BT Premiership 7s, Welsh Pool

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:11 pm

The first time for the regions, on Saturday they will take part in the welsh pool of the BT Sport Premier 7s, at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

Game 1 Ospreys v Cardiff Blues
Game 2 Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets
Game 3 Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys
Game 4 Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
Game 5 Ospreys v Scarlets
Game 6 Newport Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues

Two top Welsh Regions from the competition on 26th July will qualify for the Series Final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday 8th August.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:11 pm

Scarlets 7s Squad:
Sion Bennett, Darran Harris, Rory Pitman, Michael Tagicakibau, Chris Banfield, Dai Treharne, Lee Rees, Connor Lloyd, Kristian Phillips ©, Josh Lewis, Aaron Warren, Kyle Evans

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:13 pm

Dragons 7s squad:-
James Benjamin, James Thomas, Rhys Jones, Dorian Jones, Oli Griffiths, Harri Keddy, Owen Davies, Elliot Frewen, Sam Cross, Lewis Hudd, Jonny Lewis, Ed Tellwright

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:16 pm

Ospreys 7s Squad
Matthew Jenkins, Evan Yardley, Jordan Collier, Morgan Allen, Ross Jones (c), Joe Gage, Morgan Williams, Kristian Corbisiero, Chris Williams, Steff Andrews, Rob Dudley-Jones, Joel Matavesi

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:21 pm

Blues 7s Squad
Jack Phillips, Seb Davies, Richard Smith (c), Dafi Davies, Ben Roach, Garyn Smith, Tom Williams, Owen Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Geraint Walsh, Dan Fish, Aled Summerhill

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:24 pm

With the artificial tuff at the BTSCAP and the weather looking pretty warm and dry. This could be a good day out for the family. There looks to be a fair bit of Sevens experience around those squads, as well as a number of promising young players, which is also promising.

by PenfroPete Wed 23 Jul 2014, 8:02 am

Looking forward to this, gates open at 18:00 - think first game is 19:00. Reasonable prices too Grandstands £10.00 , Terrace £8.00 (Concessions half price)

Will be nice to watch some rugby, instead of listening to the constant squabbling

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 23 Jul 2014, 9:33 am

PenfroPete wrote:Looking forward to this, gates open at 18:00 - think first game is 19:00. Reasonable prices too Grandstands £10.00 , Terrace £8.00 (Concessions half price)

Will be nice to watch some rugby, instead of listening to the constant squabbling

I believe season ticket holders at any region is 1/2 price too, and I believe I read somewhere that some of the proceeds from the gate will go to #StayStrongForOws fund for Owen Williams.

I am a bit disappointed with the lack of publicity the 7s has had, although I can appreciate that maybe BBC don't want to advertise rugby on a rival channel.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 23 Jul 2014, 9:38 am

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/6897.php wrote:The Welsh stage of the Premiership Rugby 7s Series explodes into life at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park this Saturday - and fans attending a night of thrilling regional rugby will also be showing their support for the #StayStrongForOws campaign.??

Cardiff Blues last week announced a fundraising and awareness campaign for injured player Owen Williams. The Premiership Rugby 7s Series will be the first major event held at Owen's home region since he suffered the serious injury in Singapore and fans attending on Saturday are already showing their support.

Cardiff Blues have joined forces with the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust to ensure valuable funds are raised to help and support Owen long-term as he continues his recovery.

And Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) - the body that represents the four professional regional rugby teams in Wales - is now pleased to announce that for every ticket sold for the Premiership Rugby 7s Series opening leg in Cardiff a donation of 50p will be made to the trust.

Fans can also buy specially created #StayStrongForOws wristbands from the Cardiff Blues Store on the night of the big 7s Welsh Regions contest this Saturday.

The wristbands carry the #StayStrongForOws motto and have been created in gold and navy blue to represent Cardiff Blues and Owen's home town club Aberdare RFC. Wristbands are available for just £1.50 each.

Anyone who wishes to donate funds direct can also do so by sending cheques to Cardiff Blues made payable to the 'Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust' and marked 'for Owen Williams'.

Tickets remain on sale NOW for the Premiership rugby 7s Series at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. Ticket prices are just £5 for Regions Season Ticket holders (£3 for concessions) £10 for other guests (£5 concessions). Standing tickets are priced £4 for adult Season Ticket holders and £8 for other guests.

To book visit www.cardiffblues.com/tickets or call 02920 302030.?For more information on Premiership Rugby 7s please visit: www.premiershiprugby.com/7s or follow @premrugby.? For more information on Welsh regional rugby please visit www.regionalrugbywales.com or follow @officialRRW on Twitter.

That is where I read it then

by PenfroPete Wed 23 Jul 2014, 9:50 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

I am a bit disappointed with the lack of publicity the 7s has had, although I can appreciate that maybe BBC don't want to advertise rugby on a rival channel.

Tis LIVE on S4C - http://www.s4c.co.uk/c_listings.shtml?dt=2014-07-26&service=s4cd#ID521637825

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 23 Jul 2014, 10:20 am

In that case I really can't understand why it has not been promoted better by the beeb, as in at all. Its a real shame as this is the sort of thing that can get people excited about the coming season, maybe a few flashy performances could win over the 50-50 fan into getting a season ticket etc.

by **Notch** Wed 23 Jul 2014, 10:36 am

Welsh regions still have a bit of a marketing problem. They can't rely on the BBC to do it all for them- I suspect they view not paying for marketing as a saving, but saying you can't afford to market your product is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy when you have events like this and people don't know about it.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 23 Jul 2014, 12:26 pm

Notch it has been all over our websites etc, what I meant is that things like the Squad Announcements are Welsh Rugby News, and you would expect maybe one article saying "4 regions announce 7s Squads" or something, but diddly squat. Maybe I used the wrong word when I said promoted/publicised, and should have said reported.

I believe all the regional fans are aware of this as they generally sign up to regional newsletters/fans forums. However how many 'quick nose on tv/web/international' type of fans know it is going on? If there were one article this week saying the squads and ko time (and its on s4c even) would be useful.

by Chunky Norwich Wed 23 Jul 2014, 12:41 pm

I'll be there, proudly cheering on my region. And the wonderful BT Sports.

by **Notch** Wed 23 Jul 2014, 2:24 pm

I mean marketing Scarlets- not just sticking it on your website or twitter, a proper marketing campaign. Everywhere I go in Belfast I'm seeing these ads for Ulster Rugby season tickets. They've got them on the side of phone boxes, they've got them on bus stops, they've got them on large billboards around the city. There are pubs with partnerships with Ulster giving away tickets as prizes in competitions, special offers on game day, packages including tickets and transport etc. When I go across the border, it seems like TV ads for Leinster rugby season tickets are everywhere as are ads on the radio.

Thats what I mean is seemingly absent from regional rugby. All that stuff costs money, true. But it's necessary if you're going to run a successful business. Putting a few things on social media and your website is only a small part of it. As you say, you can't always rely on the media to do your job for you.

by Scrumpy Wed 23 Jul 2014, 2:30 pm

You've still got Phone boxes in NI? Wink

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 23 Jul 2014, 2:39 pm

Notch, they do advertise (not to that scale, but we are apparently bordering on going bust), but Welsh Rugby News on the BBC webpage should be that, 7s tournament squad announcement are Welsh Rugby News and should be on there but isn't yet Piri Weepu signing for London Welsh is.

Anyway different argument for a different thread (lord knows there are enough threads), don't want to derail such a fine thread started by such a good contributor lol

by HammerofThunor Wed 23 Jul 2014, 3:16 pm

Is there anything on the English teams? Is it not that this is just a warm up competition for the league sometimes used to team build new guys in the squad? It's not really worth putting massive resources into marketing for it.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 23 Jul 2014, 3:38 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:Is there anything on the English teams? Is it not that this is just a warm up competition for the league sometimes used to team build new guys in the squad? It's not really worth putting massive resources into marketing for it.

Hammer, I haven't seen anything on the English sides yet, but I remember seeing it on there last year (JP Morgans 7s Series?). The English teams should be on there too, as/when they are named.

I know it is just a way to build up a bit of interest prior to the pre-season friendlies etc. But its our first time, so I have a feeling we are all taking in pretty serious. As long as we beat the English and all that.

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 24 Jul 2014, 8:15 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28475286

Apologies to the beeb

by Hound of Harrow Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:30 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28475286

Apologies to the beeb

Well you could hardly expect the WRU to promote this event.

censored

by bedfordwelsh Fri 25 Jul 2014, 8:41 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Ospreys 7s Squad
Matthew Jenkins, Evan Yardley, Jordan Collier, Morgan Allen, Ross Jones (c), Joe Gage, Morgan Williams, Kristian Corbisiero, Chris Williams, Steff Andrews, Rob Dudley-Jones, Joel Matavesi

Kristian Corbisiero - any relation to Alex as its a bit of an unusual name especially from down West.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 8:57 am

Bedford, I've never heard of the lad either but just googled him and there is next to nothing. I believe he's Aberavon RFC.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 25 Jul 2014, 10:13 am

Could be. There's generally a few trialists involved in this tournament.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 10:28 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:Could be. There's generally a few trialists involved in this tournament.

And looking at the sides the regions have named, they seem to be giving lads from their region who are 7s specialists a chance to run out in their regional colours too.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 25 Jul 2014, 1:20 pm

Might as well. It's a good environment to stake a claim ahead of the preseason friendlies. Sadly I think Tigers will opt to save our sevens specialists and just field the academy so we're likely to be eliminated early.

Who are the ones to watch ahead of this weekend?

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 6:58 pm

FYI its on TV, S4C or BT Sport now

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:11 pm

Got it on now. I usually get bored of sevens so we'll see how long I last

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:14 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:Got it on now. I usually get bored of sevens so we'll see how long I last

I've watched some commonwealth stuff this morning so all geared up

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:15 pm

Blues v Ospreys up first

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:38 pm

Still watching, the best are up next Yahoo

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:39 pm

Good luck SS. Disappointed with the O's loss

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:41 pm

Some terrible passing from the Dragons

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:42 pm

Nice run though. Followed by a try

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:49 pm

Yeah the Scarlets are very bad, the Ospreys looked iffy. Blues and Dragons to go through I think

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:50 pm

Yeah the Scarlets are very bad, the Ospreys looked iffy. Blues and Dragons to go through I think

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:54 pm

Lovely 2nd try by Scarlets.

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:57 pm

And some dodgy defending sees Dragons take the win.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 7:59 pm

Fair play to the Dragons good win. Harsh on them being next up mind.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 8:00 pm

Making my excuses now, the Scarlets boys with Wales are playing well today Run

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 8:16 pm

Nice hands by Matavesi (bloody Fijians poaching our players)

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 8:22 pm

Never thought I'd say this, the Dragons are looking very good. Maybe 7s should be their sport!

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 8:27 pm

They are but Ospreys are looking terrible.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 8:34 pm

They don't look good. And the Drags were knackered too. Full respect to them.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 8:56 pm

Both the Dragons and Blues look really sharp. Congrats to them both.

Losers play off next, sob

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 26 Jul 2014, 9:51 pm

Congrats to the Blues for topping the pool, however what a sucky way to win.

by HammerofThunor Sat 26 Jul 2014, 11:06 pm

Missed it after the start of the Blues v Scarlets game (went to watch Hercules so the wife could get ice cream). What's a sucky way to win?

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 27 Jul 2014, 8:59 am

They were 17-14 down to the dragons, in the final play they got a pen five out in front of the posts for a 17-17 draw. There were a few boos in the crowd.

by Seagultaf Sun 27 Jul 2014, 10:46 am

Another balls up in Welsh rugby! This was potentially a really great event but with the Welsh squad players rested, so unavailable and the best 7s players playing AT THE SAME TIME on the TV in the Commonwealth Games, it ended up as a pretty damp squib and a crowd of less than 4000!

As for the rugby, whilst the Dragons lacked pace they were by far the best team, Blues good in patches (and benefited from homer refs), Ospreys were poor and the Scarlets looked like they had never played 7s before.

The refereeing was really confusing, in both this competition and the Commonwealth, the player on the ground was frequently allowed to hang and play the ball after the ruck had been called. Defenders though were being harshly penalised and binned for trying to jackal the ball when held on the ground. the excuse from the ref was that they were off their feet, how can you pull the ball out of the grip of a player on the floor without going off your feet? This really spoilt both competitions for me, I am now dreading the start of the season, if this is an example of a new IRB initiative for refereeing the breakdown.

by PenfroPete Thu 31 Jul 2014, 8:24 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:They were 17-14 down to the dragons, in the final play they got a pen five out in front of the posts for a 17-17 draw. There were a few boos in the crowd.

Think it was the last minute PENALTY TRY that upset people - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28511516

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