Rhys McClenaghan made an encouraging Commonwealth Games return in pommel horse qualifying, scoring 14.500 to reach Monday’s final in third place. The Olympic champion said his new routine remains a work in progress, but his performance suggested he is rebuilding well after an injury-enforced absence throughout 2025.

McClenaghan’s execution score was 9.000, though his difficulty was lower than that of Scotland’s Reuben Ward and Canada’s Jordan Carroll, who both scored 14.550. The 27-year-old believes minor improvements in balance, arm tension and difficulty could produce a stronger final routine, where he will seek a third Commonwealth Games medal; he did not reach the floor final after a stumble.