WRU: Rugby News, October 2020
GONGS FOR WALES LEGENDS
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, former Wales head coach Warren Gatland and ex-Wales wing Gareth Thomas were all awarded honours in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Ospreys second row Jones was made an OBE while both Gatland and Thomas were awarded a CBE.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List was due to be published in June, but was pushed back to enable nominations for people playing crucial roles during the first months of the Covid-19 crisis.
Jones said: “It is a huge honour to receive such an accolade.
“I was initially reluctant to receive such an award in these trying times when there are so many people doing so much good for the community and are more worthy, but I see this as an acknowledgement to all the people who have helped me throughout my career.
“It is recognition for everyone that has supported me from grassroots and intermediate, to professional and international rugby.
“It is for my family, those who aren’t here anymore and those who are still here and fully behind me and for all their support in what I have done and what I want to continue to do.”
Gatland added: “I am incredibly honoured to receive a CBE. This award is recognition of everyone involved in Welsh rugby and all that we achieved together during my time as head coach,” Gatland said.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to do something I love every day and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my career.”
CLICK HERE: https://www.wru.wales/2020/10/jones-gatland-and-thomas-honoured/
SAM’S THE MAN
Dragons fly-half Sam Davies joined an illustrious band of Welsh regional players at Rodney Parade in the Dragons win over Zebre as he became just the seventh player to reach 1,000 points.
His first penalty in the Dragons’ 26-18 triumph took him level with Ceri Sweeney on 1,000 and then his second took him to within 43 of Stephen Jones. He also went through the 750 points barrier in the Guinness PRO14 on the night.
Another 76 points this season could see him move into third place, but he still has a long way to go to catch the man in whose footsteps he followed in his early days at the Ospreys, Dan Biggar. The Wales No 10 notched 2,203 points during his 221 games for the Swansea-based region.
Biggar has continued to be a points machine since moving to Northampton Saints and has scored a further 318 in 38 appearances for the English Premiership outfit, albeit at a slightly lesser strike rate of 8.37 points per match.
He also appears in the Top 10 scorers in world rugby since the regions began on 3 September, 2003. The current World Rugby record points holder, Dan Carter unsurprisingly leads the way with more than 4,000 career points.
More: https://www.wru.wales/2020/10/davies-joins-select-band-to-reach-1000-regional-points/
WELSH STARS IMPRESS IN ALLIANZ PREMIER 15s
The opening round of the Allianz Premier 15s season kicked off in fine style with plenty of Welsh representation in the four games played in the opening round.
Carys Phillips’ try edged Worcester Warriors 25-24 in front of Saracens at Allianz Park but a late rally saw Saracens claim a 34-25 victory in what was the game of the day.
Elsewhere, Hannah Jones, playing in the unaccustomed position of full-back, was on the score sheet as Gloucester-Hartpury began their campaign with a 34-14 win over newcomers Exeter Chiefs.
The clash between Bristol Bears and Wasps was postponed due to a Bristol player contracting COVID-19.
Full story: https://www.wru.wales/2020/10/64039/
JERSEY A GOOD FIT FOR WALES TRIO
The Channel Islands club of Jersey Reds are hoping to add to their international hall of fame after Wayne Pivac named three players in his Wales squad for the forthcoming autumn campaign who have played in England’s second tier of rugby with the Reds.
Wasps second row Rowlands retained his place in the Welsh squad and will hope to add to the cap he earned in this year’s Six Nations championship. Rowlands spent four months on loan with the Reds during 2015/16 season.
Bristol Bears fly half Callum Sheedy featured in the 2017 British & Irish final in Cork for Jersey. He moved to Jersey on loan from Bristol in January 2017, aged 21, and spent the remainder of the season with the Reds, making 12 appearances.
Scarlets scrum half Kieran Hardy moved to the Island aged 20 in the summer of 2016 from his native Wales and was able to develop his game under the tuition of Jersey Director of Rugby, former Wasps’ scrum-half Harvey Biljon.
The young scrum half played more than 50 games in the Greene King IPA Championship and British & Irish Cup for the Reds, helping his club achieve top-half placings in the league table and reach the final of the British & Irish Cup.
Since returning to West Wales in 2018, Hardy has become an increasingly important part of the Scarlets’ squad, playing regularly in the Guinness PRO14 and eventually forcing his way into national contention.
More: https://www.wru.wales/2020/10/reds-pinning-hopes-on-further-caps-with-hardy-and-sheedy/
GRIFFITHS AIMS TO GET BACK
Will Griffiths may not have been retained by the Dragons, but the ex-Wales U20 hooker hasn’t given up on becoming a professional rugby player.
Griffiths, who played for Ebbw Vale in the Premiership last season, is now working on car body repairs and has signed for Newport, refusing to give up on his rugby dream.
Former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman believed Griffiths to be the equal of Wales’ Elliot Dee when he was in charge at Rodney Parade, but the two are now at different stages in their respective careers.
Dee is a regional regular, has 29 Test caps, and has been to a World Cup while Griffiths has now left professional rugby and hopes to play for Newport in the Welsh Premiership this season.
“There was an offer to stay and train with the seniors to see if I could get a Dragons contract for six months, but I decided not to take that risk,” Griffiths said.
“It was at the start of lockdown and I thought I should take a job, be safe, and play for Newport. In two years’ time if I play well for Newport hopefully I can get back into the system.
“It was tough, really tough, and there were days when I was wondering what I should do, but I’m not giving up – not at all. It’s still on the table for me, but it’s also not the end of the world if I don’t get it.
“As a front row forward it takes longer to develop so I’ve still got time.”
Link: https://community.wru.wales/2020/10/09/griffiths-not-giving-up-his-dream-after-joining-newport/