WRU sign six year sponsorship deal with Gilbert

Posted on Sep 27, 2012

The Welsh Rugby Union has signed a major new six-year sponsorship deal with Gilbert which, for this season, means international rugby balls will carry gold markings to symbolise the fact that Wales are the current RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam Champions.

The deal will provide balls to all of the WRU’s national teams and domestic league clubs, with a specific design scheme to reflect the needs of each competition and group of players.

Gilbert take over from Webb Ellis and will provide the international match balls, predominantly red and white with gold markings, which Wales will not only use to defend their Championship title in 2013, but also to take on the might of Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium this autumn.

All WRU member clubs will receive an allocation of balls each season, with the number of balls they receive depending on the number of sides they run.  This arrangement is designed to further enhance the WRU’s policy of rewarding clubs who make efforts to increase participation in the sport, and to incentivise clubs to continue growing their player pools.

The design of each category of ball illustrates a clear development pathway through the levels and age grades of Welsh rugby.  In keeping with Gilbert’s trademarked design, each ball will be trimmed with a coloured ‘ellipse’ which will be an aspirational red for national elite level teams (Wales, Wales Sevens, Wales Women and Wales’ international age grade sides) and green for community club sides, to symbolise grassroots rugby in Wales.

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Welsh Rugby develops pitchside care

Posted on Sep 17, 2012

The Welsh Rugby Union has put player welfare at the top of the agenda with a new training initiative to improve pitchside medical care for elite players. 

The ‘WRU Immediate Care in Rugby’ (WRU ICIR) course has been introduced to provide the highest level of pitchside training for doctors and physiotherapists working in Welsh rugby.

Delivered by the WRU’s National Medical Performance Manager, the annual course is aimed at regional and national medical teams and tackles the immediate care needs of professional players.

The initiative has been fully funded by the Union and will ensure that medical teams across all Wales’ national teams, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets share the same level of training.

WRU National Medical Performance Manager, Prav Mathema, launched the annual training event which kicked-off with a series of interactive sessions at the Millennium Stadium this week. He said: “The WRU Immediate Care in Rugby course is essential training for delivering the highest level of pitch side care to professional players in Wales.  It has been developed with the financial support of the WRU and could never have been implemented without this investment.”

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WELSH RUGBY NEWS: WRU and Valleys Rugby

Posted on Sep 7, 2012

The Welsh Rugby Union has agreed a series of key objectives with Valleys Rugby which will be supported by the governing body to achieve a new impetus in an important heartland of the game in Wales.

A meeting has taken place of senior representatives of both organisations including WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis and Valleys Rugby founder Owen Smith, MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.

The WRU and Valleys Rugby drew up a number of objectives aligned to the Union’s strategic plans for rugby and the organisation’s overarching aims.

The core agreement is based on a pledge by Valleys Rugby to seek out funding streams from within the UK and Europe which could unlock development plans to improve or create new elite facilities for rugby in the region.

A further meeting between the Union, Valleys Rugby and relevant politicians will now be called to refine the areas of discussion covered at the meeting which took place at the Millennium Stadium today.

The WRU supported Valleys Rugby’s aim of working towards improved facilities and possibly linking with an existing team to develop future competitive involvement within some level of the elite game.

The WRU and Valleys Rugby agreed that the proposals would not include any plan to impact on the current structure of four existing regions and a developing Principality Premiership Division supported by a new National Championship.

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WELSH RUGBY NEWS: SWALEC cup, bowl and plate draws

Posted on Sep 5, 2012

The first round draws for this year’s SWALEC Cup, Bowl and Plate have been made with all three competitions promising a collection of extremely exciting opening fixtures.

In the SWALEC Cup, last year’s beaten finalists Pontypridd face a difficult trip to Llanelli in a match that will see one of Welsh rugby’s cup giants exit the competition at the first hurdle. Ponty fell to a surprise defeat against Cross Keys in last season’s final at the Millennium Stadium and will have to overcome the ultimate cup kings, 14 times winners Llanelli on their own patch in order to progress to round two.

Elsewhere, rivals Bridgend and Bridgend Athletic clash at Brewery Field with local bragging rights at stake. The Ravens started their Premiership campaign with a win over Llanelli last weekend but the local derby will surely bring out the best in both teams.

In another derby, Cardiff welcome Cardiff Met, formerly UWIC to the Arms Park while Whitland take on Aberavon, Ebbw Vale host fellow Gwent side Newbridge and Llandovery travel to Bedwas in the other all Premiership tie.

North Wales side RGC 1404 will be hoping to win their first ever SWALEC Cup game but they face a difficult tie away to Swansea, while the remaining round one fixtures see Llanharan take on Beddau, Bonymaen visit Newport, Narberth clash with Premiership side Carmarthen and Blackwood host Pontypool.

Defending champions Cross Keys as well as Bargoed, Glamorgan Wanderers, Neath and Tata Steel all have byes in the first round.

The sides involved will have to wait for their cup run to start though with the round one fixtures taking place the weekend of January 26 2013.

Elsewhere, the SWALEC Plate kicks off on the weekend of October 27 with last year’s champions Penallta taking on Ynysybwl in what is just one of 41 fixtures taking place on the opening weekend which also sees a host of mouth-watering local derbies including Crymych v Cardigan, Llanelli Wanderers v Felinfoel, Brynamman v Cwmllynfell, Penclawdd v Waunarlwydd and Gorseinon v Loughor. 

Last year’s beaten finalists Nant Conwy will hope to go one better this season and start what they will hope to be another long cup run at home to fellow north Wales side Bethesda while Aberavon Green Stars, Gilfach Goch and Seven Sisters are among the clubs given byes into round two.

The SWALEC Bowl kicks-off at the end of this month (weekend of September 29) with 96 teams competing to take home the trophy.

Last year’s champions Glyncoch are just one of a number of teams to receive a bye to round two after Shaun Baggs masterminded a comeback over New Tredegar in last season’s final.

Glyncoch trailed 14-0 at one stage but fullback Baggs kicked three penalties and converted a Mike Webb try as his side came back to take home the trophy.

Who will take home the trophy this year though is anyone’s guess and there are again a number of choice local derbies in Round One including Benllech v Shotton Steel, Bangor v Abergele and Bangor University v Flint in north Wales alone, with mid Wales clubs Newtown and Machynlleth clashing at Newtown’s Recreation Ground.

Llandaff North take on Abercwmboi, Clwb Rygbi welcome St Josephs while Usk face fellow Monmouthshire side Chepstow in three of the other first round fixtures. 

For a fully list of the fixtures visit these links:

Swalec Cup link

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/23216.php

Swalec Plate link

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/23215.php

Swalec Bowl

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/23214.php

WELSH RUGBY NEWS: Rob Howley continues as Welsh head coach in the absence of Gatland

Posted on Sep 4, 2012

The Welsh Rugby Union have expressed their delight in supporting the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013 by agreeing to release Warren Gatland to become Head Coach of the Squad.

Wales Assistant Coach Rob Howley will continue in his role as Caretaker Coach of Wales taking full responsibility for the senior team with immediate effect.

As confirmed by the British & Irish Lions today (September 4) Warren Gatland has been seconded from September 1, 2012, to focus on the role until the conclusion of the tour.

Gatland will temporarily revert to his Wales Head Coach role from November 18 and will take charge of Wales for the Dove Series autumn Test matches against New Zealand on November 24 and Australia on December 1 before returning to Lions duty.

Howley first took up his Caretaker Wales Coach role before the June 2012 international against the Barbarians in Cardiff and the three Test tour of Australia in June 2012 covering for Gatland’s injury absence.

Howley will now be in charge of Wales as Caretaker Head Coach for the first two Autumn Series games against Samoa and Argentina and for the entire RBS 6 Nations Tournament in 2013.

The WRU seeks to emphasise that it will consider any further requests for secondments of other coaching and backroom staff in the Lions squad which are likely to be made as the season progresses.

Warren Gatland also played a key role for the British & Irish Lions in 2009 when he and six other coaches and backroom staff were released by the WRU on secondment for the tour of South Africa.

WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “The Welsh Rugby Union is proud to support the British & Irish Lions and recognises the importance of contributing our playing and coaching talent to the cause.

“We have a proud history of helping the Lions through the secondment of key staff and this will continue to be our stance whenever possible.

“Warren Gatland has proved his credentials by coaching Wales to Grand Slam victories in two tournaments and I am certain he will now give his all to the Lions as Head Coach.

“It is a great reflection on his ability and a true recognition of the strength of Welsh rugby in this modern era.

“He will be released from Wales duty for a substantial portion of the rugby year ahead, but it is testimony to the backroom team he has helped put in place and nurture that we can agree to his secondment.

“Wales now operates to a tried and tested formula and in preparation and delivery on the field of play and the coaches and players know exactly what is expected of them.

“We are also extremely proud to have an individual of Rob Howley’s ability in place to pick up the baton and coach Wales in Warren’s absence.

“Rob will be in charge for two important Autumn internationals and for the first time will take control of an entire RBS 6 Nations tournament.

“This is a great opportunity for him and the rest of the backroom team to develop their individual and collective skills. After the Lions tour we will benefit from having a vastly more experienced coaching team in place as we look forward in earnest to the next Rugby World Cup in 2015.

“Rob has already proved his ability as a coach I am certain he will continue to develop his range of expertise and management capabilities in this extended period in charge.”

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WELSH RUGBY NEWS: WRU and the four regions unite for a new Derby Day at the Millennium Stadium

Posted on Aug 28, 2012

An exciting new dimension in the Welsh regional rugby calendar will see the four rugby regions come together for the first time at a thrilling double-header derby day at the Millennium Stadium.

The Welsh Rugby Union and four Welsh regions have joined up to bring rugby supporters a new annual double-header fixture coming to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 30 March.

The first line of a new chapter in Welsh rugby’s history books will be written when Newport Gwent Dragons face the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues face the Ospreys at the iconic stadium as the best of Welsh rugby goes head-to-head in back-to-back matches.

The double-headed festival of rugby, promoted by the WRU, will be a part of each of the Welsh Regions’ RaboDirect PRO12 campaign, falling into place after the international season has finished and just as the league begins to reach its climax ahead of the knock-out stages of European competition.

The Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons will bring their thousands of supporters together for a bumper attendance at the Millennium Stadium – with supporters from every quarter of Welsh rugby able to descend on the Welsh capital in regional colours at this unique event.

The day will be themed and marketed by the Welsh Rugby Union and the four rugby regions working in partnership along with RaboDirect PRO12 to create a carnival atmosphere and with further exciting details about the theme of the event to be revealed by the WRU, including a full spectrum of match day entertainment.

“This unique double-header will be a historic moment for Welsh rugby,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.

“It has taken us five years to put this fixture together, but I am confident it will have been worth the wait.

“The WRU will promote and underwrite this fixture for the next four years, that’s how much we believe in it.  Fans will see the stars of Welsh rugby and get two derby matches for the price of one very reasonably priced ticket.

“I predict this double-header will become a highlight in the Welsh rugby calendar for a long, long time to come.”

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