Weekly Round Up - 3rd Jan
By Zippy
January 4 2005
Round up of the Welsh Rugby news from the week ending 2nd January, two big inter-Welsh Celtic League matched amongst the highlights this week.
Celtic League – New Years Day Blues 9-15 Ospreys Llanelli 35-26 Newport In the first game at Cardiff Arms Park the Blues played with "a bit of dog" and much of the credit must go to new forwards coach Richard Webster. The Blues eventually lost 15-9 but the performance should mean a win just round the corner. In the other game Llanelli got their season back on track with a win over Newport, the return of the influential Simon Easterby was crucial and Mathew J Watkins looks a player on form. Other News Joining Will Greenwood on the injury list was No 8 Martin Corry who had been a key player for the English this Autumn. Jonny Wilkinson inspired Newcastle to a last minute win over Sale, the sight of Wilkinson back in top form will not please many Welsh supporters. Good news for Ospreys fans as Irish fly half Ronan O’Gara is ruled out of the HC match. More good news for the Ospreys as the new White Rock Stadium nears completion. Good news for Blues fans with Tom Shanklin and Jamie Robinson signing new deals. The Dragons at last sign the WRU Charter. Andy Williams rejoins Bath after not getting much rugby this season, another Welsh player forced overseas. And finally: Bleddyn Williams - Welsh rugby's acclaimed "Prince of Centres" - has been honoured with a MBE. BLEDDYN WILLIAMS, MBE Born in Taffs Well, 22/2/1923 Happy New Year to all.
22 caps for Wales (1947-1955); 7 tries.
Five Tests for the Lions in Australia (2) & New Zealand (3) in 1950.