CARDIFF, Wales- After surrendering 55 points a week ago to the Irish - it was much more composed and complete Canada side that held two leads against Wales before falling 34  - 13 to the reigning Six Nations champs in Cardiff in front of a crowd of 59,000 Friday night.

Canada took a 3-0 lead in the early going off a penalty kick from James Pritchard before Wales scored a try to take the lead 5-3 midway through the first half.

With just a few minutes until half Pritchard launched a monster kick in the closed roof stadium - hitting from 49 metres to retake the lead 6-5. Then just before the half - Leigh Halfpenny - on his debut scored a sparkling try - to put Wales into the change room at the interval with a less than certain 10-6 lead over Canada.

Canada was much more impressive and confident on the night compared to the rain soaked disaster in Limerick six days ago. The tackles were numerous and well thought out - defense organized - and rarely did Canada go to panic stations in open play - thwarting wave after wave of attacks with convincing tackles into touch.

In the second half the cracks appeared at times in the Canuck defense, but the real problems were in the scrum- where two penalty tries on the Canadian line showed where Wales was really putting the pressure on. With the score 27-6 Canada was still interested in playing some rugby and on the ensuing kick-off Calgary’s Ryan Smith stepped into a Welsh passing play at mid-field to race fifty metres for the try under the posts.

James Pritchard converted to bring the score to 27-13 - and this in turn invigorated the Canadians - who upped the tempo - creating break downs and consternation in the Welsh camp.

Near full time it was Halfpenny getting his second of the night for the dream debut - and a final score of 34-13 to Wales.

Tags: Rugby Canada, Welsh rugby

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has confirmed inside centre Gavin Henson made a late withdrawal from the Invesco Perpetual Series clash with South Africa at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow (Kick-off 2.30pm).

Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts moves infield to replace Henson and Tom Shanklin is promoted from the bench to fill the outside centre berth vacated by Roberts.

Shanklin will win his 55th cap while South African summer tour debutant Andrew Bishop moves on to the bench in his place.

“We wanted to give Gavin the best opportunity to be able to play against South Africa, but after sitting out today’s Captain’s run at the Millennium Stadium he told us he wasn’t going to be right for the game,” said Howley.

“We were quite comfortable with leaving it to this stage or indeed until tomorrow morning as we have Tom available to slot into midfield and Jamie Roberts is more than capable of moving into inside centre.

“Gavin had taken part in training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, but has also been rested for some of our sessions this week. We have had ample opportunity to run the Shanklin and Roberts combination and knew this configuration would be our other option, but thought it was important that Gavin made the decision on his capability to play himself.”

Tags: Gavin Henson, Springboks, Welsh rugby

Statement issued by the WRU over the release of international players from Regional duty to prepare for the Invesco Perpetual Series internationals.

The Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Roger Lewis, said:-

“The Welsh Rugby Union fully supports the Wales Head Coach, Warren Gatland, in his aim to achieve maximum preparation time for the squad before the forthcoming matches in November.

“We totally understand the need for all the parties involved to work in partnership and I know Warren has raised the release issue in good time.

“Player release is always unavoidably disruptive given the demands of the modern professional game, but we must work together on this in the interests of a successful Wales team.

“I would hope this issue can be resolved quickly through direct discussion as there are rules and understandings already in place and there is certainly no need to conclude any new formal agreements at this stage.

“The four Regions play a vital role in the delivery of a successful Wales team and I would ask them to seek to resolve this issue now in the spirit of partnership. It can be done if there is a universal will to succeed.

“There is a clear issue over disruption of cup team selection for the Regions, but in this particular case we are talking about Wales preparing for an incredibly strong and important line-up of games. The fixture crunch issue this has pinpointed is clearly there to be debated and resolved.

“We have been involved in important and meaningful talks with the Regions on a range of issues and I am confident they have the ability to help find a solution to this problem.

“I know that spirit of partnership and compromise is fully embraced by Warren and there are many examples of how it works in practice.

“National coaches across all the disciplines now work closely and regularly with the Regions. For instance the conditioners Craig White and Mark Bennett share their duties across two Regions each to achieve maximum impact.

“The national team indoor and outdoor training facilities at the Vale Resort and the Welsh Institute of Sport have also been utilised.

“The Welsh Rugby Union fully funds the four academies which deliver significant benefits to the Regions and that is right and proper.

“All these are examples of how the delivery of players for national duties is one element of a partnership which rightly works both ways.

“Warren has made it very clear that as far as the national squad is concerned he is looking for a level playing field to ensure their preparations are on a par with what is being achieved in the other home nations.

“I am extremely proud of what the Regions achieve and how they are developing through challenging times, but I urge them to pursue this issue with the clarity and efficiency I know they can deliver.”

Tags: Welsh rugby

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced an impressive line-up of coaches and managers of its international age grade, Women’s and Sevens sides for the 2008/09 season, which includes former Wales internationals Phil Davies, Paul John, Mark Taylor, Tony Clement, Dale McInstosh, Wayne Proctor and Byron Hayward.

The selection process included valuable input from Wales head coach Warren Gatland and WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis who advised on the coaching and managerial skills needed for the roles. The national management teams will report to National Performance Manager Huw Wiltshire.

Wiltshire stressed, “A key strategy behind these appointments, and behind the ongoing operational management of the teams throughout the season, is to align the coaching strategies within these elite, international sides to those of the National Team.

“Player and coach development is fundamental to the ethos of these sides and it is vital to work achieve a close, working relationship with the Regions and Principality Premiership sides in order to create a smooth pathway into professional Regional and international rugby for our elite, young players.

“Along with the individuals appointed to the various roles within these teams, I’m thrilled that Dai Young (Under 20 and Under 18), Colin Hillman (Sevens) and Danny Wilson (skills) are to act as technical advisors to the sides, while WRU Performance Lifestyle manager Alun Davies will act as Management advisor. Our common aim is to produce players for our regional and international sides so to have a current Regional head coach on board as a bench mark will be an added bonus for our coaches and players. The coaching and team management roles were all openly advertised which generated a huge amount of interest from talented individuals from across the rugby spectrum.”

Former Scarlets and Leeds Tykes director of rugby and 46-times capped lock Phil Davies has been given the role of Wales Under 20 head coach, and will be assisted by former Wales Sevens coach and Cardiff Blues skills coach Gareth Baber and Wasps assistant coach Rob Hoadley, who, as one of Shaun Edwards’ assistants at London Wasps, is in a position to develop Edwards’ techniques and philosophy with the Welsh youngsters. The side will be managed by 37-times capped former Wales full back Tony Clement with 39-times capped former Wales wing Wayne Proctor appointed as fitness coach.

Phil Davies said, “I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to get back into top level coaching, and to be able to make a contribution to Welsh rugby again. I’m excited to be working with our quality youngsters, and to give them a positive experience to take back to their regions and to be able to pass on some of Warren Gatland’s philosophies, mixed with my own.

“I’m delighted with the make-up of the Under 20 management team. It’s fantastic that young Welsh players will benefit from the likes of Rob Hoadley who has played and coached in the Guinness Premiership, and who will no doubt develop Shaun Edwards’ defensive structures at Under 20 level.

With Tony Clement and Wayne Proctor in the management team, that’s a huge amount of first hand international experience and knowledge to pass onto future Welsh internationals, and I have a huge amount of belief in Gareth Baber and his coaching skills.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland said, “Communication is key and by working together, not only in the appointment of these coaches and managers, but throughout the season, especially with the Under 20 set-up, we hope to make the transition from age grade and international Sevens rugby to senior regional and international rugby as seamless as possible for players and coaches.

“It’s great to have someone like Phil Davies on board, he has achieved a huge amount in the game, and it would be a shame to lose him to Welsh rugby. It’s important that the individuals honing and shaping our future internationals are either at the cutting edge of top class rugby, or have experienced that level of the game.”

Roger Lewis added, “Someone of Phil Davies’ calibre and standing in the game is a huge boost to international age grade rugby and the development of our elite, young players in Wales, while the appointment of two Premiership coaches to head coach positions (Simon King and Paul John) and two others to assistant coach positions (Richard Hodges and Dale McInstosh) show the value we place in the semi-professional league as a key platform for player and coach development.

“There is no doubt that by joining up our strategies and philosophies, not only across the elite performance department, but across the whole of the Welsh rugby family will help us achieve our mission to take Welsh rugby to the forefront of the global game in performance and reputation.”

Aberavon head coach Simon King will continue as Wales Under 18 head coach, and will be assisted by Pontypridd assistant coach Dale McIntosh and former Newport and Harlequins scrum-half Darren Edwards, who is now part of the Quins’ coaching set-up. Former Wales and Lions centre Mark Taylor has been appointed team manager of the side in his first managerial role.

King said, “Formative development of players is essential and I’m looking forward to joining up with the rest of the coaching team and getting on with the job in hand which is to develop players individually and collectively to step up to the next level.”

Last season’s Principality Premiership Coach of the Year, Pontypridd’s Paul John has been handed the role of Wales Sevens head coach. He will be assisted alternately by former Wales Sevens international forward and current Llandovery player Gareth Williams and Glamorgan Wanderers head coach Richard Hodges. Three academy fitness coaches Byron Hayward, Eifion Roberts and Rhodri Williams will each cover at least two IRB Sevens World Series tournaments, while colonel David Jenkins, who has managed the side since Wales’ return to the IRB Sevens circuit three years ago, will continue in that role.

Paul John said, “I’m excited at this new challenge in my coaching career. Sevens offers a range of development tools for players, giving them vital exposure both on and off the field which often provides a stepping stone into regional rugby. I’m thrilled to be able to learn from Colin Hillman’s technical knowledge and expertise of international Sevens.”

For Wales Women, Jason Lewis and Aled Thomas have been re-appointed head coach and assistant for the forthcoming season, with Ryan Harris continuing as fitness coach and Donna Crossman appointed as team manager. Wales Women finished second in last season’s Six Nations for the second time in three seasons. Lewis said: “We’ve come a long way in our progression as a team. However, our goal is the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010 and this season will be a vital part of the journey towards that objective.”

SWALEC Official Partner of WRU international age grade sides

Energy giant SWALEC has become the Official Partner of the WRU’s international age grade sides as part of a three-year sponsorship deal which also sees the energy company become the National Community Partner of Welsh Rugby.
The partnership reunites Welsh rugby with Wales’ leading energy company with SWALEC providing electricity and gas to more than a million customers in Wales and will in future provide the power for the Millennium Stadium.

Under the new agreement SWALEC are now sponsors of: The SWALEC Cup, The SWALEC National Leagues, Wales U20 and Wales Under 18; the SWALEC Community XV.

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: “Reuniting with SWALEC is great news for Welsh rugby and we are delighted that they have chosen to support international age grade rugby which is such a vital platform for developing talent.”

Tags: Welsh rugby, Welsh Rugby Union