Cardiff’s Rhys Shellard has been named Principality Player of the Month for February.

The openside flanker helped Cardiff reach third place in the Premiership with wins over Aberavon and Ebbw Vale last month.

The recipient for the Principality Premiership monthly award is chosen by Premiership coaches and WRU elite performance staff, and the winner receives £100 from Premiership title sponsors Principality Building Society.

Shellard puts his impressive performances of late down to Phil Davies’ recent influence at the capital club. He said, “Since Phil Davies arrived at the club, he has given us the confidence to go out and play rugby - and the open style of play he advocates also suits me down to the ground.

“Phil has brought a professional edge to the set-up and we are now meeting for training three times a week in addition to our individual work.

“The upturn in our results on the field means we now have real ambitions to win the league. We know that if we can keep winning, we have a side that can achieve that goal for the first time since the Premiership began.”

Shellard was in action for Wales at the Hong Kong Sevens this weekend and now travels to Adelaide for the next leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

He said, “I’ve no doubt that my performances in the Principality Premiership got me noticed and included in the Wales Sevens squad. There have been a lot of changes in the squad since the World Cup win, but there is a still a really good buzz in the camp.

“I’ve been training with the squad all season and it’s great to get a chance on the circuit again. I’ve played for Wales Sevens at the Hong Kong tournament twice already and it’s a fantastic tournament. As a new squad, we were pleased with a lot of our rugby in Hong Kong and now we’re looking to build on that in Adelaide.”

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Glamorgan Wanderers outside half Scott Sneddon has lifted the November Principality Premiership Player of the Month award. Twenty three year old rugby development officer Sneddon joined the Wanderers in the close season and has made a strong mark on the Ely-based side, his consistent place-kicking helping them to reach their current sixth place in the Premiership table.

He was nominated for the award by Principality Premiership coaches and WRU elite performance staff and presented with a cheque for £100 by Katie Bradbury at the Canton branch of Principality Building Society.

Sneddon last month helped the Wanderers to wins over champions Neath (20-3) and away over Ebbw Vale (13-9) after narrowly losing at Cardiff (21-26). They continued their winning run last weekend with another away victory, this time over Swansea (23-26).

Sneddon said, “I’m shocked but thrilled to receive this award. It’s great that performances in the Premiership are getting noticed in this way.”

Sneddon, who is a house-mate of Wales and Blues utility back Jamie Roberts and Wales Sevens and Newport scrum half Tom Isaacs suffered with injuries in the early part of his senior career but got back in the seat with Cross Keys last season before moving to the Memorial Ground.

“The move to the Wanderers has been beneficial for me. It’s a great club and there is a really good bunch of players and coaches.

“After being out of action more often that not in my career so far, I’m really pleased to be playing regularly at this level. I have ambitions to play Regional rugby but at the moment I’m just concentrating on playing well for the Wanderers and hopefully we can continue to move up the table.

Glamorgan Wanderers head coach Richard Hodges believes Sneddon has had no small part to play in his side’s recent successful run.

“Our key recruitment strategy in the summer had to be based around improving our kicking game and we identified Scott in that role. He has scored an average of around 15 points per game and that consistency with the boot can very often make the difference between sides at any level. Scott’s performances in our recent wins at home to Neath and Swansea and away to Ebbw Vale were pivotal and there is now real competition for our no 10 shirt with Mark Roper.”

Scott Sneddon factfile:

DoB: 15.11.85
Place of Birth: Cardiff
Club: Glamorgan Wanderers
Position: Outside half
Nickname: Sneds
Player most admired: Jonny Wilkinson
Sportsman most admired: Jonny Wilkinson
Biggest impact on career - Family and friends
Occupation - Rugby player and development officer with the Blues

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Ebbw Vale centre Aaron Bramwell has clinched the Principality Premiership Player of the Month award for October.

Brawmell, who joined the Steelmen from Neath at the start of last season, was nominated for the award by Principality Premiership coaches and WRU elite performance staff. He was presented with a cheque for £100 by Caitlin Williams at the Ebbw Vale branch of the Principality Building Society.

Bramwell returned from injury a month ago and took over the kicking duties for the club. His performances with the boot and in midfield helped the Steelmen notch away victories during the month at Cardiff (25-26), Llandovery (9-15) and at home over Premiership champions Neath (29-10).

He said, “I was just pleased to be able to put some games together after being out through injury. I picked up a knee strain in the Neath game but I’m hoping to return at the end of November for our home encounter with League leaders Llanelli.

“I’m really grateful for being given an opportunity at Ebbw Vale, and I’m thankful that Patrick Horgan suggested a move from full back to centre, a position I’m really enjoying this season.

“There’s a great bunch of players at Ebbw Vale, and the coaching staff with Matthew McCarthy and Lyn Jones now involved create a really professional environment.

“We had some really good wins in October, especially over Cardiff at the Arms Park and over champions Neath, but we have to keep that momentum going now which is not going to be easy.”

Ebbw Vale coach Matthew McCarthy added, “Aaron is a young player who could still make the step up to the next level and play regional rugby, if he stays injury free. He took over the kicking duties for the Cardiff game and really helped to turn our early season form around. He has a physical presence in midfield and certainly deserves this accolade.”

Aaron Bramwell factfile:

DoB: 1.03.86
Place of Birth - Aberdare
Club - Ebbw Vale
Position - Centre
Nickname - Brams
Player most admired - Percy Montgomery
Sportsman most admired - Mohammed Ali
Biggest impact on career - Family
Occupation - Rugby player and play scheme assistant

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Welsh rugby’s Principality Premiership clubs have reaffirmed Chris Clarke as Chairman and Byron Mugford as Secretary of their powerful representative committee.

The unanimous vote of approval was taken at their monthly meeting in Aberavon where the committee debates the operation and development of Welsh rugby’s semi professional division.

Chris Clarke who is also Secretary of Cross Keys RFC and Byron Mugford, who represents Swansea RFC will now continue to represent the Premiership clubs in all major negotiations and key decision making forums.

The committee which comprises all fourteen of the Principality Premiership clubs noted that the pair had led them through massive change and improvement in recent years.

Representatives said they could now focus on making the division an even stronger part of Welsh rugby’s elite development pathway.

The WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “I am delighted that the Premiership representatives have recognised the hard work, dedication and vision of Chris and Byron with this show of support.

“They are men who vigorously lead the Principality Premiership forward at a time when the shape of the semi professional game in Wales is being defined for the future.

“They champion a vital section of our elite development pathway in a way which demands respect from us all. They represent excellent stewardship of the Premiership.”

Tags: Principality Premiership