WARNINGS FOR GAME
THERE’S a new kid on the block at Wales’ rugby internationals this autumn – and he can be as feisty as the players.
Fusilier Llywelyn is the goat borrowed from the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh by the 3rd Battalion to replace the late Lance Corporal Shenkin III.
Shenkin, who died in September aged seven and a half, was the regimental mascot of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh and was well known for leading the team out at Welsh rugby internationals.
Llywelyn, on the other hand, is not used to the limelight of the Principality Stadium. He’s also been known to issue the odd headbutt.
“I gather he has got a few people in the past, and he did it to me in the first couple of days,” said Goat Major Sergeant Mark Jackson.
Llywelyn made his first appearance at Wales’ clash against Australia last weekend.
“Llywelyn is not used to that type of stadium and that number of people, so he was very jumpy (last weekend),” Sgt Jackson said.
“As we come down to the half way line, the band normally go static and I normally march down to the entrance ready to meet Wales.
“Due to his unsteadiness we elected to march straight back off.
“He’s a little bit feisty and we did not know how he was going to react to the players and fans and to other people.”
The decision was made after a “risk assessment for health and safety”.
There were “several reasons” why Llywelyn was jumpy.
“One is that he has not been castrated,” Sgt Jackson said. “He has got a lot of testosterone going through his body.
“And also he is going through his training.
“He’s a bit rogue, a bit wild.”
After Wales’ defeat to Australia, Llywelyn and his handler met WRU patron Prince William.
“We did get to see Prince William,” Sgt Jackson said. “That was fine because we were in a static position and it was a lot quieter.”
Sgt Jackson and Llywelyn marched out at yesterday’s clash between Wales and Georgia in Cardiff, before returning to the edge of the pitch.
The plan was to “see how he reacts to the players because it is all new”.
It was left too late for Llywelyn to be castrated. Because of this, looking after him is “a lot trickier”.
“He thinks he is the alpha male,” Mark said. “But he’s not.”
After the autumn internationals, a new Shenkin will be selected for the 3rd Battalion.
Shenkin III was born and bred from the Royal Herd at the Great Orme in Llandudno.
Goats from the herd have been presented to the Regiment since Queen Victoria first presented the Royal Welch Fusiliers with its first official Royal goat more than 100 years ago in 1844.
After Shenkin’s death, a letter was sent to the Queen informing her of the news, and asking permission for the regiment to get a new goat.
“When we get our new goat Llywelyn will be returned to the 1st Battalion and I will start the process of training Shenkin,” Sgt Jackson said. “But Shenkin will be castrated.” When the 3rd battalion get Shenkin IV, Sgt Jackson will be able to take him home on the weekends, where he will have a pen in the kitchen.
His daughter liked to feed Shenkin III, who loved cheese and onion flavoured crisps.
“My youngest is already asking ‘When are we getting a new goat?’” Sgt Jackson said.