Canterbury England Rugby Range Now In!

Roksport are proud to announce the new range of Canterbury England merchandise. We stock stylish hoodies, beanies, scarfs and t-shirts. So show your support for the red roses. Grab yours today!

Canterbury England Rugby T-Shirt Cut & Sew Dry Tee Navy	Canterbury England Rugby Hoodie Technical Hoody Navy	Canterbury England Rugby Gym Shorts Navy
Canterbury England Rugby Beanie Acrylic Stripe Beanie Bright White	Canterbury England Rugby Scarf Acrylic Scarf Bright White

Click here to view our full Canterbury England Rugby Collection!

Leicester Tigers Pro Home Jersey Now In Stock!

Roksport are proud to announce that we now stock the new Leicester Tigers Pro Home Jersey 2012/13. The jersey features a contemporary fit rugby jersey featuring ‘ Loop 21 ‘neck design. Cut and Sew construction featuring ‘ Tiger print ‘ design with contrast taping. Embroidered Tigers and CCC logos. Heat applied sponsor logos. So show your support for the Leicester Tigers as they look to end the season as Aviva Premiership champions!

Leicester Tigers Home 2012/13 Pro Rugby Jersey Evergreen

To Purchase your Leicester Tigers Jersey and roar your team to victory Click here

Adidas Pro Rugby Headguards now In Stock!

Roksport are proud to announce the new range of Adidas pro rugby headguards. These headguards come in two distinct colours Black/White/Red and White/Black/Red and are the same as the one worn by Wales and Cardiff Blues Star Leigh Halfpenny. Pick yours up today either online or in our Swansea and Ammanford Stores!

Adidas Pro Rugby Headguard II Black/White/Red

Adidas Pro Rugby Headguard II White/Black/Red

Click here to grab yours today!.

Wales Capture Triple Crown in Thrilling Encounter

WALES lifted the Triple Crown at Twickenham after a thrilling victory over England.

Replacement Scott Williams was the hero as his sensational second-half try completed a dramatic Welsh comeback.

With the scores tied at 12-12, the replacement centre ripped the ball off Courtney Lawes and regathered his own kick ahead to score the decisive try.

In a thrilling finale, England wing David Strettle came within inches of scoring with the final play of the game, as the television official ruled he had not grounded the ball in the corner.

The win means Wales are now on course for a Grand Slam showdown with France on March 17, providing they can beat Italy in a fortnight’s time.

England fly-half Owen Farrell and Wales Leigh Halfpenny each kicked four penalties in an absorbing encounter that keeps Wales on course for their second Grand Slam under Warren Gatland.

The World Cup semi-finalists were in deep trouble for much of an enthralling RBS 6 Nations encounter after England marksman Owen Farrell outgunned his rival goalkicker Leigh Halfpenny.

Fly-half Farrell, once again displaying an ice-cool temperament, kicked four penalties to Halfpenny’s three before going off injured 15 minutes from time.

But there still threatened to be a final twist when England wing David Strettle as the game headed into added time.

Wales centre Jonathan Davies tackled him, yet there was a nerve-shredding delay of around four minutes for the visitors before Scottish television match official Iain Ramage ruled that Strettle had not got the ball down.

Toby Flood, on for Farrell, was lined up to attempt a potential match-levelling conversion when referee Steve Walsh relayed Ramage’s verdict and blew for full time.

The glory, though, belonged to Williams, whose 50-metre breakaway try came when he robbed England lock Courtney Lawes of possession, sprinted away and then gathered his kick to score, giving Wales only their second Twickenham triumph since 1988.

In many ways, it was rough justice on England after they pushed below-par Wales to the limit, but they lacked a killer instinct.

Should Wales seal the Six Nations crown, it would give them a second Six Nations title and Grand Slam of coach Warren Gatland’s four-year reign, but France in Cardiff on March 17 will provide a huge obstacle to overcome.

England’s interim coach Stuart Lancaster made four changes for his first home Test in charge, with three players – scrum-half Lee Dickson, lock Geoff Parling and number eight Ben Morgan – handed their full international debuts.

Flanker Sam Warburton returned to captain Wales after recovering from a thigh injury, while hooker Ken Owens and lock Alun-Wyn Jones also featured. Jones had only played 110 minutes’ rugby since the World Cup because of a toe problem and subsequent surgery.

Wales started in a hurry, laying siege to England territory with such determination that wing Alex Cuthbert was only denied a try by his opposite number Strettle’s tap-tackle.

Wales continued to monopolise possession, and although England proved resilient in defence, it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors smashed through.

But for all their territorial dominance, Wales could not make it count during what proved to be a scoreless opening quarter, emphasised when Halfpenny missed a straightforward penalty chance.

Halfpenny’s blunder sparked England into a response, and after Farrell sent a drop-goal attempt wide, he then kicked a resulting penalty that edged the home side ahead.

It was a tense, fraught contest, and even though Halfpenny drew Wales level after 26 minutes, England looked to have weathered a considerable early storm.

Given such defensive heroics, England predictably grew in confidence, with an impressive Farrell not afraid to vary his options, and Wales at times had their hands full on the back foot.

Farrell and Halfpenny exchanged further penalties, but England claimed a 9-6 interval advantage when Farrell completed his penalty hat-trick two minutes before half-time.

And it served as a powerful message to Wales, given their superior handling skills, yet they could find no way through an England defence superbly organised by Brad Barritt and his midfield partner Manu Tuilagi.

Wales continued to struggle early in the second period, suffering another case of the yellow peril when fly-half Rhys Priestland was sin-binned after he tackled England prop Alex Corbisiero from an offside position.

Priestland had seen a kick charged down by England lock Mouritz Botha just seconds earlier, and his misery was completed as he trooped off ahead of Farrell kicking a fourth successful penalty.

Wales regrouped to cut the gap by three points with Priestland still off as Halfpenny completed his penalty hat-trick, but approaching the final quarter an intriguing – if limited – game remained in the balance.

Wales should have scored 12 minutes from time, but centre Scott Williams – on at half-time for Jamie Roberts – failed to find an unmarked Halfpenny, and England escaped.

It prompted Wales’ strongest spell of pressure since the opening flurries, though, and England had it all to do, defending the lead Farrell had given them.

Halfpenny made it 12-12 with nine minutes remaining, and then came the closing drama, courtesy of Williams and the video referee.

Wales Squad Announced to face England

The Welsh squad to face England this weekend at Twickenham has been announced.

Sam Warburton returns to captain Wales in one of three changes made to the side which triumphed over Scotland last time out for the RBS 6 Nations third round visit to Twickenham on Saturday.

Ospreys second row Alun Wyn Jones comes straight into the starting line-up against England, after completing his return from a toe injury to join up with the squad earlier this week and will win his 60^th cap.

That means last week’s captain, his regional colleague Ryan Jones, moves to the bench, with Sale Sharks back row Andy Powell missing out.

Finally, Scarlets hooker Ken Owens makes his first start for his country in place of injured Osprey Huw Bennett (calf).

Owens won the second of his two caps as a replacement in the 27-13 win over the Scots at the Millennium Stadium just under a fortnight ago and made his debut from the bench against Namibia in the Pool stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Wales backline remains unchanged from that which started both victories so far in the Championship, against Ireland in Dublin and Scotland in Cardiff. On the bench Osprey Richard Hibbard provides the front row cover alongside prop Paul James (with Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees also ruled out with a calf problem) and fellow Osprey Jones replaces Sale Sharks back row Andy Powell, with Justin Tipuric completing the forward replacements.
Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams, Perpignan pivot James Hook and Scarlets centre Scott Williams are all retained to provide cover for the backs.

WALES

   15 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 29 caps (W 14, L 15; 105 pts – 11T, 4C, 14PG)

14 Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,089)

DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1; 5 pts – 1T)

 

  13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

International record: 24 caps (W 13, L 10; 35 pts – 7T)

 

  12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

DoB: 08.11.86.  6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 41 caps (W 20, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

 

  11 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 18 caps (W 8, L 9, D 1; 50 pts – 10T)

  10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 12 caps (W 8, L 4; 50 pts – 1T, 12C, 7PG)

 

  9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)

  DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs

International record: 62 caps (W 30, L 29, D 2; 40 pts – 8T)

  1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

International record: 84 caps (W 38, L 44, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)
  2 Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,088)

DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs

International record: 2 caps (W 2)
  3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)

DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

International record: 77 caps (W 37, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

 

  4 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)

DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs

International record: 59 caps (W 25, L 34; 35 pts – 7T)

 

  5 Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)

DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs

International record: 19 caps (W 8, L 10, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

 

  6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

International record: 21 caps (W 9, L 11, D 1)

 

  7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

International record: 25 caps (W 13, L 12; 10 pts – 2T)

  8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 13 caps (W 7, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)

  REPLACEMENTS

  16 Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,048)

DoB: 13.12.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs

International record: 15 caps (W 7, L 8)
  17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

International record: 33 caps (W 14, L 18, D 1)

  18 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 60 caps (W 30, L 28, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

  19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,087)

DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

  20  Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,086)

DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2; 10 pts – 2T)

  21 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)

DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs

International record: 61 caps (W 27, L 32, D 2; 326 pts – 12T, 40C, 58PG, 4DG)

  22 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

International record: 9 caps (W 5, L 4; 20 pts – 4T)

Beach Rugby Balls Now In Stock!

Roksport is proud to announce we have new beach rugby balls in stock either online or in our Swansea and Ammanford stores.

Gilbert Ospreys Beach Rugby Ball Size 5 White	Gilbert Beach Rugby Ball Green Size 5	Gilbert Beach Rugby Ball Pink Size 5

Click here to see the full Rugby Ball Range.

Rankings take on added focus in 2012

The frosts may still be on the ground as February dawns, but the excitement is building as rugby fans await the start of the RBS Six Nations 2012 Championship, which kicks off on Saturday when RWC 2011 finalists France host Italy at the Stade de France.

France will be eager to avenge last year’s shock loss to Italy in Rome and the theme of revenge continues across the weekend with Scotland desperate to banish the memories of their early departure after defeat to England in the RWC pool stages and Ireland their quarter-final heartbreak to Wales.

There is more, though, at stake than just revenge from last outings between long-time rivals because this weekend marks the first internationals of a busy year which will determine the pools for Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.
The 12 automatic qualifiers from Rugby World Cup 2011 will be drawn into three bands according to their IRB World Rankings at the end of the autumn internationals in Europe, with each band then being drawn across the four pools.
If the RWC 2015 Pool Allocation Draw was to take place today, this would mean world champions New Zealand, Australia, France and South Africa would form band one, England, Ireland, Argentina and Wales band two and Tonga, Samoa, Scotland and Italy band three.

RWC 2011 runners-up France, therefore, could not be drawn in the same pool as any of the three southern hemisphere giants, although they could face another of their 2011 conquerors in Tonga or even their RWC 2007 nemesis Argentina.
It would also throw up the potential of hosts England facing the challenge of a pool encounter with defending champions New Zealand. This is just what happened in 1991 when the All Blacks won the tournament’s opening match 18-12 at Twickenham.

With the leading nations all playing 10 or more internationals over the next 10 months there is plenty of scope for movement among the 12 automatic qualifiers for RWC 2015, but no-one will want to get left behind and playing catch-up after a slow start to the Six Nations.

Italy may have won their last meeting with France, but history is not on their side to repeat the feat under new coach Jacques Brunel with Les Bleus having not lost a home match in the opening round of the Championship since 1975.
A winning start under new coach Philippe Saint-André will not have an impact on France’s rating of 84.70 points – regardless of the margin of victory – because of the nine places and 10.71 rating points that separate the two sides.
France will, though, surrender third spot if they lose to Italy and could even drop as low as sixth if they lose emphatically and England and Wales both win by more than 15 points on the road against Scotland and Ireland respectively.

Defending champions England, who beat Scotland 16-12 in Pool B at RWC 2011, haven’t won on Scottish soil since 2004, but if they can give Stuart Lancaster a winning-start as interim coach then they will remain fifth as neither a victorious Wales or Ireland can dislodge them.

Another defeat by the Auld Enemy would prove costly for Scotland as they will slip below Samoa to 11th, equalling their lowest ever ranking of mid 2007. It would get worse for Scotland if Italy were to stun France as they would then drop another place to 12th.

The best Scotland can hope for with victory is a climb to ninth place and potentially to within half a point of a losing Irish or Welsh outfit depending on the results. England would meanwhile fall one in defeat with the Aviva Stadium winner, whoever it be, taking over fifth.

Wales are currently eighth in the IRB World Rankings, but if they repeat their 22-10 win over Ireland in the RWC 2011 quarter finals with victory in Dublin on Sunday then they will climb to sixth and swap places with their Celtic rivals.

Sam Warburton’s men could even end the weekend as the leading northern hemisphere nation in the rankings in fourth spot, although that would need them to win by more than 15 points and France and England to both lose by that margin.

However, it is not only the Six Nations which gets underway this weekend involving teams who graced the RWC 2011 stage, as the European Nations Cup 2012 title races resume with Georgia looking to retain their mantle as the “best of the rest”.

Georgia, the defending European Nations Cup champions, travel to face Division 1A bottom side Ukraine on Saturday hoping for a repeat of their emphatic 62-3 win over the same side 12 months ago.

A repeat performance, while preserving Georgia’s unbeaten start to the competition spread across two years, will not improve their ranking of 14th, a consequence of the Lelos sitting 18 places and 17.87 rating points above their hosts.
The same is true in positional terms for Romania if they taste victory over lower ranked Portugal as they can only inch towards USA above them, but if the visitors emerge the winners then they could rocket up as many as six places to assume Romania’s 18th spot.

For this to happen Portugal must win in Bucharest by more than 15 points, a smaller margin of victory would leave Romania clinging on to that 18th position while lifting the Portuguese back into the world’s top 20.