Teen wing sensation Robinson signs for Blues

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 2, 2012

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that teenage winger Harry Robinson has signed a senior contract with the region.

Robinson, 19, impressed Welsh selectors and was called up to the Wales 35 man senior squad for the training camp in Poland prior to the 2012 Six Nations Championship. He made a try-scoring debut for his country in June, in the test against the Barbarians.

In 2010/11 he won the Cardiff Blues Academy Player of the Year Award having had an outstanding season and became the youngest ever player to represent the Cardiff Blues, when, aged 17 years and nine months, he lined up against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup.

Speaking of the signing Robinson said,

“I’m really pleased to get to stick around for a few years.”

“It was an easy decision to make and I took the offer with both hands.”

“This is the best rugby environment for me to be in and I’ve got a good group of friends here also, so I’m excited to be here.”

“It does feel like a fresh start with Phil coming in and all the boys who are here feel it’s a good environment to be in.”

“It was a bit of whirlwind last season for me but things have sunk in now but now it’s a new season and I’m just putting my head down and working hard.”

“My ambition is to establish myself in the Blues team but competition is going to be tough with the quality back three players we have in the squad at the moment.”

(more…)

WELSH RUGBY NEWS: Cardiff Blues name side for RaboDirect opener

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 31, 2012

Cardiff Blues kick off their RaboDirect campaign against Connacht in Galway this Saturday

Something has to give in the west of Ireland as both Connacht and Cardiff Blues have begun with an opening weekend victory for the past two seasons.

The Blues have a good record against the Irish province, having only lost once to them since 2005: 18-16 at the Galway Sportsground on 18 September 2009.

Connacht, however, achieved their highest tournament finishing position last season (8th), and won three of their last four games and have lost only one of their last six matches at the Sportsground: 16-20 to Munster in March.

Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies said,

“We are looking forward to the start of the season, after a pretty gruelling pre season in many ways, the players have worked very hard to be fair to them.”

“The fitness standards that are needed for regional rugby are high and the players have all worked to achieve that standard.”

“Connacht are a pretty solid team and Dan Parks is now there.”

“I’m not sure if Dan is playing as he has suffered an injury but they have a pretty-workmen-like team and I have had experience myself over there with the Scarlets.”

“So I know how tough they are there and we are expecting a tough game.”

“A lot of work has been carried out over the summer to improve all our team system and hopefully that focus will be there Saturday and then there for the next 21 games after that.”

“We have about nine players out injured now with Czekaj added to the list.”

“Rhys Patchell is out injured with a bang on the shoulder from last week against Bath.”

“He has done exceptionally well for a young man and Jason Tovey has been unwell all week.”

“Michael Paterson is out with a shoulder injury and Scott Andrews is out with a knee injury but should be back next week .”

“We are also missing Ryan Harford, Sam Hobbs and Cooper-Woodlley from the front row.”

“Dafydd Hewitt is also out injured for this week but he is back training and should be ok for next week.”

(more…)

Cardiff Blues hold on to Alex Cuthbert

Posted by Now Cardiff on May 16, 2012

Cardiff Blues have held on to their Welsh international winger Alex Cuthbert,  with the young star deciding to sign a new contract extension with the region.

Cuthbert underlined his credentials during the Blues Heineken Cup campaign in November scoring a brace of tries against Racing Metro in Paris and was picked for Wales soon after, making his debut against Australia in December 2011.

It has been a meteoric rise from UWIC, Cardiff RFC, and Cardiff Blues to Wales Grand Slam winner for the young Gloucester man who extends his contract with the Cardiff Blues this week.

Speaking of his decision to stay with the region, Cuthbert, said:

“I am very pleased to be re signing for another year with The Blues and I can now look forward to the summer tour with Wales and next season with the region”

“I had a few offers outside of Wales and having gone through all the options thoroughly with family and friends, I came to the conclusion that the best option was to stay at the Blues, showing my loyalty to the region, coaches and the fans”

“Playing for Wales was a huge part of my decision to stay with the Blues and playing for the region regularly will hopefully strengthen my chances of keeping my place in the Wales team.”

“Obviously with Phil taking over as Head Coach it’s exciting times for the region as well. I know Phil from my time with the Wales Sevens where he was involved. He’s a great coach, I’ve heard he’s very well organized and puts good structures in place which I know will benefit the club next season.”

“I’m also very excited that the Blues are moving back to the Arms Park, I’m yet to play there in front of a full crowd so hopefully we can do that next season. I’ve watched a few games down there and the atmosphere is unbelievable and if we maintain good crowds that will help us no end on the pitch.”

(more…)

Cardiff Blues pre-season friendlies announced.

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 1, 2011

Cardiff Blues will play pre season friendlies against Bath and Pontypridd this August

The Blues will take on Aviva Premiership outfit Bath on Friday 19 August, 7.30pm. Bath, who finished 5th in the Aviva Premiership, will offer a stern test for the Blues as they prepare for the newly branded RaboDirect PRO12 campaign. Bath have highly rated full back Nick Abendanon in their squad and it could be a first outing for their new fly half Stephen Donald after he was left out of New Zealand’s World Cup squad.

The Blues start their pre-season fixtures with a match against regional club Pontyrpidd RFC at Sardis Road. The Principality Premiership club had a great last season winning the Swalec Cup Final and narrowly missing out on winning the Principality Premiership title.

The Cardiff Blues v Bath match is included as part of the 2011/12 season ticket package which costs from as little as £150 for adults in the family stand and offer outstanding value, giving access to a minimum of 16 games that include: all RaboDirect PRO12 home games in regular season, all Heineken Cup home pool matches and all home LV= (Anglo-Welsh) Cup pool matches.

Young signs for Wasps

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 30, 2011

One of the worst kept secrets in rugby was confirmed today when London Wasps announced the appointment of Dai Young as the club’s Director of Rugby.

Young joins on a four-year deal from the Cardiff Blues where he has been at the helm since 2002, first as head coach and then as Director of Rugby. He takes the reigns at the beginning of July of a new-look London Wasps side which will welcome more than 10 new senior squad players next season.

Bringing with him a strong pedigree of top level club experience from the Welsh based Blues, whom he has guided to Heineken Cup quarter and semi-finals, Young also brings wealth of knowledge of the demands needed to become a top player. The ex-international prop, won 51 caps for his country as well as travelling on three British and Irish Lions tours.

Young also has experience coaching in international rugby as he has led the Barbarians as head coach for the past four years on their European touring schedule.

London Wasps Chief Executive Chris Thomas said: “We are delighted to welcome Dai to London Wasps and we believe he is exactly the right person to take the club forward. Dai brings a wealth of experience to the club and this is an appointment for the long-term. We remain an ambitious club and want to be competing at the highest level. Dai is the person to help us achieve these ambitions. Dai has done a sterling job in Cardiff, developing a host of young talent into international quality players as well as building an excellent team with strong spirit. We were hugely impressed with his vision for London Wasps which is in keeping with our key objective of developing sustained long-term success.”

With the club having added a number of new faces to the squad for next season including England hooker Steve Thompson, fly-half Nicky Robinson and former All Black Ross Filipo, Thomas added that Young would have a strong group of players to worth with.

“We have worked very hard in recent months to put together a squad for next season which will give us far more balance and Dai will lead a squad which combines some hugely exciting young talent as well as some hard-nosed top level experience. “

Dai Young said “This is an enormous opportunity for me. I have loved my time with Cardiff but I am looking forward to a new experience in a new environment. There is a hugely talented group of players here to work with and the challenge to help get a great club into a position where they are once again challenging for success was too good to turn down.