The Ospreys team for the opening game vs Ulster has been named and it’s, um, interesting.
No Byrne, no Bowe, no Adam Jones, no AWJ, Byrne, Shane and Paul James on the bench.  This is hardly a first choice line up – yet again showing the problem with starting a league with low key games.  How different would it be for a derby match where the whole country is watching?
That is not to say there isn’t plenty of interest.  How Gareth Owen has developed over the summer, Ben Lewis (hopefully) getting …

One of the biggest Welsh rugby charity efforts in a long time is getting ready to get under way.  The walkers – including amongst their number 15 ex-Welsh captains such as Rob Howley, Colin Charvis and Eddie Butler – are climbing Kilimanjaro in an effort to raise money for lung cancer research and facilities.
Mark Taylor, one of the ex-captains braving the trek, was kind enough to take time out to answer a few questions about the walk for us.  There is a massive fund raising target set for all concerned, …

Don’t ask me how some awards get decided, it seems a lot of the time a tombola is used to decide who is worth getting an award… and the Magners League awards are no exception.
Ok that’s a tad harsh, a lot of the awards decided are worthy.  For example I may be biased as an Ospreys fan but Tommy Bowe has been so superb this season he is fully deserving of the players player of the year award.  But one that has confused me is that the Dragon;s boss Paul …

If you are a Newport Gwent Dragons fan, or if you have any interest in meeting their players anyway, then this Sunday is teh day for you.
The Dragons are having a ‘meet the players’ day at Motorpoint, where you can ask questions, meet your heroes (or villains) and help support charity – as all money raised on the day will go to Cycle Challenge Wales.
Unfortunately I am away all weekend camping (and no doubt getting soaked to the skin) so won’t make it – but for those who do I …

3 of my favourite things in the world – rugby, sunshine and golf.  If I won the lottery tomorrow I would end up travelling around the globe following all 3.  But even for those that don’t have millions behind them, as in almost everyone reading this blog I should imagine, there are some options available.
7′s is the best answer for some summer rugby – as long as you are not playing in it.  And unless it’s the Fat Boy 7′s I’m unlikely to grace (sic) a 7′s pitch again.  But …

New Zealand vs Australia. The Teams
The teams for the Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and Australia have been named.
Interesting to see the twins have been named to start together for Oz for the first time.  I know little about them so even more interesting to see one is a hooker and one is a centre!  You can find them as part of our Twitter list.
Weepu again replaces Jimmy Cowan at scrum half for New Zealand, which should give the kiwis a bit more fluency.  Not that they need it after last weekend’s …

South Gower RFC based in the village of Bishopston just outside the city of Swansea require several new players to add to their current senior squad.
South Gower compete in WRU Division 6 and eager to gain promotion through the divisions over the coming seasons. The club has recently appointed a new Coaching Co-Ordinator, Head Coach, Forwards Coach and Skills and Conditioning Coach to achieve its objectives.
The squad trains twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm on their ground at Pwll Du Lane, Bishopston.
The ambitious community orientated club is …

Nathan Brew Joins the Dragons
Again. Nathan Brew, 28, has again teamed up with his brother Aled at Rodney parade. The Newport Gwent Dragons have moved to secure his signing from Welsh Premiership side Neath in order to give themselves more strength in depth in the centre and wing positions.
A sensible precaution considering the injury problems they suffered in the centre last season, and the move of Richard Fussell, the talented winger, to the Ospreys.
Nathan Brew
Nathan had played for the Dragons for 7 seasons before leaving to join the …

Mark Jones and Simon Easterby Retire
It is a sad couple of days down at Parc y Scarlets. Not only do they have to cope with the fact that one club legend has retired, but another goes and follows suit straight away. Both Mark Jones and Simon Easterby, stalwarts of the club and two of their best players in recent years, have retired.
Mark Jones
Mark Jones is famous as being the bionic man of Welsh rugby, having had his knees rebuilt. Despite a string of injury problems, which have …

Darren Daniel
The Scarlets have released the Llanelli academy and Llanelli RFC product Darren Daniel.
Darren Daniel, 23, had scored 21 tries in 49 starts for the region – but had struggled for competitive games recently, despite a run of injuries on the wing. He was behind even converted scrum halves in the pecking order – managing just 2 competitive starts last season, 1 in the Heineken Cup, one in the LV= cup.
Carmarthen Quins have moved swiftly to snap up the rapid 5’11″ winger. Presumably this is more …