Phil Davies “very humbled” at receiving Cardiff call

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Cardiff Blues

By MARTYN WINTERS. Cardiff new boy, Phil Davies, can’t wait to get stuck into running the region.

The ex-Worcester forwards coach was commenting on his appointment as Director of Rugby at the troubled capital city regional outfit. The former Scarlet outlined his plans for the region and his aim to stem the tide of poor results that have stricken the club in recent months.

Davies said: "There are a lot of good jobs in rugby but when you get offered the role of being the Director of Rugby for Cardiff Blues, which is one of the most recognised teams in Europe, then I didn’t have to think twice."

In a nod to the recent run, and his hopes for the future, he commented: "There’s a lot of work to be done but it’s a chance and an opportunity for the next generation to come through and keep the Blues region at the top of the game."

The severe financial restrictions afflicting all the regions in Wales was uppermost in his thoughts when he said: "The salary cap will focus the mind and I genuinely believe we have to work through the change, there maybe growing pains but we can become competitive again."

"There’s a lot of history that goes with the Blues region from the great Pontypridd teams from the 80′s and 90′s when Lynn Howells and Dennis John were coaching and Neil Jenkins was kick goals and Dale McIntosh charging everywhere, to the Cardiff RFC teams of Gareth Davies, Gareth Edwards and Terry Holmes. The heritage is massive and the passion is there."

"We need to get the region to understand that we are proud of that history but embrace it and move forward."

"I’m very humbled and privileged to have this role and will work as hard as I can to make sure it’s successful."

Cardiff Blues exodus continues

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in Cardiff Blues, Welsh Rugby

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that John Yapp and Richie Rees will leave the Blues at the end of the season to join Edinburgh

Yapp burst onto the Cardiff club scene at Christmas 2002 making his first team debut against Ebbw Vale on Boxing Day at the age of 18. Since then he has gone on to make 161 appearances for the Blues and won the first of his 21 caps for Wales in the country’s Grand Slam winning RBS 6 Nations championship of 2005.

Speaking of his decision to move, John said,

“I’ve been with Cardiff and the Blues since I was 17, starting with Cardiff Youth and I’ve had a fantastic time here.”

“It’s a long time to be with one team so I felt the time was right to move on and face a fresh challenge.”

“I’ve always liked Edinburgh as a city, as it’s quite similar to Cardiff, so I’m looking forward to a new challenge and playing outside of Wales.

“Edinburgh have demonstrated what they are capable of in this year’s Heineken Cup.”

“There are many people to thank at the Blues, but David Young is the person who really developed my career and I spent most of it being coached under him.”

“There have been many highlights during my time here from the EDF and Amlin Cup wins to some big Heineken Cup games.”

“I’ve made some really good friends here as well and will miss them but I’d like to wish everyone associated with the Blues the best of luck for the future.”

“There will be a young side here next season which promises to be very exciting.”

Cardiff Blues scrum half Richie Rees who announced he would be leaving the club in March has also joined Edinburgh. Rees joined the Blues from London Irish in 2007 helping win both the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 08/09 and the European Challenge Cup in 09/10. He has made 97 appearances for the Blues, scoring 5 tries. He won the first of his 9 Welsh caps against England in the 2010 Six Nations and scored his debut international try against Australia in the 2010 Autumn Test series.

Ulster name extended Squad for Cardiff trip

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Ulster

Tom Court, Chris Henry, Paddy Wallace and Dan Tuohy will all be available for Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 trip to Cardiff this Friday.

The players will be released from the Ireland squad but fellow Internationals Stephen Ferris, Andrew Trimble and Rory Best remain unavailable for selection.

Ulster’s 31 man squad contains a mix of youth and experience, with Henry taking over the captaincy in the absence of Johann Muller through injury. The 27 year old led the side admirably when Muller and Rory Best were on World Cup duty earlier in the season.

Muller will miss a second consecutive match following the calf injury he picked up last week in training, while Ali Birch is the only fresh injury after he picked up a knee injury in Friday’s win over Dragons.

Ulster have won seven of the previous nine games in all competitions, with six of those wins producing four try bonus points. Cardiff are also showing good form, particularly at home, where they have lost just one of their last eight games.

Ulster produced one of their best recent performances in this fixture last season, with Craig Gilroy scoring two debut tries to help secure a 15-37 win. The Ulstermen then completed the double over their Welsh rivals with a 32-13 success at Ravenhill.

Provisional Ulster Squad to play Cardiff, Friday 17th February, Cardiff Arms Park (kick off 7.05pm):

Forwards:

Callum Black, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Tom Court, Jerry Cronin, Paddy McAllister, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Lewis Stevenson, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (captain), Mike McComish, Robbie Diack

Backs:

Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Luke Marshall, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Michael Allen, Stefan Terblanche, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, Simon Danielli, Chris Cochrane, Adam D’Arcy

Unavailable due to injury:

Declan Fitzpatrick, Jared Payne, Pedrie Wannenburg, Darren Cave, Johann Muller, Ali Birch

Unavailable due to IRFU Player Management:

Stephen Ferris, Rory Best, Andrew Trimble

Leinster look to bring back big guns for Cardiff game

Posted on Jan 3, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Leinster, RaboDirect Pro 12, RaboDirect Pro12

The Leinster management hope to be in a position to welcome back several Ireland internationals into the panel for Saturday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Cardiff Blues in City Stadium (KO: 6.15pm).

Following Sunday’s 15-13 victory over Connacht, the medical team reported that Richardt Strauss suffered an accidental blow to the face, though at this point he has not been ruled out of contention, with the team set to be announced on Friday lunchtime.

Aside from a number of niggles after the weekend’s arduous test there are no other major injury concerns as the squad shape up for the second match in a block of three successive away games.

Kevin McLaughlin, who was rested for the win in Galway, looks set to return to the squad alongside the likes of Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross and Jonathan Sexton.

Steven Sykes (knee) hasn’t been ruled out of contention and he too could make the trip to the Welsh capital.

Meanwhile, Isa Nacewa’s 100 percent 15-point haul took his overall season points tally to 87 in 13 games to date.

Edinburgh looking for payback against Cardiff

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 in Edinburgh, Scottish Rugby

Versatile duo Mike Blair and Greig Laidlaw will steer the Edinburgh Rugby back-line against Cardiff Blues in round four of the Heineken Cup at Murrayfield Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 8pm).

Two wins from three in Heineken Cup Pool 2 means Edinburgh Rugby are just three points behind this weekend’s opponents, who leapfrogged Edinburgh into the Pool’s top spot in the reverse fixture last Friday (25-8).

Now, with home advantage, the capital club have the chance to redress the Pool positions, with a win capable of restoring Edinburgh to the top spot with two matches remaining – Racing Metro away followed by London Irish at Murrayfield.

The selection of Blair and Laidlaw is the only change in the Edinburgh Rugby back-line, while two personnel changes have been made in the pack – Grant Gilchrist and Netani Talei coming in for Esteban Lozada and Stuart McInally in the second and back-row.

Talei’s introduction means there’s no room for McInally in the match-day 23, with Ross Rennie retaining the back-row replacement berth, while Lozada takes Steven Turnbull’s place on the bench.

Talei, who started and scored in the club’s last home Heineken Cup match against Racing Metro, said: “Everyone’s looking forward to this game, the boys are confident and have been focussed on this match since we left Cardiff on Saturday. It’s a big, big game for us.

"Cardiff have the ability to slot points from pretty much anywhere within 50 metres so we can’t afford to give away cheap penalties.

“We have to tackle the basics first at the ruck and the tackle area – that’s what Cardiff are very good at. If we put our focus there first and give our backs the go forward we’re capable of scoring tries from anywhere around the park."

Other notable inclusions see centre Matt Scott return from a hip injury sustained in the side’s 48-47 win over Racing Metro, while the experienced Phil Godman provides the half-back replacement option for Laidlaw and Blair from the bench.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Cardiff Blues in round four of the Heineken Cup at Murrayfield Stadium on Friday 16 December (kick-off 8pm)

15 Chris Paterson

14 Lee Jones

13 Nick De Luca

12 James King

11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

9 Mike Blair

1 Allan Jacobsen

2 Ross Ford

3 Geoff Cross

4 Grant Gilchrist

5 Sean Cox

6 David Denton

7 Roddy Grant

8 Netani Talei

Substitutes

16 Steven Lawrie

17 Kyle Traynor

18 Jack Gilding

19 Esteban Lozada

20 Ross Rennie

21 Phil Godman

22 Matt Scott

23 Tom Brown