The Clubs XV Regional Championship was established, which, in itself gave club players a regional identity and a pathway for selection into the Wales Clubs XV squad. An age limit of 25 was agreed for regional and national selection and all players are required to have their primary registration with a club in WRU National League Divisions 1 to 5.
The Dragons Clubs XV won the inaugural Championship and a national squad was selected for a tournament in Liege, Belgium in August 2006 where Wales Clubs XVÂ came up against strong Spanish and French opposition. They suffered two losses, against the Spanish national side and France Amateurs, but gained from their first taste of international rugby. Roll on three months and the Wales Clubs XV players had the chance to represent their country again, this time on home soil. They played France Amateurs here at Virginia Park on the eve of Wales v Australia in November 2006 and were inspirational in coming from behind to beat an extremely strong French side 25- 22.
Many of the players impressed onlookers on that occasion, and were given opportunities to step up a level at Principality Premiership clubs. Players such as Captain Anthony Lott who is now a first choice prop at Ebbw Vale. Others, such as Bargoed’s Darren Humphries and Ross Jones have tasted what’s on offer at a higher level and preferred to move back to their Division One East club.
Head Coach Gerry Roberts has been at the helm since the side’s inception. He said: “The aim is to give players the chance to improve themselves and achieve a dream which is to represent Wales in their chosen sport. It’s a bonus if some of them can go one step further and play rugby at a higher level, but for many of the players, running out this evening is a huge achievement in itself.
“There is a good mix in the squad and we are looking forward to playing Scotland. We feel better prepared than last year as we’ve had more preparation time. Having said that, I’m sure Scotland will be a tough challenge with the players coming from traditional rugby clubs like Kelso, Boroughmuir and Currie.
“The Clubs XV Regional Championship was strong this year, each of the four Regional sides only playing against each other once which reduced any disruption of the club season. Players are now eager to put their hands up for regional and international selection and clubs are seeing the benefit to them when their players come back from training raring to go and with a fresh outlook. The game against Scotland will be a highlight of the season, or even career for many of these players and it will give them the chance to test themselves against their Scottish counterparts – and hold onto our unbeaten home record!”
WRU Head of Rugby Development Nigel Davies needs no convincing when it comes to the importance of the community game: “Rugby is our national game and the Wales Clubs XV provides a vehicle for club players to represent Wales in their chosen sport. They represent the thousands of men, women and children playing club rugby throughout Wales, but they also represent the family clubs that nurture our international stars of the future.
“James Hook, Alix Popham, Ryan Jones and Gavin Henson all received their rugby grounding at community clubs around Wales so it is vital to recognise and support the efforts of all our volunteer coaches, managers, administrators and referees who make such a difference to our game.”
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: “Our grassroots clubs are our lifeblood, and the lifeblood of our communities in Wales. They sustain our game by producing generation after generation of players, coaches, administrators and referees, a rugby family which does so much, not only for their clubs but also for their surrounding communities. In introducing rugby to so many children and young people, the clubs provide the tools for youngsters to go on and achieve their potential in the game, whatever their level.”
Tam McVie, the experienced Heriot’s flanker, will lead Scotland Clubs today having played in both previous Scottish clubs internationals, and is one of nine players in the Scottish team to have played for the country at this level before. Scotland Club International Coach, Ian Rankin, commented on his team selection: “Our team is a good mix of experience and youngsters who’re making an impact in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership.”
Grant Wilson, Scotland Team Manager, added: “It’s difficult to know the standard which the club players in Wales are playing at, but Wales don’t produce bad rugby players. We’re expecting them to be big and physical.”
