Weekly Round Up 27th May

By Zippy
May 28 2006

Round up of the weeks events in the amazing world of Welsh Rugby. Quite a lively week of news including Ulster's triumph in the Celtic League, for details read on.

Ulster won the Celtic League with a win over the Ospreys, I followed the game on the message board here http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s193.php?f=279&i=22516&t=22516&sid=193

Also the transfer mill is in full swing, the BBC have kindly rounded up the pro teams signings here http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4592838.stm - pretty much looks like there will be lots of foreign players next season, great! We discuss the pros/cons here - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s193.php?f=279&i=22460&t=22460&sid=193

Newport Gwent Dragons warmed up for the Heineken Cup playoff by getting hammered by the Borders - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s193.php?f=279&i=22547&t=22547&sid=193 you have to wonder what the future holds for this side.

The Wales Under 21 side has vanished and the highly successful coach Chris Davey left without a job, more changes at age level can't be good for the game - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s193.php?f=279&i=22544&t=22544&sid=193

The standard of refereeing has once again been brought up on the board, message board regular Exile said "I'm really getting to the point that I find it pointless watching rugby" full debate here - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s193.php?f=279&i=22494&t=22494&sid=193

The highly depleted Welsh squad prepares to depart, revised squad listing is:

Wales squad: Full back: Lee Byrne (Scarlets). Wings: Chris Czekaj (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Scarlets). Centres: Jamie Robinson (Blues), Hal Luscombe (Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Scarlets), Nathan Brew (Dragons). Outside-halves: James Hook (Ospreys), Nicky Robinson (Blues). Scrum-halves: Mike Phillips (Blues), Andy Williams (Bath). Props: Duncan Jones (Ospreys, capt), John Yapp (Blues), Adam Rhys Jones (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons). Hookers: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets). Second rows: Luke Charteris (Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys). Back rowers: Gareth Delve (Bath), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Gavin Thomas (Scarlets).
Also Rowland Phillips has been added as defence coach.

As exclusively revealed on The State Of Play Colin Charvis has been released from the Newcastle Falcons - http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s193/st95529.htm what the future holds for the 33yr old ex Welsh captain is anyones guess, his legs appear to have gone.

Don't forget to send your thoughts to the family of little Jack Wakefield on the London Irish mb here - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s97.php?f=99&i=184228&t=184228&sid=97 - the family are so brave.

And finally Bryan Adams will be rocking my home town of Bridgend next Friday - http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s165/st97225.htm there are a few tickets left if you're quick!!