Hello TRU readers, I've been asked to create a blog and give you an inside scope on being a professional rugby player with the Scarlets and Wales 7s. I hope you find it an interesting read.
To kick off, a little bit about me. I've been a pro rugby player for around 8 yrs, playing for Swansea, the Ospreys, Exeter Chiefs and currently the Scarlets, which I'm in my 3rd season. Along with this I've played for the Wales Sevens team for the past 5 years, during which time I was a proud member of the 2009 World Cup winning sevens team.
Life at the Scarlets is pretty good at the moment. A squad full of quality youngsters like Rhys Priestland, Jon Davies and George North coming back to Wales after setting the world alight at the World Cup. The confidence that they bring to the team is evident with the boys achieving big wins in Europe against Northampton away, Castres and most recently the Boxing Day derby beating the Ospreys for the first time in 4 years.
For me its been about getting back into the 15s swing of things after being away on the first sevens leg of the year, (Gold Coast Australia, Dubai and Port Elizabeth, South Africa). It was a testing 3 weeks and the body is now feeling it, the affect on the body is real tough with all the travelling and time zone changes (and boys becoming home sick, i.e. Richard Smith had to fly out his girlfriend to Dubai as he was missing her so much!!!). We can't complain though, as it's such an amazing experience to play rugby all across the World and experience the different cultures. The Wales team had a good 3 weeks winning 2 plates along the way and beating big nations such as Australia, Samoa and Fiji (a record 48-0 win). For such a young inexperienced squad I felt this was a huge achievement. The only disappointment was that we didn't reach the semi finals of the Cup and I knew this squad was good enough to be there. Hopefully this squad can stay together now as we build towards the Wellington and Las Vegas legs in February.
The Christmas week for rugby players in Wales is about holding back on the turkey, chocolates and brandy as its derby week when the regions lock horns in front of sell out crowds. It's a tough one for the Scarlets this year with us playing the Dragons 4 days after the physical encounter with the Ospreys, meaning a real test of our strength in depth. The Ospreys win was huge for the squad in what was a real physical battle. I was gutted not to make the squad but made sure I was the best water boy I could be. This however didn't go without a hitch, Rhys "stinky Thomas was wearing his wedding ring when playing and gave it to me as I ran on the kicking tee. I placed it in my pocket and thought nothing of it until I next ran on the pitch and he asked me had I put it somewhere safe. My heart sank as I discovered it was no longer in my pocket, meaning I had dropped it somewhere on the pitch. Sweating and panicking I asked the physio's and ball boys to keep an eye out for it as I scanned the grass every time I ran on. His Mrs. would file for divorce if I didn't find it!! Fortunately after 35 long minutes my eagle eyes clocked it from the dug out on the 5m line and so I live to see another day (phew). I honestly think he would have ripped my head off in training this week!
The boys did however find time to celebrate the festive period with a mystery bus tour well organised by Dom Day and John Davies, taking us to Steve Jones's restaurant Sosban in Llanelli where we enjoyed a nice civilised three course meal ending up in Cardiff. Popping into a few pubs along the way, one being The Red Lion in Pendoylan which is owned by captain Matthew Rees, where he brought in extra security to protect his British Lions framed jersey, making sure it was there at the end of the night. On top of that there was a fancy dress theme to the day with there being four teams put into the decades of 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. I'm pleased to say that I won the best dressed award for Wrestler Ric Flair along with Lou Reed who came as a Darlek and Lee Williams as Axel Rose. There was also a £10 Secret Santa challenge that left a few players angry and disappointed with their gifts. Notably Morgan Stoddart with his pack of Cheese Strings and Simon Gardiner with his Family size KFC Bargain Bucket.
The next challenge for the Team is against The Dragons away, a team looking for revenge on their early season defeat at Parc Y Scarlets. A win up there would be a great way to see the New Year in.
Hope you enjoyed, until next time (if I get another chance)!
Richie
Happy New Year
