Leinster ‘A’ team to face London Welsh

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 in British and Irish Cup, English Rugby, Irish Rugby, Leinster, London Welsh

The Leinster ‘A’ team to face London Welsh in Sunday’s Round 4 British & Irish (B&I) Cup clash in Donnybrook (KO: 2.30pm) has been named.

Prop Jack McGrath leads the team as the province bid to continue their fine recent run of form in the B&I Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Following last weekend’s 19-13 win in Llanelli, Ben Marshall forms the back row with Jordi Murphy and in-form number eight Leo Auva’a. With Steven Sykes rested after the birth of his first child, a boy, this week, Lansdowne second row Neilus Keogh will partner Mark Flanagan at second row.

In the backline John Cooney partners Noel Reid at half back with Fionn Carr coming into a pacey back three with Andrew Conway and David Kearney.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Round 4 game in Donnybrook, Leinster ‘A’ Coach Colin McEntee said: “We’re pleased with our progress so far this year but we have another big test against London Welsh on Sunday. We’ll have to be sharp and we’ll have to be accurate because they’re a tough side with a lot of flair out wide.

“We’re in a good position in our Pool having beaten Esher and Melrose previously – and to grind out a win in the manner in which we did in awful first half conditions in Parc y Scarlets was pleasing. The application of the players has been really high again this week and I know they’re looking forward to the challenge.

“After last Sunday’s win over Llanelli it’s important that we back up that effort with another big performance and try to round off this pre-Christmas block (of games) on a high.”

*There will be free entry for Leinster Season Ticket holders on Sunday upon presentation of this year’s membership card.

LEINSTER ‘A’:

15: David Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brendan Macken
12: Colm O’Shea
11: Fionn Carr
10: Noel Reid
9: John Cooney

1: Jack McGrath CAPTAIN
2: Aaron Dundon
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Neilus Keogh
5: Mark Flanagan
6: Ben Marshall
7: Jordi Murphy
8: Leo Auva’a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton
17: Jack O’Connell
18: Jordan Coghlan
19: Conor Gilsenan
20: Luke McGrath
21: Cathal Marsh
22: Darren Hudson

REFEREE: Rhys Thomas (WRU),  ASSISTANT REFEREES: Sean Gallagher, Ken Henley-Willis (both IRFU)

Llanelli full back Jordan William: NOVEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Llanelli full back Jordan Williams has earned himself November’s Principality Premiership Player of the Month award after an exciting month on the field.

The versatile back is the third winner of the rugby award this season and Llanelli Principality Building Society Senior Customer Adviser manager Dean Roberts presented Jordan with his award.

Jordan said: “It’s very nice to be recognised but it’s more about the team effort than my individual performance.

“We’ve started to climb the table in these last few games and there’s definitely a feeling that we’ve found our stride and we’re looking to continue moving up and doing well.

“Training with the Scarlets fulltime now has helped my game massively. This is my first season with them as part of the senior squad and it’s been a steep learning curve. I’m enjoying being around the likes of Stephen Jones and all the guys who did so well in the World Cup, it’s good to learn from experienced players like that.”

Llanelli Head Coach Kevin George was very complimentary of Jordan’s progress. “Jordan has really shone the past few weeks. His game has come on a lot. He’s very versatile playing fullback and 10 which is great from a selection point of view," he said.
“His goal kicking has been an added bonus for us – he’s been excellent in both the Principality Premiership and British and Irish Cup for us.

“Jordan has put his hand up the past 12 months and I’m sure there is more to be seen of him through Wales U18 and Scarlets.”

Llanelli born Jordan Williams began his career with the New Dock Stars and joined the Scarlets academy two years ago. He earned a contract with the senior Scarlets at the start of the season and has represented Wales at U16 and U18.

Blues hoping for Goldington Road Christmas cracker

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 in Bedford, British and Irish Cup

The British & Irish Cup returns to Goldington Road this festive weekend as Bedford Blues get set to welcome Welsh Principality side Llanelli through the gates.

Both sides have the chance to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition if they were to win, but a loss would almost certainly be the end of the road in this season’s competition.

The two teams met in the group stages of the inaugural year of the competition and Bedford were pushed all the way by the Welsh team in a gruelling 36-24 win which saw plenty of tries, passion, perfect place kicking and a streaker.

The Blues have thrown themselves into training this week following a close fought win over Rotherham last Saturday. One man who has been given a slight leave of absence though is winger Josh Bassett who joined up with the England Under 20 squad during a training trip to Portugal. The 19-year-old has been in sparkling form this season having racked up 11 tries and his eye for the line certainly seems to have struck a chord with the England coaching set up.

There is also a welcome return to action for former England Under 20 star Gregor Gillanders who has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury which he picked up last season. The back row star comes straight into the starting line-up along with Henry Staff who starts his first game following two appearances from the bench. Only three players who started against Rotherham last week – Ian Vass, Chris Locke and Alex Rae – get the nod for this all important clash against Llanelli.

Speaking ahead of the game, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “We have, and continue, to take the British & Irish Cup very seriously and we know that Llanelli come to us looking to book a place in the quarter finals. All of the ingredients are there for a cracking game of rugby and we are all looking forward to it.

“We’ve had some tough fixtures in recent weeks and we have another one on the horizon when we travel to Bristol next Friday night. We have a good sized squad and thankfully a lot of our long term injuries are on mend so I am a little spoilt for choice when it comes to selection.

“Gregor and Henry are in the starting line-up while Neil Cochrane also returns to the bench and it is vital for these lads to get some game time. Likewise, there are a few players who haven’t featured in recent weeks so they have a great opportunity to stake a claim.

“I have a lot of respect for Llanelli and know that they will be eager to get revenge for their last visit to Goldington Road and also seal a final eight spot. We, however, also want to progress in this competition, go one better than last season and pick up that trophy.”

Starting line-up:

15. Mark Kohler

14. David Vincent

13. Henry Staff

12. Ian Vass

11. Tom Bedford

10. Jamie Lennard

9. Stefan Liebenberg

1. Nico Steenkamp

2. Chris Locke

3. Dan Seal

4. Billy Johnson

5. Sam Pailor

6. Gregor Gillanders

7. Alex Rae (c)

8. Don Barrell

Reps: 16. Neil Cochrane, 17. Phil Boulton, 18. Mike Howard, 19. Bry White, 20. Luke Baldwin, 21. Jake Sharp, 22. Josh Bassett.

Leinster ‘A’ team to face Llanelli

Posted on Dec 9, 2011 in Irish Rugby, Leinster

The Leinster ‘A’ team to face Llanelli in Sunday’s British & Irish Cup clash in Parc y Scarlets (KO: 1pm) has been named.

Ciaran Ruddock leads a team looking to build on their opening rounds bonus point victories over Esher (32-18) and Melrose (42-20). Brendan Macken, who has scored three tries in the competition so far this year, again partners Collie O’Shea at centre with Andrew Conway forming an exciting back three alongside Darren Hudson and David Kearney.

Jack McGrath starts in the front row alongside Aaron Dundon and Jamie Hagan with Ruddock linking up with Jordi Murphy and Leo Auva’a in the back row. Former Old Belvedere number eight Auva’a has scored three tries in nine PRO12 games so far this year.

LEINSTER:

15: David Kearney

14: Darren Hudson

13: Brendan Macken

12: Colin O’Shea

11: Andrew Conway

10: Noel Reid

9: John Cooney

1: Jack McGrath

2: Aaron Dundon

3: Jamie Hagan

4: Ben Marshall

5: Mark Flanagan

6: Ciaran Ruddock CAPTAIN

7: Jordi Murphy

8: Leo Auva’a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton

17: Jack O’Connell

18: Jordan Coughlan

19: Conor Gilsenan

20: Luke McGrath

21: Cathal Marsh

22: Andrew Boyle

Llanelli to face Pontypridd in final of Principality Premiership

Posted on May 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Nick Reynolds raced over for a hat trick to guide Llanelli to a Principality Premiership final showdown with Pontypridd, after Neath were downed 5-41 at the Gnoll in the Play-off semi final.

The home side were overwhelmed by Llanelli who scored their first try in the opening minute and led 27-5 at halftime. With fly half Steve Shingler amassing 26 points Neath simply had a night they would rather forget.

Pontypridd coaching duo Paul John and Dale McIntosh would have been interested onlookers after the Parc y Scarlets outfit threw the ball with carefree relish to totally demoralise Neath with great running angles and a razor sharp cutting edge.

Llanelli had the perfect start when Nic Reynolds waltzed over in the first minute after prop Phil John made a telling break, brushing would-be tacklers aside. Shingler added the extras to put Llanelli 7-0 in front.

Neath had a chance to reduce the arrears but fly half David Langdon missed a relatively straight forward shot at goal. Shingler had no such problems minutes later with a well struck shot to put the visitors further ahead.

Shingler was edging the battle of the fly halves when he charged down a Langdon clearance kick and strolled over to convert his own try to put Llanelli in command 17-0 after just 11 minutes.

Llanelli lost skipper Craig Hawkins to the sin bin after the Welsh All Blacks hammered away at the try line. From the next scrum, Neath made the extra man count to send winger Chris Morgans over in the corner.

Reynolds scored his second try after left wing Lee Williams stabbed a grubber kick through. The Llanelli centre showed patience to toe the ball over the line to pounce.

Llanelli then lost their second man to the bin when No8 Matt Gilbert received a yellow card at a ruck on the stroke of half time but it mattered little as Shingler finished the opening stanza with a regulatory penalty to put the visiting side in the driving seat at 27-5.

Llanelli continued to apply the pressure after the break with Hawkins burrowing his way over before Reynolds danced his way over through some woeful Neath defence to record his hat trick. Full back Dan Newton completed the rout.

Scorers: Neath – Try – Morgans
Llanelli: Tries – Reynolds (3), Shingler, Hawkins, Newton; Cons – Shingler (5); Pen – Shingler (2)