Robinson flies in for Wales Under 20

Posted on Feb 22, 2012

Wales Under 20 Head Coach Danny Wilson has made just one change from the team who beat Scotland in Colwyn Bay a fortnight ago, for the clash against championship favourites England at the Stoop (pictured) on Friday (kick-off 7.45 pm).

Harry Robinson, who was called into the RBS 6 Nations senior training squad, will make his first start for the Under 20s this season.
September’s Principality Premiership Player of the Month is a welcomed addition to the group after Wilson was unable to select him in his initial squad. Robinson was released by the senior squad allowing Wilson to utilise the dynamic winger in his Under 20 line-up.

“Harry has been training with the senior squad and it was a natural step for him to come and play for us when Warren made him available,” said Wilson.

“We have been very impressed with him in training, he has a great attitude and as we’ve seen recently, he’s a live-wire who quite often can make something happen out of nothing out on the field.

“That said, Iolo Evans did very well against Scotland and we’ve made the decision to move him to the bench and give Harry a go as we’re looking towards the World Cup and different combinations.”

While Harry Robinson comes in for Evans, only two replacements remain – Thomas Davies and Jordan Williams – as several players make a return from injuries.

“We have a couple of boys returning from injury who are named on the bench such as Dan Baker, who has had a few games for Swansea over the past few weeks and Samson Lee who has recovered from a knee injury, which gives us a chance to look at all players, again with a forward view of the World Cup preparations,” added Wilson.

“On paper England look a powerful forward pack and a strong backline that’s full of individual sharp runners.

“They are the team to beat in this competition so far, after they showed what they can do when they put 50 points on Scotland. They have a lot of experience with many of the boys playing Premiership rugby so we’re expecting a physical match on Friday.”

Wales Under 20

15 Ross Jones; 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Luke Williams, 12 Cory Allen, 11 Luke Morgan; 10 Sam Davies, 9 Jonathan Evans; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Kirby Myhill (Captain), 3 Will Griff John,  4 Matthew Screech, 5 Rhodri Hughes, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 8 Ieuan Jones, 7 Daniel Thomas
Replacements: 16 Jamie Sollis, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Jack Jones, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jordan Williams, 23 Iolo Evans

Llanelli full back Jordan William: NOVEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Posted on Dec 16, 2011

Llanelli full back Jordan Williams has earned himself November’s Principality Premiership Player of the Month award after an exciting month on the field.

The versatile back is the third winner of the rugby award this season and Llanelli Principality Building Society Senior Customer Adviser manager Dean Roberts presented Jordan with his award.

Jordan said: “It’s very nice to be recognised but it’s more about the team effort than my individual performance.

“We’ve started to climb the table in these last few games and there’s definitely a feeling that we’ve found our stride and we’re looking to continue moving up and doing well.

“Training with the Scarlets fulltime now has helped my game massively. This is my first season with them as part of the senior squad and it’s been a steep learning curve. I’m enjoying being around the likes of Stephen Jones and all the guys who did so well in the World Cup, it’s good to learn from experienced players like that.”

Llanelli Head Coach Kevin George was very complimentary of Jordan’s progress. “Jordan has really shone the past few weeks. His game has come on a lot. He’s very versatile playing fullback and 10 which is great from a selection point of view," he said.
“His goal kicking has been an added bonus for us – he’s been excellent in both the Principality Premiership and British and Irish Cup for us.

“Jordan has put his hand up the past 12 months and I’m sure there is more to be seen of him through Wales U18 and Scarlets.”

Llanelli born Jordan Williams began his career with the New Dock Stars and joined the Scarlets academy two years ago. He earned a contract with the senior Scarlets at the start of the season and has represented Wales at U16 and U18.

Eli Walker heads trio of Welsh into Northern Hemisphere squad for Heroes Rugby Challenge

Posted on Dec 1, 2011

Ospreys wing Eli Walker will head a trio of Welsh regional players into the Northern Hemisphere squad for this weekend’s Heroes Rugby Challenge at Twickenham Stadium.

The Wales Under 18 and Under 20 star has been tipped as the next “Shane Williams” with his speed and trickery and Northern Hemisphere team manager Ieuan Evans, who knows a thing or two about wing play, is predicting a big future for the 19-year-old who made his debut for the Ospreys against Aironi Rugby last season.

This term he has played five games to date for the RaboDirect PRO12 table-toppers and is pushing established names such as Williams, Tommy Bowe, Kristian Phillips and Richard Fussell for a regular spot in the side.

“Eli will be following in the footsteps of his club mate Kristian Phillips in playing in the Heroes Rugby Challenge. Kristian scored a try in the original game at Twickenham, but unfortunately suffered a shoulder injury as well. But he battled back to fitness and went on to be included in the Welsh 6 Nations squad in 2010,” said Evans.

“Both players have electric pace and gifted sidesteps. I can see a time when one or both are playing for Wales. The experience that Kristian gained in preparing for, and playing at, Twickenham was invaluable and I’m sure that Eli, Jordan Williams and Peter Edwards will all emerge as better players from their involvement in this great cause.

“Don’t forget that few people had heard of Rhys Priestland when I picked him for the first H4H rugby match in 2008 and just look where he is now. That day helped to set him up for what looks set to be a wonderful international career.

“From what I’m hearing at Parc y Scarlets, the home coaches and fans rate Jordan Williams very highly and he could well emerge as a major threat to Rhys for the No 10 jersey at club and country in the years ahead.”

The 18-year-old Williams made three appearances for the Scarlets last season and scored a try against Leicester Tigers for them in one of his three games to date this season in the LV= Cup. Club mate Peter Edwards, a tight head prop, is in his second year at Parc y Scarlets and is returning to full fitness after breaking his arm last season. Born in Shrewsbury, he is 31 and played for Scarlets’ feeder club Llandovery before earning a regional contract.

Blues U18 51-25 Scarlets U18

Posted on Jan 10, 2011

Blues Under 18 side retained the WRU Under 18 Regional title in some style by beating the Scarlets 51-25  at St Helens.

Dale McIntosh’s side had finished the season on top of the table, but had failed to beat the Scarlets in the league, losing one and drawing one of their two games.

They seemingly saved the best for last though and came away with a seven-try haul in an impressive display of running rugby on a fast, dry pitch, outside half Rhys Pratchell adding 21 points with the boot.

Pratchell was first on the score sheet with a penalty which was soon equalised by opposite number Jordan Wiliams. Cory Allen then scored the first try of the game with a short range effort under the posts which was improved by Glantaf School and CRICC pivot Pratchell. The Scarlets struck back instantly with No 8 Jonathan Williams powering over in the left hand corner to bring the score back to 10-8 but Blues wing Harry Robinson then ran over for a brace of well-worked tries, Pratchell converting both to take their lead to 24-8. It was an all-action first half with both sides able to cut through the opposition defence and Scarlets wing Aron Evans was next to score with a try converted by Jordan Williams but the Blues ended the half on a high with a touchdown for lock Ben Roach, the capital region going in 29-18 at the break.

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