Dragons bolster back three with the signing of Scarlets’ Evans and Ospreys’ Prydie

Posted on May 16, 2012 in Newport Gwent Dragon

Newport Gwent Dragons are delighted to announce 2 new signings to bolster their squad ahead of the 2012/2013 season.

Full back Dan Evans, 23, joins the Dragons from the Scarlets whilst full back/wing Tom Prydie, 20, also makes the move East from the Ospreys. Their recruitment comes days after the Leinster game where the Dragons bid farewell to back 3 players Aled Brew and Martyn Thomas.

Both Dan and Tom have huge potential and are Wales caps but have had limited opportunities up until now.

Dan Evans rose through the ranks at the Scarlets and has been a mainstay in the squad over the past 3 seasons. He has racked up 14 appearances for the Scarlets this season including home and away against the Dragons. Dan won two caps on Wales’s 2009 North America tour, making his debut in the 32-23 win over Canada but has been overlooked since.

On his move to the Dragons, Dan said “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s exciting to be joining a squad with the amount of young talent that the Dragons has at the moment. I’m eager to press for some more game time and hopefully help push for a successful season here at the Dragons.”

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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."

London Welsh confirm further re-signings

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Welsh

Adam Brown (pictured), Dan George, Ashley Smith and Billy Moss are the latest players to pledge their futures to London Welsh.

Player’s Player of the Year Brown, 24, has enjoyed a fantastic first season at the club, after joining from Newport Gwent Dragons last summer.

A Wales U19 Grand Slam winner in 2006, Brown has been ever present in the Exiles’ second row this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions. His debut try for the club came in the play-off win over Nottingham at Old Deer Park.

“I’ve played a lot of rugby this year and Lyn [Jones – head coach] has worked hard with me to improve my game,” said Brown.

“Hopefully I can continue that through to next year and keep developing and learning and getting better as a rugby player.

“As a young front five forward you need to be playing to improve and I feel I’ve contributed something to the team.

“Winning the Player’s Player of the Year award does mean a lot as the boys have voted for it, but it won’t mean half as much as getting to a Championship final.”

George is in his second spell at London Welsh. The hooker originally arrived at Old Deer Park in 2008 and helped the club reach a Championship semi-final in 2010.

A product of the Scarlets’ Academy, he left the club at the end of that season to join Principality Premiership side Carmarthen Quins, only to return in early 2011.

George, 25, captained Wales U19s during the IRB World Championships in South Africa in 2005, and the following year played in the IRB U21 World Championships in France

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Chiefs sign Horstmann

Posted on May 4, 2012 in Exeter Chiefs, Premiership

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he is looking forward to working with new recruit Kai Horstmann after the back-row forward today completed his move from Aviva Premiership rivals Worcester Warriors.

The 30-year-old, who has agreed a two-year deal with the Chiefs, has become Baxter’s sixth new capture ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, linking up next term with fellow newcomers Dean Mumm, Ian Whitten, Will Chudley, Alex Brown and Jack Yeandle.

Horstmann arrives at Sandy Park having previously played for both Harlequins and Worcester, the latter of whom he has been with since 2005.

Welcoming the Harare-born forward to the Chiefs, Baxter said: “We are a team that is looking to improve and keep strengthening all the time and we feel Kai is a very experienced Premiership performer.

“He is a guy who I have had a very close look at and I like the way he plays. I think he will fit in very well for us; he’s mobile and athletic; reads the line-out well and the basics of his game stand up very well.”

Having closely monitored Horstmann, who has previously represented both England Saxons and England Sevens, Baxter admitted he was impressed by the player’s all-round capabilities, particularly in a number of his displays earlier this season.

“We’ve had a good look at him and we think he is a guy with a lot still to give,” said the coach. “He’s 30, but that is not that old for a back-row forward. His experience, especially going into the Heineken Cup, is also a big factor for us as is his ability to play in a similar way to the back-row forwards we like.

“As I said, he’s athletic and mobile; a good ball handler; a good distributor; he’s also a good line-out athlete, so those are all things we like in our players. For us we saw this as a good fit all around, especially as Kai was coming to an end of his contract at Worcester, plus we were looking to bring some more experience into what is already a very strong back-row unit.”

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Phil Davies appointed Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Cardiff Blues, Welsh Rugby

Cardiff Blues have announced that Phil Davies has been appointed as Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby.

Davies played his club rugby for Llanelli and enjoyed a distinguished 46-cap career for Wales between 1985 and 1995.

The ex-Wales captain, born in Seven Sisters, spent a decade at Leeds Tykes between 1996 and 2006 taking the Yorkshire club from Division Three into top-flight Premiership rugby. He steered Leeds to their Heineken Cup debut in 2003 and to a Powergen Cup win in 2005. Davies also spent two years at the Scarlets, leading them to their first Heineken Cup semi-final in eight years.

The former Scarlets and Leeds boss Phil Davies joined Worcester Warriors as a forwards coach from his position at the WRU as Wales Under-20s coach and National Academy Manager in August 2010.

Commenting on the appointment, Cardiff Blues CEO Richard Holland said:

“Phil Davies is a hugely respected coach and we are delighted to have secured him as the new Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby.”

“He has shown during his time at the Leeds Tykes, when he took them from Division Three to the Premiership, that he can develop a young team and deliver success.”

“He is hugely knowledgeable about the game, extremely hard working and we look forward to having him with us for the forthcoming season.”

Speaking of his appointment, Phil Davies said:

“I’m really looking forward to starting the job. It’s a role I’ve been passionate about for a long, long time.”

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