Welsh commits to Warriors

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in Glasgow

Prop Jon Welsh has given Glasgow Warriors a huge boost ahead of a number of crucial games, by signing a new two-year contract with the club.

The deal means he’ll be at Scotstoun Stadium until at least May 2015.

The tight-head prop, who made his Scotland debut against Italy in last year’s Six Nations championship, has made 70 appearances for the Warriors since joining them from amateur club, GHA in 2008.

The 26-year-old was called up to the Scotland squad for this year’s Six Nations championship and last month played for Scotland A in their win over England.

Jon Welsh said: “I am very happy to have committed my future to the Warriors and I am looking forward to playing my part in bringing success to this club.

“It has been a frustrating season for me having missed several months through injury, but now that I’m back to full match fitness I am looking forward to being involved in the remaining games this season.

“We have a really strong squad, who all work hard for each other and the facilities at Scotstoun are excellent, so this was a really easy decision for me to make.”

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “This is excellent news for the club and it will give our squad a big boost ahead of some hugely important games.

“Jon worked hard during his injury lay-off to build up his strength and has been putting in the hours in recent weeks to get back to full fitness. He is respected by both coaches and players and is a key part of our future.

“Jon has shown that players from the club game can make the jump to professional rugby and he should be an example to others looking to make the breakthrough.

“We’re delighted to keep him at Scotstoun for the next couple of years and he will undoubtedly have a big role to play.”

Ospreys injuries update

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Ospreys

With the Ospreys returning to RaboDirect PRO12 action in a Welsh derby against Newport Gwent Dragons at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night, Head Physio Chris Towers has issued the following update on some of the players who are unavailable for selection this weekend:

Ian Gough – Suffered a back spasm in training but is expected to be available for selection next weekend.

Joe Rees – Is being reintegrated back into the group as he continues his rehabilitation following neck surgery. He is building up his scrum work in training and is on course for potential selection in early April.

Ryan Jones – Further investigation has confirmed that a fracture to the shoulder blade is stable and it is just a case of waiting for it to heal. Providing there are no problems, he has a realistic chance of being back playing before the end of the season.

Eli Walker – Is suffering from a back injury picked up while away during the Six Nations period. A decision will be made on the best course of treatment for the problem over the next week or so following consultation with specialists.

Andrew Bishop – Is recovering well following surgery on a disc problem in his back. If he continues with his current rate of progress, the medical team are not ruling out the prospect of him returning before the end of the season.

Tom Smith – Remains sidelined with an ongoing chronic groin issue

Ross Wardle makes Rabo debut for Dragons

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Newport Gwent Dragons

Ross Wardle a product of Bedwas, who have had a great season this year, makes his RaboDirect Pro 12 debut in a Welsh derby against the Ospreys this Friday night. The 21 year old made a dream debut in Dragons colours against Bath at the Recreational Ground in their opening LV Cup clash of the season. Wardle who is 21, is currently studying a pharmacy degree at Cardiff University and has recently signed a one year deal with the regional side for the 2013/14 season.

Ross stated, “I am very excited to be involved this weekend. Obviously since the LV Cup game which went well. I have been in and out of games with injury, so it’s come as a bit of shock for me really.”

“Obviously against local rivals, I will be able to put up a good performance and show people what I can do and I can play regularly in the squad and the Dragons progress.”

The men of Gwent have also made changes in the back three, with international star Dan Lydiate who returns from his long term injury to make his Newport Gwent Dragons comeback as blindside flanker whilst skipper Lewis Evans moves to the number 8 shirt. We also see Andrew Coombs returning the regional team and he takes up a position in the second row.

As for the bench we also see the return of Welsh international Toby Faletau, who is joined by Will Harries.

Dragons Team to face the Ospreys

Dan Evans, Adam Hughes, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Ross Wardle, Steffan Jones, Wayne Evans; Owen Evans, Sam Parry, Nathan Buck, Andrew Coombs, Adam Jones, Dan Lydiate, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c).

Replacements:

Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Dan Way, Ian Nimmo, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Evans, Will Harries, Hallam Amos.

Wales will celebrate again on Judgement Day

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets

The RBS 6 Nations trophy will return to the scene of its dramatic capture by Wales at the Regional double-header match to be held at the Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday.

Over 30,000 Welsh rugby fans have already bought tickets to the ‘Judgement Day’ fixture, which pits the Dragons against the Scarlets and the Blues against the Ospreys in an East versus West Rabo Direct Pro12 double derby day clash, which will now also become a celebration of the national cause.

Most of the Wales squad which retained the title they took in 2012 with a clean sweep, by recording the nation’s greatest ever victory over England last weekend, will be on display on the pitch in Regional team colours introducing some fascinating head to head clashes.

But the coaching team which played its own integral role in the 30-3 victory over England and the retention of the Championship title in 2013, will also attend as special guests and to see their latest acquisition of silverware paraded in front of the Welsh fans.

The Welsh Rugby Union is hoping to use the event to help fans show the national squad just what their recent successes have meant to them and also allow fans to relive the glorious scenes of Wales’ consummate demolition of England in the capital less than a week ago.

The Judgement Day event in itself represents the first time all four Welsh rugby Regions have come together to play under the same roof and is a chance to celebrate the regional game in Wales and its value to the national game.

“The trophy will be displayed proudly at pitchside and paraded around the ground at both matches,” said a WRU spokesman.

“It’s incredibly difficult to quantify what success on the rugby pitch means for the nation,but the scenes at the Millennium Stadium last weekend go some way to explaining just how passionate we all are about our national sport.

“Judgement Day, a week on Saturday, is a perfect and timely opportunity for us to celebrate again the success of the Wales national squad, to let them know how proud we all are of them and to watch some fascinating clashes as many of them go head to head in their Regional colours.”

Wales flankers Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) and Sam Warburton (Blues) provide the most direct match up of the day, but the likes of Dan Biggar, Adam Jones (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny (Blues),Andrew Coombs, Toby Faletau (Dragons), George North and Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) are also set to return to the Millennium Stadium turf to take on their national team-mates.

Judgement Day – Millennium Stadium, Saturday 30 March
Dragons v Scarlets 2.30pm
Blues v Ospreys 5.15pm
Tickets: Adults £25, U18s £10, Family ticket £50 (two adults, two children)

RaboDirect PRO12 Round 18 Previews

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 in RaboDirect Pro12

With just five rounds left to decide which teams will contest the Play-Offs, there is a new leader of the RaboDirect PRO12  with Glasgow Warriors  taking over the mantle from Ulster, whilst  for the fourth round in succession, Ospreys swapped places with Scarlets in the Play-Off Zone.

Three of those teams are in action on Friday night; Ulster traveling to Edinburgh, Ospreys hosting Welsh rivals Newport Gwent Dragons, and Scarlets in Italy to face Zebre.

Edinburgh can do their Scottish neighbours, Warriors, a favour if they can defeat Ulster however their record against the Ulstermen is not great. Meanwhile Ospreys and Scarlets must both be looking to come away with maximum points from opponents who are sitting at the wrong end of the table in their bids to reach the Play-Offs.

The leaders, Glasgow Warriors, are not in action until Saturday, and are the only one of the potential Play-Off teams to face another side from the top half of the table when the visit Leinster at the RDS.  Munster will also be looking for maximum points in the All-Irish clash against Connacht if they are to make a final push for the knockout stages.

With just two points separating the top three teams in the table, whilst it is even closer for the final Play-Off spot, there is definitely all to play for still as the RaboDirect PRO12 enters its closing stages.