Neath Team News v Plymouth Albion

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 in British and Irish Cup

Team News

Neath’s 2011/12 British & Irish Cup campaign ends on Saturday when attractive visitors Plymouth Albion come to The Gnoll (kick off 3.00pm).

Injuries have taken their toll so the Welsh All Blacks ring the changes. Neath coach Patrick Horgan said, “As a rule, we don’t complain about injuries but three players went under the surgeon’s knife this week and we have no fewer than 15 players out of contention for this Saturday.

“But we will still be looking to end our British and Irish campaign on a high note with a win. Playing against a full-time, professional side like Plymouth Albion is an excellent opportunity for the young lads and I am sure the Gnoll crowd, in full Christmas spirit, will give the new boys their total backing.”

Neath v Plymouth Albion (Home)

15 E.Phillips; 14 D.Evans, 13 E.Jones, 12 R.Jones, 11 J.Davies; 10 C.Clement, 9 T.Barry; 1 N.Downs (captain), 2 A.Littlehales, 3 T.Price; 4 S.Millar, 5 J.Griffiths; 6 A.Banfield, 8 T.Davies, 7 L.Ward

Replacements – TBC

Next Fixtures

Mon December 26 Aberavon Home 4.00pm Premiership

Thu December 29 Abercrave Away 2.30pm Friendly

Mon January 2 Tonmawr Away 2.30pm Premiership

Mixed emotions for Davies ahead of Brickfields return

Posted on Nov 24, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby, London Welsh, London Welsh

Alex Davies will be back on very familiar ground when London Welsh travel to Plymouth Albion on Saturday.

The Exiles fly half will make his first return to Brickfields since trading Plymouth for Old Deer Park in the summer, having more than left his mark at Albion during his three years at the club.

Davies broke one record and equalled another during the 2010/11 season, on his way to racking up 236 points in 25 Championship appearances.
He kicked a record-breaking seven penalties in Plymouth’s 35-24 relegation play-off victory over Birmingham & Solihull Bees, having earlier in the season equalled the club’s record for most points in a league match by scoring 26 points against the same opposition at Damson Park.

He unluckily fell just short of the Chris Atkinson’s 256 point record for the most league points scored in a season.

“There will be mixed emotions – I had three enjoyable years there,” said Davies.

“It’s always good to go back, I love Plymouth. Graham Dawe found me and the club did a lot for my career.

“Graham has been an excellent servant to Plymouth. People not involved in the club will not know they work he did – he did the work of about six people. He was grounds-man, director of rugby, coach – he did so much stuff. He will be missed.

“He did a lot for me and I’ve got a lot to thank him for. I was just playing National League rugby with Waterloo in Liverpool and he’s put me where I m now. I’ve got a lot to thank Plymouth for.”

Davies began his career at Sale Sharks Academy, where he spent two years before joining Waterloo RFC in National League One. He joined Plymouth Albion in 2008, although a hernia operation restricted him to just 12 appearances in his debut season.

In 2009/10 his haul of 87 Championship points saw him voted Most Promising Young Player by the club’s supporters.

“My first year I didn’t really get too much game time, I was playing a lot of second team rugby and Warriors rugby, and it was just an eye opener for me being in a professional environment,” said Davies.

“It was my first-ever year of training every day and weights, and I just loved it. I tried to get my head down and work as hard as I could. I was third choice ten when I arrived and I ended up starting the majority of the last two seasons.

“Being down there worked well for my career, it certainly toughened me up. Plymouth have a never-say-die attitude, a great work ethic and that came from Graham Dawe.

“He got involved in training everyday, he trained himself and was fitter than most of the boys in the team. Plymouth will be fit and physical and they’ll take us on up front.”

Aside from the backing of London Welsh’s travel support, there will also be two people in the stand from Plymouth whose support he can also be sure of. Although his girlfriend may be currently at university in Leeds, her parents will be at Brickfields on Saturday and they’ll be no divided loyalties come 3pm.

“They’ll definitely be supporting me,” said Davies.

Roberts, Jenkins and Davies start for Blues vs. Dragons

Posted on Nov 4, 2011 in Cardiff Blues, Welsh Rugby

Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies will all start for the Blues against the Dragons this Friday.

The World cup stars line up for the Blues for the first time this season with Roberts forming a centre partnership with the inform Casey Laulala, this being the only change in the backs to the team that defeated Connacht last Saturday.

Gethin Jenkins starts in the front row in place of John Yapp. Bradley Davies forms a new partnership in the second row with James Down. Paul Tito moves to the bench and Michael Paterson moves to the blindside in place of Maama Molitika. Lloyd Williams who also featured for Wales during the World Cup is also on the bench.

The Blues have won back to back RaboDirect PRO12 matches, both away from home at Aironi and Connacht, but are winless in five encounters with fellow Welsh regions in 2011.

Newport Gwent Dragons’ only victory in their last four RaboDirect PRO12 matches was 22-9 at home to Ulster in round five. Dragons have won five of their last six games at Rodney Parade in the tournament.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues squad captain Paul Tito said,

“We have a few of the Welsh boys back and I’m sure they will be firing to play for the Blues.”

“It’s the opening of their new stand at Rodney Parade so I’ve no doubt it will be a big match.”

“They beat us down there last year, which was disappointing and stopped us getting in the top four, so there’s a lot riding on it.”

“The boys obviously want to play well, so they get into the Heineken cup team as well.”

“So a good performance against the Dragons this week is crucial for everyone.”

15 Chris Czekaj 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Richie Rees

8 Xavier Rush 7 Josh Navidi 6 Michael Paterson 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies 3 Taufaao Filise 2 T Rhys Thomas (c) 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Ryan Tyrrell 17 John Yapp / Sam Hobbs 18 Scott Andrews 19 Paul Tito 20 Maama Molitika 21 Lloyd Williams 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Gavin Evans.

Alex Davies happy to bide his time

Posted on Nov 2, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby, London Welsh

Alex Davies’ late heroics with the boot against the Cornish Pirates to salvage a draw for London Welsh should have come as no surprise.

The former Plymouth Albion recording breaking fly half came off the bench to land three penalties in the last 12 minutes to earn the Exiles a 17-17 draw, and end a run of three consecutive losses for the Exiles.

“Kicking is one of the strong points in my game and I finished with some good stats for Plymouth last season, and I had a good kicking game against Bedford in the British & Irish Cup,” said Davies. “I am a confident kicker and hopefully that will continue.”

Davies joined Welsh in the summer after a season in which he broke one Albion record and equalled another.

On his way to racking up 236 points in 25 Championship appearances he kicked a record-breaking seven penalties in Plymouth’s 35-24 relegation play-off victory over Birmingham & Solihull Bees, having earlier in the season equalled the club’s record for most points in a league match by scoring 26 points against the same opposition at Damson Park.

He unluckily fell short of the Chris Atkinson’s 256 point record for the most league points scored in a season, but was still only the third player since Albion were promoted back into English rugby’s second tier in 2002 to score over 200 points in a season.

However, up against former Scotland international Gordon Ross starting opportunities for Davies so far this season have been rare and he’s having to bide his time.

“As a rugby player you want to play so it has been frustrating, as it would be for anyone, but Gordon is a great player and he’s someone that I can learn off and I enjoy going to training,” he said.

“He helps me loads with my game and if I’ve ever got any questions he’s always there to help me. He’s really good for me and he’s playing well, he’s put in some really big performances this year.

“I’m new to London Welsh so I’ve just got to wait for my chance and hopefully when I get it, whether its five minutes or ten minutes or a second half, I’ve got to take it.”

Davies certainly did that on Saturday during his 15 minute cameo off the bench, although the feeling after the game was mixed in the London Welsh camp.

“It’s always difficult coming off the back of two tough losses, especially the manner of the defeat to Bristol,” said Davies.

“But we showed a lot of character against the Cornish Pirates, particularly in the second half to come from behind and get the draw. It’s a big credit to us and hopefully we can build from that, but at the same time we made some basic mistakes which cost us.”

That draw keeps the Exiles in fourth spot with Lyn Jones’ men heading to Doncaster Knights on Saturday, with just one point and two places separating the sides in the Championship table.

“I think we’re going forward. We’re in the top half of the league and we’ve had some good wins – Leeds away the first game of the season. And we’ve ground out wins at home, such as against Plymouth Albion. They’re a tough team to play against; they’ve got a big dominant pack as you’ll see with most of the top five teams,” said Davies.

“If you want to go somewhere in this league you’ve got to front up up front, and as long as we keep doing that and getting our set piece right and everyone does their job I can see us going far.”

Regan King to leave Scarlets

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 in Rugby News

The Scarlets have confirmed that 30 year-old centre Regan King will leave the region at the end of his contract this summer after six seasons in Llanelli.

The once-capped All Black has been a valued member of the Scarlets squad for the past six years and more recently has played an important role in helping advance the development of the Scarlets own fast-emerging backs talent – including international centre Jon Davies this season’s star performer Gareth Maule.

King will join French champions and Top 14 giants Clermont Auvergne next season on a new three-year contract. He joined the Scarlets in May 2005.

Known for his superb handling skills, agility and finesse on the field, Regan King returned to form this season after being absent in the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons after picking up a career threatening hamstring injury in February 2009 which kept him off the field for a year.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “Regan has been a great asset within our rugby set-up for many years now and as a player has skills and qualities which you just don’t find everywhere. He’s a true rugby talent and it’s been great to see him come back strongly this season.

(more…)