Monthly Archives: January 2022
Ebbw Vale Side To Play Cardiff
Your Steelmen squad to take on Cardiff this Thursday at Cardiff Arms Park with a 7:30pm kick off in the Indigo Welsh Premiership. Lets have a vocal Ebbw following to shout on the boy’s!
The fixture will be shown LIVE on the S4C facebook and youtube channels
Covid guidelines apply http://cardiffrfc.com/covid-19-guidelines
15 Ryan Evans
14 Jordan Thomas
13 Dom Franchi
12 Ethan Phillips
11 Mike Powell
10 Rhys Jones
9 Jonathan Evans
1 Aaron Coundley
2 Mikhail Blake
3 Rob Sevenoaks
4 Dan Hill
5 Corey Talbot
6 Alex Howe
7 Owen Young
8 Lewis Young
16 Harri Bees
17 Ross Jones
18 Dave Whiting
19 Ethan Doyle
20 Alex Grey
21 Matthew Flanaghan
22 Richard Powell
23 Oliver Andrews
Looking ahead to their televised game with Cardiff at the Arms Park on Thursday night, returning Head Coach Jason Strange gives his thoughts on his return to the club, and looks ahead to his first proper game in charge.
“The boys have been great over Christmas, doing two or three sessions a week. I’m standing back a little bit and see where we are to know where we want to go with the lads, to create a game plan.”
“It’s better coming into the club this time round than it was when I first came here in 2010, I think it was, where we only had 6 players on the books and were in the Championship. At least we have 25 of our own players this time and are in the Premiership.”
The club had only won twice this season before Jason arrived and sat on the foot of the eastern conference of the Indigo Group Premiership Cup. Despite the obvious challenges ahead, Jason knows exactly what he wants from the players, and where he wants to go with them.
“We’ve worked on fitness a lot, and they’ve found that tough. Coming in, I’ve looked at the behaviour to see what type of group we are and what we want to be, on and off the field. Boys like Ross Jones and Aaron Coundley have added plenty of experience and we’re a young squad.
“We’re looking at recruiting all the time, similar to what we do at St. Helens’, and the boys we want to bring in are those who need a chance, like Alex Howe at Abergavenny. I’m also looking at a few local boys as they’ll bring and understand the passion that they need to bring and succeed at the club.”
Supporters are urged to click record on their TV and head to the capital via train, bus or car and get behind Chippy and the boys, to make sure Cardiff #FEELTHESTEEL!!!
Anyone attending will require a Covid-19 pass. Get your digital pass at https://gov.wales/nhs-covid-pass-prove-your-vaccination-status
A paper pass is available if you call 0300 303 5667.
Our Indigo Group Welsh Premiership fixture against Newport RFC has been re-arranged for Thursday 24th of February with a 7:30pm kick off. The game will also be shown live via the s4c CLIC service online via youtube and facebook
Our Indigo Group Welsh Premiership fixture against Llanelli RFC has been re-arranged for Friday 4th of February with a 7:30pm kick off.
Pre purchase your tickets here for ease of entry https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/indigo-welsh-premiership-friday-4th-llanelli/
Our Indigo Welsh Premiership fixture against Cardiff will now take place on Thursday 27th of January at Cardiff Arms Park with a 7:30pm kick off. The game will be shown live on S4C Chwaraeon
Ebbw Vale v Wales U20’s
On Tuesday 18th January, Ebbw Vale will take on the Welsh U20’s side in a training fixture at the CiNER Glass Community stadium Eugene Cross Park. This will be two thirty minute halves and will kick off at 7:30pm.
This fixture will be open to season ticket holders only and 100 limited tickets available to buy online. The proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the mini and junior section.
If you are not a season ticket holder or have a pre purchased ticket you will not be allowed entry due to a 500 crowd limit as part of Welsh Governments current covid restrictions.
Purchase your ticket here https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/ebbw-vale-v-wales-u20s/
Ebbw Vale v Wales U20’s
Training Game
Tuesday 18th January
7:30pm KO
CiNER Glass Community Stadium Eugene Cross Park
Eugene Cross Park
Ebbw Vale
NP23 5AZ
Ebbw Vale RFC can confirm that our Indigo Welsh Premiership fixture against Llanelli RFC on Saturday 15th of January at the CiNER Glass Community stadium Eugene Cross Park has been postponed.
The decision has been made following the changing landscape of the public health situation relating to the Omicron variant of Corona Virus, and the Welsh Government decision to force all sporting events in Wales to be played behind closed doors,
Squad Update Arrivals and Departures
The hugely popular Ross Jones has answered the call to arms and having decided to come out of retirement, Ross was about to sign at Pontypool but did an about turn back up the valley to Eugene Cross Park following a short discussion with Jason and Chairman Jon Jones.
Ross has always added a great amount of value off the pitch, leading by example in training and always being available to young front row forwards as a mentor. He is guaranteed a big welcome back from the Ebbw Addicts
23 year old Back row forward Alex Howe has arrived from Abergavenny via a vert short stay at Cross Keys RFC and brings with him a very powerful carrying and tackling game
21 year old Hooker Harry Bee has joined the club from Blaenavon RFC after impressing the coaches in training, another who brings a powerful carrying game into the squad
Centre Ollie Andrews joins from Penallta RFC, another who has impressed the coaches in training with his pace and ball ability. He has previously represented the Dragons Academy and is a student at Swanseas University
The following players have left the club
Outside Half Lewis K Williams has taken a step back from rugby to try and resolve a recurring back issue which has affected his ability to work. Lewis endeared himself to the Ebbw Addicts with a superb display at Merthyr in the first game of the season which was capped with a nerveless winning penalty in injury time
Back Row forward Scott Parsons has taken on a new job as the Pelops his career as an engineer which has meant that he is unable to provide the level of commitment that is required to play in the Welsh Premiership
The club would like to thank both Lewis and Scott for their services to the club and hope to see them supporting the Steelmen in the future
Coaching Update
Jason Strange has confirmed the following additions within his coaching team with the appointment of a highly experienced forward’s coach to follow in the next 6 weeks.
Aaron Coundley has been appointed as Scrum Coach and will also occasionally play as required. Aaron made his debut in Senior Rugby from the Dragons Academy in 2009/10 season, played for the Dragons senior team and has had spells with Neath and Pontypool where he has impressed with his ball playing and scrum abilities. This is Aaron’s first official coaching role but he also assisted in this area during his time at Pontypool RFC
Aaron will be joined on a part time basis by club legend Matthew “Chunky” Williams who will combine his role as Oakdale Head Coach with working on the scrum and line out. A renowned exponent of Lineout throwing he will use his expertise and understanding of the club following his 280 plus games for the club over 15 seasons that was ended by a shoulder injury.
Back’s coach Steve Lang joins from Penallta and having been mentored by Jason over a few seasons will add talent and enthusiasm for a 15 man rugby approach
They will also be joined by Conditioning Coaches Nicky Strange who joins his brother from Brynmawr RFC.
All coaches have been active with the club over the last 5 weeks