MARCH PRINCIPALITY PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Issued: Thursday, 8 April, 2010
Coombs recognised for Premiership performances
NB. Photographs of Andrew at Newport branch of Principality available from Huw Evans picture agency tel 02920 764311
Newport No 8 Andrew Coombs has been named Principality Premiership Player of the Month for March.
The Black-and-Ambers skipper has been recognised for his performances of late, both in winning this award, and by the Dragons coaches who have included him in their squad for their last three Magners League games.
After impressing for Newport in the Principality Premiership and British and Irish Cup, Coombs was given a chance by Dragons boss Paul Turner and made his Dragons debut at Connacht before coming off the bench at home against the Ospreys and making his first Regional start last Sunday against Glasgow Warriors.
Premiership coaches, rugby journalists and WRU and Regional performance development staff select the monthly Principality Premiership winners who receive £100 in prize money from the Principality Building Society, title sponsors of the competition.
Coombs, who began playing rugby at Nelson RFC and moved onto Newport as a youth player, said: "It's great to get this kind of recognition, both in terms of this award and obviously in terms of playing for the Dragons, I have already learnt a lot from gaining some game time with them, and now I want to take that back to Newport.
"We have a massive game against Neath on Saturday, and although Neath are more or less certain for the title, there is still a battle on for the top four places in the league. Both ourselves and Neath have been good defensively this season so I think it will come down to which side takes its chances on the day.
"As a club we have had a stop-start season . After finishing second last year, it would have been great to win the Principality Premiership this season but a few results have let us down, in particular with recent losses to Cardiff and Llanelli.
"Our main aim now is to finish in the top four to gain automatic British and Irish Cup qualification, and once we get into the Premiership play-offs, it would be great to win them and gain some silverware from the season."
Coombs says his side have been buoyed this season by the introduction of the British and Irish Cup.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing in the British and Irish Cup and we're desperate for more of the same. We produced a few shock results and enjoyed the high standard of competition and the physicality that came with it," he said.
Newport head coach Sven Cronk added: "Andrew has been a great captain both this season and last, truly leading by example. He does the dogged work when required but is also a great ball carrier. He deserves this award and the recent recognition by the Dragons set-up.
"Although we are disappointed with some of our games this season, losing too many matches by three points or less, we still have something to play for as we aim to finish in the top four and with the new play-off championship to look forward to. There will be no lack of motivation on Saturday for our game against league leaders Neath."
Andrew Coombs fact file:
Born: 27.10.84, Merthyr Tydfil
Club: Newport
Position: No 8
Player most admired: Xavier Rush, for his go-forward game
Sportsman most admired: David Beckham
Biggest impact on career: Father Jon, who has been a huge influence, and coaches at Pontypool and Newport
Occupation outside rugby: Salesperson for a software company
Other sports: Football, snooker
Nickname: Coombsy
For further information contact Liz Jones, WRU Communications Manager, tel 07736 056669 / email lizjones@wru.co.uk
Ends
7.4.10
7.4.10..New WRU Company Secretary appointed
LEADING LAWYER IS NEW WRU COMPANY SECRETARY
Issued: Wednesday, 7 April, 2010
One of the leading lawyers in Wales has been appointed as the new Company Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union Group.
Gareth Williams, the Senior Partner of Hugh James, was unanimously confirmed in the role by the full WRU Board of Directors.
As Company Secretary he will be responsible for ensuring the rules of corporate governance within the WRU are complied with and standards of financial and legal practice are maintained.
He will attend WRU Board meetings and the Group's Annual General Meeting to offer advice and guidance to directors and representatives of all the affiliated organisations.
Mr Williams will continue in his senior role at Hugh James and carry out his Company Secretary duties in an honorary capacity.
Hugh James has a long standing professional relationship with the WRU and has recently offered legal advice to the Union on several important and high profile matters.
Gareth Williams has maintained a close, professional relationship with the WRU Group for almost two decades as lead solicitor to the union and has acquired expert knowledge about the organisation, its operational structure and systems of corporate governance.
He became Senior Partner at Hugh James in 2005 and was previously head of the company's Business Litigation Division. He is regarded as an expert in sports law and substantial commercial litigation.
A Welsh speaker he is also a trustee of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and a Governor of the University of Glamorgan.
The Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Pickering, said: "We are delighted that Gareth has agreed to take on the role of Company Secretary to the WRU.
"The union will benefit from his expertise, knowledge and mature, intelligent counsel which I am certain will serve us well as an organisation going forward.
"The member clubs and affiliated organisations must be assured that the constitution of the WRU is honoured and protected at all times and Gareth is the ideal candidate to fulfil the role of guardian of that corporate governance."
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: "During my time at the WRU Gareth has proved to be a trusted professional colleague and good friend of the organisation.
"He is a highly respected lawyer and his counsel is always based on sound legal knowledge combined with a finely tuned intellect and common sense.
"He is always calm and reasoned in his advice and is very experienced at operating alongside the most senior executives and directors in very high profile organisations."
Gareth Williams said: "I am delighted to have been asked to become the Company Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union.
"As well as my strong professional ties with the WRU I have a close affinity with rugby so I am looking forward to being able to serve the union in this new role.
"I have an excellent legal and administrative team working with me at Hugh James so I am confident I can free the time to fulfil the WRU role with the energy and focus it deserves."
He replaces the late Mike Jefferies, a close personal friend, who died suddenly last year after joining the WRU as Head of Legal Affairs in 2007 following a successful career with Hugh James.
Gareth Williams takes up the unpaid role of Company Secretary with immediate effect.
Pictures are available from Huw Evans Agency.
For further information please contact Millennium Stadium communications manager Gemma James via email gjames@wru.co.uk or telephone 02920 822 368/ 07725 828 498.
ENDS
Issued: Wednesday, 7 April, 2010
One of the leading lawyers in Wales has been appointed as the new Company Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union Group.
Gareth Williams, the Senior Partner of Hugh James, was unanimously confirmed in the role by the full WRU Board of Directors.
As Company Secretary he will be responsible for ensuring the rules of corporate governance within the WRU are complied with and standards of financial and legal practice are maintained.
He will attend WRU Board meetings and the Group's Annual General Meeting to offer advice and guidance to directors and representatives of all the affiliated organisations.
Mr Williams will continue in his senior role at Hugh James and carry out his Company Secretary duties in an honorary capacity.
Hugh James has a long standing professional relationship with the WRU and has recently offered legal advice to the Union on several important and high profile matters.
Gareth Williams has maintained a close, professional relationship with the WRU Group for almost two decades as lead solicitor to the union and has acquired expert knowledge about the organisation, its operational structure and systems of corporate governance.
He became Senior Partner at Hugh James in 2005 and was previously head of the company's Business Litigation Division. He is regarded as an expert in sports law and substantial commercial litigation.
A Welsh speaker he is also a trustee of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and a Governor of the University of Glamorgan.
The Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Pickering, said: "We are delighted that Gareth has agreed to take on the role of Company Secretary to the WRU.
"The union will benefit from his expertise, knowledge and mature, intelligent counsel which I am certain will serve us well as an organisation going forward.
"The member clubs and affiliated organisations must be assured that the constitution of the WRU is honoured and protected at all times and Gareth is the ideal candidate to fulfil the role of guardian of that corporate governance."
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: "During my time at the WRU Gareth has proved to be a trusted professional colleague and good friend of the organisation.
"He is a highly respected lawyer and his counsel is always based on sound legal knowledge combined with a finely tuned intellect and common sense.
"He is always calm and reasoned in his advice and is very experienced at operating alongside the most senior executives and directors in very high profile organisations."
Gareth Williams said: "I am delighted to have been asked to become the Company Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union.
"As well as my strong professional ties with the WRU I have a close affinity with rugby so I am looking forward to being able to serve the union in this new role.
"I have an excellent legal and administrative team working with me at Hugh James so I am confident I can free the time to fulfil the WRU role with the energy and focus it deserves."
He replaces the late Mike Jefferies, a close personal friend, who died suddenly last year after joining the WRU as Head of Legal Affairs in 2007 following a successful career with Hugh James.
Gareth Williams takes up the unpaid role of Company Secretary with immediate effect.
Pictures are available from Huw Evans Agency.
For further information please contact Millennium Stadium communications manager Gemma James via email gjames@wru.co.uk or telephone 02920 822 368/ 07725 828 498.
ENDS
6.4.10
6.4.10.Wales Schools beat Italy
Issued: Tuesday, 6 April, 2010
Welsh Schools Under 16s notch second win
ITALY U17 8 WELSH SCHOOLS U16 14
Welsh Schools Under 16s beat a powerful Italy Under 17 side to go into their final match of the Under 16/17 Four Nations Tournament in Rome unbeaten.
The young side overcame England Under 16s 28-27 in their opening match, scoring three tries and with a nail-biting final five minutes, but the Italians caused problems and Wales made a number of unforced errors, failing to finish try scoring opportunities.
Scarlets academy member Jordan Williams, who had switched from full back to outside half for the game, edged Wales ahead with a penalty within the first quarter and right wing Ryan Evans grabbed a well-worked try five minutes later. Italy put a lot of pressure on Wales' line-out and restarts, and Wales failed to gain any real momentum with the only other points of the half coming from an exchange of penalties between Williams and Italy full back Campagnaro, with Wales going in 11-3 to the good.
There was more of the same in the second half and despite some promising performances, in particular from flanker, Daniel Thomas, Wales, led by Ysgol Y Preseli's Sion Bennett were only able to add a Sam Davies penalty to the scoreboard. Italy, who produced a much improved performance following their 48-8 loss to France on Saturday, finished the match positively with a try for left wing Esposito.
Team manager Roy James said, "It was good to get another win on the board and keep our record in tact, but we have a lot of work to do in the next few days if we are to beat France on Saturday. France put Italy away last weekend, and will be a much tougher challenge than Italy but at least we showed today that we know how to win a match.
"The boys are really relishing the opportunity of playing at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday. It's a Six Nations venue and it will be a great way to end a very successful and well-organised tournament."
Welsh Schools Under 16s play France Under 17s at 2.30pm on Saturday (Stadio Flaminio, Rome).
Wales scorers:
Try: R Evans
Pens: J Williams (2), S Davies
ENDS
Welsh Schools Under 16s notch second win
ITALY U17 8 WELSH SCHOOLS U16 14
Welsh Schools Under 16s beat a powerful Italy Under 17 side to go into their final match of the Under 16/17 Four Nations Tournament in Rome unbeaten.
The young side overcame England Under 16s 28-27 in their opening match, scoring three tries and with a nail-biting final five minutes, but the Italians caused problems and Wales made a number of unforced errors, failing to finish try scoring opportunities.
Scarlets academy member Jordan Williams, who had switched from full back to outside half for the game, edged Wales ahead with a penalty within the first quarter and right wing Ryan Evans grabbed a well-worked try five minutes later. Italy put a lot of pressure on Wales' line-out and restarts, and Wales failed to gain any real momentum with the only other points of the half coming from an exchange of penalties between Williams and Italy full back Campagnaro, with Wales going in 11-3 to the good.
There was more of the same in the second half and despite some promising performances, in particular from flanker, Daniel Thomas, Wales, led by Ysgol Y Preseli's Sion Bennett were only able to add a Sam Davies penalty to the scoreboard. Italy, who produced a much improved performance following their 48-8 loss to France on Saturday, finished the match positively with a try for left wing Esposito.
Team manager Roy James said, "It was good to get another win on the board and keep our record in tact, but we have a lot of work to do in the next few days if we are to beat France on Saturday. France put Italy away last weekend, and will be a much tougher challenge than Italy but at least we showed today that we know how to win a match.
"The boys are really relishing the opportunity of playing at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday. It's a Six Nations venue and it will be a great way to end a very successful and well-organised tournament."
Welsh Schools Under 16s play France Under 17s at 2.30pm on Saturday (Stadio Flaminio, Rome).
Wales scorers:
Try: R Evans
Pens: J Williams (2), S Davies
ENDS
4.4.10
04.04.10 WALES U18 24 IRELAND U18 18 (George North Stars)
 | ||
| ||
04.04.10 WALES Ui6 beat England U16 in Rome
| Welsh Schools Under 16 28 England Under 16 27 Welsh Schools Under 16 became the only Welsh side to beat England this season as they got the Under 16/17 Four Nations tournament off to a winning start in Rome. Ospreys outside half Sam Davies scored 18 points including a match winning drop goal three minutes from time. Davies, son of former Wales coach and currentScarlets director of rugby Nigel, scored all the Welsh points in the first half, kicking two penalties early on and scoring a try and conversion just before the break to give his side a 13-10 interval lead. England were strong in the second period but tries from flanker and man-of-the-match Daniel Thomas and left wing Jake Randell kept the young Dragons in the hunt despite a yellow card for replacement Tomos Owen 15 minutes into the half. Wales showed good composure in gaining territory and getting themselves into a good position for Davies to slot the decisive goal. The game wasn't over and England continued to press hard but Simon Davies' side put in a huge defensive effort to see out the clock and continue their 100% record in this tournament, which they have held for the past two seasons. Team manager Roy James said, "We are very proud of the boys. They were under a lot of pressure territorially and England scored some good tries." In the other match, France beat Italy 48-8. James added, "We are looking forward to playing Italy on Tuesday which is no doubt a game the home side will be targeting, then we play France at the Stadio Flaminio next Saturday." Wales' game against Italy has been moved from the Stadio Tre Fontane to the Rugby Capitolino ground, the venue of today's game (kick-off 1.30pm). ends | |
| This press release was produced by Sotic Ltd. |
2.4.10
1.4.10 . Wales Women u 20 squad
WRU PRESS RELEASE
Issued: 01 April 2010
Youngsters given golden opportunity to shine
Several players in the Wales Women's Under 20s squad will be entertaining thoughts of making Jason Lewis's World Cup squad.
Wales Under 20s kick of their season with a clash against arch rivals England next Tuesday at Surrey Sports Park (KO 3pm).
The current squad only have to look at the current Welsh senior outfit to realise they have a chance of making the World Cup squad if they can put some solid performances behind them.
Fly half Elinor Snowsill made the step up from last year's Under 20s squad to senior status this season with last year's age grade skipper joined in this season's Six Nations squad by Ceri Redman and Becky Newton while Carys John, Heledd Stephens and Lisa Newton were promoted into the senior squad.
In particular Sioned Harries and Charlie Murray will be hoping to stake a claim after the duo spent time training with the Welsh senior squad recently.
Second row Jo Clarke, centre Jess Smith and winger Sian Perry all make their debuts against England while Natalie Stone, Chloe Howells, Jess Kavanagh and Kayleigh Balchin are all new caps starting from the bench.
A Wales U18's Talent Development Group will tackle England U18's Talent Development Group in the curtain raiser (KO 1pm).
The Welsh team has been selected from the U18's regional programme which has been running this season. Regions nominated players to attend trials where the 'best of the best' were selected to play in this one off fixture.
It's hoped some of these players will be invited to be involved in a 'potential group' with some of the U20's while some may be invited to also play in the Senior Regional programme.
WRU Women's Performance Manager Sophie Bennett said: "With several players having already progressed from the Under 20s to the full senior squad, it proves to the players that there is a pathway to full international honours.
"Hopefully some players will put their hands up just like some of their predecessors who have made the jump successfully."
Wales Under 20s v England
Surrey Sports Park, Tuesday 6th April, 3pm
15 Kerin Lake Neath Athletic
14 Sian Perry Altrincham Kersal
13 Adi Taviner (CAPT) Neath Athletic
12 Jess Smith Neath Athletic
11 Charlotte Murray Neath Athletic
10 Bethan Preece Neath Athletic
9 Yasmin Leung UWIC
1 Alex Stokes Neath Athletic
2 Amy Lawrence Neath Athletic
3 Lowri Harris UWIC
4 Jo Clarke UWIC
5 Shona Powell-Hughes Neath Athletic
6 Sian Williams RAF
8 Sioned Harris UWIC
7 Kathryn Joseph Neath Athletic
Substitutes
16 Natalie Stone Pontyclun
17 Sophie Mangano Kidwelly
18 Chloe Howells Whitland
19 Vicky Owens UWIC
20 Laura Marsh Woodbridge
21 Rhianydd Morgan Neath Athletic
22 Jess Kavanagh Dolgellau
For further information contact Graeme Gillespie via email at: ggillespie@wru.co.uk or tel: 07740612790
Issued: 01 April 2010
Youngsters given golden opportunity to shine
Several players in the Wales Women's Under 20s squad will be entertaining thoughts of making Jason Lewis's World Cup squad.
Wales Under 20s kick of their season with a clash against arch rivals England next Tuesday at Surrey Sports Park (KO 3pm).
The current squad only have to look at the current Welsh senior outfit to realise they have a chance of making the World Cup squad if they can put some solid performances behind them.
Fly half Elinor Snowsill made the step up from last year's Under 20s squad to senior status this season with last year's age grade skipper joined in this season's Six Nations squad by Ceri Redman and Becky Newton while Carys John, Heledd Stephens and Lisa Newton were promoted into the senior squad.
In particular Sioned Harries and Charlie Murray will be hoping to stake a claim after the duo spent time training with the Welsh senior squad recently.
Second row Jo Clarke, centre Jess Smith and winger Sian Perry all make their debuts against England while Natalie Stone, Chloe Howells, Jess Kavanagh and Kayleigh Balchin are all new caps starting from the bench.
A Wales U18's Talent Development Group will tackle England U18's Talent Development Group in the curtain raiser (KO 1pm).
The Welsh team has been selected from the U18's regional programme which has been running this season. Regions nominated players to attend trials where the 'best of the best' were selected to play in this one off fixture.
It's hoped some of these players will be invited to be involved in a 'potential group' with some of the U20's while some may be invited to also play in the Senior Regional programme.
WRU Women's Performance Manager Sophie Bennett said: "With several players having already progressed from the Under 20s to the full senior squad, it proves to the players that there is a pathway to full international honours.
"Hopefully some players will put their hands up just like some of their predecessors who have made the jump successfully."
Wales Under 20s v England
Surrey Sports Park, Tuesday 6th April, 3pm
15 Kerin Lake Neath Athletic
14 Sian Perry Altrincham Kersal
13 Adi Taviner (CAPT) Neath Athletic
12 Jess Smith Neath Athletic
11 Charlotte Murray Neath Athletic
10 Bethan Preece Neath Athletic
9 Yasmin Leung UWIC
1 Alex Stokes Neath Athletic
2 Amy Lawrence Neath Athletic
3 Lowri Harris UWIC
4 Jo Clarke UWIC
5 Shona Powell-Hughes Neath Athletic
6 Sian Williams RAF
8 Sioned Harris UWIC
7 Kathryn Joseph Neath Athletic
Substitutes
16 Natalie Stone Pontyclun
17 Sophie Mangano Kidwelly
18 Chloe Howells Whitland
19 Vicky Owens UWIC
20 Laura Marsh Woodbridge
21 Rhianydd Morgan Neath Athletic
22 Jess Kavanagh Dolgellau
For further information contact Graeme Gillespie via email at: ggillespie@wru.co.uk or tel: 07740612790
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