WillGriff John who was playing his first Test since November 2021 and put up a great fight against Andrew Porter, as Wales won four scrum penalties. 

On the performance of the 32-year-old who plays for Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership, Jones stated: “He was excellent. 

“Will is someone I was aware of years ago, coming through. 

“He did a good job with Sale. He came back to Wales to further his chances. It didn’t work out but he’s a big, strong boy. He’s probably the strongest in the squad, apart from myself. 

“Going up against Porter, with how he scrummages, he was probably the guy to go against Porter. He’s pretty square. But not even that, he was pretty good around the field. He made tackles. He ran over (Dan) Sheehan once which gave us the gainline for Tom Rogers to score in the corner. 

“I was pleased for him. He works mega hard. I’ve seen him for Sale recently. He was good for Sale in the Champions Cup against the Stormers. They lost but the scrum went well. So I’m pleased for him. He’s a lovely kid. He’s been around a bit now to find his mojo. No doubt he’ll do a good job this weekend,” added Jones.

Wales head coach, Sean Lynn has named a 48-strong extended Wales training squad for the 2025 Six Nations which gets underway on March 22nd.

Wales captain Hannah Jones will lead the squad, with Keira Bevan and Alex Callender appointed as vice-captains. Lynn who was appointed as Wales’ head coach back in January has included players from Welsh sides, Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder.

Gwalia have won five of their seven games and sit third in the league table, with the likes of skipper Bryonie King, Gwennan Hopkins, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies and Sian Jones also included.

While Brython have been captained by Wales second row Natalia John, with the likes of Hannah Bluck, Lucy Isaac and Cadi-Lois Davies being named as well.

The English-based players will join up with the rest of the squad when their club campaigns end in England. Gloucester-Hartpury take on Saracens in the final and the Bristol and Harlequins players will follow suit.

Head coach, Lynn said: “It’s exciting to get to name a first Wales training squad and one full of experienced international players, playing well for their clubs and young exciting players who have shone in the Celtic Challenge.

“To have so many Welsh internationals feature in the Prem semi-finals is a testimony to the players quality and to their performances with their clubs. 
“As coaches we have selected players who have really impressed and put their hands up playing for Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge. 

“The Celtic Challenge is proving to be a real asset with young Welsh players getting the opportunity to play against teams from Ireland and Scotland full of internationals.
“My rugby philosophy has always been about finding, nurturing and supporting young players and giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“We have selected a group of young Welsh players from age-grade rugby so the coaches and staff can assess where they are but also so they can experience an international environment and the standards expected at this level.
“The Celtic Challenge players and the age-grade players are the future Wales family and have been identified because we believe they have talent to make an impact at the highest level now or in the future.”

Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Abbey Constable, Stella Orin, Allie Watkins, Meg Lewis, Kelsey Jones, Carys Phillips, Rosie Carr, Molly Reardon, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Cadi-Lois Davies, Abbie Fleming, Robyn Davies, Georgia Evans, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Lily Terry, Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins, Lucy Isaac, Bryonie King

Backs: Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Meg Davies, Ffion Lewis, Seren Singleton, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Robyn Wilkins, Courtney Keight, Hannah Jones (capt), Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell, Nel Metcalfe, Catherine Richards, Lisa Neumann, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Niamh Terry

After starting at 10 for both the France and Italy game, Ben Thomas insisted that being back at his beloved inside centre position was the reason for his standout performance against Ireland last Saturday at Principality Stadium.

Thomas never looked likely in the 10 jersey to cause the opposition many problems but with interim head coach, Matt Sherratt coming into the Welsh setup the 26-year-old has hailed how much of an impact Sherratt has made.

In just three training sessions after taking over the head coach role for the remainder of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, the Cardiff player looked more comfortable and that was telling with the way Wales’ attack looked to have vastly improved.

“He (Matt Sherratt) has been huge,” admitted Thomas.

“When he came in to Cardiff the second time, he had obviously gone away and worked at different clubs.

“‘When I first met Jockey, he was pretty clear on the fact he likes playing with a ball-playing 12, so the fact he had done that at other clubs was really useful. He was able to really help me develop my game in ways I hadn’t thought of at that time.

“He is a bit of a joker at times. To be fair to him, he gets the balance pretty spot-on of when to switch on to rugby mode and when to have a laugh and a joke. 

“He’s been brilliant. He has got a brilliant rugby brain, which is clear for everyone to see by the way he coaches Cardiff.

“The challenge would have been trying to get that across in such a small space of time, but the way he delivers messages is pretty clear, and the boys were able to pick up quite well,” said Thomas.

As stated Thomas was playing back in his beloved 12 shirt where he admitted that he feels more comfortable playing. “It (12) is probably a position I am more comfortable in,” he added.

“Especially given that we played a similar style of game-plan to we play at Cardiff, it was pretty simple for me to fall back into.

“I think he (Sherratt) was pretty clear in terms of the messages he got across and how he wanted us to play. Of course we are going to struggle picking up so much detail in such a short space of time.

“I think the overriding theme was to go out and just show a bit of ambition among the squad. When you are given that licence to play and almost no pressure from him, it freed us up to play nicely.”

Wales will now head to Murrayfield to play Scotland next weekend, but they will head to the Scottish capital with a lot of confidence.

“We were happy after the game with how well we performed, given the circumstances. But having had a chance to look back on it, there is still a lot we can improve on. 

“There were probably a lot of chances we left out there. When all the boys get back together next Monday, we will have a few good days working together and we should be able to make a few more fix-ups in time for the Scotland game,” concluded Thomas.

Dan Fish’s men were pushed all the way by a spirited Aberavon as in the closing moments, Fraser Jones crossed over to score the winner as the Blue and Blacks concluded their Super Rygbi Cymru Cup campaign with a 31-24 win at the Cardiff Arms Park.

Two second half tries by Alun Rees was accompanied by a penalty try and a Joe Goodchild score as Cardiff picked up their first SRC Cup win in the sunshine of the Arms Park.

It was Aberavon who got proceedings underway as Ed Dunford kicked off. With the conditions perfect for running rugby it was the Blue and Blacks who broke the deadlock. After showing some great footwork outside centre, Osian Darwin-Lewis who was playing his tenth game for Cardiff offloaded to Dewi Cross who showed his pace and kicked up field. It was fullback, Joe Goodchild who successfully regathered as he crossed over for his sixth of the season. Josh Thomas had his shot go wide as the Blue and Blacks after 10 minutes were 5-0 up.

The Wizards minutes later then scored their opening points of the afternoon after, Ellis Lewis went down the blindside from the breakdown as he crossed over in the corner. Ed Dunford then slotted the extras as the visitors went into the lead. Dunford was then sent off for ten minutes after a deliberate knock on. Jason Harries attempted to pass back on the inside to blindside, Gwilym Bradley but the outside half deliberately knocked the ball on. Then referee, Rhys Jones awarded the hosts a penalty try as the Blue and Blacks went back into the lead just after the conclusion of the opening quarter.

After being awarded a penalty metres from the Blue and Blacks line, the visitors opted for the scrum. Then after some brilliant handling skills winger, Cori Lewis-Jenkins crossed over which meant proceedings were level going in at the break.

HT: Cardiff 12-12 Aberavon

It didn’t take the visitors long to regain the lead, as with not even a minute played Ellis Lewis crossed over for his second. This came after breaking away from the breakdown area to score. His counterpart in the halfbacks, Ed Dunford was unable to add the extras as the visitors went into a five point lead.

However, the hosts responded accordingly as after back-to-back penalties they found themselves metres away from the Aberavon line moments later. Then after a successful take at the lineout a powerful driving maul followed and on his 90th appearance as a Blue and Black, Alun Rees crossed over for his tenth of the season. Josh Thomas added the extras as Cardiff regained the lead.

The hosts were then reduced to 14-men after Mackenzie Martin was sent off for ten minutes after an infringement in the Blue and Blacks 22. From the resulting penalty kick into the corner a catch and drive followed and replacement, Ellis Major scored the visitors third.

That lead didn’t last long however for Aberavon as on 59 minutes, Alun Rees claimed his second of the afternoon. This came from another brilliant driving maul which allowed the hooker to cross. Josh Thomas had his shot go wide, which meant proceedings were level going into the final quarter.

With Cardiff back up to 15-men it was the visitors who were then awarded their second yellow card of the encounter. This time around James Clegg was sent off for ten minutes with the Blue and Blacks metres from the visitors whitewash.

The decisive moment in the contest happened with minutes left on the clock. After a brilliant pass from Josh Thomas, allowed Fraser Jones to score the winner and also his first try of the season as Cardiff ended their SRC Cup campaign with a 31-24 win over Aberavon.

FT: Cardiff 31-24 Aberavon

Up next for Cardiff is a trip to Church Bank as they return back to Super Rygbi Cymru league action against Llandovery. Supporters are also advised that there is a free supporters bus that will leave the Cardiff Arms Park at 11am next Saturday and will return from Llandovery at 5pm.

Hannah Jones will captain Wales during the Guinness Women’s 6N 2025 campaign with Keira Bevan and Alex Callender who have been named as vice captains.

Centre, Jones has been capped by Wales on 60 occasions and has been Wales’ captain since being appointed for the 2023 Championship. Like new head coach Sean Lynch, Jones has won back-to-back league titles with Gloucester-Hartpury and she made her debut back in 2015 against Scotland.

Wales begin their 2025 Championship with an away trip to the DAM Health Stadium to face Scotland before a week later hosting England at Principality Stadium. Jones’ side will then travel to Brive to face France and in round 4 they will host Ireland at Rodney Parade on Easter Sunday.

They will then conclude their Six Nations in Parma where they face Italy on April 26th before turning their attention to the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

Speaking on being appointed as Wales captain, Jones said: “Being Wales captain is always a privilege and is an honour you never take for granted.

This is an exciting new chapter with the team, and we are looking forward to the 2025 season, with a Six Nations and a World Cup on the horizon.

“I obviously know Sean well and have worked with him at Gloucester and he drives standards, on and off the pitch, and is a winner and a great coach. It’s a genuinely exciting time for all of us and having Keira and Al Cal as vice-captains will help grow the voices and leadership in the squad.”

Sean Lynn, Wales Head coach, added: “Hannah is a player and person I know well from our shared time at club level. I know how much being Wales captain means to her, and she is somebody who wants to win and has been a mainstay at centre for club and country.

“I know how important leadership is to every side and have worked with three national captains and they all set the standards and drive the team culture. The Wales team culture will be a family one where we all care for each other, but we will challenge each other. 

“Having coached against Keira and Al Cal I know the leadership they offer on the field and look forward to working with them and seeing them develop the undoubted leadership skills they already have.”

Exeter’s Westpoint Arena is the next stop on the roadshow of the 2025 BetMGM Premier League as Welshmen, Gerwyn Price is looking to make it two weekly wins in a row.

He will begin that task this evening against former World Champion and current league leader, Luke Humphries in the quarter finals. Price defeated Humphries on the way to claim his first nightly win last timeout in Dublin, and also saw off the reigning World Champion, Luke Littler in the quarter finals.

The 39-year-old then put aside Nathan Aspinall in a spectacular final to triumph in the Irish capital. Glasgow’s nightly winner, Littler will be looking to return to winning ways as he takes on fan favourite, Stephen Bunting.

‘The Bullet’ has yet to pick up a point so far in this year’s campaign. The former Masters Champion will be aiming to put an end to his slow start this evening with a win over the 18-year-old.

The winner of that clash will face off with the winner of Chris Dobey vs Nathan Aspinall. Exeter’s nightly winner from last year, Aspinall got his campaign up and running last week with wins over, Rob Cross and Michael van Gerwen.

However, he faces off with Night one runner-up, Dobey who currently sits on the same points as his opponent. In the first quarter final of the evening, Rob Cross faces off with Michael van Gerwen.

The 7-time winner of the competition van Gerwen has been successful so far in all of his previous quarter final appearances. On the other hand, Cross has won five of the last six meetings between the pair but currently sits in seventh place having only won once in Belfast.

2025 BetMGM Premier League
Night Four – Thursday February 27
Westpoint Exeter

Quarter-Finals

Michael van Gerwen – Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price – Luke Humphries
Chris Dobey – Nathan Aspinall
Stephen Bunting – Luke Littler

Semi-Finals

Van Gerwen/Cross – Price/Humphries
Dobey/Aspinall – Bunting/Littler

Final 
Van Gerwen/Cross/Price/Humphries – Dobey/Aspinall/Bunting/Littler