The season has started with a series of cup competitions, as we all ease ourselves back into some semblance of normality. The pool rounds of the competitions are locally-based to limit travel and to generate many tasty local derbies for players and fans to enjoy as they return to clubs and pitches around Wales. Rugby is very much back on the agenda.
With a record 20,000 tickets sold in the first hour of public sale, we also know the appetite for Welsh rugby internationals and the Autumn Nations Series is stronger than ever. Wayne Pivac’s Wales face New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia in the autumn with Principality Stadium back at full capacity and it is infinitely gladdening to confirm the nation is ready for rugby to return to Cardiff at it celebratory best.
We expect there will be some Covid -19 measures in place such as masks to be worn when moving around the stadium which can be removed when supporters are at their seats and enhanced cleaning measures. It’s important to note we’ve worked to the guidelines set out by Welsh Government and those of Public Health Wales throughput the process and we will continue to do so and we’re also working with the Local Authority and Safety Advisory Group (SAG) as we plan ahead.
We have allowed fans to buy with confidence with a full refund policy in place should Covid-19 restrictions prevent attendance for anyone. But we will all be forgiven for planning for and expecting the best of outcomes and a set of full-houses this autumn to warm the hearts and stir the passion throughout Wales. A packed-out series will be symbolic of things returning to normal in Welsh rugby.
The high demand for international tickets bodes well for the whole game in Wales. Returning support is obviously vital in terms of generating the money that is re-invested in the game at all levels, but this is the national sport of Wales and it just hasn’t felt right without supporters in Stadia.
There has been something missing and we will be delighted to welcome fans back for a series which will see many of the superstars of the world game in Cardiff.
This will also the first time many fans will have been able to see Wales in the flesh, since securing the 2021 Six Nations title, with only limited numbers allowed into Principality Stadium during the recent summer series.
The atmosphere should be truly celebratory and that’s before we start talking about the prospect of playing an New Zealand side as we look for a first victory since 1953; the British & Irish Lions-taming, world champion South Africans; the ever exciting Fijians and Australia, who will be looking for a win against us at the third time of trying.
Member clubs have been instrumental in helping to create the demand for rugby to return and directly in taking up ticket allocations for the Autumn Nations Series and I thank each and every one of our members for their continued dedication to and support of Welsh rugby.
I would like to formally congratulate Alun Wyn Jones on his achievements not just with the British & Irish Lions, where he has entered himself into the history books as one of their greatest players and servants, but also with and on behalf of Wales. He is an exemplar to all representing Wales on a global stage in the very best of lights and we are proud to have him as one of our own.
Congratulations to Jasmine Joyce who, although disappointed to finish fourth with GB Sevens in Tokyo, enjoyed a fantastic second Olympics, scoring prolifically and was a brilliant role model for all aspiring young players, well done Jaz.
Finally, may I send my congratulations to Sean Fitzpatrick and the many other participants of the Tour de Scarlets fundraiser in support of the Scarlets Community Foundation. I met up with them personally to pass on my encouragement and wished them well on their marathon ride around the region.”
Yours in rugby
Steve Phillips
WRU CEO
Rugby is back!
Rugby returned with a bang across Wales at the start of the month as touchlines and clubhouses buzzed with fans and players alike.
The WRU Cup competitions, designed to re-introduce the game to a nation that had spent more than 500 days wondering when they might be able to play again, turned into a real celebration as teams at all levels and both sexes got back in the groove.
“I have to admit I was a bit nervous in the build-up to the opening weekend,” admitted WRU Community director of rugby, Geraint John, “but from what I experienced at Porthcawl it turned into a wonderful exercise.
“Skewen came to Porthcawl and won on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t a day about winners and losers. It was a day when the Welsh rugby family reunited both on the field and off.
“We lost a few fixtures to COVID and a few other complications, but the vast majority of matches were played. As a first step back into playing I don’t think we could have wished for much more.
“It was great to witness first-hand what is going on at Porthcawl. They’ve been having 40 players at training and are thinking about starting a 2nd XV and want to establish an U18 girl’s team.
“There were a few clubs who wanted to get back into full blown league fixtures straightaway, but I think our measured approach has been the right one. Everyone needs to ease their way back into playing and we will be closely monitoring the numbers of games being played, and clubs who maybe struggling, as we go deeper into the current cup competitions.”
More on this story here:
Plus click here for a full round-up of all pathway results.
Llandaff captain David Hugo
Back, but not as we knew it:
Competitive rugby made a very welcome return across Wales, but not as we all knew it more than 500 days ago when the community game was last in full flow.
COVID-19 has forced changes to laws to ensure safety and law variations on trial from World Rugby will make the opening round of games in the Pathway to Participation: Senior Cup Competition. This involves the Championship Cup and other competitions embracing teams from the lower leagues split into Plate, Bowl and Shield categories.
In addition, there are North and South Wales Women’s Cup tournaments and a South Wales Plate tournament. It is great to have teams back on the pitch playing again, but there are a number of different things to look out for.
As far as the World Rugby regulations are concerned, these are the headline acts:
50:22
If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22, they will throw into the resultant lineout. The ball cannot be passed or carried back into the defensive half for the 50:22 to be played. The phase must originate inside the defensive half.
Goal line drop-out
If the ball is held up in in-goal, if there is a knock-on from an attacking player in in-goal or an attacking kick is grounded by the defenders in their own in-goal, then play restarts with a goal line drop-out anywhere along the goal line.
Flying wedge
The three or more player, pre-bound pod, or flying wedge, is now outlawed. The sanction will be a penalty kick.
1 Man latch
The one-player latch will still be permitted, but this player will now have the same responsibilities as a first arriving player (i.e. must stay on feet, enter through the gate and not fall to the floor). The sanction will be a penalty kick.
Cleanout and safety of the jackler
Any player who attempts a clean out which targets or drops weight onto the lower limbs of another player will now be penalised.
The adapted laws for the upcoming tournaments involve changes to existing rules to ensure safety under COVID-19 restrictions. The ones to look out for here are:
CLICK HERE to view all the Pathway Laws for every age group
The hottest ticket in town.
Wales’ Autumn Nations Series matches against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia has just gone on public sale for the first time – online on a first come first serve basis, with half-price concessions (u17s) available on all tickets.
In the first hour of sales opening a record 20,000 tickets were snapped up. Compared, like for like, to 2017 – the last time New Zealand were in Cardiff – when 6,000 tickets were sold in the first hour (an impressive figure itself at the time) this is a huge increase in demand.
The public sale total for day one in 2017 was 19,000 and this is another record which has been smashed, with now both lower and middle tier of Principality Stadium sold-out for the All Blacks match.
Wales face the might of the southern hemisphere in arguably their toughest autumn campaign to date, with Principality Stadium back to 100% capacity.
It would be dubbed the ‘ultimate group of death’ if Wales were pooled with the All Blacks, Springboks, Wallabies and flying Fijians in a World Cup competition.
The current aggregate world rankings of each opposition side add up to 20, significantly better than the six nations opposition (26) overcome by Wales when they lifted that 2021 Guinness Six Nations title last season.
“It’s an incredibly tough set of fixtures,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.
“We start with the top two sides in the world on back-to back weekends in Cardiff and there is no let up, with Fiji and Australia both capable of testing us to our limits.
“But this is what international rugby is all about. Testing ourselves against the best and we will relish the challenge.”
More from Wayne Pivac here
Previous meetings
Of the three previous occasions when Wales have faced these same fixtures the All Blacks have been first up in the series only once, 2005. On this occasion the visitors were 41-3 victors.
This same year Fiji took a Grand Slam holding Wales to the wire keeping their hosts to an 11-10 win in the second-round match. South Africa were victorious in round three, but a first historic win over the Wallabies since the 80s was the climactic result in the final round of the campaign.
In 2010 the Fiji result was even closer, drawn at 16-16, and this was the only success Wales had in the four-match series.
Wales took another southern hemisphere scalp beating South Africa in the final match in 2014. Fiji had again run them close (17-13) on the second weekend of games either side of losses to, first Australia, then nemesis side New Zealand.
The closest game of the set between Wales and the All Blacks, in recent times, came in 2009 when the fixture began a series which produced wins over Samoa and Argentina, but saw Australia win in Cardiff. The home side had kept New Zealand to a 19-12 scoreline in the opener, but a win against the All Blacks remains elusive.
Fiji focus
Fiji are the only side visiting in November who are ranked behind Wales, sitting just outside the top ten at 11th.
But the Fijian nation have also just returned from the Tokyo Olympics with gold, after beating New Zealand in the men’s sevens competition final, and bronze medals, after beating GB Women. In twelve meetings Wales have won ten, lost one and drawn one, but the statistics don’t tell the whole story. In 2007 Fiji notoriously knocked Wales out of the Rugby World Cup group stages in France and the 16-16 draw in 2010 came as a shock to a fully loaded Wales side.
Aussie rues
Wales have won each of their last two meetings with Australia, in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and in 2018 during the autumn series in Cardiff. However, prior to the ’18 loss, Australia went on an 13-match unbeaten run in the fixture, on both home and away soil, going all the way back to 2008 when that year’s incarnation of a Grand Slam winning Welsh side won 21-18 At Principality Stadium.
The fixtures
First up in the series New Zealand, face Wales on Saturday 30th October at Principality Stadium, kick-off 17:15. This meeting will be the first time the almighty All Blacks have returned to Cardiff in four years.
The second Test, against South Africa on Saturday 6th November, and the final Test, against Australia on Saturday 20th November, share the kick-off time of 17:30 with the third clash of the series against Fiji on Remembrance Sunday, Sunday 14th November set to kick-off at 15:15.
Wales v New Zealand, Principality Stadium – Saturday 30th October CAT A £95 (£47.50) / CAT B £85 (£42.50) / CAT C £75 (£37.50) /
(Both CAT D and CAT E have sold out for this match)
Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium – Saturday 6th November CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50) / CAT D £35 (£17.50) / CAT E £25 (£12.50)
Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium – Sunday 14th November CAT A £35 (£17.50) / CAT B £25 (£12.50) / CAT C £20 (£10) / CAT D £15 (£7.50) / CAT E £10 (£5)
Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium – Saturday 20th November CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50) / CAT D £35 (£17.50) / CAT E £25 (£12.50)
For the first time, concession tickets are available in ALL categories for ALL matches across the series (shown in brackets), meaning a child could get to all four matches for £50.
Rugby News
DAVIES LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SHOW
Jonathan Davies can’t wait to tackle rugby’s southern hemisphere superpowers this autumn, but the biggest thing he is looking forward to is playing in front of a full house at the Principality Stadium once again.
The world champion Springboks, New Zealand, Australia and Fiji are all due in the Welsh capital for one of the greatest autumn line-ups of all-time and Davies, who captained Wales during the summer series against Argentina, says the players are relishing the chance to face the world’s best.
But there is one thing in particular he is waiting to savour once more if he gets the chance to edge even closer towards the 100 Test mark both overall and for Wales – the bus ride in!
“You know it’s show time when you drive into the Principality Stadium and see the crowds on the streets. That’s when you get that little bit of extra adrenaline,” added Davies.
“I love having the added pressure of performing in front of thousands. It simply hasn’t been the same playing in front of empty stands.”
More from ‘Jon-the-Fox’ here.
JONES PROVES WHY HE IS GREAT
Alun Wyn Jones equalled Graham Price’s record of playing in 12 consecutive British & Irish Lions Test matches, but it was not enough to stop the tourists from slipping to a heart-breaking 19-16 defeat to the Springboks to lose the series.
It was a case déjà vu for Warren Gatland’s side who fell foul to a late Morne Steyn penalty to lose 2-1.
Read more, if you can face reliving the pain, here:
“I probably got a bit emotional after the game on two counts,” Jones said.
“One, a Lions tour is very special and particularly over the last 18 months or two years, it’s faced jeopardy from the global situation.
“Even to be out here has probably meant more to a lot of people. We spoke in the Autumn Nations Cup and Six Nations about going through the lockdown and being able to partake in our sport.
“And we’ve been able to do this in South Africa which is obviously facing its own Covid struggles. To be out here and be part of this means it’s been a very different but special tour.
“To fall short hurts more than if it was a bigger loss. We fully understand the significance of this tour, particularly as it’s four years until the next one and 12 until we come back to South Africa.”
More from Jones here:
JOYCE FACES FOURTH WITH TEAM GB
Jasmine Joyce admitted she was “absolutely gutted” after her Great Britain team suffered Olympic heartbreak in the women’s rugby sevens in Tokyo.
Wales wing Joyce had a phenomenal tournament and her combination of stunning pace and her eye for the try line played a big part in Team GB getting to the semi-finals.
But they were beaten in the last four by France which meant they played Fiji in the bronze-medal match.
The South Sea Islanders came out on top 21-12.
It meant Team GB finished fourth and narrowly missed out on a medal.
“You can probably tell by all our faces we are absolutely gutted,” said Joyce.
Hear more from the Wales Women star here:
Ex-Wales international Rebecca Rowe is now aiming to conquer Antarctica
ROWE CONQUERS FIRE AND ICE
They say it’s not where you start, but where you finish that counts.
And that is certainly the case for former Wales Women international Rebecca Rowe.
Never one to rest on her laurels, the multi-talented sportswoman finally met up with a new group of teammates in the searing heat of the Brecon Beacons recently to prepare for a ground-breaking assault on… Antarctica!
The Antarctic Fire Angels claim they are “Ordinary women doing extraordinary things”
Read more here
DERBY DELIGHT FOR INDIGO GROUP PREMIERSHIP
After an 18-month hiatus due to the pandemic, the Indigo Group Premiership clubs finally have something to look forward to with a new cup competition set to kick-start the season on September 18.
The 12 clubs have been divided into two pools of six – West and East – for the inaugural Indigo Group Premiership Cup.
CUP COMPETITION FIXTURES
The first matches have taken place in the Pathway to Participation cup competitions (August – December 2021) – the Championship Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield for the senior men’s game. The North Wales Cup, South Wales Cup and South Wales Plate for the senior women’s game will kick off in September.
The competitions have seen the first 15-a-side competitive matches take place since the first suspension of community rugby in March 2020. The competitions will be played under Modified Laws to reduce contact around the scrum and maul in particular, and there is a focus on staying local during the Pool phases.
Hear from WRU Community Director Geraint John and more here:
GUIDANCE FOR ALERT LEVEL 0
Clubs can now amend their current protocols and adopt the latest Welsh Government guidance PROVIDING they have completed an internal risk assessment and adhere to the measures they put in place which will be specific to their own facilities.
The Scarlets Community Foundation cyclists were welcomed back at Par y Scarlets after four days on the road
TOUR DE SCARLETS FUNDRAISER
The Scarlets Community Foundation successfully completed its Tour de Scarlets, visiting 53 grassroots rugby clubs across the region.
Over four incredible days, Community Foundation officer Rhodri Jones, head groundsman Luke Jenkins and All Blacks great Sean Fitzpatrick cycled 350 miles calling into clubs in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion to raise funds for the local community game. They were also joined by WRU Community staff en route.
They had been joined at the clubs by members of the Scarlets squad with the likes of Foundation ambassador Rhys Patchell, Josh Macleod, Daf Hughes, Iestyn Rees, Marc Jones, Luke Davies and backs coach Dai Flanagan among those making appearances along the way.
The Tour finished at Parc y Scarlets on where the riders were applauded home by Scarlets staff, fans and family..
PRITCHARD TAKES CHARGE IN THE NORTH
Alun Pritchard has been appointed as the new General Manager, North Wales Development Region.
Pritchard, a former Abergele back row, played a key role in establishing RGC, as a volunteer director of the side in the early years of its journey, and was later a key partner of RGC and the Welsh Rugby Union as Conwy Council senior events officer before moving to Motorsports UK, where he looked after the commercial and customer experience at Wales Rally GB and British Rally Championship.
His role will be wide-ranging, responsible for both the community and performance pathways in North Wales and working with key partners such as Conwy Council to ensure a quality experience for players, staff and supporters at Stadiwm Zipworld.
TERRY DAVIES OBITUARY
Terry Davies, one of the greatest of all Welsh full backs, has died in his home town of Llanelli at the age of 88. A former Wales captain and British & Irish Lions Test player, he won 21 caps.
His Wales debut, along with Gareth Griffiths and Sid Judd, came in January, 1953 at Twickenham, when he scored his side’s only points with a penalty in a 9-3 defeat to England.
SUMMER CAMPS
The WRU’s summer camp initiative has been a huge success to date. By the end of the month, more than 115 one-day camps will have taken place including 14 girls-only camps and five SEN camps.
The camps have been organised and delivered around Wales by WRU and regional community staff along with hub officers and through working with external partners including School of Hard Knocks, Urdd and Local Authorities.
By the end of the school holidays, more than 4,500 young people will have benefitted from at least one day of fun, rugby activities as we continue to kick-start community rugby following the lengthy lockdown periods. The vast majority of the camps are free of charge with healthy lunches provided to help combat holiday hunger and remove barriers to activity.
WRU community director Geraint John said, “The past 17 months have affected everyone, both physically and mentally, none more so than our young people, so it has been fantastic to see so many young people all over Wales and from all backgrounds take up the free spaces on our summer camps and enjoy a day of engaging rugby activities.
“Alongside seeing the return of competitive community rugby, it’s hugely encouraging to see the collaboration between our staff, the community teams at the Regions, hub officers and partners working together to remove barriers and provide opportunities to everyone including those who have never played rugby before.”
FINALLY… FOCUS ON NORTH WALES
A chance to focus on rugby in North Wales in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We chat at length to the new general manager in the North Wales development region, Alun Pritchard.
