We Need To Talk About Liam...

Liam Williams has been one of the region’s most impressive players this season; however, his discipline remains an issue.

With Leigh Halfpenny still injured and yet to play his first game for Toulon, Williams is in pole position to be Welsh fullback for the Autumn Internationals. Yet, there are still definite question marks over his temperament.

What To Expect From Amorosino

On Tuesday, the Cardiff Blues unveiled the Argentinian versatile back, Lucas Amorosino as their latest signing, I have have spoken to Los Pumas coach Keir Wenham-Flatt about the new man.

Amorosino, 28, who is comfortable playing wing or full back, will move to the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in the coming weeks after putting pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season.

Amorosino in full flight

Open Apology To Ospreylia

At the start of this season many ‘rugby experts’, journalists and pundits wrote off the Ospreys, citing the loss of key players as the reason.  I too wrote off the Ospreys, although I would never call myself a rugby expert. However, the Ospreys have won four from four at the start of this season and been the mightily impressive. Therefore, this is my own slice of humble pie as I offer an apology for ever doubting the Ospreys.

Continue With Judgement Day

Since the new Rugby Services Agreement (RSA) has now been signed in Wales, what it means for the day to day running of the game is slowly but surely being discovered. The latest change with the new agreement is that ‘Judgement Day’ in not included, leaving the 2015 edition of the event hanging in the balance.

Barrett's Big Chance

We’ve all done it; had one drink too many and arrived late to work the next day, feeling a little worse for wear. The difference is that we weren’t playing for the All Blacks and due to catch a flight the next day. Aaron Cruden was drinking till late at a bar in New Zealand called the Zookeeper’s Son.

Is Rhys Webb Ready for Wales?

Rhys Webb insists that he is not thinking about Welsh selection but based on his performances he could be excused for wondering what his future might hold. The twenty-five year old Ospreys scrum half has had a career ravaged by injury but is now fit, on form and playing with a smile on his face.

With two tries against Edinburgh last weekend his total for the season stands at four with just three games played. The performance against Edinburgh was outstanding and his try scoring form speaks for itself, however is he ready to carry the number nine for Wales.

Rugby Manager 2015 - A Real Let Down

Rugby Manager 2015 is the first rugby management game in ten years, and is made by Cyanide Studios. Since 2005 the Football Manager franchise has gone from strength to strength and become hugely popular amongst football and gaming fans. Many rugby fans anticipated this game after playing the football equivalent, frankly a rip-off of Football Manager would have been better.

Is Halfpenny Coming Home?

It has been a busy day in Toulon. Club President, Mourad Boudjellal has unleashed a surprising announcement regarding Leigh Halfpenny’s contract. Due the fullbacks niggling groin injury the French club have threatened to terminate his contract. The Welshman was taken over to France as the ideal replacement for Jonny Wilkinson.

The Pro12 to Continue During the World Cup

This week we heard the news that the Guinness Pro 12 will continue during the World Cup. This situation cannot possibly help the league or the clubs and regions within it. The Aviva Premiership will be on hold, so why not the Pro12.

The Rugby World Cup: A Year Out

The World Cup is getting closer and closer. This time next year the preparations will be done all competing nations will be in the midst of the World Cup warm up games. The organisation of the event is already well underway and last week the first promotional video was released for the World Cup, we’re that close.

So a year out from the biggest event in rugby what shape are the competing nations in and what can we expect from the home nations?

Preview to the Guinness Pro12

It is a new era for the Pro12; Guinness has come on board to take the competition forward. The competition now has an added European qualification element. This can only make the league more entertaining and a better product going forward. The league also has the SKY factor this year. The Pro12 has been signed to be on SKY Sports this year. Some traditionalists may believe that this is a bad move and the league should be kept on terrestrial television. However, the extra income to the league and the glossy presentation that SKY provides can only help the Pro12 as a product.

Guinness provide the big name sponsor the league needed

Interview with Ebbw Vale Head Coach Jason Strange

Ebbw Vale are the new kids on the block in the Welsh Premiership this season. The Gwent men, who have dominated the Championship for the last few years, were finally granted entry to the Welsh Premiership at the end of last season. The top league had been ring-fenced for two years but was finally reopened to promotion and relegation, with the Eugene Cross Park outfit returning to the top flight. Ebbw Vale were led back to the top by Head Coach, Jason Strange. The former outside-half has a strong link to the club, having started his career at Ebbw Vale as an 18-year-old. His career has come full circle, via Bristol and Leeds Carnegie; he is now the boss at Eugene Cross Park and I had a chat to Strange ahead of the new season.

Ebbw Vale win a line out

Scarlets 32 - Ulster 32 Match Report

The season kicked-off with a great atmosphere at Parc Y Scarlets, as Irish giants Ulster came to town. They weren’t the only visitors, as Sky Sports made their presence known, broadcasting their first Pro12 fixture.

Is James Hook Still An Option For Wales

The biggest cheer of the day, when Wales played Scotland in the Six Nations this March, was not for a try, but instead for the appearance of one of Wales’ favourite sons. As James Hook ran out onto the Millennium Stadium turf there was a sense of frustration in the crowd that they had not seen more of the outside-half.

Teams for Super Rugby Qualifiers

Who will win the Super Rugby title this year?

The Brumbies face the Chiefs, while the Highlanders travel to Durban to play the Sharks.The winners will book themselves a place in the semi-final against  either the Waratahs or the Crusaders. At the business end of the season all these sides will give everything on Saturday. Find out the teams for Saturday's game below.

Guinness Pro12 Announced

The sponsorship of the Pro12 or has once again changed hands. In the recent times we have seen the Magners Celtic League and the last few seasons saw the Rabodirect Pro12. The Dutch bank never felt like a natural fit for the competition and Guinness feels a far more fitting sponsorship.

The new logo for the Guinness Pro12

Sam Warburton Interview

T. M. Lewin have been unveiled as the new suppliers of formal wear for the WRU. The deal will run until 2018 and T. M. Lewin will therefore be the supplier of formal wear for the national squad at the 2015 World Cup. After the formalities of announcing the deal were dealt with, the players spoke to the media about the recent tour of South Africa. The side left the country with one midweek win and two test defeats. With Cory Allen, Sam Warburton and Jon Davies all suited and booted, they were ready speak on a range of topics.

Jon Davies, Sam Warburton and Cory Allen at the partnership launch

Jon Davies Talks Tours and BBQ's

Being one of the most laid back men in rugby, it is a miracle that Jon Davies makes it on to the pitch to play some days. I spoke to the Wales centre in the changing rooms of T.M. Lewin in Cardiff. Davies was there modelling the stock as the WRU announced a new sponsorship deal with the store. He sipped on his glass of water as he mulled the questions over in his mind before answering them. The hot topic unfortunately was the devastating news of Owen Williams’ injury, but Davies also spoke happily about his move to France and the recent tour to South Africa.

Jon Davies in the T.M. Lewin gear

So Close, But Yet So Far

It may not always be the happiest camp in terms of results, but fans do get their money’s worth from a Wales game. The final test in South Africa was no different. Although Wales held the lead from the 13^th minute to the 79^th, the momentum of the game swung from side to side throughout. Comfortably the most entertaining contest of the summer series’ this year, Wales weren’t just out to entertain they wanted the elusive win against a Southern Hemisphere nation.

Welsh Clubs to take Part in Ballot

Following last weekend’s EGM, the WRU have announced a ballot on one of the major issues that caused the meeting in Port Talbot. A ballot of all Welsh Rugby Union clubs is to take place, asking which National League structure format for the amateur game they would prefer to see adopted, from next season.