The 500-strong celebration at Cardiff City Hall has become the latest casualty of the Covid crisis, but Cardiff Met RFC vice-chairman, Dave Cobner, is still predicting a very special evening at the end of next season.
“The decision on whether or not we could hold on for our original date was eventually taken out of our hands by the City Hall. We fully understand how difficult it was going to be to try to get clearance for a 500-strong dinner in two months time,” said Cobner.
“The new date is still within the time frame of our 70th season and will give everyone the chance to get ready for what promises to be a very special occasion. We have playing representatives from every decade of our history and a host of British & Irish Lions, Welsh internationals, National Coaches, back room staff and administrators due to attend.
“With more than 250 students currently playing rugby in highly 10 competitive teams in the men’s and women’s game we believe our rugby offering is as strong as it ever has been.”
The professional, semi-pro and community game is littered with former students. Ken Owens is captaining the Scarlets and Jonathan Humphreys is acting as forwards coach for Wales.
Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore are playing for Harlequins, while Jack Yeandle is chasing top honours at Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership. Danny Wilson is the forwards coach in Scotland and Rhodri Bown was head of performance analysis for the last Lions tour.
He continues in a similar role at the WRU, where Ryan Jones is head of performance and Geraint John is head of community rugby. Martyn Phillips, the outgoing WRU CEO, is another high-profile former student.
“We’ve got two former Wales coaches due to attend the dinner, Clive Rowlands and John Lloyd, as well as a number of significant coaches of our own teams – John Evans, John Huw Williams, Kevin Bowring, Don Llewellyn, Steve Williams and Chris Davey,” added Cobner.
“Sir Gareth Edwards is among a number of all-time international greats who will be joining us, while CL ‘Cowboy’ Davies, who played for Wales in 1956, will be our oldest cap. He is due to celebrate his 90th birthday on 30 December.”
