The 27 year old centre will rejoin Dai Young, who was in charge of him when both were at the Cardiff Blues. It is Lee’s 2nd time at the top English league, enjoying 4 years with Sale before his move to France.

Lee Thomas and Dai Young Speak

Dai Young, DoR at Wasps, had this to say

“Lee is a hard-hitting centre who will bring something different to our mid-field. He has plenty of experience in this league and will be a very good addition to our squad especially considering he can also cover fly-half and kicking duties very effectively.”

Lee Thomas said:

“I am delighted to be returning to England to be part of an exciting squad and coaching team. I have enjoyed my time in France but feel it is the right time to return to England and be closer to home. I know Dai Young well from my time at the Blues, and am looking forward to working with him again.”

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He had been widely reported as being poised to sign for Northampton Saints – who were likely to be offering him more than the Scarlets could afford, but it seems he has had a change of heart and decided to stay put.

This is good news for the Scarlets, as whilst they have a new wave of youngsters coming into their backline, JD2 or Foxy (as he is affectionately known by some) represents the first of their real stars to have progressed through the academy set up. Whilst only 23 he is one of the more experienced of the Scarlets backline, with 24 caps to his name already.

Scarlets Outgoings

There is more concern in the pack, with Dominic Day confirming his move to Bath, and Lou Reed widely being reported as about to sign for the Cardiff Blues. On top of that the move of Ben Morgan to Gloucester is looking even more likely after they confirmed current captain and Number 8 Luke Narraway will be moving across the channel to France next season.

They have also lost Sean Lamont next season, the winger having agreed a move to Glasgow next season.

This makes keeping the established stars that they can all the more important.

Scarlets Quotes

Jon Davies:

“I’m delighted to be staying at the Scarlets,” said Davies.

“The region has done a lot to support my rugby career to date and it’s where I feel at home as a player and where I feel I am best placed to further my ambitions both at regional and international level.

“There’s great team ethic, the Scarlets boys all work hard for each other and we’re a close-knit group because so many of us have come through the ranks together from within the region.

“There’s a strong and ambitious spirit in this team and we know what it means to wear the Scarlets shirt, given our great heritage.

“Our style and brand of rugby suits me as a player and I’m just looking forward to being part of an exciting set of Scarlets backs next season.

“We have a first-class rugby environment at Parc y Scarlets to train and play at and I’m just pleased to be staying and grateful to the coaches for the opportunities and support I have been given to date and look forward to an exciting 2012/13 season in the jersey.”

The Scarlets Head of Rugby, Nigel Davies on the new contract for Jon

“I think given the current climate, this says a lot about Jon’s values as an individual and ambitions as a player and his belief and commitment to our Scarlets squad and rugby environment.

“It was important to Jon to stay in Wales and he wanted to further his career within our set-up as somewhere where he knows he will play a crucial role going forward.

“He’s hitting some of the form of his career currently and as a player he’ll push on now with more experience to gain.

“He’s worked hard and he deserves credit what he’s achieved already in terms of his commitment, talent and work ethic as a player.

“He is a great talent with plenty more to give – so it’s exciting that he’s staying in Wales for club and country.

“We’re obviously delighted that we signed a new deal with Jon, it’s been in our planning for sometime and is part of our ongoing rugby strategy to retain our Welsh talent and importantly maintain consistency and continuity, where possible, in our team.

“He has grown-up in Scarlets rugby and is a great example of our development pathway working coming from our Academy system and then to senior rugby at the Scarlets four years ago.

“Jon typifies the Scarlets way and our values and our philosophies in the way he approaches his trai

ning, his performances on the field and his character of the field. He’s very much core and a part of our rugby family and as a popular local boy, I’m sure our supporters will be equally pleased that he’s remaining with us.

”

Talk about this contract, and all other news related to Scarlets, Wales, or any of the other regions/clubs on our Welsh Rugby Forum

Whilst this will come as a blow to the Ospreys, they are well covered, with Ryan Bevington an exceptional prospect, and unlikely to be needed for Wales duty. After the Internationals Paul James will also be available for the Swansea based region.

Duncan Jones’ Injury – the Ospreys Comment

The prop was forced off the field early in the second half of the game, and following further investigation, Head Physio Chris Towers says that Jones faces a spell on the sidelines:

“Duncan suffered damage to the medial ligament of his knee” Towers confirmed.

“In terms of prognosis, we are looking at something around an eight week lay-off to allow him to heal and regain his strength and fitness to get back playing again.”

This is being reported as part of an ‘exodus’ of Welsh players, following on from Huw Bennett joining Lyon and Tom Smith joining London Irish.

But in my mind it makes sense. Walker is a decent enough player, but really only a squad player at best. With plenty of young wings coming through, players such as Eli Walker, Tom Prydie, Hanno Dirksen and Kristian Phillips, keeping someone who is presumably very well paid, and taking up a ‘Non Welsh Qualified’ slot doesn’t make sense. Mind you I thought that a few years ago, but they still kept him on.

Nikki Walker has yet to play following a knee injury this season, and with the £3.5 million salary cap coming in things have changed on the financial front in Wales, so excess players are being cut.

As an Ospreys fan I wish him all the luck. He got some good tries for us and gave us his all. Can’t ask for more than that from a player.

Gruff had previously worked with Tandy on a consultant basis when Tandy was learning the ropes at the Brigend Raves. He is highly thought of as a talent developer – he also leaves his roles as Wales U18 coach to take up this position.

He has recent Pro 12 experience as well, having recently returned from a secondment with Aironi, where he put into place a number of youth pathways systems, amongst other responsibilities.

He joins Steve Tandy and Jon Humphries as the senior coaching team at the Ospreys.

Ospreys Statement

Speaking about his appointment, Gruff Rees said:

“This is a really exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into it. I realise that working for a region with such high expectations, both internally and externally, comes with real pressure but I believe that along with Steve Tandy and Jonathan Humphreys I can help to move the Ospreys forward.”

“I know this group of players very well and believe that I can help them to continue improving. I’m passionate about player development and believe that the pathway in place at the Ospreys can help to ensure not only the long term sustainability of the region, but importantly, that we are able to remain competitive at the top end of the game, something that all Ospreys fans will expect.

“I’ve been away from the region for a short while and the experience I’ve gained in Italy will prove invaluable, allowing me to understand other rugby cultures and to look at a different way of working. With the experiences I’ve got at international level and my knowledge of the group of players we’ll be working with, I’m optimistic about what we can achieve here.”

Andrew Hore, Ospreys Chief Operations Officer, added:

“Gruff is a young coach who has already gained enormous experience and an outstanding reputation in the game. He is renowned for his talent ID and development work, areas in which his record speaks for itself, and he is someone with the ability to impart knowledge “on the shop floor”, so to speak.

“He’s not afraid to take on new challenges, to go outside of Wales and see how different teams look at different ways of working, not only by working in Italy but through visiting rugby and soccer organisations in the UK and beyond and seeing for himself the benefits of different working and coaching practices.

“His passion for skills development is essential if we are to change our game to play a more expansive style of rugby. Gruff will have an important role to play at the Ospreys as we look to the future.”

Joe Lydon, WRU Head of Rugby, said:

“Following discussions with the Ospreys and WRU Performance Skills Coach Gruff Rees, the WRU are happy to support both parties in releasing Gruff from his current regional and national age-grade coaching roles to take up the position of Backs Coach within the Ospreys senior squad.??

“Having recently returned from a coaching secondment with the Italian club Aironi, the WRU believe this to be a fantastic opportunity both for Gruff to further develop as a Welsh coach with the Ospreys newly defined coaching team, and the players within the Ospreys region. All within the WRU wish Gruff all the very best in his new key regional role.”

With Gareth Williams having to retire earlier in the season with a neck injury, this leaves Cardiff very low on ‘front line’ hookers, though they do have a number of youngsters who would be eager to be given a shot at the first team.

Rhys Thomas to Wasps

For Rhys Thomas though he must be hoping that Wasps manage to avoid relegation. Wasps are currently bottom but one in the Aviva Premiership. A horrendous inury list, which was added to this week with the loss of Ricky Flutey and Wentzel for the remainder of the season, has stopped any form they may have hoped to have gained.

With them losing Rob Webber to Bath in the summer, they were looking for another hooker to go alongside promising youngster Lindsay. As Rhys Thomas is unlikely to be in any Welsh squads, he was last capped in 2008, he ensures they will have him available for the majority of the season.

Dan Parks to Connacht

The Blues exodus continues. Dan Parks joins Rhys Thomas, Gethin Jenkins and Casey Lualala as confirming they will be leaving the Cardiff Blues. He has penned a 2 year deal with the Irish region Connacht.

In this instance though, it is more a case of him being moved on, with new signing Jason Tovey joining them from the Dragons in the summer. Rumours that more losses might be on their way will worry Cardiff Blues fans though, as the rumour mill suggests the likes of Molitka, Tito, Sweeney and more will be on their way out the door.

Like everyone else, we are really left waiting to see what the WRU will do following their review. Until then at least, it looks like we’re set to see more players leave Wales.

Let us kno what you think of the player exodus on our Welsh Rugby Forum

It seems the IRB don’t agree.

Whilst his brother has won plaudits following his debut for Wales (ironically against Scotland), Steven, who was originally selected in the Scotland 6 Nations squad, is still out in the International wilderness as the IRB reserves it’s judgement, effectively saying it won’t make a decision for awhile yet.

The IRB made a decision on Monday, that it wouldn’t make a decision.

“reserved its judgement to give all due consideration to all the evidence and submissions made at the hearing”.

The IRB statement continued: “The Panel comprising Peter Boyle (Chair, Ireland), Tim Gresson (New Zealand) and Giancarlo Dondi (Italy) heard submissions from the Player and his agent and the Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions at the hearing while also considering detailed written submissions from the two Unions.

“The Panel was convened after the Scottish Rugby Union requested that the IRB Regulations Committee formally consider the matter in accordance with IRB Regulation 2.”

Whilst I argued that the U20s shouldn’t count for anything with regards locking in future internationals, I certainly think it is best that the IRB solves this once and for all. But surely they have had plenty of time to consider the evidence by now?

Right now it’s hard not to feel sorry for Steven Shingler.

Got any thoughts on the matter? Use the comments below or check out our Welsh Rugby Forum and join in the debate.

Maybe somebody can help me out here, as I’m a tad confused. I would have sworn I watched Wales beat England at Twickenham on the weekend. Yet I’m reading the papers and now I’m not so sure.

It seems that we didn’t win. Those who are kind enough to allow the scoreboard count for anything admit that England lost it. Wales, it seems, did not actually win it.

Did Ryan Jones help win the Triple Crown, or did England just give it to us?

The prize for most myopic writing so far must go to this piece by the ‘Independent’ who assures us, amongst other things, that George North struggled under the high ball, that England dominated the breakdown, and Ben Morgan is a flanker. Read into that what you will.

The Cold Hard Stats

On 2nd watching of the game I will agree there was a cracking defensive effort put in at times. But there were also other factors. We were hardly a non attacking team lucky to get our hands on the ball.

In fact the stats suggest we rightly won a closely fought game. And far from being dominated at the breakdown, and hammered out of the way by excellent English aggression, we certainly held our own there.

Let’s take a look at a few stats for the game…these are taken from the ESPN Match Pack (which I usually use for checking the stats, simply as they are so clearly laid out)

First up – the score. Just so we don’t miss it, Wales did win, 12 – 19, and scored the only try of the game. Let’s not lose sight of that fact. Wales won it by scoring more points.

Now more to the crux of the matter, whether Wales won the game, or England somehow lost it despite being the far superior team.

Possession? 54% to Wales, 46% to England
Territory? 52% to Wales, 48% to England

Very close stats, with Wales just edging them – suggesting that they should just edge a close game, which they did.

Ok how about the breakdown?

Wales conceded 12 turnovers, England 10. So England won the battle of the breakdown? Well, no, not really. Wales actually won 91.2% of their own rucks, to 90% by England. They also won more rucks in total, 93 rucks won by Wales, 81 rucks won by England.

So the breakdown doesn;t look as ‘one sided’ as we were led to believe. But surely in a ‘backs against the wall’ effort we must have been making tackle after tackle? Um, well, no, not exactly. In fact England made 116 tackles (and missed 18), whilst Wales made only 88, and missed 12.

So in a defensive, backs against the wall effort from Wales, where England were dominant, England had to make 28 more tackles than Wales.

But England had the better of the attack right? Again, not so much. We’ve seen that England missed 18 tackles, to Wales’ 12 – so we beat more defenders. But Wales also made more clean line breaks, by a factor of 3 to 1.

Wales were cheating a lot right, disrupting these England attacks by giving away penalties? Actually the penalty count is also just edged in Wales’ favour. England conceded 13 penalties (and no yellow cards) to 12 penalties by us (with one wrongly given yellow card).

Rugby Stats Are Liars

Now I am the first to admit that stats can lie, and fail to tell the whole story. In fact last week Edwards wrote about how Wales are happy to live off of 40% possession, trusting in their defence to hold out until a gap is spotted, when they rush the gap as hard as possible.

So these stats by themselves are not to be trusted. But on 2nd watch the idea that England somehow dominated this game doesn’t really pay off. They had a purple patch in the 2nd quarter (after Wales had one in the first quarter), and had spells in the 2nd half, but then so did Wales.

It was a close match, edged by Wales, that could have gone either way. England did a good job in nullifying Wales’ strengths (Roberts can argue that he picked up an injury on his first tackle mind). But the idea they they lost this game, not Wales winning it, that Wales needed a backs against the wall effort, that England dominated the collisions and the break downs? No, sorry, not buying it here. And I have the stats to back me up.

Well done England for a much improved performance, and you can feel a bit aggrieved not to have won it – it certainly wouldn’t have been a travesty if you did. But Wales just edged it, in the match, the points and the stats.

What do you think? Agree, disagree? Use the comments below or our Welsh Rugby Forum to let us know.

Which means getting 4th spot, and so top seed in a group, is very important. To do that we need to realistically beat France in the last 6 Nations game, and then have a better summer/autumn than they do.

IRB World Rankings

As they stand after the latest round of games (27th of February 2012)

Position (last week) Member Union Rating Point
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 91.43
2(2) AUSTRALIA 87.99
3(3) FRANCE 85.06
4(4) SOUTH AFRICA 84.34
5(6) WALES 82.62
6(5) ENGLAND 81.34
7(7) ARGENTINA 80.28
8(8) IRELAND 79.44
9(9) TONGA 76.63
10(10) SAMOA 75.81
11(11) SCOTLAND 74.94
12(12) ITALY 73.33
13(13) CANADA 72.92
14(14) JAPAN 70.45
15(15) GEORGIA 69.32
16(16) FIJI 68.78
17(18) ROMANIA 65.79
18(17) USA 65.63
19(19) SPAIN 62.72
20(21) NAMIBIA 61.24
21(22) URUGUAY 60.47
22(20) RUSSIA 60.12

It turns out he picked the injury up in his first carry, which explains his lack of making yards in contact and why he seemed to go into tackles gingerly. Howley also feels that it explains 2 of the offsides.

Jamie Roberts - out for the Italy clash

“We are hopeful that Jamie will be fit for our final game against France (on March 17),” Howley told the Guardian.

“He was clearly not right after taking a knock and he gave away two penalties for offside, which is not like him.”

Jamie Roberts’ Replacement?

So who replaces him now? There are certainly a number of options. Scott Williams came on for him against England and had a mixed bag. for me he was used too often in the Roberts attacking role, when he simply doesn’t generate the power needed to play like that. I would hope if he does start we would tailor the role more to his strengths. He also butchered one overlap, but then scored a superb solo effort which turned out to be the winning score.

James Hook will also have recovered form his chicken pox, and has been the usual Roberts replacement before. He brings a very different skill set though, which is why my money is on Ashley Beck. He runs some good lines, generates power in contact and has a deft touch at times. For me he is the most like for like replacement, and worthy of a shot. If it doesn’t work then Hook can always play vs the French.

Then of course, there’s Gavin Henson. He’s had some good touches for Cardiff, but has also looked a little off the pace. But Italy could be the game to get him up to speed. But it’s hard to see it happening in my opinion.

Who would you pick? Use the comments below or our Welsh Rugby Forum.