Wales Sevens look to finish on a high

Posted on May 26, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Wales Sevens head coach Paul John is hoping his side will back up their recent good form with another successful tournament this weekend.

Wales reached the Cup semi-finals at last weekend’s London Sevens, which followed a Plate win at the previous IRB tournament in Adelaide and the aim now is to match those achievements at the final leg of the HSBC Sevens Series in Edinburgh (Murrayfield, May 28, 29).

Wales have Spain, Portugal and England in their Pool matches on Saturday, with John wary of the threats posed by all three teams.

“Spain and Portugal have already proved that they are now a match for anyone on the IRB Sevens circuit, while England will be a bruised animal after failing to meet their own expectations at Twickenham last weekend.

“However, we are pleased with our current form, and our consistency has improved over the last couple of tournaments, earning us the Plate in Adelaide, and a Cup semi-final spot last week in London.

“We have trained well this week but we must keep our focus throughout the weekend if we are to make it through our Pool. After that, as we have shown, we are capable of going further if we cut down the errors and perform to the best of our ability. It would be great to finish the season on a positive note, the players and management have been 100% committed throughout the year and we have seen a massive improvement in some of the young players that have been brought through.”

There is one change from last weekend’s 12-man squad with Alex Walker replaced by Aberavon centre Will Price who will win his first Wales Sevens cap this weekend.

Wales Sevens squad for Scotland Sevens (May 28, 29):

Jevon Groves (capt, Dragons), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Richie Pugh (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Nicky Griffiths (Dragons), Adam Thomas (Pontypridd), Warren Davies (Tonmawr), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Will Price (Aberavon)

Barbarians name star-studded squad

Posted on May 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Doug Howlett, Willie Mason and Tim Visser are the latest additions to the star-studded Barbarians squad for their two-test summer tour which includes a clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday June 4.

The invitational side announced their full squad today as they prepare for their first clash against England at Twickenham this weekend.

New Zealand-born rugby league powerhouse Willie Mason has only just agreed a deal to switch codes and join Toulon but has been called straight into the Barbarians squad.

Cardiff Blues skipper Paul Tito joins club-mate Martyn Williams in the squad and Scarlets prop Iestyn Thomas completes the trio of Welsh based players.

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Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to be RWC 2015 venue

Posted on May 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced the Millennium Stadium will be a venue for international matches to be played in Rugby World Cup 2015.

The event will be hosted by the RFU and Wales is the only nation outside England where matches will be played.

Details of the schedule of matches to be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will be confirmed when the full tournament structure is announced in due course.

The decision to confirm games will be played in Wales has been welcomed by the WRU Chairman David Pickering and the Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis.

David Pickering, who is also a Wales representative on the IRB Council and executive board, said: “I am delighted for Wales and for Welsh rugby that this decision has now been confirmed.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the IRB Council and the RFU for recognising the benefit of playing games across the border in Wales.

“I’m also grateful for the support of the Welsh Assembly Government and First Minister Carwyn Jones who we’ve consulted on this matter.”

“Cardiff is extremely accessible by road, rail and air while the city centre location of the Millennium Stadium is now firmly established as a huge benefit for visiting fans.

“Our proximity to the west of England and London means the Millennium Stadium makes enormous sense as a venue for these important fixtures.

“The Rugby World Cup is now one of the greatest tournaments on the sporting calendar and Wales can be proud to be playing a pivotal role in its delivery.

“Our history as a proud rugby nation is well known and I am so pleased that thousands of Welsh rugby fans will now be able to claim real involvement in this great competition.

“Wales now has a seat on the top table of world rugby and we play a huge role in sustaining and developing the sport around the globe.

“2015 is going to be a fantastic year for rugby and, yet again, Wales will feature prominently in an epic occasion for our sport.”

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis, said: “This is a great honour for Welsh rugby and I know the staff at the Millennium Stadium will ensure the event is a huge success.

“This announcement is true confirmation of our status as worthy hosts of some of the most iconic events staged in Europe.

“We have just hosted a sensational Heineken Cup Final and are already looking forward to welcoming Olympic soccer to Wales next year.

“The Millennium Stadium now plays a crucial role in helping to confirm Wales as a nation capable of hosting major events successfully.

“In a few weeks’ time the stadium will host two concerts by Take That which is yet more proof of the incredible versatility of the venue.

“The stadium is wholly owned and operated by the WRU and we can take credit as an organisation for utilising that asset properly and effectively in a highly competitive commercial environment.

“Images of the stadium are now seen around the world on television screens featuring the events we host and our nation benefits both financially and culturally by its impact.

“The Rugby World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events around and I want to congratulate the RFU for their success is securing such a prestigious event.”

Williams and Brown join the Dragons

Posted on May 11, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Newport Gwent Dragons are strengthening their pack – bringing another Welshman home former Scarlets losehead prop Nathan Williams from Mosely and adding Tom Brown from the Blues to the squad at number 8.

“These are two important signings for us,” said Dragons Forwards Coach Danny Wilson. “I worked with Tom for 2 seasons at London Welsh and he is a great ball-carrier with a fantastic turn of pace.

“He was unfortunate on joining the Blues last season that a knee injury prevented him from cementing his place in the squad early in the season but he has put in some strong performance since his return to fitness. He has a great character and his work ethic will fit in with the boys really well.

27-year old Williams appeared for the Scarlets back in 2003, followed by stints with Llanelli and Narbeth before making the move across the bridge in 2007.

“Nathan’s a strong scrummager. The Mosely pack has a reputation for its dominance and Nathan has been an important part of that. He will bring extra competition for places in the front row and of course he is a Welshman and it’s great to be bringing him home.”

A product of Llandovery College and Milford Haven Rugby Club, Williams has represented Wales at U16, U17, U18, U19, U21 and Welsh Clubs XV.

Starting his career in the back row, the trained rigger-banksman is known in the English National One, not only for his scrummaging but also for his handling and pace.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Wales,” said Williams. I can’t wait for pre-season so I can start with the squad and look at getting into the team.

“I’ve seen how much things have developed at Rodney Parade on and off the field. Of course, the Dragons getting 5 players in the squad for the Barbarians is a great boost and shows that this is a side on the up.”

Tom Brown joined the Cardiff Blues in the summer of 2010 and made several starts for the region in their 2010/11 campaign.

The former Wales U21 international played for the Wales under 21 side in the Six Nations and was selected for the U21 World Cup in 2004 playing against South Africa, England, France and Russia.

That same year Tom represented Wales in rugby league, at the European Nations Cup, having previously played rugby league for conference side Gloucester Warriors before getting involved with England Lionhearts.

Nathan Williams
DOB 5th October 1983
Height 1.82m (6’ 0”)
Weight 117kg (18st.5lb)
Position Prop

Tom Brown
DOB 20th May 1983
Height 1.88 m (6′ 2")
Weight 110 kg (17 st 4 lb)
Position Back Row

Wales’ Junior World squad named

Posted on May 5, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Wales Under 20 head coach Richard Webster has named Wales’ 26-man squad for the forthcoming IRB Junior World Championship in Italy (June 10 – 26). Webster has taken over from Darren Edwards for the Junior World Championship campaign following Edwards’ recent appointment as Newport Gwent Dragons head coach. Edwards will however, continue to help prepare the side for the forthcoming tournament, along with Webster and assistant coach Rob Appleyard for the rest of this month.

There are three uncapped players in the squad with Scarlets academy and Llanelli three-quarters Dale Ford and Iolo Evans making the cut, along with Newport and Dragons academy outside half / centre Lewis Robling. Macauley Cook retains the captaincy of the side following his leadership of the side during the recent Six Nations campaign.

Webster said, “As a management team, it was a hard job to narrow down the squad to 26. The team played so well during the Six Nations – they did everything that was asked of them – and it was always going to be hard to leave some players out. We had to look at versatility, especially in the backline, and that, along with some impressive recent performances helped Iolo Evans, Dale Ford and Lewis Robling to secure three of the final places.

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