RBS Six Nations News: Gareth Thomas Launches New Online Welsh Rugby TV Channel

As we line up for the start of the RBS Six Nations, a new online Welsh rugby TV channel launches with its selection of the high profile international and Cardiff Blues star Gareth Thomas as its main presenter. The South Wales based online subscription tv venture welshrugby.tv has been created to deliver insight on the real stories in Welsh rugby for Welsh rugby supporters worldwide – with independent comment from Gareth "Alfie" Thomas - one of Welsh rugby’s biggest characters, as the main host for the channel during the RBS 6 Nations Championship. Click here to view Alfie telling us why he’s involved and what he thinks welshrugby.tv should be. The versatile player now moves into a presenter’s role, hosting the regular The Welsh Rugby Show on welshrugby.tv, which kicks off this week. Thomas won his 100th cap for Wales against Fiji during the Rugby World Cup in 2007, was Captain of Wales’s Grand Slam winning team in 2005 and captained the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand in the same year. Thomas is keen to give fans the inside track on issues and stories about the game in Wales, and the welshrugby.tv site will provide the Welsh rugby supporter with a unique combination of the latest rugby news, professional and creative video content, analysis and opinion. welshrugby.tv will produce a ‘behind the scenes’ look at all aspects of Welsh rugby, including: the 6 Nations campaign, the summer tour and the Autumn internationals, the regions, club and community rugby and player profiles. Thomas will be joined by a range of top flight and local club players, giving their views and insight into the raw truth of how things really are for those involved in the game. Thomas said: “Without doubt, Welsh rugby supporters are the most knowledgeable, passionate and committed fans worldwide. As I know from my own experience, rugby in Wales is far more than a game, it’s a part of who we are and I’m really pleased to be part of a team that’s giving real information and comment from behind the scenes, and I hope, will inspire the true Welsh rugby supporter.” Market research by the team behind the venture has shown that rugby supporters want to have different types of programming and video clips from what is already available either online, in print or on screen. Carwyn Jones from Llantrisant commented “At last, someone’s listening to what we want – we want to be able to hear the voice and views of the real Welsh rugby supporter alongside that of the usual rugby pundits – and for them to take notice of what we’re saying.” With that in mind, as well as the The Welsh Rugby Show and the latest news at international and regional level, welshrugby.tv will host blogs, supporters’ forums and through the Clubzone section of the site will offer rugby clubs across Wales, the opportunity to post information on their club and upload their own videos.” Tom Stroud, CEO of Webcast Global explained “Welsh rugby supporters have been saying that they want to get the bare truth and be involved with rugby in Wales at all levels pro levels. We’re really looking forward to delivering a full schedule of both live and on-demand (pre-recorded) programmes, looking at elite rugby, community and grass roots level as well as being a part of the development of the game in Wales through our skills and coaching programming schedule.” Richard Owen, Director of Red Shoes added: “We’re passionate about producing great content that will deliver Welsh rugby in the raw – at its best and without being shy of asking the crunch questions.” www.welshrugby.tv

The Six Nations Rugby Songbook

Essential Companion for all the Six Nations Sing-Songs If the Six Nations tournament would be about singing the Welsh would probably win it every year. A new handy companion will be published this week with the words to all the songs that will be sung in buses, pubs and stadiums during the coming weeks. The Six Nations Rugby Songbook, published by Y Lolfa, includes all the Welsh favourites such as Hymns and Arias, Bread of Heaven and Delilah as well as songs from the other five nations such as The Fields of Athenry and Flower of Scotland. Translations are included for the Welsh language songs such as Sosban Fach, Calon Lân, Myfanwy and I Bob Un Sy’n Ffyddlon. The bus trips, the dressing up, the socialising, the friendly banter between fans and rousing sing songs are now as much a part of the Six Nations championship as the rugby. This pocket sized book will be a godsend to any one who isn’t sure of the words and wants to join in the impromptu singing sessions and to tour organiser who wants to ensure that everyone knows the words to all the songs making sure that even if Wales don’t win the rugby as far as the singing is concerned the “land of song” will always be leading the way. The Six Nations Rugby Song Book is available at www.ylolfa.com and bookshops around Wales for £2.95. A list of Songs included in the book Wales Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, Sosban Fach, Calon Lân, Myfanwy, Cwm Rhondda, Bread of Heaven, When the Coal Comes from the Rhondda, I Bob Un Sy’n Ffyddlon, Hymns and Arias, Delilah, We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Hillside England God Save the Queen, Jerusalem, Swing Low, Abide With Me, Amazing Grace Ireland A Soldier’s Song, Ireland’s Call, Molly Malone, Fields of Athenry, The Wild Rover, Danny Boy Scotland The Flower of Scotland, Loch Lomond , Scotland the Brave France La Marseillaise, Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien Italy Inno di Mameli Other Nations God Defend New Zealand, The Haka, Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda, God Bless Africa