North Wales rugby boost at Colwyn Bay

The recent IRB International Series at Colwyn Bay brought out the rugby public of north Wales; but that was only a part of the successful development of the game in the north of the country.

RGC1404 General Manager Rupert Moon - Pic (c) WRU

Former Welsh international scrum-half Rupert Moon, General Manager of RGC1404 - the club born out of a strategic plan by the WRU in 2006, and which has entered the Welsh league system this season – is keen to promote the advances that rugby union has made in what is traditionally seen as a strong football area.

“For the investment made by the IRB, WRU and Conwy Borough Council, we class it as a fabulous success. There was a global audience each weekend, televised in 45 different countries, the majority of whom had it live,” he said.

“For north Wales and Colwyn Bay, and the fact that the international teams worked with local clubs and schools, leaving a legacy of raising standards, that’s exactly what we are trying to do, to raise standards of rugby in north Wales.

“With a third of the population in the north of the country, we have to be inclusive, and that is what the WRU have been striding to do against the challenges of geography."

Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay - home of RGC1404 

Investment in the Eirias Park complex has been substantial, with an indoor training area, new Grandstand and VIP areas, and upgrade of the existing athletics track, as well as installation of the pitch which has now hosted international rugby, and new floodlights.

Over 5,500 attended the international double headers, a figure that Moon is delighted with. Add to the fact that Eirias Park is partway through a contract to host the Wales RBS Six Nations Under 20 home fixtures, he sees this as a great advert for the game in the north: “No one would have thought five years ago that it was possible to have three under 20s games sold out in the same season in north Wales, or that we would be hosting international double headers in Colwyn Bay.

“The facility has demonstrated that anything is possible. To redevelop the stadium with £6.5 million of funding which opens up not only a world stage but also a community stage. We had local kids from schools involved on the pitch and in the indoor training arena.

“It’s an aspirational culture we are developing. Now we have kids wanting to pull on their regional jersey as well as their club jersey. The influence of the WRU, working alongside partners, has allowed us to develop a college academy. We work alongside Rydal School, and Llandrillo College, to give us a foundation to build from.

“Building from an Under 16s and Under 18s side, we have now got a senior men’s team which has meaningful fixtures. It is about developing but also about aspiring to achieve the next level. The men have been put into a very tough league, with six of our first nine games played away from home.”

The fact that travelling for the RGC players is a major obstacle, to him shows the commitment there is to the game in the area.

“These guys are faced with a ten hour plus round trip on match day. The first player gets on the bus at 6:30am. They are prepared to travel to train, often over an hour and a half to training. Not only at seniors, that happens at the under-age levels as well. That is a huge commitment,” he added.

“We are also working in parallel to develop their coaches and facilities. When we have a RGC home game, we try to invite junior sections, where we coach the kids, and coach the coaches. We have regular ‘coach the coach’ sessions. Our junior sections are packed full from under 8s to under 16s, within the whole of Wales we are one of the best regions for the number of junior sides per club.

“We have to give them something to aspire to that is achievable – club rugby, regional rugby, through to international rugby. You cannot ignore a third of the population.”

The IRB International Rugby Series was streamed live by the IRB on their website, with a global population watching the four fixtures.

The USA beat Russia by 40-26 in the first of the double headers. Three first half tries, from Brian Doyle, Eric Fry and debutant Toby L’Estrange put the Eagles into a commanding 21-9 half-time lead, and although the Bears pulled back through tries from Vladimir Ostrushko and a brace from Andrey Temnov, Robbie Shaw, and two more from Chris Wyles gave the Americans their win.

That was followed by a one-sided affair, as Samoa beat Canada convincingly by 42-12. Robert Lilomaiava was the Samoan dangerman, scoring four, with Tai Tui’fua adding a fifth. James So’oialo kicked four conversions, adding three penalty goals, before the Canadians came back with two late tries from Connor Braid and John Moonlight.

The second double-header saw Tonga come from behind to beat the USA 22-13. Viliami Helu’s try was the Tongan’s solitary first half score, with Robbie Shaw dotting down for Zach Pangelinan to convert, and add a penalty before half-time. But into the second period, Tonga came back with tries from Sione Piukala and Joe Tuineau, while the USA could only manage a penalty kick.

The final game of the series saw the Canadians beat Russia by 35-3. Jeff Hassler scored two, setting up a third for Taylor Paris, while Nick Blevins added the Canucks’ fourth. James Pritchard kicked three conversions and three penalties, while Russia’s points came from an Igor Klyuichnikov penalty kick.