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**truebluefan** · 11-20-2007, 10:42 AM

Reebok Regional U20

With the exception of the Dragons, who have lost all three games to date, the other regions have bagged two wins apiece from their opening three matches. It makes tonight's games particularly intriguing with the pick, undoubtedly, at Stradey Park where the Scarlets entertain the Blues.
Having pipped the Dragons 30-29 last week, the Scarlets can take themselves a step closer to the final if they can avenge their opening day defeat at the hands of the Blues back in September.

The capital region were 33-6 winners on that occasion and after going down to the Ospreys next time out, they rectified their playing problems by winning 50-3 against the Dragons last month.

The Scarlets boast an away victory at the Ospreys and last week's win against the Dragons and would find themselves in a strong position at the top of the takle should they make it three in three.

Blues High Performance Manager Gafyn Cooper is expecting a tough game at Stradey where the Scarlets have proven themselves to be a difficult nut to crack.

"We played well in that opening game, but going away from home to play them will be a different proposition altogether. Having said that, we had an excellent win against the Dragons last time around and the guys are cinfident going into the game."

Scarlets Team Manager Ken Parfitt said, "We were trailing badly at half time against the Dragons last week, but proved ourselves after the break. We were like a different team. Hopefully we can produce our second half display against the Blues and not our first."

The Scarlets have rotated their side somewhat with fullback Richard Cunniffe moving on to the bench. However, the outstanding Daniel Evans, who has played for the senior Scarlets this season at fullback, starts at outside half and Wales U20 forward Haydn Pugh (the Principality Premiership player of the month for October) starts in the second row.

The Ospreys are expected to win the other game, at Llandarcy Academy, against the luckless Dragons for whom this season is all but over.

Victories at the Dragons, 41-0, and at home to the Blues 19-10, has put the holders in a good position going into tonight's games. A bonus point victory would certainly make them warm favourites to land a spot in the final.

Dragons High Performance Manager Ron Shottle said, "Results haven't gone our way this season, but as people can see from our first half display last week at Llandovery, when we put our minds to it, we can play."

Scarlets: D Newton; M Lemon, R Williams, R O Williams, J Harries, D Evans, M Gibson; O Evans, S Thomas, M Evans, J Kierney, H Pugh, D Zangouras, N Cudd, L Phillips (Capt)

Replacements: G Flynn, G Robinson, C Jenkins, A Harries, L Kendall, G Davies, R Cunniffe

Blues: L Halfpenny; J Egan, N Rees, L Ford, H Allen; J Thomas, L Evans; S Hobbs, H Dowden, P Palmer, M Al-Azzawi, J Groves (Capt), J Thomas, S Warburton, K Dacey

Replacements: M Howells, S Andrews, J Camnt, L Mills, L Williams, J Williams, J Loxton.

Dragons: J Tovey; J Norris, G O'Driscoll, N Turner, N Preece; R Powell, T Edwards; A Coundley, B Roberts (Capt), S Maguire, A Sweet, S Pailor, M Read, L Bray, D Crandon

Replacements: W Griffiths, L Harwood, G Young, J Jacas, L Evans, G Dare, J Leadbetter

**truebluefan** · 11-20-2007, 10:42 AM

The Blues Amateurs take on the Ospreys Amateurs in the third and final game of the tournament on Thursday November 22nd.
The match sees the two regions both looking to register their first win, and it is the first opportunity for many of these players to play on the Arms Park pitch.
It's also the final opportunity for players to impress the Wales Clubs selectors before the squad is named next month to play Scotland Clubs at home in February.

Blues Amateurs are captained by centre Matt Lewis from Builth Wells RFC.

Blues Amateurs v Ospreys Amateurs
Thursday November 22nd – Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off 7:15pm

BLUES SQUAD:

BACKS:
Tom Botwood – Llantrisant
Craig Allen – Llantrisant
Gethin Davies – Brecon
Matt Lewis – Builth Wells (Capt)
Rhys King – Llantrisant
Huw Lougher – Llantrisant
Mike Thomas – Llantwit Fardre
Ross Lucas – Rhydyfelin
Glen Holloway – Llantrisant
Lee Scarf – Rhydyfelin

FORWARDS:
Geraint George – Llantwit Fardre
James Walby – St Josephs
Andrew Evans – Llantwit Fardre
James Huntley – Rhiwbina
Dafydd Davies – Ynysybwl
Jon Burke – Llantwit Fardre
Jon Bickell – Rhiwbina
Luke Brennan – Aberdare
Pat Howell – Rhiwbina
Justin Benfield – Old Ilts
Mark Berridge – Old Ilts
Marcus Caudle – Llantwit Fardre
Dave Hefford – Abercynon

**truebluefan** · 11-20-2007, 10:42 AM

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis has welcomed the appointment of WRU Board Member Gerald Davies as Manager of the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009.
WRU Audio: Roger Lewis on the appointment of Gerald Davies to lead the Lions
“This is a great honour for Wales and the Welsh Rugby Union,” said Lewis. “He wore the Lions shirt with great distinction and he will bring to this particular role a great insight, sensitivity and understanding of what is required.

“We are thrilled for Gerald and it is fabulous that a Welshman is back in a major position with the British Lions. The 2009 Lions Tour to South Africa is going to be one of the great sporting occasions over the next couple of years nad to have a Welshman at the helm is very exciting and all of us will be supporting Gerald in what will be a challenging and hugely rewarding job.

“Gerald is major contributor to the board of the Welsh Rugby Union, he is a director, and for us to have this link with the Lions is very positive indeed for Welsh rugby.”

Gerald Davies, one of the legends of Welsh rugby, who toured with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa (1968) and New Zealand (1971), was delighted with his appointment at the official announcement in London today. He said: "I’m extraordinarily privileged to be named tour manager. I’m thankful for all the support given to me by the Lions Committee and Home Unions.

"I hope I can fulfil the task put upon me. I’m determined it will be a hugely successful tour. Lions tours are unforgettable experiences. This is a great privilege bestowed upon me and I hope I can do a suitable job."

WRU Chairman David Pickering said: “This is a fantastic recognition of Gerald’s achievements and also great for Wales.”

**truebluefan** · 11-20-2007, 10:45 AM

Morgan Stoddart will make his Wales debut in the Prince William Cup match against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (Kick-Off 2.45pm).

The 23-year-old Llanelli Scarlets full back joins an exciting ‘new look’ national team which includes three other players yet to reach double figures in appearances; Dragons prop Rhys Thomas (2), Ospreys lock Ian Evans (7) and Blues back-row forward Robin Sowden-Taylor (4).

Stoddart figures in an otherwise experienced back line which features recalled Osprey Gavin Henson, who forms a familiar centre partnership with regional colleague Sonny Parker. Mark Jones (Scarlets) and Tom Shanklin (Blues) take up position on the wings with Ospreys fly-half James Hook partnering Scarlets scrum-half Dwayne Peel. Fellow Scarlet Stephen Jones takes up a place on the bench making Peel now the most senior back in the starting XV boasting 58 caps.

In the back row Colin Charvis will make his 94th Welsh appearance alongside Blues specialist openside flanker Sowden-Taylor and the Osprey’s Jonathan Thomas at No.8. Another Ospreys partnership is re-united in the second row with Alun Wyn-Jones partnering Ian Evans. New Wales Captain and Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins joins the South African-born Thomas to pack down either side of Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett.

“We’ve had our hand forced a little in the backs with injuries to both Lee Byrne and Jamie Robinson ruling them out of contention, but the result is a pretty exciting new look backline which I’m sure can make South Africa stand up and take notice,” said Davies.

“Morgan has been in a rich vein of form of late and if he can retain his composure in what will surely be a cauldron atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium and allow his talent to show through then he could make quite a debut. All the fans will notice that Gavin is back and his partnership with both James Hook and Sonny Parker at the Ospreys has been going well of late which is the main reason for going with that combination.

“We will rely on the experience which Dwayne Peel brings to the side, Tom Shanklin remains a threat wherever you play him and Mark Jones is another who has been playing well.

“Up front we have a similar mix of youth, talent and experience with Gethin (Jenkins) already making an impact off the pitch as team captain and Colin Charvis looking like he can go on forever at the moment. Robin (Sowden-Taylor) features as a specialist in his position which we feel is necessary to combat the physicality of the Springbok pack and he offers a streetwise nature which is beyond his years and international experience which players in Wales will know all about.

“We have a big second row with Alun (Wyn Jones) and Ian (Evans) giving a nice balance to the team and we are pleased with the way Huw (Bennett) has performed at regional level.

“That just leaves Rhys (Thomas) at prop who will very much relish the opportunity to turn out against the country of his birth and show his talents. We also have a strong bench with both Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones able to come on and make an impact and maybe change the way we are playing if necessary.

"Tom James offers us a great deal of pace if we need to call upon it and Alix Popham personifies the word ‘impact’ for those who know him. We are facing the current world champions and it’s obviously a tough prospect, but we are playing at home in front of a baying crowd of Welsh fans and we have a magnificent opportunity to make a statement that will reverberate around world rugby, this Wales team is good enough to do something special on Saturday.”

Ticket sales are going well for the inaugural Prince William Cup match between Wales and South Africa. If you want to be part of a very special occasion then tickets are available from the WRU Ticket Shop (98, St Mary Street), on-line at Official Ticketmaster Site: Tickets for concerts, theatre, football, family days out (shortcut Official Ticketmaster site. Wales V South Africa tickets Cardiff Millennium Stadium Wales, , Directions, seating chart.) or by calling Ticketmaster on 08705 582 582. Tickets are priced at £20, £40, £45, £50 and £60 for this unique match against the reigning World Champions.

Wales: Morgan Stoddart; Mark Jones, Sonny Parker, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin; James Hook, Dwayne Peel: Gethin Jenkins (Capt), Huw Bennett, Rhys Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Colin Charvis, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Jonathan Thomas

Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Luke Charteris, Alix Popham, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Tom James

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