Derwyn Jones

Lydiate secures Racing Metro move

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:01:12 +0000

Dan Lydiate has agreed to join Top 14 big spenders Racing Metro on a three year contract and will join up with his new club after this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Lydiate, 25, has been at the Dragons since 2006 and has 27 caps for Wales.

Lydiate established himself in the Welsh squad at blindside in the 2010 autumn series when Shaun Edwards described him as Wales’ best player across the four Tests. He continued that form by starting and impressing in every game of the 2011 RBS 6 Nations.

He then made five appearances in the RWC 2011, missing the Namibia and Fiji game through an ankle injury. He formed part of an extremely effective backrow unit in New Zealand with Sam Warburton.

In 2012 he helped Wales win the Grand Slam and eventually won the RBS Six Nations Player of the Tournament.

More to follow…

Knoyle signs for Gloucester

admin — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:23:11 +0000

Gloucester have confirmed the signing of Scarlets scrum-half Tavis Knoyle. The 22-year-old, capped nine times for Wales, has signed a two-year deal with the Premiership club. Tavis links up again with former Scarlets boss Nigel Davies, who is now director of rugby at Kingsholm.

“I am extremely honoured and excited to sign for Gloucester, for a whole host of reasons, but not least the passionate supporters, the quality of the playing squad, the famous history of the club and because of Nigel Davies, who was my coach at the Scarlets,” said Tavis.

“I would like to thank the Scarlets and their supporters for the support I received while at the club, but I now look forward to my immediate future at Kingsholm.”

Dan Watchurst retires

admin — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:00:28 +0000

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.

Tipuric clean sweep at WRPA awards

admin — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:44:08 +0000

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.

Warburton named 2013 British & Irish Lions captain

admin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:14:30 +0000

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…

Maule extends Scarlets contract

admin — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:00:12 +0000

Gareth Maule has committed his future to the Scarlets by extending his contract with the region. Born in Pontypool, he has captained his region, is established as a senior figure in the Scarlets set-up having moved from the Newport Gwent Dragons in May 2009 and played four seasons with the Scarlets. His league debut for the Scarlets came on 19 September 2009 at home to Munster. Maule has been capped for Wales at U16, U18, U19 and U20 over 20 times. He has appeared 88 times for the Scarlets with 50 points.
He said: “It is really important to me to be part of the Scarlets.
“There’s a great spirit and determination in this region and we’re a close-knit squad who are determined to achieve success.
“It’s good to work with a very ambitious and focused group of coaches who are bringing out the best in the players and challenging us all.”

Thomas Pink and Sam Warburton partnership

admin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:43:23 +0000

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.

Sweeney signs for Exeter Chiefs

admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 10:00:42 +0000

Ceri Sweeney has agreed to join English side Exeter Chiefs at the end of the current season. The 33-year-old Cardiff Blues and Wales fly-half, who has won 35 caps, signed a one-year deal for the 2013-14 Premiership season after 109 games in five seasons at the Blues.
“I’m really excited about the move,” said Sweeney.
“Exeter are a fantastic club. As soon as I heard they were interested in me, I was keen to talk to them and have a look around the place,” he added.
“Like a lot of people I’ve watched how they have risen over the last few years and how they’ve made a real name for themselves, not just in the Premiership, but also in Europe as well.
“It’s an exciting move for me and for my young family and it’s a fresh challenge.
“I know it will be the first time I’ve played club rugby outside Wales, but the thought of testing myself in the Premiership is something I’m really keen to do.”

Rees signs for the Dragons

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:09:37 +0000

Richie Rees has agreed to join Newport-Gwent Dragons from Edinburgh on a two year deal at the end of the current season. Richie, 30, has been capped nine times for Wales and left Cardiff Blues at the end of last season but is delighted to be signing for the Dragons.
He said “I’d like to thank the coaches, staff and fans of Edinburgh Rugby for their support this season
“I’ve made some great friends here and there’s a lot of talent who have the potential to be top class, and I’d like to I wish them all the best in the years to come.
“I remain totally committed to the club for the remainder of my contract and look forward to returning to Wales and joining up with my new club mates in a very ambitious Dragons side.”

Webb extends Ospreys contract

admin — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:21:11 +0000

Rhys Webb, 24, has signed a new three-year contract extension with the Ospreys and will now be staying at the region until summer of 2016.
Rhys said: “To be able to commit to another three years with my home region is fantastic.”
“It’s a brilliant environment here, the only place I want to play rugby.”
He added: “I take great pride in wearing the Ospreys shirt. We’ve got a good, young group of players together here that can serve the region well for a long time and I’m pleased that I can be a part of it.”
Webb came through the age-grade ranks at the region before signing his first development contract in 2007. He’s scored seven tries in 87 appearances for the Ospreys and has won three senior caps for Wales having made his debut against Italy in 2012. Having represented Wales at Under20 level, he was also a member of the Welsh squad that won the Sevens World Cup in Dubai in 2009.