General Chat

So so many heroes from all walks of life, hope alot of it will carry on after we get back to new normal & not just fade away.
Hi everyone, hope you are all ok. <3 <3

WALES WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINE<3

4 of our great Wales Women Team, who flew the flag for their country on the rugby fields last season ......
..... ARE NOW FLYING THE FLAG IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS AS CLINICAL NHS FRONTLINERS


*ABBIE FLEMING, *MEGAN WEBB & * PAIGE RANDALL ~ CARDIFF BLUES

Abbie is a community and hospital physiotherapist in Bridgend
Megan and Paige are nursing students and set to join the nursing bank as part of the effort against the pandemic.


*ANGHARAD De SMET ~ OSPREYS
Angharad is a Physiotherapist Technician at Morriston Hospital


These 4 brave women who made their Wales debuts last autumn now have an even greater fight on their hands to help the country in its battle to stop the spread and effects of coronavirus.


Full Story
https://www.wru.wales/article/wales-women-flying-the-flag-on-the-front-line/



They put their bodies on the line on the rugby field .....
..... Now they are are putting their lives on the line as part of the NHS

THANKS ABBIE <3 MEGAN <3 PAIGE<3 ANGHARAD <3

AND THANKS TO ALL WHO ARE SELFLESSLY WORKING FOR US <3


*There must be wonderful stories like these from all round the UK and Internationally. Please feel free to post any that you hear of :-)


STAY SAFE EVERYONE, JEM <3

**** If any of you who follow our Rugby Threads know of any stories (like the ones posted on this page) from your local areas, in the Home Countries or Internationally, please feel free to post them here**** :-)

ALSO HELPING US FIGHT IN THE WAR WITH COVID- 19

WALES' OWN ~ JAMIE ROBERTS <3
Doctor Jamie Roberts to be precise!


JAMIE ROBERTS VOLUNTEERING FOR THE NHS CORONAVIRUS FIGHT IN CARDIFF
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52205287

Thank You Jamie <3

ITALY FLANKER ~ MAXIME MBANDA

Rugby Union International, Maxime Mbanda, has been working as an EMERGENCY AMBULANCE DRIVER during Italy's coronavirus crisis

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rugby-international-working-emergency-ambulance-17959553

Well done Maxime, Keep Safe <3

The smaller local clubs are to be commended for their help in the war against the killer virus known as Covid- 19.


Also helping in the our battle is the WRU....

THE PRINCIPALITY STADIUM, CARDIFF & PARC-Y-SCARLETS, LLANELLI
ARE TO BECOME FIELD HOSPITALS

CORONAVIRUS: PRINCIPALITY STADIUM FIELD HOSPITAL GATHERS PACE
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-52283890/coronavirus-principality-stadium-field-hospital-gathers-pace

SMALL LOCAL RUGBY CLUBS & THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY


I have received an email from the WRU (Wales Rugby Union) about how some of the smaller local clubs are helping during this dreadful time!


CLUBS AT THE HEARTS OF THEIR COMMUNITY

"Hello Jem" (they used my real name obviously)

Dear Obviously ;-) ;-) :-D


"Hello Jem ....

"The impact of coronavirus has affected every community across Wales and beyond. Many of our clubs have been coordinating efforts to deliver food, medical supplies and provisions to the most vulnerable, as well as organising Fundraising activities to support the NHS and those in need"


*CLWB RYGBI DINBYCH (DENBIGH RUGBY CLUB)

"Denbigh RFC have PASSED OVER THE KEYS TO THEIR CLUBHOUSE to allow LOCAL GPs to use their facilities as a fever assessment unit, contributing to the global battle against COVID-19"

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/118628575

"As always Welsh Rugby has the heart of the community at its core, and is putting it’s physical assets to great use at this much needed time"



*TREHARRIS PHOENIX RFC

"In the small town of Treharris, just outside Merthyr Tydfil, the Treharris Phoenix RFC despite limited facilities have been PROVIDING HUNDREDS OF MEALS FOR RESIDENTS AND KEY WORKERS all thanks to a mother and daughter team, PIP and STACEY GWYNNE"

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/118628821

"An army of volunteers have been arriving at the kitchens outdoor hatch to help deliver meals to the doorsteps of those most vulnerable with key workers such as NHS staff able to collect takeaways as they continue to keep the cogs of the local community moving"


*ABERAVON RFC

"Out west in Aberavon, local Indigo Premiership side Aberavon RFC have teamed up with Age Connects, Neath Port Talbot which has seem members of the side do SHOPPING RUNS and DAILY TASKS for those who are currently unable to do so in the current climate

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/118628461

The good work done by the side known locally as ‘The Wizards’ has been praised by local boy and Hollywood star Michael Sheen"



*RHYDYFELYN RFC and NEWCASTLE EMLYN

"These small clubs have been doing their parts in raising funds for the NHS Charities Together fund by SHAVING THEIR HEADS and have smashed their original targets raising over £3000 to date"

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/118628928



*MORRISTON UNDER 12s

"Morriston U12s have also BRAVED THE SHAVE in support of both the NHS and one of the fathers of the players who has had to shave his beloved beard to enable him to wear the correct facial mask whilst working on a respiratory ward at Morriston hospital"

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/118628674



*OTHER TEAMS

"A number of teams have also been keeping active and entertaining everyone on social media with some fun challenges such as Caerleon who enlisted the help of Wales and Dragons prop Leon Brown to help them kick off a fun social media video"



A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL UK RUGBY CLUBS ~ LARGE AND SMALL ~ PROFESSIONAL or AMATEUR ~ WHO ARE HELPING OUT DURING THIS HORRENDOUS TIME <3



* If any of you who follow the Rugby Threads have any news about teams local to your areas, or nationwide, please feel free to add it here on our Rugby News Thread :-)

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019

WINNER ~ BEN STOKES

Runner-Up ~ LEWIS HAMILTON

3rd Place ~ DINA ASHER-SMITH


Oh Well - Big Al is still my Hero <3

Asking for Votes for Alun-Wyn Jones has got me my FIRST EVER REPORTING on the Smiley Thread :-0 :-0 :-0

HE'D BETTER WIN AFTER THAT :-0 :-0 :-0



And this was the 3,000th Post on the Rugby News Thread :-D

THE HELEN ROLLASON AWARD 2019

<3 THE AMAZING DODDIE WEIR <3

Former Scotland International Player who is living with MOTOR NEURONS DISEASE

He is having his award presented by Princess Anne, The Princess Royal

She is the Patron of both The Motor Neuron's Disease Charity and Scotland Rugby Union <3

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019

IS JUST STARTING!


VOTE BIG AL ;-) :-D :-D :-D <3

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019


He won the Welsh Title ....
..... BUT CAN ALUN-WYN JONES <3 DO IT AGAIN FOR THE BRITISH TITLE?

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019

LIVE ON BBC 1 from 7.00pm TONIGHT (Sunday December 15th)

VOTE BY PHONE or ON-LINE
after the voting has been opened during the show



I WILL BE VOTING FOR OUR TROJAN OF A WALES RUGBY CAPTAIN of course ;-) ....
.... but there are other great sports people to choose from


THE 6 NOMINEES FOR BBC SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR 2019


*DINA ASHER-SMITH ~ ATHLETICS:
This British Sprinter is the fastest British woman in recorded history.
The 2019 World Champion at 200 metres


*LEWIS HAMILTON - FORMULA 1:
Racing Car Driver who has claimed his sixth world title, one behind Michael Schumacher's record.


*KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON - ATHLETICS
English athlete specialising in the Heptathlon. She won the gold medal at the 2019 World Championships


*ALUN-WYN JONES - RUGBY UNION <3
Captained Wales to Grand Slam victory and was named Six Nations player of the championship.
Became his country's most capped player at Rugby World Cup.


*RAHEEM STERLING ~ FOOTBALL
Won domestic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup with Manchester City. .


*BEN STOKES - CRICKET:
Helped England win Cricket World Cup in a dramatic match against New Zealand and made an unbeaten 135 in the third Ashes Test triumph against Australia at Headingley.



OTHER AWARDS TONIGHT...

Other awards to be presented are
*TEAM OF THE YEAR
*COACH OF THE YEAR
*WORLD SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR
*GREATEST SPORTING MOMENT OF THE YEAR
*UNSUNG HERO
*LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

More information
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/50761473

MORE WALES RUGBY AWARDS 2019


* SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR 2019 ~ WALES RUGBY UNION<3

* COACH OF THE YEAR ~ WARREN GATLAND <3

Well done All <3



LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

WELSH BOXER ~ JOE CALZAGHE

WALES SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019

None other than one of my heroes ......

...... ALUN-WYN JONES ~ WALES RUGBY UNION CAPTAIN <3


Born in Swansea in 1985, Big Al is still phenomenal at 34!
He has a amassed a fantastic list of achievements.....

* A RECORD 134 WALES CAPS

* 20 UNDER 21 WALES CAPS

* 9 CAPS for the British & Irish LIONS


* Participated in 3 Six Nations Grand Slams for Wales-including leading the team as CAPTAIN for their 2019 Grand Slam Victory.


* NAMED PLAYER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THAT 2019 SUCCESSFUL SIX NATIONS CAMPAIGN
by Public Vote (Organised by Guinness)

*Referred to by fellow Wales Teammates - Jonathan Davies and others as ...
"THE GREATEST EVER WELSH RUGBY PLAYER"



* LED WALES INTO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE RWC 2019



* WORLD'S MOST CAPPED LOCK FORWARD

And not to mention the number of caps at club level-
Swansea 35, OSPREYS 238!


*AND IF HIS RUGBY CAREER IS NOT ENOUGH .... HE GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN LAW AT SWANSEA UNIVERSITY IN 2010!


<3 <3 WELL DONE ALUN-WYN JONES<3 <3

May you be an inspiration for many more years yet! :-D


More on the above story
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/50473614

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D


WISHING ALL RUGBY FANS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS
and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2019, Love Jem <3

Thank you to all who have supported, posted or looked in on the various Rugby Threads this year....

ESPECIALLY RADIO JEM's COLLEAGUES;-) <3 <3 <3


:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

<3 <3 GOODBYE AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING WARBY <3 <3


WALES CAPTAIN SAM WARBURTON RETIRES FROM RUGBY UNION

Yes, at the age of just 29, Wales and British & Irish Lions Captain Sam Warburton, has been forced to retire from the game he loves through injury.

Flanker Sam has spent a year out of rugby recovering from surgery on both his neck and his knee.


As reported on BBC News in a statement announcing the decision, the Welsh Rugby Union said that following his most recent injuries it had "become clear to Warburton that he wouldn't be able to return to the high standards he has set throughout his career".

Sam Warburton, who played for Cardiff Blues at club level, added..
"Unfortunately, after a long period of rest and rehabilitation the decision to retire from rugby has been made with my health and wellbeing as a priority."

Full Article
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44869719


SAM'S WALES & LIONS RECORD

1536 Cleanouts
557 Tackles
311 Carries
132 Turnovers
74 Caps (49 as Captain)
25 Points
5 Lions Caps
2 Lions Tours as Captain
2 Championships
1 Grand Slam
AND AN OBE! :-D


Thank You Sam, for keeping us thrilled with your brilliant playing and impressed by your leadership, diplomacy and example as Captain. A real "Gent" to boot!

WALES, LIONS AND CARDIFF BLUES WILL MISS YOU

Jem and all of the Rugby Gang wish you the very best for the future <3 <3 <3

Sorry to read about Sam Warburton retiring Jem. :-0

Dear Jemima

Hello

THANK YOU. :-)

Take gentle care
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Thank You to Everyone who has posted or taken the time to follow this thread for the Summer International Tour Games <3

TODAY'S SUMMER TOUR INTERNATIONALS RESULTS

NEW ZEALAND 49 ~ FRANCE 14
Match Report:
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/new-zealand-vs-france/report/85931


AUSTRALIA 16 ~ IRELAND 20
Match Report:
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/australia-vs-ireland/live/85932


SOUTH AFRICA 10 ~ ENGLAND 25
Match Report:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/06/23/south-africa-vs-england-third-test-live-updates/


ARGENTINA 15 ~ SCOTLAND 44
Match Report:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44584881