Warburton leads Wales squad – Gavin Henson & Martyn Williams OUT!

Posted on Aug 22, 2011 in Wales, Welsh Rugby

Sam Warburton will lead Wales at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand after Warren Gatland named the Cardiff Blues flanker as captain for rugby’s showpiece tournament.

Warburton will lead the 30-man squad which features one uncapped player, Scarlets hooker Ken Owens. He is joined in the squad by six further team-mates from the Llanelli-based region, all of who play in the backline.

The Blues and the Dragons have six and five players respectively in the squad, while there are seven players named from the Ospreys.

Fly-half Stephen Jones is heading to his fourth World Cup where he will hope to become Wales’ all-time leading appearance record holder.

WALES SQUAD – 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP

CAPTAIN

Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2". 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9; 5 pts – 1T)

FORWARDS

Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)

DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0" / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs

International record: 42 caps (W 20, L 21, D 1)

Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)

DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0"/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs

International record: 4 caps (W 2, L 2)

Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,085)

DoB: 09.12.84. 6’0" / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)

Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)

DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9" / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs

International record: 25 caps (W 12, L 13)

Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)

DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6" / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs

International record: 24 caps (W 10, L 13, D 1)

Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2". 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)

Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1" / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

International record: 26 caps (W 10, L 15, D 1)

Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2" / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

International record: 76 caps (W 33, L 41, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)

Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)

DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0" / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

International record: 70 caps (W 32, L 35, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)

DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5" / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs

International record: 52 caps (W 21, L 31; 30 pts – 6T)

Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5" / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 53 caps (W 26, L 25, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4". 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 7, D 1)

Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS – Cap No 1,068)

DoB: 03.05.86. 6’1" / 1.85m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs

International record: 10 caps (W 7, L 3)

Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1" / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs

International record: Uncapped

Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)

DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4" / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs

International record: 18 caps (W 9, L 9; 5 pts – 1T)

BACKS

Aled BREW (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,051)

DoB: 09.08.86. 6.0" / 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs

International record: 7 caps (W 2, L 4, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE – Cap No 1,041)

DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3" / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs

International record: 44 caps (W 18, L 24, D 2; 45 pts – 9T)

Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1" / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

International record: 14 caps (W 7, L 7; 10 pts – 2T)

Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)

DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10" / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs

International record: 20 caps (W 8, L 12; 62 pts – 7T, 9PG)

James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)

DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0" / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs

International record: 54 caps (W 23, L 29, D 2; 303 pts – 12T, 39C, 51PG, 4DG)

Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)

DoB: 08.12.77. 6’1" / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs

International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts – 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)

Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)

DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1" / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs

International record: 5 caps (W 2, L 3)

George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4" / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 8 caps (W 2, L 5, D 1; 30 pts – 6T)

Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)

DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3" / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs

International record: 54 caps (W 25, L 27, D 2; 30 pts – 6T)

Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0". 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 4 caps (W 2, L 2; 10 pts – 2C, 2PG)

Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4" / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 32 caps (W 15, L 17; 10 pts – 2T)

Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)

DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0" / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 1 cap (W 1)

Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0" / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

International record: International record: 4 caps (W 2, L 2)

Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)

DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7" / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs

International record: 81 caps (W 39, L 40, D 2; 270 pts – 54T)

Wales team for Argentina

Posted on Aug 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Wales have made nine changes to the side who beat England at the Millennium Stadium last weekend for the final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

Martyn Williams (Blues) and Ryan Jones (Ospreys) add a combined total of 151 caps to the back row, with Jones captaining his national side for a record equalling 28^th time (alongside Ieuan Evans).

Williams will win his 99th cap, taking him a step closer to the all time appearance total record of 100, held jointly by Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones, although Jones could steal the limelight if he appears from the bench to break clear with 101 caps.

Both Sam Warburton (Blues) and Dragons No8 Toby Faletau make way but Dan Lydiate (also Dragons) retains his place on the flank to complete the back row unit.

British & Irish Lions prop Adam Jones adds his considerable experience (69 caps) to the front row alongside fellow Osprey Richard Hibbard, who completes his return from shoulder surgery to be preferred to Dragon Lloyd Burns, who missed out alongside prop Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs).

Bradley Davies (Blues) returns in the second row to be re-united with Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones, with Dragon Luke Charteris omitted.

In the backs there are four changes of personnel with Ospreys full back Lee Byrne and Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny both returning to full fitness.

Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) replaces the injured Gavin Henson and is re-united with Jamie Roberts (Blues) in the centre, although it is Roberts who will fill the inside centre berth.

Scarlets scrum half Tavis Knoyle is handed his first start of the summer warm-up matches ahead of Osprey Mike Phillips, with Lloyd Williams (Blues) providing specialist cover from the bench and set to win his first cap.

Elsewhere, George North (Scarlets) switches wings to accommodate Halfpenny with Osprey Shane Williams the one to miss out and James Hook (also Ospreys) takes over at fly half replacing the injured Scarlet Rhys Priestland, after starting at full back last weekend.

On the bench Jones and the uncapped Williams are joined by Dragons wing Aled Brew in providing cover for the backs and up front Ospreys pair Ryan Bevington (prop) and Huw Bennett (hooker) are retained.

Uncapped Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric has another chance to make his Millennium Stadium debut and Andy Powell (Sale Sharks) will hope to make an impact on the coach’s RWC selection plans if called upon.

“Criteria for selection has been about putting together a side to win the game, but also about giving some players the opportunity to impress and, therefore, bid for selection for the world Cup,” said head coach Warren Gatland.

“In some areas we are also looking at combinations with that opening game against South Africa on 11 September always kept in mind.

“Beating the Pumas on Saturday would also mean we retain that all important winning momentum going into the World Cup.

“But there are still many places up for grabs on that plane to New Zealand and the players all know they need to perform against the Pumas in order to further their own as well as the national cause.”

Wales assistant coach (backs) Rob Howley added: “We are particularly pleased to get the chance to see Leigh Halfpenny back in a Wales shirt after such a long lay-off, he is looking good at the moment, as is Lee Byrne.

“We have selected an exciting back three and there are one or two combinations in the back line which we wanted to have a look at.

“Scott Williams has done a fine job when called upon and is, perhaps, unlucky not to feature, but fielding the established partnership of Jamie and Jonathan in the centre also gives us the continuity we need.

“James gets the chance to show what he can do once again when he starts at fly half and Tavis also has an opportunity to put his hand up.

“In terms of scrum halves there is also a young man on the bench, who people may not know too much about, but who has impressed us, in Lloyd Williams and we hope to see him at some stage as well.”

Blues prop Gethin Jenkins remains unavailable for selection this week due to a calf problem and there are a number of players carrying bumps and bruises from the match last weekend who have taken a limited part in training during the early part of this week in Luke Charteris, Craig Mitchell, Scott Williams and Aled Brew.

WALES:Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; James Hook, Tavis Knoyle; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (captain)

REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Aled Brew

WALES

  15 Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE– Cap No 1,041)

  DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3" / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs

  International record: 43 caps (W 17, L 24, D 2; 45 pts – 9T)

  14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)

  DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs

  International record: 19 caps (W 7, L 12; 62 pts – 7T, 9PG)

  13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

  DoB:05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

  International record: 13 caps (W 6, L 7; 10 pts – 2T)

  12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

  DoB: 08.11.86.  6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

  International record: 31 caps (W 14, L 17; 10 pts – 2T)

  11 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

  DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

  International record: 7 caps (W 1, L 5, D 1; 25 pts – 5T)

  10 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN– Cap No 1,047)

  DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs

  International record: 53 caps (W 22, L 29, D 2; 290 pts – 12T, 37C, 48PG, 4DG)

  9 Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)

  DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1” / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs

  International record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3)

  1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

  DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

  International record: 25 caps (W 9, L 15, D 1)

  2 Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,048)

  DoB: 13.12.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs

  International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 8)

  3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,018)

  DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

  International record: 69 caps (W 31, L 35, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

  4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)

  DoB: 09.01.87.  6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs

  International record: 23 caps (W 9, L 13, D 1)

  5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,046)

  DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs

  International record: 51 caps (W 20, L 31; 25 pts – 5T)

  6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

  DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

  International record: 13 caps (W 5, L 7, D 1)

  7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)

  DoB: 01.09.75.  6’0" / 1.83m.  14st 22lbs / 94kgs

  International record: 98 caps (W 42, L 53, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)

  8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN– Cap No 1,029)

  DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

  International record: 53 caps (W 26, L 25, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

  REPLACEMENTS

  16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,017)

  DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs

  International record: 41 caps (W 19, L 21, D 1)

  17 Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)

  DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0”/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs

  International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)

  18 Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)

  DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs

  International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9)

  19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)

  DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)

  DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS– Cap No 966)

  DoB: 08.12.77.  6’1” / 1.86m.  14st 7lbs / 92kgs

  International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts – 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)

  22 Aled BREW (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,051)

  DoB: 09.08.86. 6.0” / 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs

  International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 4, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

International stars return for Leinster vs Munster

Posted on Mar 30, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Leinster squad trained in UCD on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday night’s interprovincial derby against Munster in Thomond Park (KO: 7.30pm) with several more Ireland internationals in line for a return.

Gordon D’Arcy, Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien, Brian O’Driscoll and Mike Ross could all figure after being rested for Sunday’s 26-16 victory over the Dragons while there were no fresh injury concerns for the province, except the usual bumps and bruises.

Shane Horgan successfully came through his first game in two months and the Boyne man’s next appearance will be his landmark 200^th in Leinster colours. Meanwhile, Eoin Reddan – a precautionary late withdrawal from the replacements bench – is also in line for selection on Saturday.

Jonathan Sexton’s 16 point haul helped lift the province to joint second place in the table and he is now 23 points shy of the 500-point mark for the province in all competitions. Isaac Boss’ first half try was his fourth in 22 appearances so far this season.

Shane Jennings remains a doubt as he continues his rehabilitation and a decision on his availability for Saturday’s game will be made later in the week.

It is anticipated that over 3,000 Leinster supporters are expected to make the trip to Limerick on Saturday.

RFU announces Head of International and Public Affairs

Posted on Mar 28, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Rugby Football Union has today confirmed Ben Calveley as its new Head of International and Public Affairs. Ben will join the RFU on 13^th June from UK Sport where he has been Head of Corporate and International Relations.

Calveley was chosen after a comprehensive and intensive interview process and will take responsibility for all the RFU’s relationships with governments in the UK and overseas and will also co-ordinate and manage the Unions interactions with other key international stakeholders in rugby and other sporting organisations at home and abroad.

Ben will report to Peter Thomas as Director of Communications and will therefore play a key role in ensuring the RFU’s marketing and communications activities are aligned and impactful in the lead up to Rugby World Cup (RWC2015) and beyond.

John Steele, CEO of the RFU, commented, “Although we are the governing body of the game in England we are part of a global game so this is a growing area of importance for us, and indeed for all sports. Our reputation and relationships with governments and quasi-governmental organisations will be critical to our success and our collaboration and involvement with other domestic and international rugby stakeholders equally so. Ben is one of the leading people in this emerging area and we are delighted to have been able to attract him to the RFU.”

During over four years spent at UK Sport Calveley expanded his responsibilities beyond straightforward public affairs to  include communications and international relations – an area that witnessed significant growth during this period as Ben led a team advising all Olympic and Paralympic sports on how to increase their influence within the International Federations to which they affiliate.  Calveley joined UK Sport from PMP, the sports consultancy, where he led the Football division and managed complex domestic and international sport projects involving multi-disciplinary teams including advising on how to develop grass root and elite sporting systems in a number of international markets, working with Sport England to monitor and evaluate impact of community funding awards and working with Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) on eligibility criteria for top division clubs. Prior to that he was a sports development manager for Merseyside Sport driving sports participation programmes in the North West.

Ben holds an MBA, qualified as a consultant  and started his career in Mergers and Acquistions for Arthur Andersen. He lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife and two young sons and is a Wasps fan. Ben spent the majority of his playing days with first Southport and then Waterloo RUFCs and represented Lancashire County at colts level.

Ali Williams dons Nottingham shirt for the last time

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

All Black Ali Williams will pull on the Nottingham shirt for the last time this evening when the Green and Whites take on the Rotherham Titans.

The match, which kicks off at 7.45pm, will see the two closely placed sides do battle in a key test for Glenn Delaney’s men who will be looking for their sixth league win in as many games.

The last three games the sides have contested on Nottingham territory have brought victory for the home sides, with tries from many current Green and Whites first team stars, including David Jackson, Tim Usasz, Jack Cobden, Andy Savage, Neil Fowkes, Ben Johnston and Luke Sherriff.

Tonight will provide Director of Rugby Delaney the final opportunity to hone the extra prowess of New Zealand International Williams, whose arrival to the club at the end of December stunned the rugby world.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Delaney said: “The squad has been performing at a consistently high level in the Championship for back to back games since last year, so we’re confident about taking that form into this game and getting the result we want in front of the home crowd.

“Having Ali for this key match is an obvious boost to the side. He’s fitted in incredibly well through this month and has been the asset we all knew he would be.

“Overall the squad is looking strong at the moment, with injuries not hampering us too much for the time being. Despite the fixture pile-up we can call on all our key guys this evening and we can be confident of going out and playing our best game.”