RGC ready for Merthyr clash
THE waiting is nearly over as RGC will take to the field this Saturday against defending champions Merthyr at Parc Eirias in their first Welsh Premiership game of the 201920 season.
It’s been a summer of upheaval with new head coach Matt Silva taking over the reins from Mark Jones and a number of changes on the coaching and playing sides.
In addition to the head coach role, Silva will also support the North Wales Academy to help develop players from across the region to ensure they reach their potential in the game.
Silva, who represented Wales B and won a rugby league cap for Wales, has worked within player and coach development roles for 15 years and coached Bridgend for the last three seasons.
Speaking after he was appointed, Silva said: “Taking on this role is a big but very exciting challenge and I can’t wait to get started.
“It’s key that I get to know everyone involved with RGC and
buy into the culture of North Wales rugby and it’s also important I get straight into pre-season so that we can hit the ground running come September.
“I want to build on the legacy that Mark Jones and all the other past RGC coaches have created and I hope my actions will speak louder than words when it comes to the rugby we produce on the field.
“While it’s a fantastic achievement to win the cup, my main aim is to finish in the top six and qualify for the Super 6 crossborder competition.”
The club have signed forward Pic: Craig Colville Sam Williams to add to prop Jess Williams, brother of squad member Beau, joining the setup in July after impressing during an initial trial period.
Forward Curtis Reynolds joined Pontypridd with skipper Evan Yardley opting for a return south with Cardiff and dynamic winger Sam Jones joining triple champions Merthyr after a series of standout performances last season.
Former Wales U20 international Sam Wainwright secured a switch for English Premiership giants Saracens on a developmental deal, and forward Tim Grey penned a short-term contract with Cardiff Blues that runs until the end of their Celtic Cup fixtures.
The first female WRU regional academy skills coach was also appointed at the club this summer.
As part of a package which will see an increased level of support for North Wales academy players, former Wales Women captain Rachel Taylor will deliver the national skills curriculum to North Wales academy players alongside Silva and under the leadership of academy manager Josh Leach.
The under-16s got their Regional Age Grade (RAG) competition programme off to the best possible start with a 33-27 win over a highly skilful and committed Cardiff Blues South side last weekend.
With the win behind them the Blues opened the scoring through their right wing and although RGC responded with a score of their own from Rob Muirhead, it was the Blues who went into the break in front.
Then, with the wind behind them RGC took the game to the Blues from the outset of the second half and were rewarded when following a scrappy passage play the ball popped up into the hands of Sion Jones and there was no stopping the prop from only a couple of metres out.
Almost straight from the restart the Blues stole the ball and went over in the corner to give themselves an eight-point lead at 20-12.
RGC outside-half Tomas Hughes danced his way past seemingly half the Cardiff defence to touch down close to the posts and with Gruffudd Ab Ieuan adding the extras the score was now 20-19 to the visitors.
RGC took the lead for the first time when all-action number eight Huw Davies finished off a move involving a number of players, and the lead was further extended when Efan Edwards cut a line from just inside the Cardiff half to score the home side’s fifth and last score.
Head coach Gav Hodgkinson said: “I think I am right in saying that this is the first time in a number of years that the under16s have won their opening RAG fixture.”