Tom James wins Principality Player of the Month award

Posted on Apr 14, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Neath’s Tom James has won the Principality Player of the Month award for March.

The 21 year old scrum half has been an influential member of the Welsh All Blacks side this season following the return to New Zealand of Kevin Farrell.

The Aberystwyth-born, Llandovery College product has scored nine tries in the Principality Premiership this season, including  three in March – against Swansea and Newport at home and Cross Keys away – helping them to their current position at the top of the league.

He said, “Things have gone well this season, despite the disappointment of being knocked out of the SWALEC Cup and the British & Irish Cup.

“We’re pushing to finish the league season as top club, and that fate is still in our hands if we win our final two games – away to Aberavon and Carmarthen Quins – with bonus points.

“We would then go straight through to the Premiership play-off final. However, Pontypridd are playing really well at the moment too, in three competitions. We just have to hope that having just one competition to focus on will work in our favour.

“In terms of future plans, I’m not looking too far ahead, I just want to keep playing well for Neath and hopefully something else will come along in terms of Regional offers.”

Neath head coach Patrick Horgan added, “Tom has really come on this season in particular, making the Number 9 shirt his own since Kevin Farrell’s departure. He switched to scrum half two years ago after previously playing centre and outside half and he’s been a key member of the team this year, an excellent club man.

“We slipped up against Bedwas at the start of the season and a few people write us off but we’ve got ourselves back into a position now to retain the title and we’re determined to do that.”

James was selected for the award by Premiership coaches and WRU performance and development staff.

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.”

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)