How Touch Rugby Can Improve Its Sister-Sport

As the regular season comes to a close in the Northern Hemisphere it is back to pre-season training for the elite players and an international tour if they are very lucky. The amateur game however, stops in the off season and players lose fitness and match practice. It does not have to be this way, whilst rugby union is on hold; it is a chance to try another format of the game.

Probables V Possibles Squads

Probables Squad:
Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Owen Evans (Dragons), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (Captain), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Bristol), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Blues), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).
Backs:
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Jon Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Gavin Henson (Bath), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

Possible Line-Up For The 'Possibles'

It was announced today that the ‘Probables Vs Possibles’ trial match will go ahead on the 30^th of May at the Liberty stadium. With tickets as cheap as £1 for children and £5 for adults it promises to be an affordable way to see top international talent. So here is my possible line up for the ‘possibles’, a team packed full of youthful adventure and flair.

Who Should Wales Take To South Africa?

Wales are thankfully not in the same boat as England this summer. The English will be missing a host of influential players as they travel to New Zealand. With the regions underperforming this year Wales will have players in camp far earlier and be set for the difficult task in South Africa. The question is should Wales take their strongest available squad?

Pontypridd Pushing Against the Status-Quo

It has been a bittersweet season at Pontypridd. They remain leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the Welsh Premiership and reached the semi-final stage of the British and Irish cup. For all of their on-field success, off the pitch they are still losing an ongoing battle.

Is There Too Much Technology In Rugby?

After a stellar year, Nigel Owens has come under some criticism in the last week. In the Saracens-Clermont game, which he officiated, there was a selection of debatable decision.  However, debatable does not mean incorrect. One of the great facets of rugby is that players accept the referees’ decision and get on with the game, spectators should do the same. Social media has changed this and allowed spectators to speak out on decisions during and after games. Nigel Owens has strong following on social media but receives stick each week from fans. It is time that spectators took a leaf out of the players’ book and got on with the game.

Abergavenny: The Home of the World Champions

Abergavenny may not be well known outside of Wales and if it is it is only for the yearly food festival! However, the Monmouthshire town is the home to one of cycling’s great families; the James’. The best known of these will be Becky James who broke records in 2013 by winning two gold’s and two bronzes at the world championships in Minsk. Becky James is an outstanding track cyclist who is likely to be included in the British Olympic squad in 2016.