My family were all big Cardiff supporters, so as a child I went to watch them quite a bit and also Bridgend, where I was born and brought up, in Pencoed. Pontypridd was never really on my radar as they were rivals of both teams, but when I was in the Celtic Warriors academy I got to know the Pontypridd players and I quickly fell in love with the place and the supporters, who are the best there is in Wales in my opinion. Needless to say, I am very happy with the way things have worked out.
Pencoed Comp had a good rugby reputation – Gareth Cooper went there and Sam Costelow and also Tommy Reffell out of the current crop of Wales internationals. My P.E teacher was Simon King, who was also my first head coach at Pontypridd. I was devastated when the Warriors disbanded because we had a great set of boys, a really strong academy and we all had to go our separate ways. It was a mad time really. I got offers from Bridgend RFC, the Ospreys and Cardiff Academies and Pontypridd and it was because of the connection with Simon that I chose to go there. Even now when I see him down my local club Tondu RFC, it is strange not to call him ‘Sir’!
Denne historien er fra April 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
