Division One clubs enter the competition for the first time at this stage and there are three all-Division One clashes. Merthyr are top of One East and they travel to the Dairy Field where Llanharan, from the same division, will be confident of success after already claiming a 25-19 league victory over the leaders this season.
One West sides Maesteg and Cwmllynfell will do battle at Llynfi Road, while there is an East v West meeting at Narberth where the Otters play host to Newport Saracens.

Tredegar of Two East travel to Porthcawl of Four South West with Greg Jones keen to add to his impressive array of cup points this season. He crossed for a try and landed eight conversions as his side made short work of visitors Cwmgwrach 56-10 in round two and that followed a 90-0 success in the opening round when Pontllanfraith were put to the sword.

Five clubs from One North retain an interest and with Bala and Caernarfon lucky enough to get home draws it will mean long trips for Cowbridge of Five East and Bridgend Athletic of Two West.

Eight clubs from Division Five hope to make further progress. Apart from Cowbridge, only Oakdale of Five East have to travel and they have a tough task against Bonymaen of One West.

One of the most intriguing ties of the round will be at Tonmawr where the home side, who lie second in One West, entertain Llandeilo, the unbeaten leaders of Four West.

SWALEC Cup
Round Three
(ties to be played 15 November, 2008)
Abercwmboi v Caerphilly
Aberdare v Briton Ferry
Aberystwyth v Bedlinog
Bala v Cowbridge
Beddau v Vardre
Blackwood v Pembroke Dock Quins
Bonymaen v Oakdale
Brynithel v Felinfoel
Builth Wells v Llandaff North
Caernarfon v Bridgend Athletic
Caldicot v BP Llandarcy
Cardigan v Llantrisant
Carmarthen Quins v Maesteg Quins
Crymych v Birchgrove
Cwmavon v Whitland
Cwmgors v Newbridge
Dunvant v Loughor
Gilfach Goch v Brynmawr
Kenfig Hill v Betws
Kidwelly v Glynneath
Llanharan v Merthyr
Llanishen v Bryncoch
Llantwit Fardre v Waunarlwydd
Maesteg v Cwmllynfell
Maesteg Celtic v Fleur de Lys
Milford Haven v Llangennech
Narberth v Newport Saracens
Newport HSOB v Carmarthen Athletic
New Tredegar v Bethesda
Old Illtydians v Cwmbran
Penallta v Penarth
Pencoed v Gwernyfed
Penygroes v Chepstow
Pontypool Utd v Corus
Pontyates v Llandudno
Porth v Garndiffaith
Porthcawl v Tredegar
Rumney v Skewen
Talywain v Trimsaran
Tondu v Nant Conwy
Tonmawr v Llandeilo
Treorchy v Nantyglo
Tumble v Monmouth
Tycroes v Bargoed
Tylorstown v Pill Harriers
UWIC v Hendy
Ynysybwl v St Peters
Ynysddu v Pontyberem
Ystalyfera v Aberavon Quins
Ystradgynlais v Ystrad Rhondda

This season a new competition will take place consisting of all the clubs who lost in the first two rounds of the SWALEC Cup. It will be known as the SWALEC Plate and will be run in 16 pools of four clubs. The winner from each pool will then take their places in the last sixteen with the final being staged at the Millennium Stadium.

The losers of the first round of the Plate will be entered into the SWALEC Bowl competition which will kick off on December 20. The SWALEC Finals Day at the Millennium Stadium on May 9 will include the finals of the SWALEC Cup, Plate and Bowl.

SWALEC PLATE
Round One ties to be played 15 November, 2008)

Pool 1
Haverfordwest v St Davids
Newcastle Emlyn (bye)
Neyland v Fishguard
Pembroke v Tenby

Pool 2
Aberaeron v Llangefni
Burry Port (bye)
Laugharne v Aberystwyth University
St Clears v Lampeter Town

Pool 3
Cefneithen (bye)
Llandybie v Pwllheli
Llanelli Wanderers v Bynea
New Dock Stars v Furnace Utd

Pool 4
Ammanford v Gorseinon
Amman United v Penclawdd
Dolgellau (bye)
Mumbles v Gowerton

Pool 5
Brynamman v Morriston
Glais v Crynant
Llanidloes v Cwmtwrch
Pontarddulais v Cwmgwrach

Pool 6
Alltwen v Banwen
Neath Athletic v Pontardawe
Resolven v Swansea University
Seven Sisters v Swansea Uplands

Pool 7
Aberavon Green Stars v Pyle
Baglan v Tonna
Nantyffyllon v Glyncorrwg
Taibach v Cefn Cribbwr

Pool 8
Blaengarw v Newtown
Nantymoel v Bridgend Sports
Ogmore Vale (bye)
Pontycymmer v South Wales Police

Pool 9
Heol y Cyw v Ferndale
Penygraig v Brecon
Rhigos v Colwyn Bay
Treherbert v Hirwaun

Pool 10
Dinas Powys v Taffs Well
Pentyrch v Barry
Tonyrefail v Pontyclun
Welshpool v Llantwit Major

Pool 11
Fairwater v Canton
Llandaff v Cardiff HSOB
Old Penarthians v Cardiff University
Rhyl (bye)

Pool 12
Cardiff Medicals v Rhydyfelin
Cilfynydd v St Albans
Mold v Rhiwbina
St Josephs (bye)

Pool 13
Cefn Coed v Abercynon
Dowlais v Mountain Ash
Nelson (bye)
Ruthin v Senghenydd

Pool 14
Crumlin v Trinant
Deri v Wrexham
Pontllanfraith v Tredegar Ironsides
Rhymney (bye)

Pool 15
Abercarn v Blaina
Abertillery BG (bye)
Blaenavon v RTB Ebbw Vale
Llanhilleth v Denbigh

Pool 16
Abergavenny v Croesyceiliog
Machen v Usk
Risca v Bettws
UWIN (bye)

Tags: SWALEC CUP

A two million pound Centre of Excellence boasting the best national team preparation facilities in world rugby has been unveiled by the Welsh Rugby Union.

The state-of-the-art facility will involve a major expansion of the current base used by the national team at the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in Hensol near Llantrisant.

The Indoor Arena, and the office accommodation will now be used to exclusively house Welsh Rugby Union teams and backroom staff, while three, new, full size pitches will be laid for exclusive use of Welsh Rugby Union teams, along with two half pitches and a new artificial, 3G pitch inside the Indoor Arena.

The development is the result of a three way partnership, with investment from the Welsh Rugby Union, Leekes, the owners of the Vale Resort, and the Sports Council for Wales who have allocated a £1.5 million National Lottery grant into the project.

Although the current location is already the training base for the Wales squad, the facilities are shared and some grass training sessions are held off site, for example at the Welsh Institute of sport, Cardiff.

Work on installing an upgraded gymnasium inside the centre has already started and is in use during the preparation for the Invesco Perpetual Series. Work will begin immediately on a full renovation of the administrative facilities and the installation of all the new pitches which will be complete in 2009.

Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis, said: “We are creating a Centre of Excellence which will truly be the envy of the rugby world. This will take Wales to the forefront of the professional game when it comes to providing the facilities needed to achieve success at international level.

“We were determined to make sure that the players of the present and the future have every chance of upholding the proud tradition and history of Welsh international rugby in the professional era as the game develops.

“Any young player who walks through the doors of this Centre of Excellence will not fail to be inspired by the sporting environment they will be entering. The quality of the facilities and the range of expertise and skill represented in the staff based at the centre will be unmatched anywhere in either hemisphere.

“I am very proud that the Welsh Rugby Union has been able to deliver this project and I am immensely grateful to the Sports Council of Wales, and in particular Phil Carling, Huw Jones and Helen Adams for their support and advice throughout the process which has led us to today. I would also like to personally thank Gerald Leeke and his team for helping to turn our vision into a reality.

“It has taken a colossal amount of effort to achieve this, but the benefit to Welsh rugby will be evident down the generations to come.”

The Sports Minister Alun Ffred Jones said:

“This is an exciting project for Welsh rugby and I wish the WRU every success in taking it forward. The facilities that are planned will clearly benefit Wales’s international rugby teams and I’m pleased that the partners in the project, the WRU, the Sports Council for Wales and the Vale Resort, have been able to work together to set this project in motion.”

WRU Chairman, David Pickering, added: “We will now boast a Centre of Excellence that everyone involved in Welsh rugby can be truly proud of. It will offer generations of talented young men and women the opportunity to achieve their true international potential.

“I am well aware of the dedication and hard work needed to become a Welsh international and we are determined to nurture and develop all our elite players.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “Environment is so important to a successful team and having every possible training surface on our doorstep will make a huge difference to our match preparation in the future.”

Phil Davies, current Wales Under 20 head coach said, “It is so important that all the international teams representing Wales at rugby get constant exposure to the right people using the right equipment and the most modern techniques. Our potential, future professional rugby players will gain a huge amount from the use of this facility.”

Philip Carling, Chair of the Sports Council for Wales said: “Through National Lottery funding, the Sports Council for Wales has been able to transform the sporting landscape in Wales. As well as community projects across Wales, it has also been able to put into place a network of key national and regional facilities.

“The national Centre of Excellence for rugby will now add to the growing portfolio which also includes the Wales National Pool, the Wales National Velodrome, national and regional centres across a number of sports such as athletics, swimming and golf. The facility will impact on the success of the national team which is vitally important to national pride.”

Managing Director of the Vale Resort Stephen Leeke said: “We have been working in close partnership with the WRU since 1999. Investing in our nation’s sporting excellence is something that we believe in and wholly support both from a family and commercial point of view.

“We can now go forward with our long term lease agreement with the WRU and this facility will provide sports teams with a range of training facilities which cannot be found anywhere else in the UK.

“In fact it is our belief that this competes with any other major training facilities in Europe and possibly in the world. This easily establishes the Vale as the UK’s version of La Manga.

“This is a world class partnership to support Welsh rugby and the Welsh team and confirms the vision of the Leekes family to support Welsh sporting teams.”

WRU Centre of Excellence

⿢ A full size, floodlit, 3G artificial pitch to IRB standard which means outdoor full contact training can take place in all weathers.

⿢ A second full size grass pitch will also be floodlit and there will be a third international standard pitch for exclusive use by the senior squad.

⿢ Alongside these full size pitches, two half pitches will be laid so that technical skills such as kicking, line-outs or scrummaging can be practised outside full team sessions.

⿢ Inside the Indoor Arena, it is aimed that a new artificial pitch will be laid to the same standard as the outside 3G facility which means full contact training and player rehabilitation can take place indoors.

Under the new plan the centre will be an exclusive Welsh Rugby Union training base dedicated to ensuring match preparation will not be hampered by reliance on shared facilities.

Rugby development staff relocation to the Centre of Excellence will be complete by the summer of 2009. To ensure all of Welsh rugby development is aligned through the work at the centre there will be hot desk facilities for WRU Regional Performance Development Managers and Regional Community Managers to share the facility as required.

Tags: Welsh Rugby Union

Full previews of the third and vital round of the EDF Energy cup.

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER TO SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER

EDF ENERGY CUP - POOL A

London Wasps v Newport Gwent Dragons

At Adams Park, Sunday 3pm.

London Wasps won 26-13 at Newcastle in the EDF Energy Cup, but the Londoners have won just once at home so far this season: 25-11 over Castres in the European Cup on 12 October. Wasps have won all five previous game at Adams Park in the EDF Energy Cup. Wasps only loss to a Welsh team in their last six encounters was 20-36 at Cardiff Blues in the EDF Energy Cup on 30 September 2006.

Newport Gwent Dragons have lost their last two games in all competitions. The Dragons only win in their last eight away games was 16-14 against Ulster at Ravenhill on 19 September. The Newport based side have won just one of their last six matches in the EDF Energy Cup: 25-14 over Newcastle on 3 October. The Dragons have never won in eleven previous visits to England in all competitions.

The only previous meeting between the two teams was a 3-all draw in round 1 of the EDF Energy Cup at Rodney Parade last season.

Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester Rugby

At Kingston Park, Sunday 3pm.

Newcastle Falcons’ only win in their last five games was 63-0 at home to Spanish side El Salvador in the European Challenge Cup on 11 October. The Falcons have lost their last three games in the EDF Energy Cup.

Gloucester Rugby have won four of their last five games in all competitions. Gloucester have lost their last two away matches since a 21-17 win at Bath on 13 September. The west countrymen have won their last three games in the EDF Energy Cup.

Newcastle’s only win over Gloucester in their last 12 encounters since 2003 was 19-12 at Kingston Park in the Premiership on 13 April 2007.

Possible EDF Energy Cup Permutations

•    Gloucester need just two match points to secure a semi-final berth for the first time.
•    Should Gloucester lose with no bonus points then the Dragons can only progress provided they beat Wasps with a bonus point.
•    Wasps will reach the last four if they beat the Dragons and Gloucester get no points.
•    Newcastle cannot make it to the semi-finals.

EDF ENERGY CUP - POOL B

Cardiff Blues v Bath Rugby

At Arms Park, Friday 7.35pm. Live on BBC Wales

Cardiff Blues have won their last five matches in all competitions. The Blues are unbeaten at the Arms Park since Edinburgh won there 11-10 in the Magners League on 4 January. Cardiff Blues have won their last three games in the EDF Energy Cup and have never been beaten at the Arms Park in the competition. The Blues have won the last five games they have played against English teams.

Bath Rugby have won their last two games since their 16-18 defeat in Toulouse in the European Cup on 12 October, this represents their only away loss this season.

The only previous meeting between the two teams was at the same stage in last season’s EDF Energy Cup where the Blues won 14-6 at the Rec. Bath’s last visit to the Arms Park was on 16 November 1996 in the quarter-finals of the European Cup with Cardiff RFC winning 22-19.

Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks

At Welford Road, Friday 7.35pm

Leicester Tigers have won all five previous home games they have played in the EDF Energy Cup, and have never failed to make the semi-finals of this competition.

Sale Sharks cannot progress to the last four and have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. However the Sharks have won four of their last five away games. Sale’s only win in their last six games in the EDF Energy Cup was 25-10 at home to Bath in round two last season.

Sale have won their last two games against Leicester including a 14-11 victory at Welford Road in the Guinness Premiership on 23 February.

Possible EDF Energy Cup Permutations

•    Should Cardiff Blues not lose they will make it to the semi-finals.
•    Bath need to beat the Blues and not allow the Cardiff based teams two bonus points to finish above them in the table.
•    Leicester’s faint hope of qualification for the last four would happen only if the Tigers win with a bonus point, Cardiff Blues do not gain a point and Bath win without a bonus point.
•    In the case of a three way tie on nine points (set up with a 5 point win for Leicester and a 4-1 win for Bath) whoever scores the more tries in the Cardiff v Bath game would progress.
•    Sale cannot qualify for the last four.

EDF ENERGY CUP - POOL C

London Irish v Ospreys

At Madejski Stadium, Sunday 3pm. Live on BBC Wales

London Irish have won their last three matches in all competitions, whilst the Exiles’ only loss at Madejski Stadium since March was 16-20 to Bath in the Premiership on 20 September. London Irish have won two of their last three games in the EDF Energy Cup, but have not beaten a Welsh side in this competition since their 27-23 victory over the Blues in Reading on 4 December 2005.

Ospreys have won four of their last five games in all competitions, but have lost their last two away games. The reigning EDF Energy Cup champions have won their last seven matches in this competition.

The only previous meeting between the two teams was in round two of the EDF Energy Cup at Liberty Stadium last season when Ospreys triumphed 51-16.

Worcester Warriors v Harlequins

At Sixways, Sunday 3pm.

Worcester Warriors’ defeat at Ospreys on Sunday ended a three game winning run in all competitions. The Warriors home record in EDF Energy Cup ties is a disappointing won 2, lost 3.

Harlequins only win in their eight previous EDF Energy Cup games was 10-8 at London Irish on 28 October 2007.

Worcester’s most recent win over Harlequins was 23-22 at Twickenham Stoop in the EDF Energy Cup on 3 November 2007.

Possible EDF Energy Cup Permutations

•    Ospreys require two match points to ensure qualification for the semi-finals.
•    London Irish must beat Ospreys by four clear match points and then hope that Worcester do not win to qualify themselves.
•    Worcester could still progress if they get a bonus point win and Ospreys get nothing from their trip to London Irish.
•    The Warriors could also make the last four in a three way tie on nine points, set up by a Worcester win scoring less than four tries and a 4-0 win by Irish, with Ospreys kept tryless.
•    Harlequins cannot make it to the semi-finals.

EDF ENERGY CUP - POOL D

Results: Saints 30(B) Bristol 17; Saracens 17 Scarlets 26; Scarlets 27 Bristol 0; Saracens 33 Saints 19

Bristol Rugby v Saracens

At Memorial Stadium, Saturday 2.30pm.

Bristol Rugby have won just one of their last 15 games in all competitions: 39-11 at home to Toulon in the European Challenge Cup on 17 October. Bristol are unbeaten in their last three home matches in the EDF Energy Cup.

Saracens have won six of their last seven games in all competitions. Sarries have won back to back away games including the 23-16 victory when they visited Memorial Stadium in the Premiership on 1 October. Saracens have only ever won one away game in the EDF Energy Cup: 46-28 at Leeds on 26 October 2007.

Bristol’s only victory in their last six encounters with Saracens was 18-3 at Memorial Stadium in the Guinness Premiership on 6 January 2008.

Northampton Saints v Scarlets

At Franklin’s Gardens, Saturday 2.30pm. Live on BBC

Northampton Saints’ three game winning run was halted at Saracens on Sunday. The Saints have won their last 20 home games in all competitions since Gloucester won 7-5 at Franklin’s Gardens on 3 March 2007. Northampton’s last home defeat in the EDF Energy Cup was 12-24 to Worcester on 30 September 2006. The Saints have lost just one game at home to a Welsh team: 9-18 to the Scarlets in the European Cup on 1 February 2004.

Scarlets have won their last four matches in the EDF Energy Cup since Bristol beat them 11-18 at Memorial Stadium on 29 October 2007. The Welshmen’s record in England in all competitions is won 4, lost 8.

The two teams have clashed on four previous occasions with Scarlets winning both games in the European Cup in season 2003/04, and the Saints taking both encounters the following year in the same competition.

Possible EDF Energy Cup Permutations

•    Scarlets must avoid defeat to progress to the last four.
•    A Saints win would be enough for a Northampton semi-final appearance provided Saracens do not also win.
•    A three-way tie on nine points would see Scarlets through courtesy of the bonus point they require in a loss at Franklin’s Gardens.
•    Bristol cannot make it to the semi-finals.

HOW THE POOL WINNERS ARE DECIDED
(a) The pool winner will be the team with the highest number of match points in each
pool.
(b) If two teams in the same pool end the pool stage equal on match points, then
qualification will be determined by the results of the match played between the two
sides.
(c) But if the match is a draw:
(i) the team which has scored the greater number of tries in the match; and
(ii) if tries are equal, the team with the best points difference from all three matches
(d) If three teams in the same pool at the end the pool stage are equal on match points,
then qualification will be determined by the results of the matches played between those
three teams concerned (i.e. A v B, A v C, B v C,) as follows:
(i) the team which has earned the greater number of match points from the matches;
(ii) if match points are equal, the team which has scored the most tries in the matches;
and
(iii) if tries are equal, the team with the best points difference from all the matches in the
pool stage.
(e) If all four teams in the same pool end the pool stage equal on match points, then
qualification will be determined by:
(i) most tries scored in the pool stage; or
(ii) if tries are equal, the best points difference from all the matches in the pool stage.
(f) If qualification is still unresolved, qualification will be based on:
(i) if points difference is equal, the team with the fewest number of players shown a red
card in the pool stage; or
(ii) if the number of players shown a red card in the pool stage is equal, the team with
the fewest number of players shown a yellow card in the pool stage; or
(iii) if still unresolved, by the toss of a coin.

Tags: EDF Energy Cup

Wales Under 20 head coach Phil Davies will begin his Wales Under 20 selection process this week when the WRU Regional Under 20 Championship kicks off this week.

Former Scarlets director of rugby Davies, and his Under 20 management team of Gareth Baber and Rob Hoadley (assistant coaches), fitness coach Wayne Proctor and team manager Tony Clement will, between them, watch every game in the three rounds of Under 20 games, where the Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets will play each other once over the coming month.

All four sides will be in action for the first time on Wednesday evening - Davies and fellow former Wales international Wayne Proctor will be at Waterton Cross, Bridgend to see the Ospreys take on the Scarlets, while Blues skills coach Gareth Baber and former Wales full back Tony Clement will be at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale for the clash between the Dragons and last year’s Under 20 champions, the Blues (both matches 7.15pm).

Davies said, “These games will enable us as a coaching team to have a really good look at the probables and possibles as they compete against players of their own age. We will be able to observe the style of the players, individual skills such as in the line-out and some combinations such as at half back and in the back three. Along with performances at premiership and regional level, these matches will allow us to assess the quality and potential of the players available to us.”

Davies and his coaching team have begun a series of sessions with each of the regional Under 20 squads, with a view to preparing players for the step-up to the international environment. The team has already worked on core skills and game understanding with the Dragons Under 20 squad.

He said, “It’s all about pushing boundaries and increasing the intensity of training which is sometimes about changing players’ mindset. I was really impressed with the attitude and ability of the Dragons Under 20s last week and we hope these sessions will bear fruit when it comes to training as a national squad, which will hopefully in turn help us to be competitive not only in the Six Nations but against the southern hemisphere sides at the Junior World Championship in June.

“Once the Regional Under 20 matches are complete, we will select a training squad at the end of November before narrowing that down to a Six Nations squad in the New Year.”

WRU Regional Under 20 Championship fixtures (all 7.15pm)

Wednesday 29 October

Dragons v Blues - Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale

Ospreys v Scarlets - South Wales Police RFC (Waterton Cross)

Wednesday 5 November

Scarlets v Dragons - Narberth RFC

Blues v Ospreys - Cardiff Arms Park

Wednesday 19 November

Dragons v Ospreys - Rodney Parade, Newport

Blues v Scarlets - Glamorgan Wanderers RFC (The Memorial Ground)

Tags: Phil Davies, Welsh Under 20's Rugby

Roger Lewis, the Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, announced today that the WRU has won a major and significant legal victory to secure the release of international squad players for training next Monday (Oct 27) for them to start preparing to face the World Champions at the Millennium Stadium in the Invesco Perpetual Series on November the eighth.

The High Court has ordered in favour of the WRU and has directed that the Regions should not “prevent, hinder or obstruct” the players from attending training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. They will also be available for training for the whole of the following week.

In his ruling Judge Havelock Allan QC recognised that the international match is the most important factor and not the politics.

The ruling is based on his decision that the WRU has first and last call on the availability of players for training sessions.

The judge explained that his ruling is binding on the Regions by virtue of the express terms of the Participation Agreement and also by virtue of their membership of the WRU.

The court refused an application from the Regions for leave to appeal against his ruling and the court was told that common sense had prevailed.

The WRU asked the High Court to rule on the issue after the Regions continued to withhold their permission to release the players.

Head Coach Warren Gatland originally wanted 13 potential training days from Monday October the 27th but had reviewed that request for a compromise release to initially include the first three days of next week.

The ruling means the squad will gather on Sunday evening at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort Wales team headquarters to be available for training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week and for the entire five days of the week prior to the game.

The WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “Welsh rugby has right on its side and common sense has prevailed.

“This is a victory for the fans of Welsh rugby. Wales will face the World Champions on November the eighth and we have taken this action to ensure they have time to prepare properly for that historic encounter.

“Wearing the Welsh jersey is a huge responsibility for every man selected to play for Wales and we are obliged to ensure they have every opportunity to give of their best.

“The players and coaches must now be allowed to clear their minds of any concerns about this matter and focus on the task in hand.

“This has been an unfortunate episode, but the court ruling justifies our contention that the request was just and we had right on our side.

“We will now put this matter behind us and focus on the priority of finalising the draft Participation Agreement document over the next few days.

“We are determined to deliver an agreement which is good for rugby and fully recognises the efforts being made by all our Regions to advance the professional game in Wales.

“There will always be issues over which to disagree but I want the supporters to remain confident that the Welsh Rugby Union under my stewardship will always aim to do what is best for the game in Wales.”

Tags: Welsh Rugby Union

The Welsh Rugby Union today unveiled its new Welsh Gold change strip live to rugby fans attending the Cardiff city centre launch of the debut range of sports gear and leisure wear from official supplier Under Armour.

A link across the centuries to the flag of St David, which represents the patron saint of Wales, has been forged with the black and gold design of the new kit.

The flag which is a gold cross on a black field is often flown on St David’s Day either alongside or as a replacement to the traditional and widely known Red Dragon flag.

The new Wales change shirt will now form a direct bond with the nation’s patron saint, who was a cleric from Pembrokeshire who died in around 590AD, and will be seen in action for the first time when Warren Gatland’s men take on Canada at the Millennium Stadium in the Invesco Perpetual Series on Friday 14th November.

St David was known as a proud Welshman whose last words were said to have been: “Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed.”

He is known to have made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and is credited with performing miracles as he rose to prominence as a teacher and preacher and was eventually made an Archbishop.

Fans in the Welsh capital were given first sight of the new kit, modelled on stage by internationals Jamie Roberts, Robin Sowden-Taylor and Jonathan Thomas, as part of a day’s activities to launch Under Armour’s full range of apparel supplied to all national and age grade teams and on sale to fans in high street shops.

WRU academy players joined in an exhibition training session held by WRU national performance manager Huw Wiltshire outside the Capitol shopping centre on Queen street.

Fans were able to pick up training hints and tips, and took part in a range of activities including the Under Armour Performance Challenge and using scrum-half passing and lineout throwing equipment provided.

Roberts, Thomas and Wiltshire were also joined by Under Armour performance training guru, American Todd Durkin in meeting and greeting fans and answering individual questions.

“The responsibility we bear to this jersey and sense of duty to the nation is something we instil in the players who join the Wales team, so the symbolism of these new colours is very important,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“The players represent Wales around the world and they should be aware of the country’s heritage and the part that rugby plays in that history.

“These days our players are elite, professional sportsmen, but the chance to represent Wales is still a powerful incentive for each and every one of them.”

The new change jersey has been made to the same high specification as the home kit unveiled last week and is complete with ‘dragon scale grippy’ and unique breathable material.

The jersey also carries the St David’s flag itself on the right sleeve and sports the word ‘Hiraeth’, meaning belonging, stitched into its collar.

“We hope this design will carry a special meaning to all the people of Wales,” said Peter Mahrer, Under Armour President, Europe.

“We have worked hard to ensure our designs link closely with the history of this great nation and this particular shirt has a bond with one of the most famous Welshman of all time.

“The symbolism dates to a time of chivalry and heraldry when events took place which created important chapters in Welsh history.

“Rugby defines Wales as a nation and we are delighted to have been able to make that link in the design of this jersey.”

Tags: Welsh Rugby Jersey

The Welsh Rugby Union has issued an update on the progress being achieved towards the creation of a new five-year Participation Agreement with the four Regions to define the way forward for the professional game in Wales over the next five years.

The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “A series of meetings with representatives of the Regions have led to the creation of a draft Participation Agreement document which is now being finalised.

“Following our latest meeting with the Regions last week we are now completing the draft which covers all the priorities we have agreed on to date.

“This substantial body of work runs to more than 100 pages and will be finished over the coming few days before being shared with the WRU Board and then the Regions. At that stage we will seek to debate and finalise the detail with them before all parties can sign up to the agreement which will begin on June the 1st 2009.

“It is important for me to explain that timeline now because there has been a flurry of unfortunate comment which we know has created confusion for many people.

“I want the rugby public of Wales to note that we will not be distracted from achieving a Participation Agreement which will operate as an effective and exciting roadmap to take our game forward and make it stronger.”

Tags: WRU

The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed Robin McBryde as caretaker Head Coach of Wales for the 2009 summer tour of North America and Canada.

He steps up to the senior role for the first time in place of Warren Gatland who will be touring South Africa with the British & Irish Lions.

Robin McBryde will be joined on the tour by senior team regulars Assistant Coach Neil Jenkins, Conditioning Coach Mark Bennett, Team Manager Alan Phillips, analysts Rhodri Bown and Andrew Hughes and physiotherapists Mark Davies and Hywel Griffiths.

The coaching team will be supplemented by one extra caretaker Assistant Coach and another conditioner, who will both be appointed in the near future.

Robin McBryde said: “It is a great honour to lead Wales on tour for two important Test matches which will prove to be a challenging test of our progress as a squad.

“We know the American Eagles and the Canadians will be tough opposition and will fully test us on their home turf.

“It is inevitable that some members of our senior squad will be heading for South Africa as Lions, so the players who travel with us will be determined to make the Test starting positions their own.

“This is a great opportunity to step up and for some players to prove that our coaching strategies and processes are creating real competition for the coveted Welsh jersey.

“I will be working closely with Warren and the team in the preparation phase for the tour, but the chance to be the man in charge for the games is a challenge I am relishing.

“We work collectively as a coaching team for Wales and Warren knows my style and my input into the management system we operate.”

Head Coach Warren Gatland praised McBryde as a first class coach who also possesses the senior management skills to deliver success for Wales.

He said: “Robin has proved he is entirely worthy of this opportunity to step up and take on the ultimate responsibility as coach at international level.

“He is widely known for his talent and uncompromising qualities as a player, but all of us in the national coaching team know he has a lot more to offer Wales.

“Robin has the technical expertise, the strategic understanding and the man-management skills to take on new responsibilities and challenges as a coach.

“Part of my role is to structure a coaching succession policy and that will only be achieved if key individuals are given the opportunities to develop their skills under pressure.

“The tour of North America will be a challenging experience, but I am confident that Robin and the rest of his coaching team will underscore the strategies and processes we have all discussed and refined as a team.

“We will be building towards the North America tour throughout the Six Nations so all of the coaches will have an important input into the preparations and selection for the trip.

“Robin will be his own man, but we will also be in regular contact to talk through his plans.”

WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “Warren had no hesitation in recommending Robin for this role and I fully support that decision.

“Robin is a proud Welshman with a formidable knowledge and understanding of the modern game. He already has wide experience as an international coach and this tour will take him on to a new level of expertise.

“The other coaches on the trip are also part of Warren’s strong coaching structure and they all understand the systems thoroughly.

“While our coaches and backroom staff travelling with the British & Irish Lions will bring back a huge new store of knowledge, the team heading for North America will also reap the rewards of taking on new responsibilities with all the demands that entails.

“The WRU is particularly proud that no less than five members of the successful coaching team it has assembled have been granted the honour of coaching the British Lions.

“Warren Gatland, Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards, Craig White and Rhys Long go to Lions duty with our blessing and absolute approval and we regard their appointments as a great accolade for Welsh rugby.

“Their experiences on tour will help keep them at the forefront of the ever-changing world of elite rugby and pay inevitable long term dividends to Wales’ preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.”

The extra role of temporary Assistant Coach for Wales’ summer tour will be filled shortly and discussions are already underway to identify potential candidates.

Tags: Robin Mcbryde, Welsh rugby news

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named five uncapped players in the 32-man squad to prepare for the matches against South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium in the 2008 Invesco Perpetual Series next month.

Up front Sale Sharks’ 21-stone prop Eifion Roberts, from St Asaph in Denbighshire, adds his considerable weight to the front row options and Blues back row forward Andy Powell earns a call up to a squad picked primarily on form, but which also shows loyalty to some of Gatland’s prior selections.

In the backs the international door has been opened to young Ospreys fly half Dan Biggar and Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny - both of whom featured in the Wales U20’s side which finished fourth in the Invesco Perpetual Junior World Championship last summer - alongside 22-year-old Scarlets scrum half Martin Roberts.

“This squad is larger than I would normally select and we may reduce it after we get the first two games under our belts, but the current size reflects the fact that we could be asking some players to turn out three times in the space of 13 days,” said Gatland.

“The Ospreys players, for example, are currently due to play for their Region on the Sunday before the South Africa game and with the Canada match coming only six days later we will need to use our squad correctly.

“But we have an exciting month of rugby ahead of us. The Welsh Rugby Union worked hard to ensure we have the three top Southern Hemisphere teams coming to Cardiff.

“These sides have consistently been the top three in world rugby for many years and we will be relishing the opportunity to play each of them.

“We have made no secret of our ambition to climb the world rankings and it is only by meeting these sides regularly and ensuring that we are able to compete that we stand a chance of achieving our aims.”

Gatland says his new selections are a reflection of current form as well as the need to expand his squad, but he admits he has also shown some loyalty in selecting players who may have otherwise suffered through lack of game-time.

“Andy Powell has been playing well for some time and his performance at the weekend was there to convince us of his ability if we had needed any convincing,” continued Gatland.

“Eifion Roberts is another who has been on the radar and he now gets his chance to sample life at international level.

“It’s particularly pleasing to be able to select two players in Daniel Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny who stood out for Wales in the Junior World Championships in the summer and Martin Roberts has shown enough for his region to be deserving of his chance.

“Robin Sowden-Taylor is just coming back from injury, but we are looking for him to come through and provide cover in the back row during the course of the four-match series and there are one or two others who we have shown some loyalty towards.

“Gavin Henson, for example, was outstanding for us during the Six Nations last year. He’s one of our world class players and, when fit, he is always going to be in our thoughts.”

Wales squad:

BACKS: Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Martin Roberts, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Daniel Biggar, Jamie Roberts, Andrew Bishop, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams, Mark Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Lee Byrne, Morgan Stoddart

FORWARDS: Gethin Jenkins, Duncan Jones, Huw Bennett, Matthew Rees, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Eifion Roberts, Rhys Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Ryan Jones (Captain)

WALES SQUAD - AUTUMN 2008

Gareth COOPER (GLOUCESTER RUGBY - Cap No 985)
DoB: 07.05.79. 5′7″ / 1.71m. 13st 6lbs / 85kgs
International record: 37 caps (W 17, L 20; 40 pts - 8T)

Dwayne PEEL (SALE SHARKS - Cap No 994)
DoB: 31.08.81. 5′9″ / 1.76m. 13st 8lbs / 86kgs
International record: 61 caps (W 27, L 32, D 2; 25 pts - 5T)

Martin ROBERTS (SCARLETS - Uncapped)
DoB: 06.06.86. 5′9″ / 1.76m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record - Uncapped

Stephen JONES (SCARLETS - Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6′1″ / 1.86m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 72 caps (W32, L38, D2; 629 pts - 6T,115C,120PG,3DG)

James HOOK (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 14st 3lbs / 90kgs
International record: 27 caps (W 11, L 15, D 1; 184 pts - 6T,32C,28PG,2DG)

Dan BIGGAR (OSPREYS - Uncapped)
DoB: 16.10.89. 6′2″ / 1.88m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: Uncapped

Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES - 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6′4″ / 1.93m. 16st 10lbs / 107kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L2; 5 pts - 1T)

Andrew BISHOP (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,059)
DoB: 07.08.85. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 14st 2lbs / 90kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 993)
DoB: 24.11.79. 6′2″ / 1.88m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 54 caps (W 25, L 28, D 1; 90 pts - 18T)

Gavin HENSON (OSPREYS - Cap No 990)
DoB: 01.02.82. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 15st 7lbs / 98kgs
International record: 28 caps (W 16, L 11, D 1; 130 pts - 3T,29C,18PG,1DG)

Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS - Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5′7″ / 1.71m. 12st 13lbs / 82kgs
International record: 58 caps (W 29, L 27, D 2; 215 pts - 43T)

Mark JONES (SCARLETS - Cap No 984)
DoB: 07.11.79. 6′2″ / 1.88m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 41 caps (W 17, L 22, D 2; 60 pts - 12T)

Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5′10″ / 1.77m. 13st 1lb / 83kgs
International record: Uncapped

Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6′3″ / 1.91m. 15st 4lbs / 97kgs
International record: 19 caps (W 8, L 10, D 1; 25 pts - 5T)

Morgan STODDART (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,056)
DoB: 23.09.84. 6′1″ / 1.86m. 14st 9lbs / 93kgs
International record: 2 caps (L 2; 5 pts - 1T)

Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6′2″ / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 60 caps (W 25, L 33, D 2; 15 pts - 3T)

Duncan JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 997)
DoB: 18.09.78. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 23, L 27, D 2)

Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 18 caps (W 11, L 7)

Matthew REES (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,033)
DoB: 09.12.80. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 16st 9lbs / 106kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 10, L 11, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)

Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,048)
DoB: 13.12.83. 6′0″. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs
International record: 6 caps (L 6)

Adam Rhys JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 20st 5lb / 129kgs
International record: 49 caps (W 26, L 21, D 2; 5 pts - 1T)

Eifion ROBERTS (SALE SHARKS - Uncapped)
DoB: 13.02.81. 6′1″ / 1.86m. 21st 3lbs / 135kgs
International record: Uncapped

Rhys THOMAS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,049)
DoB: 31.07.82. 82. 6′1″ / 1.86m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs
International record: 5 caps (L 5)

Alun-Wyn JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6′5″ / 1.96m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 9, L 14; 15 pts - 3T)

Ian GOUGH (OSPREYS - Cap No 964)
DoB: 10.11.76. 6′ 6″ / 1.98m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 23, L 26, D 3; 5 pts - 1T)

Ian EVANS (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,045)
DoB: 04.10.84. 6′8″ / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 7, D 1; 5 pts - 1T)

Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6′9″. 17st 3lbs
International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3)

Dafydd JONES (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,008)
DoB: 24.06.79. 6′3″ / 1.90m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 31 caps (W 12; L 19; 10 pts - 2T)

Andy POWELL (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6′4″. 17st 13lbs
International record: Uncapped

Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6′0″ / 1.83m. 15st 13lbs / 101kgs
International record: 81 caps (W 38, L 40, D 3; 73 pts - 14T, 1DG)

Robin SOWDEN-TAYLOR (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,032)
DoB: 09.06.82. 6′1″ / 1.86m. 15st 5lbs / 98kgs
International record: 5 caps (W 2, L 3)

Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN - Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6′5″ / 1.96m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 13, L 9, D 1; 5 pts - 1T)

Tags: Warren Gatland, WRU

Cardiff Blues attracted the sixth highest crowd for a Heineken Cup Pool match when 27,114 fans went through the Millennium Stadium turnstiles and saw the Blues beat Gloucester Rugby 37-24 in their Pool 6 showdown yesterday (Sunday, 19 October). The attendance was a record for a tournament Pool match in Wales, surpassing the old mark by almost 500 when the Blues played Leicester Tigers at the ground two seasons ago.

That, and Sale Sharks’ tournament record home crowd of 10,928, contributed to an overall Round 2 total crowd figure of 134,231 – the third highest total for any round of Pool matches in the history of the tournament.

And, following the record 152,991 fans who poured through the turnstiles across Europe in Round 1, it means the opening two weekends of this season’s tournament have pulled in 287,222 fans.

TOP 25 HEINEKEN CUP POOL MATCH ATTENDANCES

44,112 – STADE FRANÇAIS PARIS v Sale Sharks – Rd 3 2006/07 (Parc des Princes)
34,000 – TOULOUSE v London Wasps – Rd 5 2005/06 (Le Stadium, Toulouse)
33,883 – NEC HARLEQUINS v Munster – Rd 6 2004/05 (Twickenham)
32,500 – TOULOUSE v Leicester Tigers – Rd 4 2007/08 (Le Stadium, Toulouse)
31,885 – TOULOUSE v Bath Rugby – Rd 1 2008/09 (Le Stadium, Toulouse)
27,114 – CARDIFF BLUES v Gloucester Rugby – Rd 2 2008/09 (Millennium Stadium)
26,645 – CARDIFF BLUES v Leicester Tigers – Rd 2 2006/07 (Millennium Stadium)
23,500 – MUNSTER v Montauban – Rd 1 2008/09
23,463 – LEINSTER v Cardiff Blues – Rd 5 2003/04 (Lansdowne Road)
22,000 – TOULOUSE v Bath – Rd 6 1999/00
21,506 – LONDON WASPS v Munster – Rd 1 2007/08 (Ricoh Arena, Coventry)
20,000 – TOULOUSE v Saracens – Rd 1 2000/01
19,700 – STADE FRANÇAIS PARIS v Leicester Tigers – Rd 2 2005/06 (Stade Charlety)
18,890 – TOULOUSE v Edinburgh – Rd 6 2007/08
18,806 – TOULOUSE v Leinster – Rd 2 2007/08
18,652 – LEINSTER v Agen – Rd 3 2006/07 (Lansdowne Road)
18,500 – LEINSTER v Leicester Tigers – Rd 1 2007/08 (RDS)
18,300 – LEINSTER v London Wasps – Rd 2 2008/09 (RDS)
18,184 – TOULOUSE v Edinburgh Rugby – Rd 6 2003/04
18,145 – LEINSTER v Edinburgh – Rd 3 2007/08
18,017 – OSPREYS v Gloucester Rugby – Rd 5 2007/08
17,498 – LEICESTER TIGERS v Toulouse – Rd 3 2007/08
17,498 – LEICESTER TIGERS v Ospreys – Rd 1 2008/09
17,300 – TOULOUSE v Northampton Saints – Rd 4 2004/05
17,138 – TOULOUSE v Llanelli Scarlets – Rd 1 2005/06

Tags: Cardiff Blues, Heineken Cup