02/02/2012

Principality Premiership makes vital contribution to the 6 Nations squad

The Wales 2012 RBS 6 Nations squad have been pictured as they have never been seen, collectively, before – each wearing the club kit which they wore to start out their rugby careers. Head coach Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad took time out from their busy training schedule this week to pay homage to the dozen Principality Premiership clubs that helped to get the players where they are today.

Every member of the squad, which has just returned from a pre-tournament training camp in Poland, has featured in Wales’ top club rugby competition for at least one club and each of the players were asked to nominate the side they felt most synonymous with.

In instances where players had featured for more than one club and they felt equal allegiances, the club was chosen for them, but, to-a-man, each player relished the opportunity to show a little piece of their personal heritage for the historic photo.

Llanelli rugby club can boast to having made the greatest contribution to the current squad, they could almost field an entire backline of internationals, with a grand total of ten players, including four uncapped, representing one of the WRU’s original member clubs – their players are: Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland, Lee Byrne, and the uncapped Liam Williams, Rhodri Jones, Aaron Shingler and Lou Reed.

The next highest representation is from Wales’ capital club, Cardiff, with five internationals including captain Sam Warburton, plus the uncapped wing Harry Robinson.

Neath have provided five players in the current squad and Aberavon, Bridgend, Glamorgan Wanderers, Pontypridd and Swansea have all sent two players each from grass roots to international stardom.

Single, but vital contributions, come from Cross Keys (Toby Faletau), Ebbw Vale (Dan Lydiate), Llandovery (George North) and Newport (Andy Powell).

“Welsh rugby must never forget its roots,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.

“Our premiership clubs are the foundation stones upon which the international game is built. This picture is a wonderful way of expressing how important the Principality Premiership is to Welsh rugby. The fact every member of the current squad has worked their way up through the pathway structure we have in place to develop players is something we should all be proud of. All the boys are extremely proud of their rugby heritage and they were very enthusiastic about taking part in this photograph.”

Graeme Yorston, Chief Operating Officer of Principality Building Society, sponsors of the Premiership commented: “Principality believes that the Premiership is pivotal in the Welsh rugby triangle and this photograph demonstrates just how valuable the league is in developing young talent from the village playing field to the national game. We are extremely proud of the contribution we have made in supporting the success of the 6 Nations Squad.”

PLAYERS ARE PICTURED REPRESENTING THE FOLLOWING CLUBS:

ABERAVON: Justin TIPURIC, Ashley BECK

BRIDGEND: Ryan BEVINGTON, Ryan JONES, Rhys WEBB

CARMARTHEN QUINS: Ken OWENS

CROSS KEYS: Toby FALETAU

EBBW VALE: Dan LYDIATE

CARDIFF: Alex CUTHBERT, Bradley DAVIES, Rhys GILL, Leigh HALFPENNY, Jamie ROBERTS, Harry ROBINSON

GLAMORGAN WANDERERS: Sam WARBURTON, Lloyd WILLIAMS

LLANDOVERY: George NORTH

LLANELLI: Mike PHILLIPS, Jonathan DAVIES, Rhys PRIESTLAND, Scott WILLIAMS, Liam WILLIAMS, Rhodri JONES, Lee BYRNE, Lou REED, Stephen JONES, Aaron SHINGLER

NEATH: James HOOK, Craig MITCHELL, Paul JAMES, Adam JONES, Ian EVANS

NEWPORT: Andy POWELL

PONTYPRIDD: Gethin JENKINS, Matthew REES

SWANSEA: Huw BENNETT, Gavin HENSON