Coming up on the Radio Cardiff Sports Show - 1st March 2011

A Happy St David's Day to all our listeners....

On this week’s show we feature Simon’s regular round up of the Cardiff Devils and all things ice hockey.

Plus we look at England’s dramatic tie versus India at the Cricket World Cup and the views on the tournament so far with Zaheer Haque.

Matthew Eves returns to the show to bring us up-to-date with the latest boxing news and Yousef reports on MMA and UFC.

It’s been an eventful weekend of football and we look at Cardiff City, Birmingham’s win in the League Cup Final and discuss Rooney’s elbow and Ashley Cole’s airgun incident.

And we’ll also have our latest provisional Top Ten Countdown from our Fantasy Premier League.

You can get involved with the show by sending us your thoughts about any sporting issue via text, email, Twitter or by phone.

Phone: 02920 235 664
Text: 07728 758 759
Email: sports@radiocardiff.org
Twitter: @RadCardiffSport

Waters lifts Principality award

Darren Waters with Pontypridd Principality
branch manager Andrew Clark

Pontypridd flanker Darren Waters has won the Principality Player of the Month award for January.
Darren has been instrumental in Ponty’s recent good form on three fronts with the club sitting at the top of the Principality Premiership, and in the quarter-finals of both the British & Irish Cup and SWALEC Cup.
Waters, a very popular figure with the Pontypridd faithful, has scored four tries in the Principality Premiership this season, the latest being at home to Aberavon on January 7.
The Beddau product who joined Pontypridd two seasons ago said, “On a personal level, I’m pleased with how the season has gone so far, and from a team perspective, it’s been superb. I don’t think anyone expected us to be doing so well in three competitions at the start of the season, but that is down to the coaching and the strength we have in the squad this year. We seem to be thriving on the pressure at the moment with everyone stepping up to the plate.”
Pontypridd head coach Dale McInotsh is full of praise for the player, who only switched from scrum half three years ago. He said: “Darren’s performance against Aberavon was outstanding getting over the gain line on every occasion he carried and his destructiveness in collision meant Aberavon found it difficult to gain any continuity.
“He backed this up with a great all-round performance against Doncaster in the British & Irish Cup with a superb defensive game making no less than 17 tackles and four successful jackals.  He is a young dynamic player who has unbelievable energy levels and is relentless in everything he does.”
Darren Waters factfile:
Born: 14.06.85
Nickname: Shark Eyes
Most admired sportsperson Richie McCaw
Motivation: Drive to play for my country and make it as a rugby player
Education: Apprenticeship at Pontypridd College
Occupation: Bricklayer
For further information, contact Liz Jones WRU communications manager lizjones@wru.co.uk / tel 07736 056669

Eternal hope in the eternal city

Wales travel to the beautiful city of Rome as they face Italy in the next instalment of the Six Nations. Despite two defeats in their opening two fixtures of the 2011 edition of the competition, you can guarantee that the Roman crowd will be as enthusiastic as ever in their support for the Azzurri.
Having spent a period of time living in Rome myself, I have been fortunate to have first-hand experience of the wonderful atmosphere inside the Stadio Flaminio in the Italian capital city. I’ve attended half a dozen matches at the stadium and each time, the atmosphere seems to get better and better.
Italy play the role of the underdogs in the championship. They’re the younger brother of the tournament as the least experienced, and have often collected the proverbial wooden spoon for finishing bottom of the standings.
Despite all of this, the Italian crowd are always so enthusiastic. The Flaminio is quite an open arena but when the Italians start cheering their side, thankfully the sound is not lost into the open air. It’s a colourful crowd, with the colour of choice being blue to match the team’s playing strip, and you’d be hard pushed to find a noisier and more passionate set of fans in world rugby.
And the fans and the atmosphere generated in Rome does have its role to play. The Italian side rise to the occasion in their home fixtures, and the support from the stands seems to lift their performance a good 10 or 20 percent. The Flaminio has certainly become an intimidating place to go, and Wales will have to be very careful not to slip up this weekend.
With each passing year, Italy are becoming ever more experienced and, although results don’t appear to reflect it this season, they’re improving as a team year on year. Their forward pack is particularly strong, it’s perhaps in the back line that they struggle somewhat with the age-old problem of not having a consistent place kicker. Since Diego Dominguez retired, Italy must have tried more than their fair share of player taking place kicks and are still yet to find one who can consistently convert penalties into points with the boot.
On paper, the weekend’s clash is a one-sided affair and Wales should bring the points home with them. All the star names appear on the Welsh team sheet with the likes of Shane Williams, James Hook and Ryan Jones. But, in Rome, you simply cannot write off Italy. You cannot help but be inspired by the passion of the Italian fans, and that makes Italy a dangerous obstacle on home territory.
To all the Wales fans going over for the game, I can only say that I’m extremely jealous. No matter what the outcome of the game is, you will enjoy yourselves, I can guarantee it.


Paul Harper
For more from Paul log on to his blog http://paulharper.webs.com/
Twitter.com/paulharper82

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Blues team selected to face Ulster

Cardiff Blues travel to Ulster on Friday having secured four successive Magners League victories and climbed from 5th to 2nd place in the table in the process.

However, they face an Ulster side whose only loss in their last five matches in all competitions was 22-23 at Ospreys in the Magners League in February. They have won three of their four games against Welsh opponents this season.

Speaking ahead of the match, David Young, said,

“It’s a massive game for both teams, who have top four aspirations.”

“Maybe it’s a tougher game for us because of the international withdrawals, as I don’t think they have as many, so it will test our squad a little bit more than them.”

“There are two very important games for us during this Six Nations period before our internationals come back but we recorded a good win against Leinster last weekend.”

“Our defence was excellent, the attack and approach was very good, but we just didn’t cross the whitewash enough.”

“We have got to turn those try scoring opportunities into points and make sure we keep the scoreboard ticking over.”

Ulster’s seven game losing run against Cardiff Blues ended at the Cardiff City Stadium in round eight, whilst the Ulstermen have not achieved a Magners League double over the Blues since season 2005/06.

“I think we have been quite successful over in Ravenhill in recent years so know what it takes to win” added Young.

“It’s always a place where I like going. There’s a great atmosphere, the crowd are very vocal, it’s very intense and it gets the hairs on the back of your neck on end. But there’s nothing better than coming away with a win, as very few teams do it.”

“Ulster are a better team and a better squad than they have been over the last two seasons, so we are going to have to be somewhere near our best if we are to secure the victory.”

“Ulster pose a threat from a lot of areas but obviously Muller in the second row guarantees them lineout possession and is good in defence.”

“Wannenburg, their Number 8, in the back of the scrum is a very strong ball carrier and can take them forward, while Pienaar has quality written all over him and good enough to play 9 or 10.”

“They add to the players who have been there a while and have that never say die Ulster spirit. We know it will be a big challenge but one that we are looking forward to.”

15 Dan Fish 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Tom James 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Rhys Downes
8 Xavier Rush 7 Martyn Williams 6 Andries Pretorius 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Scott Andrews 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Taufa’ao Filise

16 Gareth Williams 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Ben White 20 Ma’ama Molitika 21 Tom Slater 22 Gareth Davies 23 James Loxton

UlsterV Cardiff Blues
Friday 25 February 7.05pm Live on BBC 2 Northern Ireland – Channel 992 on Sky

LIVE text commentary from Radio Cardiff HERE!
Referee: James Jones

Coming up on the Radio Cardiff Sports Show - 22nd February 2011

- We begin tonight with Simon’s regular round up of the Cardiff Devils and all things ice hockey. 


- PLUS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO CARDIFF DEVILS V NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS THIS SUNDAY FROM 6PM!


- Then, following England’s opening match versus the Netherlands today, it’s World Cup cricket chat with James Herd from purefm.com.


- Wales take on Italy in Rome this weekend a the Six Nations resumes. We’ll take a look at Warren Gatland’s starting XV.


- There’s team news from the Cardiff City Stadium ahead of tonight’s clash with Leicester and a round-up of the weekend’s FA Cup action.


- And we’ll take a look at the current standings in the Fantasy Premier League.


You can get involved with the show by sending us your thoughts about any sporting issue via text, email, Twitter or by phone.


Phone: 02920 235 664
Text: 07728 758 759
Email: sports@radiocardiff.org
Twitter: @RadCardiffSport

JONES BACK FOR DAVIES

Wales have made one change to their starting line-up from the team who beat Scotland 24-6 for the RBS 6 Nations Round 3 clash against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Scarlets playmaker Stephen Jones returns at fly half with Osprey James Hook moving to outside centre as Scarlets midfielder Jonathan Davies was not considered after picking up a hamstring injury.
On the bench Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny returns from an ankle injury to fill the berth vacated by the 97-times capped Jones.
“We have selected the strongest possible side, showing the utmost respect to Italy,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“We know only too well what tough opponents they are in Rome and so we have picked the strongest team available to us.”
With the only change coming in the backs it’s a case of ‘same again’ for the forward pack that performed so well against Scotland at Murrayfield, according to attack coach Rob Howley.
“This is very much a vote of confidence for the forwards, they have been going extremely well as a unit and we are looking for more of the same against Italy,” said Howley.
“Our hand has been forced in the back line, Jonathan is simply not ready this weekend after struggling with his hamstring since the Scotland game.
“The obvious decision then is to move James (Hook) into the centre where he has done well in partnership with Jamie (Roberts).
“And bringing Stephen (Jones) in at fly half is a great luxury to have. He was hurting after the England game, he will be looking forward to getting back out there and we are very happy to have that option available to us.
“James wins his 50^th cap and we all know what a valuable player he is to this team and what a great servant he has been to Welsh rugby already at just 26 years of age.”
Wales go to Rome looking to build on their performance in Edinburgh and to attempt to consolidate a winning mentality.
“Italy are a different animal at home, they showed that against Ireland,” added Howley.
“Since the inception of Italy as a part of the Six Nations they have continued to improve year on year and they are always capable of turning you over. 
“We are under no illusion as to how tough it is going to be for us out there on Saturday, history shows us that it is going to be a very hard day at the office, but we have picked a side to go out there and win.”
Hook will become the 25^th Welshman to join the 50 cap club when he runs out at the Stadio Flamino on Saturday and fly half Jones will join Blues flanker Martyn Williams in second place on the all time Welsh appearance list, just two behind Gareth Thomas who leads with 100 caps.
WALES: LEE BYRNE; MORGAN STODDART, JAMES HOOK, JAMIE ROBERTS, SHANE WILLIAMS; STEPHEN JONES, MICHAEL PHILLIPS; PAUL JAMES, MATTHEW REES (CAPT), CRAIG MITCHELL, BRADLEY DAVIES, ALUN WYN JONES, DAN LYDIATE, SAM WARBURTON, RYAN JONES
REPLACEMENTS: RICHARD HIBBARD, JOHN YAPP, JONATHAN THOMAS, JOSH TURNBULL, TAVIS KNOYLE, RHYS PRIESTLAND, LEIGH  HALFPENNY

Milton wins international doubles title

South Wales tennis star Josh Milton and his Dutch playing partner won the doubles final in the International Tennis Federation Futures tournament in Croatia.

Milton, from Rhoose, and Tim Van Terheijden won their first three matches in Zagreb in straight sets and then defeated the German No.2 seeds, Kevin Krawietz and Marcel Zimmermann 7-6(6), 5-7, 10-4 in the final.

Zimmermann had put Milton out of the singles on his way to reaching the final.

Milton, aged 21, is Wales’ top-ranked senior player, and formed part of a two-man Wales team in last year’s Commonwealth Games. He also won last summer’s AEGON Pro Series event at Roehampton.

“This is a tremendous achievement for Josh,“ said Peter Drew, chief executive of Tennis Wales. “It’s another significant victory to add to his growing list of achievements and to the achievements of Welsh tennis more broadly.”

Last month, James Hignett from Cardiff won the AEGON Winter National Tour 18U Finals at Roehampton.

Information on tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 20 463335 or www.tennis.wales.org

Snooker Loopy comes good.

The Scots dominated the field at the Welsh Open snooker this week. The two players who reached the final were John Higgins and Stephen Maguire.

The two Glaswegians battled it out on the green baize in Newport on the same day as the big Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers took place in their home city.

Maguire had the upper hand after the first session. He led by five frames to three at the halfway point, but he couldn’t contain Higgins in the evening session as the three-time world champion stormed his way to a 9-6 victory to take the title.

In beating his fellow Scot, he retained the title he won last year by beating Ali Carter. It also makes a terrific run of form since his return to the game after serving a six-month suspension following match-fixing allegations in May 2010.

The win in Newport is his third tournament win since his return with victories coming in the Ruhr Championship and the UK Championship where he beat the Welsh favourite, Mark Williams.

I imagine Higgins did a lot of practise while away from competition. He’s come back with a bang rather than a bung and is showing everyone just how good a snooker player he is.

It’s a great shame that his reputation may always be tarnished by the stories that were published in the News of the World last year, with the Scot seemingly accepting money to arrange match results.

He admits it was a silly thing to do, pound signs must have taken over his psyche, and is now looking to completely turn it around by becoming a role model to youngsters coming into the game in how to deal with situations similar to which he was put into by the Sunday tabloid.

He can certainly be a role model to many on the table. One of, if not the best in the business at the moment, he’s putting together a run of form which he will hope will lead to his fourth world title when the snooker circuit goes to the Crucible Theatre for the World Championships.

If he carries on in his rich vein of form, Higgins will definitely be the one to beat. Let’s hope that any negative stories won’t tarnish the great event, as they did last year, this time around. Higgins is now doing what he should always have done, his talking on the snooker table.

Author Paul Harper.

www.twitter.com/paulharper82

Beware of the old boy.

Author – Paul Harper

Isn’t it amazing how many times players score against one of their former clubs? Unless you pick Fernando Torres as your fantasy football captain as you’re relying on him to score his first Chelsea goal against Liverpool. But that’s another story. When Nottingham Forest faced Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, it wasn’t much of a surprise who would score the winning goal.

Cardiff were on the wrong side of a Robert Earnshaw strike when the one-time City forward netted the winner in a 2-1 victory over the Bluebirds.
Earnshaw is somewhat of a hero for Bluebirds’ fans. After all, he scored a lot of goals during his spell for Cardiff after coming through the ranks at what was then Ninian Park. Earnie scored 105 goals from 205 games in a Cardiff City shirt before leaving to join West Brom for the princely sum of £3million. So quite rightly, he is fondly thought of at Cardiff City.

The 29 year-old Zambian-born Welsh international has done alright for himself. As I mentioned, he scored just over a goal every two games for City, and he has continued to score goals at such a good rate at the other clubs he has been at since his time at Ninian Park came to an end in 2004.

With that superb goalscoring record, perhaps Cardiff should have expected that he would score against them and push them a step backwards in the quest for a promotion spot in the Championship.

Earnshaw’s current club, Nottingham Forest, leapfrogged City with their triumph at the City Ground. Worse still, South Wales rivals Swansea City have also risen above them and the Bluebirds lie fourth in the standings.

Cardiff’s promotion push has come off the rails in recent times. At one stage in the season, the Bluebirds were flying high, battling with Queens Park Rangers for the top spot in the division. Now they will be hard pushed to reach one of those two automatic promotion places, and after last season’s heartache, the play-offs is the last thing they want at the new Cardiff City Stadium.

With QPR a few points clear of the rest of the field, it appears to be a six horse race for that second automatic promotion position. Leicester City, Leeds United and Norwich City join Swansea, Forest and Cardiff in that fight, with Earnshaw’s strike putting Forest in pole position.

Should Forest continue their impress form of just 1 defeat in 10 league games since the turn of the year, Cardiff could be forced to play out the nightmare scenario that is the play offs.

The heartache of losing out to Blackpool last season at Wembley is still firmly at the front of Bluebirds’ fans memories. It’s best to avoid the play-offs then, I’d say. Now is time to forget the former hero of Robert Earnshaw, and for current heroes Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra and Craig Bellamy to step up to the plate.

Check out Paul Harper's biography on our 'Guest Bloggers' page here and follow his excellent Twitter feed www.twitter.com/paulharper82.

Cardiff Blues make four changes for visit of former Heineken Champions, Leinster.

The Blues take on Leinster this Saturday at 6.30 with a team showing four changes from the starting XV that defeated Glasgow last weekend.

The Backs remain unchanged but in the forwards Xavier Rush, Deiniol Jones and Gareth Williams all start, and are joined by John Yapp who returns from the Wales squad.

Scott Andrews and Dan Parks also return and are on the bench. The Blues are without second row forward Bryn Griffiths, who has been suspended for three weeks and Richie Rees who is also suspended.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young, said,

“In quite a few games this year I think we have been by far the better team, and been on top for most of the match, but with only ten minutes to go we’ve only been five points in front.”

“So, one score, one converted try, would mean we lose a game against a team we have totally dominated.”

“It’s always going to be thin margins against the better opposition and we know we are not going to kill these teams, but when you get three or four opportunities, you have got to score.”

“Obviously matches are quite tight at this stage of the season and you know every game is important to everybody.”

“No team is going to forsake a game because the next one is more important.”

Family tickets for the match, two adults and two children, are available online priced at only £20.

15 Dan Fish 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Tom James 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Tom Slater

8 Xavier Rush 7 Martyn Williams 6 Andries Pretorius 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Fau Filise 2 Gareth Williams 1 John Yapp

16 Rhys Williams 17 Sam Hobbs 18 Scott Andrews 19 Ben White 20 Ma’ama Molitika 21 Rhys Downes 22 Dan Parks 23 James Loxton

The following players were not available for selection because of injury:

T Rhys Thomas - cheek
Ben Blair - knee
Gethin Jenkins – toe
Michael Paterson - foot
Lloyd Williams - shoulder
Tom Shanklin - knee
Casey Laulala – hamstring
Tom Davies - calf

Welsh sides to meet this Sunday in game to savour

South Wales Scorpions Rugby League Club travel to Nelson RFC this Sunday to take on Welsh champions Valley Cougars (kick-off 2pm) in their final pre-season friendly before their competitive season starts.
However it will be a friendly in name only as both sides will have points to prove following the results of their first games of 2011.
The Scorpions opened their 2011 account last Friday with a competitive performance at Cardiff Arms Park but they eventually lost out 10-28 to a strong Warrington Wolves XIII in a friendly.
Valley Cougars go into this game on the back of a 24-30 defeat to The British Army in the First Round of the Cup last month in a game that they ultimately could have won. The Welsh Champions will be entering the Co-operative Conference National this year, a level up from the Welsh Conference, and this game against the Scorpions will be a perfect test for them as they go into what will be a very challenging season.
It will be the Scorpions’ final chance for a hit-out before the big Carnegie Challenge Cup match against Dewsbury Rams at The Gnoll on March 6th and Scorpions’ General Manager Mark Rowley knows that they will have a tough game against a Cougars side who will have a point to prove.

“The Cougars were unlucky to lose against The Army,” he said. “They were the best side out there, it was just fitness that told in the end.

“With the Scorpions and the Cougars linking up to provide a player pathway this season, there will be a lot of Cougars players trying to impress while the Scorpions players will all be aiming for a place in the side against Dewsbury in the Challenge Cup on March 6th. I think it’ll be a really exciting game, it’ll be a friendly in name only and I’m expected a large crowd in Nelson to see this game.”

Season tickets for the Scorpions’ second season include free entry to the Challenge Cup game on March 6th. Priced at £35 for concessions and £80 for adults, they can be bought by going to www.scorpionsrl.com.

THE WALES RUGBY TEAM AND THE WRU – NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FROM 1881 TO 2011

Left Sam Warburton, centre Dan Lydiate and right Ryan Jones modelling clothes from the new WRU Originals range designed to coincide with celebrations of 130 years of Welsh rugby, marked tomorrow by the 130th anniversary of the first Welsh international.

It is 130 years ago today, Saturday, 19 February, 2011, that Wales played its first international rugby match.
The game against England at Mr Richardson’s Field, Blackheath, saw Wales concede 13 tries. They eventually lost by 7 goals, 6 tries and 1 drop goal to nil – or 82-0 in modern scoring values.
But what those 15 brave, and largely unknown, Welsh rugby pioneers began was a national love affair with the game of rugby football – continued to this day with players such as Ryan Jones, Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton (pictured wearing the new 1881 range of exclusive WRU clothing) carrying on the legacy.

“Today is an important landmark in the history of the national sport of Wales. It has been a remarkable journey down the decades and we should all be proud of the status our game has achieved,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.

“Countless young Welsh men and women have grown to adulthood cherishing the magic moments created by our national teams. Grass-roots rugby in Wales has emerged as a bedrock of our communities and it remains a powerful influence on Welsh life.

“The Millennium Stadium is not only an iconic building, but also a powerful financial force in the wider Welsh economy. Today we proudly look back at that first game as a starting point in our 130 years of history as we look forward with enthusiasm to what lies ahead.

“There are many 130 year landmarks we will note in the months ahead with a game between Wales and the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on 4 June as a highlight.

“But today we can all look back with nostalgia and pride at the day when Welsh rugby began its great journey.”

Coming up on the Radio Cardiff Sports Show - 15th February 2011

We begin tonight with Simon’s regular round up of all things ice hockey.

Following that, Simon and Ian Golden will review the Rugby League Millennium Magic weekend and we’ll hear from, among others, Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris.

Yousef will bring us his latest update from the world of UFC and MMA, and we hope to be joined by our boxing expert Matthew Eves for his regular round up.

We bring you team news from the Cardiff City stadium ahead of tonight’s clash with Burnley and a round-up of the weekend’s Premier League action.

Plus, there's a quick look ahead to the Cricket World Cup which starts this weekend in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

And after another week of big points in the Fantasy League we’ll have the new provisional Top 10 countdown.

You can get involved with the show by sending us your thoughts about any sporting issue via text, email, Twitter or by phone.

Phone: 02920 235 664
Text: 07728 758 759
Email: sports@radiocardiff.org
Twitter: @RadCardiffSport

Warburton agrees new Blues deal.

Cardiff Blues can confirm that backrow forward Sam Warburton has signed a new contract extension with the region.

Cardiff-born Warburton became a member of the Blues Academy in 2006-07 and was part of the Blues U20 squad that blazed a trail through the U20 Reebok Regional Championships to win the title.

Versatile enough to play anywhere in the backrow Warburton made his regional debut for the Cardiff Blues away to Edinburgh in 2009 and has gone on to make 36 appearances for the region. Speaking at the Cardiff City Stadium, Sam said,

“I’m absolutely delighted to be staying here.”

“I’m a Cardiff boy, born and bred, and to be offered and sign a new deal is fantastic.”

“I’m only 22years old and feel there’s a lot more to achieve.”

“I’ve only been with the seniors for three seasons and with all the young players such as Bradley Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Tom James, we’ve got a very bright future.”

“I’ve come through with the same bunch of boys in the Academy and we’ve all progressed together so it’s been quite a smooth transition.”

“What is exciting is I’ve known some of these boys for six years already through rugby circles and there’s about ten or twelve of us who have come through within a few years of each other, which shows the systems are working.”

“About six or seven of us have been capped already.”

Some strong displays for the Blues in his debut season saw Warburton earn a place on the Welsh summer tour of North America in 2009. Speaking of gaining his Welsh caps Warburton added,

“To be honest when I was in the Blues Academy aged 16 or 17 years old I always wanted to break through into the Blues but never knew when that would be.”

“With Martyn at the club I always knew it was going to be tough.”

“On the international front my call up came a lot sooner than I expected and the caps have notched up pretty quickly.”

Selected as part of Warren Gatland’s 2011 Six Nations squad, Warburton won his 11th cap in the win over Scotland. However, his focus is still on winning trophies with his region,

“I think the play off places is a minimum for us in the Magners League. We want the title and follow up on the silverware we won in the last two years.”

“If we didn’t reach the play offs it would be a very disappointing season but everyone is focused on finishing the season strongly."

Rourke sees 'Alfie' provide some Magic at the Millennium Stadium

Joe Calzaghe and Mickey Rourke at Millennium Magic in Cardiff, 13th February 2011.

Photograph Copyright Ian Lovell - Official Photographer Scorpions R.L and Wales R.L www.ianlovell.com

Hollywood film star Mickey Rourke started his homework for the movie about the life of former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas at the Millennium Stadium today as Millennium Magic kicked off the 2011 Engage Super League season.

It was the first time at a live rugby event for Rourke, who plans to portray the player known as ‘Alfie' after he was inspired by him coming out as gay in December 2009, as Wales’ iconic sporting venue hosted 14 teams for two days of incredible action under the fully retractable roof.

The attendance for the opening day on Saturday, which featured four matches, was 30,891 whilst 29,323 people saw Sunday’s three fixtures. The combined attendance of 60,214 is higher than the total for the inaugural Millennium Magic in Cardiff in 2007 (58,831) and an increase on the crowds at the two Magic Weekends staged at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in 2009 (59,749) and 2010 (52,043).

Rourke saw Thomas help the Celtic Crusasers launch their season with a morale boosting 42-12 win over Salford Reds. In an exclusive interview with WRUTV, he said: “It’s a big field compared to what I’m used to looking at and I’m impressed with how fit the guys are.

“We’re not going to make this movie until we’ve done all the proper research. We need to do our homework and I need to train for from nine to 11months.

“I can’t play rugby but I’m a good enough actor and I can look fit enough to play the game and that’s what it’s all about. That’s what I do, I act. I can act like I can play, and play at a high level.

“I’m going to have to train my ass off for probably the last time in my life that I ever have to get in shape and it’s a challenge. I’m looking forward to it but I’m also a little terrified of it.

"I'm going to talk to Gareth, talk to Brian Noble, talk to the boys that know the game. We're not in a hurry to make the movie because we want to make the movie the right way."

The actor, who used to be a professional boxer, was entertained at the Millennium Stadium in the hospitality lounge alongside Wales’ former super-middleweight world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe as Thomas made his winning return to the Millennium Stadium for the Crusaders at the two-day rugby league event.

Wood hails magical start to Engage Super League XVI

RFL Chief Executive, Nigel Wood, today hailed Millennium Magic 2011 as the best ever start to an Engage Super League season after Rugby League supporters were treated to a weekend to remember in Cardiff.


Two bumper crowds on Saturday and Sunday witnessed some thrilling action as Rugby League's elite competition kicked off in style beneath the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium.


"Millennium magic has been a truly uplifting weekend and the best start to a Super League season we have ever had," said Wood.


"The attendance exceeded our expectations and the atmosphere both inside and outside the Millennium Stadium was magnificent.


"The supporters were treated to some high quality action on both days, especially on Sunday when the Welsh fans saw Crusaders make a dream start to the season."


The attendance for the opening day on Saturday, which featured four matches, was 30,891 whilst 29,323 people saw Sunday's three fixtures.  The combined attendance of 60,214 is higher than the total for the inaugural Millennium Magic in Cardiff in 2007 (58,831) and an increase on the crowds at the two Magic Weekends staged at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium in 2009 (59,749) and 2010 (52,043).

Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas of Crusaders Rugby League talks about his side's phenomenal victory over Salford at Millennium Magic 2011.

Join The Radio Cardiff Tuesday Sports Show team for feast of Rugby League this weekend!

Francis and Simon from Radio Cardiff will be at Millennium Magic this Saturday afternoon and bringing you LIVE text commentary and updates from EVERY match!

Join in our coverage by logging into the read console via Twitter or Facebook. Set an email reminder by filling in the box below.

This will be our biggest LIVE event yet so please get involved!

Coming up on the Radio Cardiff Sports Show - 8th February 2011

We begin with Rugby League and a preview of this week’s Super League Millennium Magic weekend with special guests Ian Golden and BBC Five Live's George Riley!

We look back at Wales defeat to England in the Six Nations last Friday and ahead to the clash with Scotland on Saturday.

Simon will round up this week’s Cardiff Devils ice hockey action.

We discuss Cardiff City’s win at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday and the weekend’s goal-fest in the Premier League and Fernando Torres' less than convincing debut for Chelsea.

It’s been a double Gameweek in the Fantasy League with big points scored all round, so we’ll have the new Top 10 countdown.

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BYRNE BACK AT FULL BACK

Wales have made three changes, one positional, to the side defeated by England for their RBS 6 Nations Round 2 clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick-off 5.00 pm).
Osprey James Hook wins his 49^th cap and starts at fly half for the first time since the Championship win over Italy in 2009, with Stephen Jones, who has taken a limited part in training after a bump to his neck during his last outing, moving to the bench.
Hook’s regional colleague Lee Byrne reclaims the vacated full back berth.
“James has a real opportunity to show what a quality player he is,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“There  is a certain amount of risk involved as he has not started a game at fly-half this season, but the decision was made easier considering Stephen has been limited in what he can do in the early part of this week after the bump he picked up early on against England.”
Up front Ryan Jones (also Ospreys) returns to the back row in place of injured Wasps No8 Andy Powell (shoulder), with the coaches saying ‘same again’ to the rest of the pack.
“The forwards were in a battle last week, but there were plenty of things that went right and we want them to go up to Murrayfield and give it a shot,”said Wales assistant coach (forwards) Robin McBryde.
“Our front five was an asset in the Autumn and Craig Mitchell has come in and done well and helped give us platform off the scrum and line-out.  We have talked about better execution and accuracy but largely we want the same again from the forwards with Ryan (Jones) coming back into the mix as well.
“Ryan has shown his true character after some set backs in terms of selection and playing in different areas of the pack and he has come out on top.”


On the bench two players, back row Josh Turnbull and fly half / full back Rhys Priestland (both Scarlets), could gain their first caps – with Turnbull replacing the promoted Jones and joining Jonathan Thomas and Richard Hibbard (Ospreys) and John Yapp (Blues) in providing the forward cover.
Elsewhere fellow Scarlet Tavis Knoyle covers the scrum half position in place of Sale Shark’s Dwayne Peel, with Peel unable to train after pulling up with a sore hip training yesterday (Monday).

“Last week in the first half we struggled for field position, which meant we didn’t attack in the way we would have liked and we are hoping to put that right this week,” added McBryde.
“We know we are under pressure, but the pressure we put on ourselves is more than enough and there is no-one working harder than us to put things right.
“We need to maintain our accuracy under pressure, look after the things we can control on the field on Saturday and we will not be far away.”


WALES:Lee Byrne; Morgan Stoddart, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees (Capt), Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Jonathan Thomas, Josh Turnbull, Tavis Knoyle, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland

Stoddart a major doubt for Murrayfield.

Wales and Scarlets wing Morgan Stoddart is a fitness doubt for of his country's RBS 6 Nations second round visit to Scotland this weekend after breaking a bone in his hand.
Stoddart made a try scoring return to international duty in the defeat to England at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night, appearing for the first time since November 2008 to win his fifth cap and he played on after sustaining the injury in the final quarter of the game.
A specialist will review his injury on Monday when a formal assessment of when he may return to play will be made, but it is hoped he will make a speedy recovery.
"Morgan has broken a metacarpal bone in his right hand and will have a consultation with a hand surgeon when he reports back to the Wales camp on Monday," said Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies.
"It is too soon to say how long he will be in recovery but it is hoped that he will be back in contention for selection soon and be able to play a further part in the Championship.
"We will have a clearer idea of when he may return to play by Monday."
Elsewhere the Wales squad have reported a variety of bumps and bruises after the hard fought loss to England, with Wasps No8 Andy Powell noteably leaving the field with a bruised shoulder in the first half of the game, and a full injury assessment will be available at the start of the week.
No further players have been added to the Wales squad to date.

Wales recall Stoddart for Friday's Six Nations opener

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has predicted his side’s meeting with England in the RBS 6 Nations opener at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night will be “a battle of inches not yards.”
Howley is in charge of a back line which sees Scarlets wing Morgan Stoddart return to international duty for the first time since the Autumn of 2008 and finds a place for Osprey James Hook at full back with his regional colleague Lee Byrne on the bench.
Elsewhere the centre partnership of Jamie Roberts (Blues) and Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) which proved successful on the recent summer tour of New Zealand is restored with halfbacks Mike Phillips (Ospreys) and Stephen Jones (Scarlets) also retained.
Former IRB World Player of the Year Shane Williams (Ospreys) has returned from injury to take up his place on the wing and complete the back three alongside Stoddart and Hook.
Up front 25-year-old Ospreys tight-head Craig Mitchell wins his first start and his fifth cap alongside captain Matthew Rees (Scarlets) at hooker and regional colleague Paul James on the other side of the scrum.
The regular pairing of Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys) and Bradley Davies (Blues) make up the second row with Blues youngster Sam Warburton joining Dragons blindside Dan Lydiate on the flanks together with Wasps No8 Andy Powell.

“In the front row we have two guys who have done well at regional level and know each others games either side of our leader and the Lions hooker in Matthew Rees, so we are comfortable with the selection,”said Howley.
“The second row has been consistent in recent times and we have two good youngsters who have both been playing exceptionally well coming into the back row.
“Dan (Lydiate) was magnificent for us in the autumn and Sam (Warburton) has been going great for the Blues in Europe recently and there is a nice balance there with the ball carrying abilities of Andy Powell completing the trio.
“This is going to be a battle of inches and not yards and we know the pack can dominate like they did in our Autumn games we are in with a good chance.
“We did debate selection at fly half and elsewhere in the backs but we feel we have settled on the right pairing there with the experience they offer. 
“Lee Byrne misses out solely through virtue of the fact he has had limited game time after injury and he will offer us some impact from the bench, which is fairly experienced in itself and will undoubtedly be utilised during the evening.
“We are playing England at the home of Welsh rugby at the start of the Rugby World Cup year so we are looking to get ourselves of to a great start and create some momentum and I can’t think of a better place for a Welshman to do that.”


On the bench Rhys Priestland is the only uncapped player – he will be Wales’ 1,079^th player if he gets on – where he is joined by a wealth of experience in Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel, lock/back row Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas (both Ospreys), Blues prop John Yapp, Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard and the 38-times capped Byrne.

WALES: James Hook; Morgan Stoddart, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees (C), Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Andy Powell
REPLACEMENTS: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Dwayne Peel, Rhys Priestland, Lee Byrne

Hignett wins AEGON National title

Cardiff teenage tennis prospect James Hignett has won the AEGON Winter National Tour 18U Finals.


He defeated Ravi Patel 6-3 6-2 to take the title at the National Tennis Centre, Roehampton on Sunday.


The Tour represents the top-level of age-group tennis in Britain, and the finals involve the top 16 players from the tour.

“There have been a tough few tournaments to get here so it’s nice to finish off with a win,” said James in a post-match interview.

Peter Drew, chief executive of Tennis Wales added: “This is a tremendous victory for James, which reflects the progress he has made and the hard work he has put in.

“I’m delighted for him, and very pleased to acknowledge another high-level success for Welsh tennis.”

Information on tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 2046 3335 or www.tennis.wales.org