Issue 147

AU Players Locker

23rd October 2006

This issue we look at Richard Watkins, the Rugby 1st team captain. Being a new captain of a team with new faces is generally regarded as being challenging enough. However on top of this he is a third year English student. It now becomes a touch more understandable when he describes the captaincy as "a lot of work".

"It is hard work" he admits "but I'm enjoying it and I'm just glad the new season has started now and that we have been everything into place". The anxiety of it all has clearly been lifted off his shoulders and the relief is obvious.

Watty as he is know to the rugby team is all too quick to thank those involved in the rugby set up "James Kerr the club captain has helped out loads and having John Bladen as the university's coach has been hugely beneficial and will help us move forward."

Last season was an "up and down" season even by Watkins own admission. A lack of a coach at the start of last season cost the team dearly, but "John has given us more structure in the squad and devoted a lot of time to us".

The subject of Varsity brings a sign of the resolve and steel that all good leader's possess. "It still haunts us" he states "It was massively disappointing for us and it was personally my worst moment at university". The bitterness is all too apparent and when asked which he would rather win, the league or Varsity the lack of hesitation in his answer leaves you in no doubt as to just how much Varsity means to him and the entire rugby team. After comprehensively taking Brunel apart and a first win you would think that possibly he would be content with his performance. It would appear that he has some high standards as he was quick to suggest the need for improvement. "We are now doing a lot of work on defence, we felt that we conceded soft tries because of our defensive structure".

It's not all bad though, a good influx of new players combined with a lot of experienced players is breeding an exciting combination. Proof of this was seen in the quality of the victory against Brunel. "We have held on to a good deal of players, our back row are all third year and are all very good players". There are obviously a couple of big losses as to be expected, the depth of the squad could prove to make or break this year's rugby team.

"We will miss Jack Dawson and Arron May, but the boys who have come in have stepped up to the mark".

Getting away from rugby for a second, Watkins is never one to shy away from a night out, most rugby players like a drink or two and this lad is no different. With Gin being his beverage of choice he also enjoys a good night out in Play. "It is the best possible venue for Sportsnight," he says. "Although having said that my best memory of university life outside of rugby was my first Mumbles mile", I am surprised he remembers...

This is all part of who Richard Watkins is and why he was such a popular choice for captain. He shows flashes of his idol, New Zealand fly half Dan Carter, in his style of play. He has a winning attitude and an undeniable commitment to the team, as he demonstrated by slotting in on the wing for the Varsity match last year. He gives his all but is all too modest to admit his own role in Swansea rugby's success.

Things continue to look bright for university rugby, and as long as they have a thriving 4th team to feed new players throughout the other teams, university rugby will continue to grow and will no doubt reap the rewards.

If you want to catch the University rugby team in action then you can watch them in action next against Gloucester on the 8 November at the Sketty Lane playing fields.

Stuart Phillips