Paul James bolsters front row for Bath Rugby

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

34 times Welsh capped front row Paul James will be joining Bath Rugby next season, the Club confirmed today.

A very solid and technically sound scrummager, Paul made his debut for Wales in 2003 and most recently appeared for them during their 2012 Grand Slam, winning the RBS 6 Nations campaign.

The athletic loosehead prop, who can also play on the tighthead side of the scrum, has made 177 appearances to date for the Ospreys, a record for the region, and has scored seven tries. He also captained the side who beat Australia in 2006.

Speaking about the move, Paul said “I’ve been with the Ospreys since 2003 and feel that I need a new challenge to keep developing my career. Bath is a very ambitious Club and I’m excited by the prospect of being a part of that. The Aviva Premiership is one of the toughest leagues and I can’t wait to get started.”

Bath Rugby Chief Executive, Nick Blofeld, added “Paul is a very experienced prop with a lot to offer us, both in the scrum and around the field. He has a great attitude and is a tough customer who will add considerably to our team. We are very much looking forward to him joining us”.

Ospreys team to face Newport Gwent Dragons

Posted on Apr 14, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday 15th April 2011, kick off at 7.05pm, will be as follows:

15 Lee Byrne

14 Tommy Bowe

13 Andrew Bishop

12 James Hook

11 Nikki Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

1 Paul James

2 Huw Bennett

3 Adam Jones

4 Ryan Jones

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 Tom Smith

7 Marty Holah

8 Jerry Collins

Replacements

16 Richard Hibbard

17 Ryan Bevington

18 Cai Griffiths

19 Ian Gough

20 Justin Tipuric

21 Tom Isaacs

22 Sonny Parker

23 Richard Fussell

Nikki Walker makes his 100th Ospreys appearance

Cai Griffiths will make his 100th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Jonathan Spratt – ACL

Gareth Owen – Knee

Morgan Allen – Ankle

Tom Prydie – ACL

Jamie Nutbrown – Shoulder

Craig Cross – Hamstring

Ben John – Wrist

Shane Williams – Knee

Craig Mitchell – Shoulder

Ben Thomas – Knee

Richard Kelly – Lower leg

Jonathan Thomas – Hamstring

Director of Coaching, Scott Johnson commented:

“It’s a big period for us now, we’ve got three games left to secure a place in the top four and there’s everything to play for. We know what we need to do.

“It’s always a very difficult place to go, but we realise that what we need to do is focus on our own preparation, be diligent and thorough about the way we go about things, and ensure that we are clinical on the night. If the players know their jobs and do their homework on the opposition then we are confident that we can put in the level of performance required.

“We’re playing a team that enjoy playing at home and have a great record there, including beating Munster earlier this season. They are dangerous because they can get continuity into their game over a season, they aren’t as affected by international calls as others so they have the same group of players involved all season long, and continuity is the obvious benefit of having less players absent.

“It’s going to be a bumpy ride, they’ll try to make life difficult for us, but we’ve got to be professional and rise above that. We have to concentrate on our own job and not be sidetracked by anything else.”

Forthcoming fixtures

Sat 23 Apr – Ospreys V Munster – Liberty Stadium – Magners League – 6.30pm

Fri 6 May – Aironi V Ospreys – Stadio Luigi Zaffanella – Magners League – 7.05pm (UK time)

Halfpenny and Thomas claim Wales starts

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Wales have made two changes from the starting line-up defeated by England at Twickenham in the RBS 6 Nations opener last weekend for the visit of Scotland to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.00pm).  In the second row Osprey Jonathan Thomas reforms his regional partnership with Alun-Wyn Jones at the expense of Dragons lock Luke Charteris. In the backs Leigh Halfpenny comes in for his Blues colleague Tom James on the wing.

Gethin Jenkins has recovered from his calf injury to be named on the bench and, in one of three changes there, he joins fellow Blues players Sam Warburton, who covers the back row, and centre or wing Tom Shanklin.

“Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.

“We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week.

“Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps worth of experience as cover for the backs and Sam Warburton comes in as back row cover with JT (Jonathan Thomas) now having been nominated as a starting second row.”

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Wales team v Argentina – Jonathan Davies starts – Lydiate on bench

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales coach Warren Gatland has handed Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies his first Millennium Stadium start for the visit of Argentina in the Invesco Perpetual Series clash on Saturday (Kick-off 2.30pm).

The facial injury suffered by Tom Shanklin in the victory over Samoa gives Davies his chance with Gatland otherwise reverting to the starting line-up chosen to face New Zealand in the Series opener a fortnight ago.

And in a positional switch Blues centre Jamie Roberts moves to outside centre to accommodate Davies at No 12.

In forward changes from the team who beat Samoa Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees replaces Osprey Huw Bennett and Blues flanker Martyn Williams returns for regional team-mate Sam Warburton, with Bennett providing cover from the bench.

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Biggar takes over at 10 as Wales announce five changes for Samoa

Posted on Nov 10, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales have made five changes to the starting line-up who faced New Zealand last Saturday for the visit of Samoa to the Millennium Stadium in the Invesco Perpetual 09 Series clash on Friday night (Kick-off 7.30pm).

Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar wins his fourth cap when he starts at half back with Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks), who will be playing in his 70th international for his country.

Biggar made his debut against Canada in 2008 when both he and Peel joined the game from the bench and he figured twice on Wales’ recent summer tour to North America, where he partnered the Blues’ Gareth Cooper in the win over Canada and again came on as a replacement alongside Peel against USA.

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