Rugby and Cricket News
Living With The Lions Sports Travel

We are very excited to hear that our very own Lions host, Robert Jones (Wales and Lions) has been asked to join a team of 15 ex-Wales captains to climb Kilimanjaro this September. Anoether of our previous hosts Ieuan Evans will also be making the climb and we wish them both all their best with their charitable endeavours. When I have more news about the charities we will place the links on here.

Good luck training!

Its early days at the moment but there is talk of an LWTL 2009 Lions reunion taking place before the Wales v England game on Friday 4 February, 2011. Watch this space for more news, but if all goes well there will be a pre-match party before the game and hopefully maybe even a game to watch! Rob Jones and John Bentley have both offered to dust off their boots so at this stage, anything looks possible!

Welsh captain, Ryan Jones, insists that he wishes to continue in the job, despite a sub-par season in 08-09.

Jones had been considered as potential captain for the Lions rugby tour to South Africa, but his poor form ultimately meant that he didn’t even make the squad.

While Jones prefers to play at number eight, Welsh coach, Warren Gatland, recently moved him over to the blindside in order to accommodate Andy Powell, leading to further speculation that the Ospreys star could be stood down from his post. It had been Powell who was picked ahead of Jones for the Lions tour also.

Jones took on the Welsh captaincy in 2006, taking over from Gareth Thomas and says:

“It would be someone else’s opinion to say I am not good enough for the job or don’t deserve it.”

However, Jones is confident that his poor form is behind him as he believes Scott Johnson taking over as director of rugby at Ospreys will have a big impact. Jones is aiming to lead by example under the new management, although he could still learn a thing or two playing alongside All Blacks legend, Jerry Collins.

A defiant Irish team overcame a stuttering Wales to wrestle the Six Nations title away from them, and in the last two minutes kick the three points to give them their first Grand Slam title in sixty-one years.

Ireland deserved the victory and led for most of the game, overpowering Wales where it mattered most, but a kick in the last few minutes from Stephen Jones almost snatched the dream Grand Slam from Irish hands.

Luckily for the Irish, their dreams were kept alive by the boot of Ronan O’Gara, who replied to Jones’ drop goal with one of his own, with just two minutes on the clock. Wales responded immediately and Irish indiscipline led to a Welsh chance in the final minute as Jones once again had the chance to end Ireland’s dream with a penalty practically on the halfway line. Long distance specialist Gavin Henson looked on as Jones attempted the penalty, got the accuracy perfect, but his range came up short, gifting Ireland their deserved victory.

Despite playing in front of a packed Cardiff crowd, free flowing Wales failed to spark their game into life, and couldn’t breach the Irish defence. Ireland on the other hand managed two tries from Bowe and the ever reliable O’Driscoll.

Ireland narrowly defeated Scotland to keep alive their hopes of a Grand Slam in the Six Nations, what would be their first for sixty-one years. The Irish now need to defeat current Grand Slam champions Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.

The Irish battled all the way to edge out the Scots, who have improved drastically during this rugby tournament. It was very close for the Irish, as they trailed Scotland 12-9 at the break, all the points coming from the respective boots of Chris Paterson and Ronan O’Gara.

Ireland took the lead in the second half as Jamie Heaslip went over for an Irish try, which was followed by a conversion, a drop goal and another penalty from the trusty boot of O’Gara. This was enough to Ireland home to victory.

Their trip to Wales will be anything but a formality though as Wales themselves can lift the Six Nation’s trophy if they defeat Ireland by thirteen points in Cardiff. It’s almost a shame that Wales couldn’t have beaten France a few weeks ago to set up a Grand Slam decider, in much the same as a potential decider between Wales and Ireland was averted in 2005 when it was Ireland who slipped up on route to the meeting in Cardiff.

Italy, well known for its history, buzzing tourism, spectacular landscapes and of course the pizzas will soon host a very important match in the 6 Nations Rugby tournament. Playing hosts, the country will take on Wales, and rugby followers will definitely want to be part of this match. Taking place in the splendid Flaminio Stadium, which is in close proximity to the Olympic Village, the match will definitely be a must watch.

Rome, also known as the “Eternal City”, is one of the most beautiful and exciting places in the world. So you could easily make the rugby tour your excuse for being there. Booking your rugby tour to watch the match between Italy and Wales up close and personal will earn you two wonderful benefits. First, you get to be part of a great game and second, you get to be part of a wonderful city at a great time.

Booking your tickets for this rugby tour well in advance is the right thing to do. At a reasonable price you will be able to enjoy the clash of two rugby giants and Rome has always been a great place to enjoy a quick holiday break with its beautiful buildings, pavement cafes, pizza restaurants and friendly locals.

Rugby lovers all over are eagerly anticipating the coming of the 6 nations Rugby tournament 2009. Patriots will be there to cheer their team on and rugby followers will be eager to witness these great matches. An interesting match to watch out for will be France versus Wales. With nothing to lose, both teams are sure to go all out to clench a historical win.

The match between France and Wales will take place at the magnificent Stade de France stadium and will have a huge number of supporters from both teams. Taking place in the beautiful city of Paris, this rugby match will offer more than just some great action. It will be the perfect way to show corporate hospitality. With the growing popularity of the sport throughout the world, there is an increasing rate of rugby tours available.

Those rugby enthusiasts who live for the game will want to make an early booking for this rugby tour as tickets are selling out really quick. On the whole the game is surely going to be exciting as the two teams will be battling it out at one of the most prestigious rugby tournaments. The action in Paris promises to be good, the food awesome and rugby lovers will find it to be the perfect way to spend a weekend.

The Dragons, who look forward to welcoming England on their rugby tour to Cardiff on Valentine’s Day, will begin their Grand Slam defence on the 8th of February against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Shane Williams said that the Six Nations rugby tour was very important to them. He also added that Warren Gatland and his men were keen on keeping their title. He said that though they managed to move on from their success the previous year during the autumn internationals, they were looking forward to the new season.

He also added that looking at things from a positive side, Gatland’s men won many games last year, therefore there should be no reason for which they cannot reach that level this year.

Talking about the team, Williams said that there was more to be expected from them. He also added that though their coaches have been in charge of them for only a year, the squad undergoes improvement with every campaign.

He also said that though the team was quite settled with good players, he looked forward to welcoming back a few of his quality players like Gavin Henson, Jonathan Thomas and Mike Phillips, because of his belief of a tougher Six Nations.

Williams added that the team was under pressure of winning, something that they had to handle.

Gatland witnessed his team score a fabulous victory of 21-18 over Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Welsh gave an impressive show all through this rugby tour by leading the All Blacks at half-time last weekend and coming within five points of their South African opponents on the 8th of November.

After Wales had their first victory in 12 attempts over one of the 3 biggest teams, Gatland exclaimed in joy that someone had to carry the flag for the northern hemisphere. He said that it was the best team that won and they had definitely played real good rugby and deserved to win.

The victory by Wales was the only Home Union win against the major rugby touring sides this autumn. Though Gatland was disappointed at the defeat of his team against South Africa at the beginning of the month, their first win over their opposition from the southern hemisphere delighted him.

Gatland said that he was very proud of the performance of his team during this rugby tour, since the results were important to them and they needed to win. He also added that they had learnt and grown a lot as a team and were looking forward to mature over the next few seasons of rugby tours into one of the good sides.