2012 Wales Six nations Squad

The Wales 2012 RBS 6 Nations squad has been pictured as they have never collectively been seen before – each wearing the club kit which they wore at the start of their rugby careers.

Head Coach Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad took time out from their busy training schedule this week to pay homage to the 13 Principality Premiership clubs (at times of appearances) that helped to get the players where they are today.

Every member of the squad, which has just returned from a pre-tournament training camp in Poland, has featured in Wales’ top club rugby competition for at least one club and each of the players were asked to nominate the side they felt most synonymous with.

In instances where players had featured for more than one club and they felt equal allegiances, the club was chosen for them, but, to-a-man, each player relished the opportunity to show a little piece of their personal heritage for the historic photo.

Llanelli RFC can boast to having made the greatest contribution to the current squad, they could almost field an entire backline of internationals, with a grand total of 10 players, including four uncapped, representing one of the WRU’s original member clubs – their players are: Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland, Lee Byrne, and the uncapped Liam Williams, Rhodri Jones, Aaron Shingler and Lou Reed.

The next highest representation is from Wales’ capital club, Cardiff, with five internationals, plus the uncapped wing Harry Robinson.

Neath have provided five players in the current squad and Aberavon, Bridgend, Glamorgan Wanderers, Pontypridd and Swansea have all sent two players each from grass roots to international stardom – with the Wanderers providing squad captain Sam Warburton.

Single, but vital contributions, come from Cross Keys (Toby Faletau), Ebbw Vale (Dan Lydiate), Llandovery (George North) and Newport (Andy Powell).

“Welsh rugby must never forget its roots,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.

“Our premiership clubs are the foundation stones upon which the international game is built.  This picture is a wonderful way of expressing how important the Principality Premiership is to Welsh rugby.

“The fact every member of the current squad has worked their way up through the pathway structure we have in place to develop players is something we should all be proud of.

“All the boys are extremely proud of their rugby heritage and they were very enthusiastic about taking part in this photograph.”

Graeme Yorston, Chief Operating Officer of Principality Building Society, sponsors of the Premiership commented:  ‘Principality believes that the Premiership is pivotal in the Welsh rugby triangle and this photograph demonstrates just how valuable the league is in developing young talent from the village playing field to the national game. We are extremely proud of the contribution we have made in supporting the success of the 6 Nations Squad.’

WALES’ 37-MAN RBS 6 NATIONS SQUAD PLAYERS ARE PICTURED REPRESENTING THE FOLLOWING CLUBS: 

ABERAVON: Justin TIPURIC, Ashley BECK

BRIDGEND: Ryan BEVINGTON, Ryan JONES, Rhys WEBB

CARDIFF: Alex CUTHBERT, Bradley DAVIES, Rhys GILL, Leigh HALFPENNY, Jamie ROBERTS, Harry ROBINSON

CARMARTHEN QUINS: Ken OWENS

CROSS KEYS: Toby FALETAU

EBBW VALE: Dan LYDIATE

GLAMORGAN WANDERERS: Sam WARBURTON, Lloyd WILLIAMS

LLANDOVERY: George NORTH

LLANELLI: Lee BYRNE, Jonathan DAVIES, Rhodri JONES, Stephen JONES, Mike PHILLIPS, Rhys PRIESTLAND, Lou REED, Aaron SHINGLER, Liam WILLIAMS, Scott WILLIAMS

NEATH: Ian EVANS, James HOOK, Paul JAMES, Adam JONES, Craig MITCHELL

NEWPORT: Andy POWELL

PONTYPRIDD: Gethin JENKINS, Matthew REES

SWANSEA: Huw BENNETT, Gavin HENSON

Welsh coach - Warren Gatland

Warren Gatland today announced the 35-man Wales squad, captained by Sam Warburton, which will travel to Gdańsk, Poland, next week for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations training camp.

The Wales head coach has stuck with the majority of his much hailed Rugby World Cup side, adding just four players who did not feature in either his extended 45-man pre-RWC training squad or the December international against Australia at the Millennium Stadium at the start of this season.

Saracens prop Rhys Gill, uncapped Ospreys pair Ashley Beck and Rhys Webb and young Blues wing Harry Robinson are the only players in the squad who have not been in the international selector’s plans this season so far, with Gill earning his only international cap two years ago as a 2010 RBS 6 Nations replacement against Ireland.

Robinson, Webb, Beck, Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones and colleague Liam Williams – who both featured in the training  squad which faced the Wallabies last  month – and Scarlets lock Lou Reed (lock) are the only uncapped players selected.

The squad is set to be reduced again after Wales return from an intense seven-day period at the specialist training camp which utilizes cryotherapy chambers to improve recovery and allow players to cram more training sessions into a given day.

But Gatland is confident he has the right blend of youth, talent and experience to mount a highly credible challenge on the 2012 RBS 6 Nations title next month, which begins with a Celtic double header against Ireland, away, and Scotland, at home at the Millennium Stadium, on the first two weekends in February.

Three players – Mitchell, Gill and Sale Sharks back row Andy Powell – join the squad from English clubs and Wales have also called upon the services of France based trio James Hook, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne, with all six available to Wales for a reduced amount of time on the camp (three days), the maximum stipulated by IRB regulations.

 “We have had to strike a balance with this squad, the majority are those players who excelled for Wales during the Rugby World Cup, but are also taking the opportunity to look at one or two youngsters before probably cutting our numbers even further before the start of the RBS 6 Nations,” said Gatland.

“We have kept a couple of older heads and we have injuries,  with Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Turnbull, Rob McCusker and Luke Charteris all unavailable to us, but the emphasis on development and planning for the future is there for everyone to see.

“These are exciting times for Welsh rugby, we showed a huge amount of potential at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and we will be working as hard as humanly possible to ensure that we reach our potential in this year’s 6 Nations championship.”

BACKS

  Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)

  DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs

  International record: 60 caps (W 28, L 29, D 2; 40 pts – 8T)

  Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)

  DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

  International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2; 10 pts – 2T)

  Rhys WEBB (OSPREYS – Uncapped)

  DoB: 09.12.88. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 12lbs / 88kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

  DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

  International record: 10 caps (W 6, L 4; 53 pts – 1T, 12C, 8PG)

  James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)

  DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs

  International record: 59 caps (W 25, L 32, D 2; 326 pts – 12T, 40C, 58PG, 4DG)

  Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

  DoB: 08.11.86.  6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

  International record: 39 caps (W 18, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

  Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

  DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

  International record: 21 caps (W 11, L 10; 25 pts – 5T)

  Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

  DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

  International record: 8 caps (W 4, L 4; 20 pts – 4T)

  Gavin HENSON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 990)

  DoB: 01.02.82. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

  International record: 33 caps (W 18, L 14, D 1; 130 pts – 3T, 29C, 18PG, 1DG)

  Ashley BECK (OSPREYS – Uncapped)

  DoB: 15.04.90. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st  10lbs / 100kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

  DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

  International record: 16 caps (W 6, L 9, D 1; 45 pts – 9T)

  Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)

  DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs

  International record: 27 caps (W 12, L 15; 72 pts – 9T, 9PG)

  Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,089)

  DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

  International record: 1 cap (L 1)

  Harry ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)

  DoB: 16.04.93. 5’10” / 1.78m. 12st 13lbs / 82kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  Liam WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

  DoB:09.04.91. 6’2” / 1.88m. 13st 5lbs / 85kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE – Cap No 1,041)

  DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3″ / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs

  International record: 46 caps (W 20, L 24, D 2; 50 pts – 10T)

FORWARDS

  Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS – Cap No 1,068)

  DoB: 03.05.86. 6’1” / 1.85m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs

  International record: 11 caps (W 8, L 3)

  Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)

 DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

  International record: 75 caps (W 35, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

  Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)

  DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0”/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs

  International record: 7 caps (W 3, L 4)

  Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

  DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

  International record: 83 caps (W 37, L 44, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)

  Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

  DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

  International record: 31 caps (W 12, L 18, D 1)

  Rhys GILL (SARACENS – Cap No 1,073)

  DoB: 30.10.86. 5’11” / 1.80m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs

  International record: 1 cap (L 1)

  Rhodri JONES (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

  DoB: 19.01.91. 6’3” / 1.91m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  Matthew REES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,033)

  DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 1lbs / 108kgs

  International record: 48 caps (W 20, L 27, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)

  Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)

  DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs

  International record: 49 caps (W 23, L 25, D 1)

  Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,088)

  DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs

  International record: 1 cap (W 1)

  Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)

  DoB: 09.01.87.  6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs

  International record: 32 caps (W 14, L 17, D 1)

  Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)

  DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs

  International record: 17 caps (W 6, L 10, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

  Lou REED (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

  DoB: 10.09.87. 6’6” / 1.99m. 17st 11lbs / 113kgs

  International record: Uncapped

  Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

  DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

  International record: 58 caps (W 28, L 28, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

  Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

  DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

  International record: 20 caps (W 8, L 11, D 1)

  Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

  DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

  International record: 24 caps (W 12, L 12; 10 pts – 2T)

  Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,086)

  DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

  International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)

  Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

  DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

  International record: 11 caps (W 5, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)

  Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)

  DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs

  International record: 22 caps (W 12, L 10; 5 pts – 1T)

The Kit Aid initiative gives unwanted rugby kit to underprivileged children in the UK and overseas to provide those of all abilities and backgrounds the chance to participate in rugby. The project also promotes social inclusion and helps protect the environment through recycling.

The WRU is delighted to back the campaign which improves participation levels throughout rugby and has worked closely with Wales’ national teams and SWALEC League clubs this season to ensure that any unwanted kit goes to some of the world’s most disadvantaged areas.

Graham Price, the Ambassador for LV=SOS Kit Aid in Wales, collected Welsh rugby’s generous offering from the home of Welsh Sport today, where preparations are well underway for Wales’ clash with Australia in the Dove Men Challenge on Saturday (kick off 16:30 CAT).

“I am incredibly grateful to the WRU and their clubs for once again making a substantial contribution to the LV=SOS Kit Aid,” he said. “This is a wonderful project and I’m proud and honoured to support the chance to spread rugby to youngsters from emerging nations so they too can have an opportunity to take part in our great game.”

Jason Lewis, WRU National Rugby Development Manager, said: “Developing the game of rugby across all ages and abilities is at the heart of our vision for Wales and it is with pleasure that I represent our national teams and member clubs to share their generosity with other nations driving the game of rugby in their own communities.”

The WRU first launched their support for the project, which has sent £2m worth of recycled kit to 19 emerging countries in Africa and Eastern Europe, in 2007.

Anyone wanting to donate their kit should go to the official website: lvsoskitaid.com and click “I want to donate” at the top of the page to find out more.

The selection follows the polished performance from the position given by the new Melbourne Rebels recruit during last weekend’s 60-11 win over the Barbarians in London.

Although he didn’t score a try, O’Connor directed operations skillfully, varying his running and passing game, while also kicking all eight placed goals that he struck as well as a wobbly but effective field goal.

The Wallabies backline starts intact from that match, with inside centre Berrick Barnes having recovered from the blow to his back which forced him from the field at Twickenham.

He returns, with last weekend’s impressive Wallabies’ first-timer Ben Tapuai included on the bench, from where he will get to make his Test debut should he be pressed into action during the game.

Queensland Reds utility back Ben Lucas has also made the bench, as the replacement halfback, and will also be on debut should he be called on to take the field.

There have been 851 players thus far represent Australia in matches that have been accorded Test status by the Australian Rugby Union, the most recent of whom to gain a Test number was Queensland Reds winger (& Wallaby No. 851) Rod Davies, during this season’s one off match against Samoa in July.

This weekend’s game in Cardiff is the 533^rd Test match to have been played by a team recognised as representing Australia.

Although 22 of the 26 players in the current touring party featured at the recent Rugby World Cup: Barnes, halfback Will Genia and winger Digby Ioane are the only players who will occupy the same starting backline positions on Saturday as they did during Australia’s 21-18 win over Wales in the Bronze Final at Auckland which closed out that tournament for both sides.

The forward unit boasts a more settled look, with the only change from Eden Park seeing locks Rob Simmons and Nathan Sharpe swap roles. This time Simmons will start, with Sharpe providing reinforcement from the bench.

After scoring two tries during a 30-minute cameo off the bench against the Barbarians, Tour captain James Horwill returns to the starting line-up this weekend, taking over the leader’s armband from last weekend’s successful first-time skipper David Pocock.

Pocock nonetheless looms as an important figure for the Wallabies against an opponent he has enjoyed significant success against in the past. This weekend, he will mark Wales captain Sam Warburton, who missed out on the World Cup contest between the two sides due to suspension.

Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says his side will have to be “at its very best” to subdue a Welsh outfit that will be buoyed by its Rugby World Cup exploits, while also fuelled by an additional motivation in looking to give long-serving winger Shane Williams a winning farewell as he ends his Test career after the match.

The fleet-footed Williams is already the leading try-scorer for Wales against Australia, scoring his fifth try against the Wallabies during the recent Bronze Final. That score was the 57^th(a Welsh record) try that the 34-year-old has gathered from his 86 Tests to date.

“We experienced ourselves how powerful the additional motivation of playing for a mate can be, when ‘Sharpie’ [Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe] had his 100^thTest in Auckland,” Deans says.

“There was no way any of the other players wanted to let him down. I’ve no doubts that the Welsh lads will be feeling just the same this week as we did in Auckland. Emotion plays a powerful role in competitive sport.”

Wales would also see this match as the perfect opportunity to kick on from the team’s World Cup advancement by knocking over an opponent ranked higher in the International Rugby Board standings, Deans noted.

“Warren [Wales coach Warren Gatland] will be looking for his group to push on from the World Cup,” Deans says, “and this match provides him with a perfect opportunity to do just that as a springboard heading into the next Six Nations.”

After winning just once from four visits to Cardiff between 2005 and 2008, Australia is on Saturday bidding for its third successive victory at the Millennium Stadium, and its fourth win in-a-row against Wales overall.

Should the Wallabies succeed, that would give the current side outright ownership of the second best winning sequence ever achieved by Australia against Wales, trailed only by the nine wins that were gathered between 1991 and 2003.

The Test will be broadcast live in Australia on both Fox Sports and free-to-air on SBS.

The competitive rivalry between the two teams, as was showcased at the Rugby World Cup, will after Saturday resume in Australia next year, with Wales due Down Under for three Test matches through June, playing in Brisbane, Melbourne and in a return to Tests at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The team is:

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper  (NSW Waratahs)

14. Lachie Turner                (NSW Waratahs)

13. Rob Horne                     (NSW Waratahs)

12. Berrick Barnes             (NSW Waratahs)

11. Digby Ioane                  (Queensland Reds)

10. James O’Connor          (Melbourne Rebels)

9. Will Genia                        (Queensland Reds)

8. Ben McCalman               (Western Force)

7. David Pocock                  (Western Force)

6. Scott Higginbotham      (Queensland Reds)

5. Rob Simmons                  (Queensland Reds)

4. James Horwill                 (Queensland Reds, captain)

3. Salesi Ma’afu                  (Western Force)

2. Tatafu Polota Nau         (NSW Waratahs)

1. James Slipper                  (Queensland Reds)

Run on Reserves:

16. Stephen Moore            (Brumbies)

17. Ben Alexander              (Brumbies)

18. Nathan Sharpe             (Western Force)

19. Radike Samo                 (Queensland Reds)

20. Ben Lucas                      (Queensland Reds)

21. Ben Tapuai                    (Queensland Reds)

22. Anthony Fainga’a         (Queensland Reds)

Australia v Wales – Historical Notes

• This is the 32nd meeting between the two sides. Australia has won 20 of the previous Tests and Wales 10, with the 2006 clash at the Millennium Stadium drawn 29-29.
• Australiahas won the last three matches between the two teams – 33-12 in 2009, 25-16 in 2010, and 21-18 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in October. Both the 2009 and 2010 wins were claimed in Cardiff. Prior to the 2009 success, the Wallabies had won just once from their previous four visits to the Welsh capital.
• Nathan Sharpe will feature in his 101^stTest, and his 10^thagainst Wales. This will tie David Campese as the fourth most capped Wallaby of all-time, while Saturday’s appearance will mean that Sharpe has featured in more Tests against Wales than any other Australian, moving beyond the nine appearances George Gregan gathered against that nation.
• The most tries scored by an Australian player in a single Test against Wales is two. This has been achieved by nine different players. Chris Latham and Michael Lynagh, who both scored four tries through their careers against Wales, have the most by any Wallaby against that country.
• Of the current players, Digby Ioane has three tries against Wales in Tests. This represents a third or 33.3 % of the 26-year-old’s total Test career try tally.
• Flanker David Pocock has scored tries on each of Australia’s last two visits to Cardiff. The tries represented the first two at Test level of Pocock’s career, and account for 50 % of the tries in his Test career to date, after he scored two in the Rugby World Cup Pool match against Russia earlier this year.

21-year-old James O’Connor will feature in his 37^thTest on Saturday, one scoring play away from becoming just the eighth Wallaby to surpass 200 Test points. Fresh from a Rugby World Cup campaign where he finished as the tournament’s second highest point-scorer (behind South Africa’s Morne Steyn) with 52, O’Connor begins this weekend with 199 Test points to his name.

More than 60,000 fans will be asked to show their respect for the late Wales Football Manager and former international captain, as both teams line up ready to sing their national anthems.

A Welsh Rugby Union spokesman said: “Gary Speed was a talented sportsman, an excellent ambassador for soccer and a true gentleman.

“As Wales Football Manager he was achieving a level of success which was raising the Welsh international game to new levels.

“He represented values and a work ethic which had a resonance to the ambitions of everyone involved in rugby.

“We will all miss him and his memory will undoubtedly live on through his achievements.

“It is important for rugby to pay its respects to Gary Speed and the international on Saturday, which is the first for a Welsh team since his passing, is a fitting opportunity for that tribute to be paid.”

French skipper, Thierry Dusautoir, named 2011 IRB Player of the Year.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has been named the IRB Player of the Year at the 2011 IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline, during a star-studded ceremony at Vector Arena in Auckland on Monday.

Dusautoir is the second Frenchman to win the Award, following in the footsteps of former national team captain, Fabien Galthié, who claimed the accolade in 2002.

New Zealand were named IRB Team of the Year and Graham Henry IRB Coach of the Year, to add to the Rugby World Cup crown they claimed at Eden Park with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over the French on 23 October.

Dusautoir was outstanding all season for France, including in the World Cup and particularly the final where his defensive effort and ball-carrying inspired the French against the hosts. He was picked ahead of five other nominees – New Zealand scrum half Piri Weepu, flanker Jerome Kaino and centre Ma’a Nonu and Australia flanker David Pocock and scrum half Will Genia.

The winners were selected by the Awards’ independent panel of judges, chaired by Rugby World Cup-winner John Eales and made up of former internationals with more than 500 caps between them. The panel deliberated on every major Test match played this year, starting with the first Six Nations match and finishing with the Rugby World Cup 2011 Final.

The glittering event, which also celebrated 125 years of the International Rugby Board, was a fitting finale to what IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset described as an “exceptional” Rugby World Cup and was attended by all four semi-final teams, royalty and stars from sport and entertainment.

Earlier in the day, an estimated 240,000 fans turned up to catch a glimpse of the All Blacks who were last to arrive at the Vector Arena with the Webb Ellis Cup.

IRB Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Cecil Afrika, South Africa

Cecil Afrika was the outstanding player from the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series and finished as the top try and point scorer. South Africa’s inspirational playmaker and sweeper, Afrika scored 40 tries and 385 points across seven events, returning from injury in double quick time to inspire the Blitzbokke to Cup success in Las Vegas, and was also key in their victories in London and Scotland.

IRB Junior Player of the Year – George Ford, England

George Ford becomes England’s first recipient of this Award after playing a key role in his country’s run to the IRB Junior World Championship 2011 final in Italy, where they ultimately lost 33-22 to New Zealand. The youngest player in the tournament at only 18 years and three months, Ford’s skills and vision belie his tender age, his maturity on the pitch giving the impression he always has options, more often than not taking the right one.

IRB Development Award – USA Rugby’s Rookie Rugby programme

Rookie Rugby was designed by USA Rugby, the sport’s governing body in the US, to give young players between six and 12 years old a fun, safe and enjoyable sporting experience. It introduced a whole new raft of fans and athletes to the sport through programmes administered through schools, community-based and state-based rugby organizations and USA Rugby national events. The initial aim was to introduce 100,000 new children to rugby but the reality has far outstripped that and continues to gather momentum.

Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Jock Hobbs

Jock Hobbs was elected Chairman of the NZRU in 2002 and served with distinction, overseeing considerable success on and off the pitch while also securing New Zealand the right to host Rugby World Cup 2011. In December 2010 Hobbs stepped down from his position as Chairman of both the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Limited due to ill health but continues to be an inspirational presence in the country.

IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service in association with Emirates Airline – Keith Lawrence

Keith Lawrence refereed 14 international matches between 1985 and 1991 and went on to become an outstanding rugby administrator in the match official sphere. Lawrence worked as a Referee Manager both within his native New Zealand and for the International Rugby Board as Sevens Referee Manager, a role from which he retired earlier this year.

IRB Women’s Personality of the Year – Ruth Mitchell

Hailing originally from Liverpool in England, Ruth Mitchell played rugby in Hong Kong before becoming an administrator and ultimately reaching the post of Director of Development for the HKRFU. A driving force behind youth rugby, Mitchell has also been instrumental in growing the women’s Game.

Spirit of Rugby Award – Wooden Spoon

The IRB recognised the work of the Wooden Spoon and its volunteers for more than 25 years of work with underprivileged children across the UK by awarding them with the IRB Spirit of Rugby Award The prestigious award recognises the incredible feats that can be achieved through Rugby both on and off the field and recognises those who, through selfless action, influence the lives of others, make significant contribution to their communities and demonstrate the force for good that sport can be in all areas of the world. Wooden Spoon is the first charity to receive such an accolade.

IRPA Try of the Year – Radike Samo, Australia v New Zealand

The final Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup match of 2011 between New Zealand and Australia in Brisbane was a breathless encounter won by the Wallabies, inspired on the day by Radike Samo. The Fijian-born 35-year-old forward received the ball on his own 10-metre line and shrugged off a couple of All Black defenders before outsprinting the cover defence to score a remarkable individual try.

IRPA Special Merit Award

Former captain George Smith is one of the greatest flankers ever to play for Australia and a veteran of 110 Tests for his country. Smith made his international debut against France in 2000 and played his final Test for the Wallabies against Wales nine years later. The 31-year-old has played for the Barbarians four times since, including earlier this year against England and Wales.

IRB Hall of Fame

Nineteen founders, pioneers and legends of Rugby World Cup have been inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame, including four men who made a major contribution to the creation of the tournament, the winning coach and captain of every edition from 1987 to 2007 and four players who have left an indelible mark for their moments of magic, inspiration or feats.

Full list of IRB Awards winners

IRB Player of the Year – Thierry Dusautoir

IRB Team of the Year – New Zealand

IRB Coach of the Year – Graham Henry

IRB Junior Player of the Year – George Ford, England

IRB Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Cecil Afrika, South Africa

IRB Women’s Personality of the Year – Ruth Mitchell

IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service – Keith Lawrence

Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Jock Hobbs

IRB Development Award – Rookie Rugby

IRB Spirit of Rugby Award – Wooden Spoon

IRPA Special Merit Award – George Smith, Australia

IRPA Try of the Year – Radike Samo, Australia v New Zealand

IRB Hall of Fame inductees – Dr Roger Vanderfield, Richard Littlejohn, Sir Nicholas Shehadie, John Kendall-Carpenter, David Kirk, Sir Brian Lochore, Nick Farr-Jones, Bob Dwyer, Francois Pienaar, Kitch Christie, Rod Macqueen, Martin Johnson CBE, Sir Clive Woodward OBE, John Smit, Jake White, Gareth Rees, Agustín Pichot, Brian Lima and Jonah Lomu.

Note: John Eales, the 1999-winning captain, was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2007.

(www.irb.com)

MARCOUSSIS, France — Yoann Huget was expelled from the French World Cup rugby union squad on Thursday for not observing the anti-doping rules announced French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Pierre Camou.

Camou revealed at a news conference that the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) had notified the FFR that the player had received three warnings over his not informing them of his whereabouts when they wanted to test him.

“It is a problem with regard to the regulations, nothing to do with a banned substance,” said Camou.

A visibly emotional Huget – capped seven times but somewhat of a surprise selection in the squad after a low key Six Nations – conceded that there was no way he could have played in the World Cup which kicks-off in New Zealand on September 9.

“I am withdrawing from the World Cup because the punishment I face is anything from the minimum three months up to 18 months,” said the 24-year-old Bayonne wing, who made his test debut against Argentina last November.

“I prefer to leave the squad now rather than when they are really stepping up their training for the World Cup and thus put them in difficulty, knowing that I would not be able to be replaced.”

France coach Marc Lievremont indicated to AFP that he was not going to replace Huget ‘for the moment’ in the squad.

(AFP).

The Saracens lock’s story goes from National Three North and cramped minibuses, via the Championship to Aviva Premiership and England Saxons glory, and he’s now dedicated to making the step into an England shirt.

“I consider myself a product of the English rugby system,” he said. “Coming through grassroots levels and learning your rugby knowledge and being coached to become a better player.”

“I feel like I owe it to England and it’s a great honour [to be named in the preliminary world cup squad], there will be no hesitation to play for England if that opportunity arises.

“When I came over to England the dream of playing for the Springboks faded. When I signed for Saracens there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to play for England. After my first pre-season I had a chat with the club psychologist and I said that my goal was to play for England – obviously he couldn’t laugh at me because he’s there to support me – and I felt there was the opportunity to realise it.”

Although hard to believe, the 6’ 6”, 18-stone forward was once told he was too small to make it as a rugby player, but that was the catalyst for a chain of events which has left the KwaZulu-Natal born lock in Martin Johnson’s preliminary training squad.

After enjoying a stellar season for Aviva Premiership champions Saracens and impressing for England Saxons in their victorious Churchill Cup campaign, 29-year-old Botha was selected by Martin Johnson to compete for a seat on the plane to New Zealand.

But that is only a fraction of the story, for a man who arrived in England in October 2004 to take up the offer of flights, accommodation and an office job from National Three North Bedford Athletic.

“I was playing first team club rugby in South Africa but was told I was a bit small and too light – at the time I weighed about 105kg [16 and a half stone],” he said.

“I was working full time and the hours didn’t allow for me to go to the gym at all and it was going to be a continuous cycle. I wanted to focus more on rugby so I decided to fire my CV off to a few clubs I found on the internet, and Bedford Athletic rang me up and said that they would offer me something.

“I never heard of them before but there were no other interested clubs for them to compete with. Their selling point was that [Championship side] Bedford Blues are in the same town and if I did well there could be the opportunity to go on and play for them.”

So Botha took the chance and moved to England, fully immersing himself in Midlands rugby and meeting his now wife, Natasha, along the way. His next break came after having a fine game in what he considered as a trial for the Blues, playing for East Midlands against the Barbarians in the annual Mobbs Memorial match.”

“It was a brilliant experience with Athletic, but a tough first season. Our closest game was in Rugby, about an hour and a half drive, with most teams in York or Newcastle. We didn’t have a bus either, we piled into a sort of mini-van and we were virtually cramping up on the way to our games. Our away record wasn’t the best, and even though we had the second or third best home record we came last and got relegated.

“After another season I had a good game in Mobbs Memorial match and got a trial and then a small contract at Bedford Blues. I didn’t play much in the first season and it was a massive learning curve for me. Before then I didn’t have any idea that you actually plan two or three phases after a set-piece!”

After what he describes as a ‘storming’ second campaign – being named player of the season – and backing that up the following year, there was interest from Premiership clubs, most notably Saracens.

The rest of the story is more standard for an England international, with Botha securing his move to Vicarage Road in 2009. He made an immediate impact as his all-action style became a major factor for the side in reaching successive Premiership finals in 2010 and 2011.

After winning Sarries first Aviva Premiership title in May Botha became part of the England Saxons group for the 2011 Churchill Cup and helped England retain the title. In hitting the most rucks and topping the tackle count in the victory over Tonga, Botha again caught the eye.

Martin Johnson describes this path to the top as a great story, and after a broad education in the English game, the 2011 Rugby World Cup offers the perfect stage for Botha to deliver on the debt he feels he owes England rugby.

by www.rfu.com

The South African’s contract expires at the end of the tournament that will be staged in New Zealand. Italy beat France for the first time in this year’s Six Nations but that proved to be their only victory and the Azzurri finished with a wooden spoon for the second straight time.

A statement from the FIR said, “The president of the Italian rugby Federation Giancarlo Dondi met coach Nick Mallett today to inform him personally of the decision taken by the federal council regarding his eventual contract extension.

“The president has thanked the coach for the work done in charge of the national team and for what he will do until the end of his contract, which will expire after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand in the months of September and October.

“The decision taken by the federal council is not to continue with Nick Mallett after his contract expires.”

The FIR said that from past experience, they felt it benefited the national team to change the coach after one had been in charge for several years. Mallett, 54, replaced Pierre Berbizier as Italy coach in October 2007 and had expressed his wish to continue to guide the Azzurri beyond this year.

The statement continued, “The decision by the federal council is based on past experience, of how a relation of more than four years in charge of the national team may not bring the wanted results.”

Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel has been linked with the Italy job since the beginning of the year when it is believed the FIR made an ‘informal’ approach. Although no deal is thought to have yet been signed, the 57-year-old is expected to put pen to paper at the end of the season.

(ESPN SCRUM)

Ireland’s flying winger, Tommy Bowe, has today been announced as the official RBS Player of the Championship for the 2010 RBS 6 Nations.

‘It has been a Championship of mixed emotions for the Irish team but to be named the RBS Player of the Championship is a fantastic way to end what has been an exciting year for the RBS 6 Nations. The Tournament is always enjoyable and fantastic for rugby fans across Europe with some sensational, competitive rugby produced year after year. To be voted RBS Player of the Championship by the fans is a huge compliment and I thank them for taking the time to vote.’

The 2010 RBS Player of the Championship was decided as a result of a public vote, hosted on www.rbs6nations.com. A panel of former internationals from all six nations submitted their top three nominations, from which the shortlist of six nominees was compiled. Panellists included BBC Sport pundits Keith Wood, Raphaël Ibañez and Jonathan Davies, RBS RugbyForce supporters Andy Nicol, Ieuan Evans and Jason Leonard, as well as former RBS Ambassador Alessandro Moscardi.

Tommy Bowe ensured that the RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship Award stayed in Ireland with over 50% of the votes going his way – last year’s winner Brian O’Driscoll received nearly 30% of the votes cast. The remaining votes were dominated by RBS 6 Nations Champions France with Imanol Harinordoquy receiving 20.9% and Morgan Parra with 11.5% of the votes.

[Info from SARugby.com]