03 August 2015
S4C unveils Rugby World Cup Talent team
S4C has today unveiled a strong Rugby World Cup 2015 talent team for the channel’s exclusive Welsh-language coverage of the tournament. They include ten former Wales internationals with 405 caps, 86 tries and 1344 points between them.
S4C, the competition’s official Welsh-language TV broadcaster, will have Wales’ most capped winger Shane Williams and one of Wales’ biggest point scorers, Stephen Jones in the line-up for its package of live Rugby World Cup matches, highlights and analysis shows.
Former Wales captain, Gwyn Jones will be in the commentary box, with former internationals, Dwayne Peel, Dafydd, Deiniol and Stephen Jones the analysts for the live match coverage. They will be joined by Shane Williams, the Robinson brothers Nicky and Jamie and former Wales winger Arthur Emyr and lock Derwyn Jones for the midweek analysis and highlights shows
Anchor broadcaster Gareth Roberts will lead the live team. The touchline reporter is Owain Gwynedd and commentating on his seventh World Cup, is Wyn Gruffydd. The midweek highlights shows will be hosted from rugby clubs around Wales and presented by Dot Davies with Rhys Ap William.
S4C Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2015 service will include nine live games, covering all of Wales’ games in the tournament. Whatever happens to Wales in the competition, S4C will broadcast one quarter final game live, one semi-final, the bronze final and the World Cup Final itself.
S4C’s Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2015 coverage will start on Wednesday, 16 September with a preview programme on Wednesday 16 September and them on Friday evening 18 September the live coverage begins with the opening ceremony and the opening game between England and Fiji in Twickenham.
Wales’ campaign in the competition in Pool A, labelled ‘the Group of Death,’ begins on Sunday evening 20 September against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium. Wales will then play England in Twickenham on Saturday evening 26 September. On Thursday 1 October Wales will face Fiji at the Millennium Stadium and Australia v Wales will be the all-important final game in the group stages on Sunday 10 October in Twickenham.
As well as the TV broadcasts, the nine live games can be viewed on S4C’s on-line on-demand service, s4c.cymru Highlights will also be available on the s4c.cymru rugby website, on iPlayer and on other platforms including S4C Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd app.
On the eve of Wales’ matches, the rugby chat show Jonathan hosted by rugby legend Jonathan Davies, who played for Wales in both codes, will be taking a light-hearted look at the games along with Sarra Elgan.
S4C’s Director of Content Dafydd Rhys said, “We are proud to announce such a powerful line-up of former internationals in our presentation team. They are rugby pundits of the highest calibre, the best possible for presenting and interpreting this great global sports event in the Welsh language. This team will deliver a service that rugby fans will want to follow because they are proven world-
class athletes. While always ensuring editorial balance and rugby expertise, the coverage will also offer a Welsh perspective that should engage viewers.”
Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of Rugby World Cup and World Rugby, added: “We are delighted that Rugby World Cup 2015 will be broadcast in Welsh for fans in one of the world’s most passionate rugby nations. S4C has selected a stellar squad for the tournament, who will add to the excitement of a tournament that is set to be a very special and record-breaking celebration of rugby and the host cities, including Cardiff.”
The Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, Gareth Davies, said:”S4C is an important broadcast partner of the Welsh Rugby Union and we are delighted with the coverage plans they have announced for the Rugby World Cup.
“They have a powerful line-up of reporters, commentators and pundits so rugby fans will be guaranteed expert analysis of this great tournament.
“We value all efforts to utilise the Welsh language through rugby and I am sure we can look forward to a successful S4C involvement from the first kick-off to the end of the tournament final.”
S4C will launch their Rugby World Cup 2015 service on screen on Monday 10 August with a week of rugby programmes. This will include Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd: Y Clasuron – memorable games World Cup games from the archive presented by players of the period.
Also in S4C’s Rugby Week a number of documentaries will be screened about some heroes and characters of the game – Delme Thomas, Gareth Edwards, Ray Gravell, Carwyn James and Huw Llywelyn Davies. Another documentary Y 15 Olaf (The Last 15) will tell the story of the last 15 to turn out for Wales before the outbreak of the First World War.
There’ll be highlights of Wales’ Under 18 games against Italy and South Africa during the week as well as games from a new tournament – the Cardiff 7s – on Saturday afternoon 15 August.
In the other weeks leading up to Rugby World Cup 2015, S4C will be broadcasting more rugby programmes leading up to the tournament, a series of three about the history of the World Cup, Hanes Cwpan y Byd, programmes showing the best of French club rugby – the Top 14 – and documentaries including Y Gêm Gudd about Llanelli RFC’s controversial game in Russia in the 1950s.
Four regional choirs – Scarlets, Dragons, Ospreys and Blues – along with a rugby supporters’ choir from north Wales, will compete in Codi Canu – a choral competition broadcast on S4C as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 celebrations.
Ends
S4C
S4C is the only channel in the world broadcasting in the Welsh language. As a public service broadcaster, it commissions independent producers from across Wales to make the majority of its programmes. ITV Cymru is also commissioned to produce programmes. BBC Cymru provides around 10 hours of programming per week for S4C. S4C broadcasts over 115 hours of programmes each week, including sport, drama, music, factual, entertainment and events, across a range of platforms, including online.
S4C – The Team
Gareth Roberts
Originally from Benllech on Anglesey, Gareth Roberts is the presenter of Clwb Rygbi and numerous other programmes on S4C. As well as being interested in sport in general and rugby in particular, Gareth is an excellent golfer and plays at Creigiau Golf Club near Cardiff.
Dot Davies
Dot lives a busy life, being a rugby presenter on S4C and presenting programmes on BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio Wales. Originally from Blaenannerch in Ceredigion, Dot is keen on all forms of sport, especially rugby and tennis.
Wyn Gruffydd
Wyn has more than 30 years’ experience as a radio and TV commentator on live broadcasts of various sports and outdoor events ranging from rugby, cycling, and rallying to harness racing and international sheepdog trials. Originally from Llangain, near Carmarthen, Wyn wrote a book based on his experiences as a commentator at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.
Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd is a rugby referee in the Principality Welsh Premiership as well as being a reporter on S4C rugby programmes. Born in Porthmadog, Owain now lives in Cardiff. A well-known children’s presenter, Owain has recently started a new presenting role on S4C’s afternoon magazine Prynhawn Da. In his rugby playing career, he captained the Cardiff University team and played for Pontypridd. Owain also got his pilot’s licence in 2010.
Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones won 13 caps as an open-side flanker for Wales, five of them as captain. Originally from Loughor, Gwyn played for Cardiff until a spinal injury while playing for his club in December 1997 brought his playing career to a premature end. As well as being kept busy as a rugby commentator and pundit, Gwyn is a doctor in a GP practice.
Dafydd Jones
Dafydd Jones played 44 games as a flanker for Wales. Born in Llanarth, Ceredigion, he played 104 games for the Scarlets before having to retire from the game prematurely in 2011 because of injury. Dafydd lives in Porthyrhyd, near Carmarthen and is a regular analyst on S4C rugby programmes.
Deiniol Jones
Originally from Carmarthen, Deiniol Jones won 13 caps playing at lock for Wales. He played for several clubs including Bath, Ebbw Vale, Bridgend, Celtic Warriors and Cardiff Blues. He is a regular guest and analyst on S4C rugby programmes.
Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones won more caps for Wales than anyone else with the exception of Gethin Jenkins. He scored more points for Wales than anyone else with the exception of Neil Jenkins. He scored 917 points in 104 games between 1998 and 2011. Brought up in Carmarthenshire, he won six caps with the British Lions and also played at fly-half for Wasps, Scarlets and Clermont Auvergne in France.
Dwayne Peel
The scrum half with 76 caps for Wales still plays for Bristol. He was the most capped scrum-half for Wales until his record was surpassed by Mike Phillips in March 2013. He also had three caps for the British Lions during their tour of New Zealand in 2005. He’s played for the Scarlets, Sale Sharks as well as Bristol Rugby. Dwayne was brought up in Carmarthenshire.
Shane Williams
There aren’t many rugby players better known than Shane Williams. He scored 290 points for Wales and 60 tries in 87 games between 2000 and 2011. He won four caps for the British Lions. Born in Morriston, Swansea, the winger was brought up in Glanaman and he played for Neath, the Ospreys and Mitsubishi Dinosaurs in Japan. He was named international rugby player of the year in 2008 by the International Rugby Board and he’s still the world’s third highest try scorer.
Derwyn Jones
Originally from Pontarddulais, the giant lock played 19 times for Wales. He also played for Cardiff, Neath, Northampton and Bedford. Standing 6ft 10ins tall, Derwyn was the first player in Britain to sign professional forms leaving his job as a policeman to pursue a rugby playing career.
Arthur Emyr
The winger originally from Anglesey won 13 caps for Wales. He played club rugby for Swansea and Cardiff and still holds the record for the greatest number of tries for Swansea RFC. Arthur Emyr also won a Wales Athletics vest and ran as a successful athlete for his country. He presented the first ever programme in S4C’s football series Sgorio.
Jamie Robinson
Jamie is one of two Cardiff-born brothers to win rugby international caps for Wales. As a centre, Jamie played 23 times for his country scoring seven tries and 35 points. He also played for the Cardiff Blues and for Toulon and Agen in France.
Nicky Robinson
Nicky Robinson, Jamie’s brother, was capped for Wales 13 times. As a fly-half, he also played for the Blues, Gloucester, Wasps and Bristol. Nicky will be playing his rugby in France next season as part of the Oyonnax team.
Rhys ap William
The actor Rhys ap William has appeared in a number of plays and drama series on S4C including the soap Pobol y Cwm and the series 35 Diwrnod. This year in the theatre he has been playing the part of former Wales rugby international, Gareth Thomas in the play by Robin Soans, ‘Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage.’ Rhys is a former chair of Clwb Cymry Caerdydd with whom he also played rugby. Rhys is also the ‘voice’ of the Millennium Stadium as the presenter for Welsh Rugby Union TV.
S4C – The Schedule
Wednesday September 16: Rugby World Cup Preview Programme 2200 Sardis Road
Friday September 18: Opening Ceremony and opening game England v Fiji 1900 Twickenham
Sunday September 20: Wales v Uruguay 1430 Millennium Stadium
Wednesday September 23: Rugby Chat Show Nant Conwy
Saturday September 26: Wales v England 2000 Twickenham
Wednesday September 30: Rugby Chat Show Crymych Rugby Club
Thursday October 1: Wales v Fiji 1645 Millennium Stadium
Wednesday October 7: Rugby Chat Show Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday October 10: Wales v Australia 1645 Twickenham
Wednesday October 14: Rugby Chat Show Amman Rugby Club
Saturday and Sunday October 17/18: Quarter Finals 1530 Twickenham and Millennium Stadium
Wednesday October 21: Rugby Chat Show Aberystwyth Rugby Club
Saturday and Sunday October 24/25: Semi Finals 1530 Twickenham and Millennium Stadium
Wednesday October 28: Rugby Chat Show Parc y Scarlets
Friday October 30: Bronze Final 1930 Olympic Park, London
Saturday October 31: Rugby World Cup 2015 Final 1530 Twickenham
