May 13, 2013
Dan Watchurst, 23, has announced his decision to retire from professional rugby after sustaining a serious injury in 2011. The Newport-Gwent Dragons prop has been out injured for over 18 months, and recently started training again when complications with the recovery began to arise. After further analysis he was advised by medical professionals to call time on a career that included captaining the Wales U20’s during a World Cup and Six Nations campaign in 2010.
Dan said “Unfortunately it is in my best interests to retire from professional rugby as a result of the injury I sustained in 2011. It’s been a very tough 18 months since the injury, and I’m absolutely devastated that a full recovery isn’t going to be possible.
“I would like to thank the Dragons management, coaches, medical staff and physiotherapists for sticking by me through this injury. Special thanks go to my surgeon, Mr Hariharan, for his continuous work with various procedures and corrections.
“It has been a privilege to play with and against some of the best players in the world and can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed every moment. I’m not going to dwell on what could have been and just look forward to a life off the field.
“Huge thanks has to go my agents, Geraint Newman and Derwyn Jones, for their continued support and being there for me when I got the bad news. Rugby has taught me so much and I’m really looking forward to taking these transferable skills into a new career.
May 11, 2013
Justin Tipuric has been named Players’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season at the 2013 WRPA Awards Ceremony.
Tipuric, 23, of the Ospreys has enjoyed a fantastic season with both the Ospreys and Wales – being part of the Six Nations Winning squad and being named on the Lions tour to Australia this summer.
On winning the award Justin said, “For this award to be voted for by the players is a huge honour. It was a total surprise to win both awards as there were so many other fantastic players who were nominated. You’re only as good as the team you play with and to win these awards is really a tribute to the whole squad of players. I’d like to say thank you to the whole team at the Ospreys, I’ve really enjoyed my rugby this year and am really looking forward to next season already.”
In addition to a clean sweep in the WRPA awards, Justin was also named in the RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team 2012-13.
April 30, 2013
Sam Warburton has been confirmed as the captain of the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia. Warburton, who had been odds-on favourite to be named skipper, is one of 15 Wales players selected by head coach Warren Gatland. Also included in the squad are Derwyn Jones Agency clients Ian Evans (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons) and Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).
More to follow…
March 18, 2013
Thomas Pink announces Sam Warburton as a new brand ambassador
Thomas Pink celebrates its relationship with British heritage sports, in this case rugby, by appointing Sam Warburton as a brand ambassador.
A Thomas Pink spokesperson says:
“His drive for excellence on the pitch, and unerring commitment to his discipline, whilst remaining true to himself and those around him are qualities we particularly admire in Sam. We look forward to working with him in the upcoming months as an ambassador but also as a friend of the brand.”
Sam Warburton comments:
“I have always been a fan of Thomas Pink, and it’s a great honour to be working for them as an ambassador. I admire their attention to detail, the quality, and the fit of their clothing. The support they have given me to date has been fantastic and I’m looking forward to a long and successful relationship with the brand.”
Sam Warburton will be working with the brand over the coming months both internally and externally, and Thomas Pink continues its work in one of the great British heritage sports – Rugby.
August 20, 2012
Andries Pretorius has today been named as the new Cardiff Blues Captain, taking over from Paul Tito. He moved to Cardiff Blues in 2009 and has gone on to make 33 appearances for the club and score 3 tries.
Pretorius said: “It’s a big honour to be appointed captain especially where we are as a team.”
“We’ve got a young team and we are building towards the future, it’s a privilege to be part of it. Paul Tito and Xavier Rush were both players that I learnt from and both of them were phenomenal for the club.
“We haven’t just got one leader we’ve got some good guys in the team who are all leaders. Everyone knows their jobs and knows their responsibilities, there’s an attitude growing in the team where we are working hard for each other and pushing ourselves both mentally and physically.”
