Cardiff RFC started their journey to defend the Indigo Group Premiership title last night with the first pre-season training session of the season at the Arms Park.
A wider training group were in attendance for the first session, which combined the majority of the 2022/23 squad along with players invited to train with the Rags over the coming week, looking to catch the eye of the coaching group ahead of the new campaign.
Speaking ahead of the session, Head Coach Steve Law said: “It’s good to be back, and it is great to see our coaching staff return alongside some new additions.
“Craig Everett will continue his work in leading the defensive side of our game, alongside his involvement with Wales U20, bringing his passion and personality to a role which has grown in importance over the last few years.
“Ian Evans, who was with the Blue & Blacks towards the end of last season, makes a welcome return and will continue his responsibilities with the line-out. As a man with international experience, the players in our squad can learn so much from him and that experience served us well last season.
“Scott Andrews also came on board for the last few games of last season, focusing on the scrum and contact area. He’s called time on his professional playing career but will continue as player-coach with Cardiff RFC and also takes up a role with the club’s academy.
“Dan Fish is an exciting young coach who will fulfil a similar player-coach role, leading the team’s attack, and as most will testify, he’s very vocal and passionate about his role.
“All the coaches will bring their experience to the younger players and continuity across the Cardiff Rugby landscape.”
Familiar faces will also be back on the side-lines at the Arms Park for the coming campaign. Iestyn Williams will continue his role as Team Manager but this season there will be an added benefit as he takes up a coaching role with Cardiff Rugby South Under-16, as part of an aligned effort to strive for consistency throughout the pathway for future Blue & Blacks.
Rebecca O’Reilly continues her work as Strength and Conditioning Coach, working with the team to get in the best shape for the season, and she will be working closely with Cai Jenkins, head of S&C at the academy, ensuring continuity throughout the programme.
Having said goodbye to Dyfri Owen last season, the Blue & Blacks bring on board Alun Bonello and Gareth Simpson to the Physiotherapy team, who both have full time roles with the Cardiff academy.
Steve Law continues in his role as Head Coach, having been in charge since 2017, while Gruff Rees combines his role as academy manager alongside his duties as Cardiff RFC Director of Coaching, providing the link between the senior side and the Rags.
Gruff was full of enthusiasm for the start of the new season and for the continuing relationship with Steve Law. “Spot is an intrical part of the Rags and has huge experience of everything related to the Premiership. When rugby restarted last season, he ensured that we were in the best possible place and ensuring we picked the best sides picked form but also working with us in our talent iD strategy and creating development opportunities where appropriate. This of course led us to the success we had at the end of the season. Rest assured though that experience will be put to even greater use this season. For me having someone challenging and questioning me and the rest of the team will bring out the best in everyone.
It is also great to have continuity of coaching again this season. Last time out we brought people in at the end of the season and gave them clear goals. While these are still bedding in the fact that these are part of the Academy set up means the Rags are part of their working week and things are geared towards the Rags training sessions and the upcoming games, not an addition to the week.
We have an exciting but challenging season to look forward to but we have the right people in the right places.”