AMs to take on ex-internationals in charity rugby match
Assembly Members Alun Cairns, Alun Davies, Dai Lloyd and Andrew RT Davies are, amongst others, relishing the opportunity to test their skills against some of their sporting heroes in a Welsh Rugby Union President’s XV game against the National Assembly for Wales on Thursday 22nd May at the Glamorgan Wanderers’ Memorial ground (Kick-off 7.15pm). Meanwhile,ex-international Nigel Davies has been tempted out of retirement one last time for the game.
Davies, the 29-times capped WRU head of rugby development and former Wales coach, is set to line-up alongside some famous international colleagues from the past including Wales team fitness supremo and former flanker Mark Bennett and five-times capped centre Roger Bidgood.
They will play a National Assembly side which will be led by Alun Cairns AM, who plays at hooker or flanker, and will comprise AMs, their support staff and staff from both the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Proceeds from the match will be split equally between the WRU Charitable Trust and Bowel Cancer UK a charity chosen by the National Assembly Rugby team as its founder, former AM Glyn Davies, has recovered from the disease
“This will be my first game since I played in Neil Jenkins’ testimonial match against a Jason Leonard XV at the Millennium Stadium – I ended up scoring a try for England in that game which was also a first!” said Davies. “I turned out for Neil’s side early on in the match and came off for a rest, but towards the end Jason’s team where running out of players so I put the white jersey on and ended up scoring the try for England to draw the game after side-stepping Paul Moriarty – which made it all the more enjoyable.
“These games can be great fun to play in and with all proceeds going to two very good causes it’s only with a small degree of trepidation that I say I’m very much looking forward to it.
“We haven’t finalised the full team line-up yet, but there is plenty of rugby talent around the various offices of the union, aside from skills of one or two former internationals that we intend to utilise. It wouldn’t do for the WRU to be losing a game like this, but I’m sure there are a few eager players in the corridors of power at the Senedd who will have other ideas.”
Alun Cairns AM said. “The Assembly set up its rugby team about two years ago, with the intention of playing other parliaments and assemblies, so we’re surprised and delighted to be playing a team full of ex-internationals and rugby professionals. Bowel Cancer UK is a charity that is close to our hearts after our former colleague and the club’s founder Glyn Davies fought the disease and won and we’re delighted to be able to raise some money for the charity.
“We’re expecting a tough match but we’re unbeaten in the games we’ve played so far and we’re not going to give that record up without a fight. The former internationals will have to be at the top of their game to beat us! We don’t want to reveal our line up yet and allow the opposition to do their homework on us but we might have an ex-international of our own, as well as cross-party representation from Assembly Members. We’re normally on opposite sides of the chamber so it’s nice to be able to pull together for something like this. ”
WRU President Dennis Gethin added: “The game is already being well supported on both sides with some great names from our recent rugby past turning out to represent the WRU. Charitable events of this sort are a great way for sport and politics to get together, we are two organisations who have a great influence on the everyday lives of people in Wales and we should unite as often as possible for such worthwhile causes.
“I was delighted to accept the challenge from the National Assembly on behalf of the Welsh Rugby Union. We rightly champion the elite game but we are also proud that rugby in Wales is about participation at all levels which is why it deserves its status as our national game.”
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Presiding Officer said: “Rugby plays a large and important role in Welsh life, encouraging debate amongst supporters and bringing the nation together in support of the national team, and I am proud that it is also providing an opportunity for the National Assembly for Wales and the WRU to come together in support of two very worthwhile charities. I thank the WRU for accepting our challenge and hope that the game will be enjoyable for all involved.