Hundreds of children from more than ten different schools throughout Pembrokeshire cheered on their rugby heroes and Captain Gethin Jenkins brought his squad to pitchside immediately after the session to spend an hour signing autographs.
Children from Saundersfoot, St. Oswalds, Greenhill and Tenby infants schools mobbed their favourite players with the likes of Gavin Henson, James Hook and Colin Charvis meticulously signing every autograph presented to them. Local rugby writer and former school teacher Bill Carne was impressed by the scenes and says the memories of the day will be with some children forever along with hundreds of older fans who turned up.
“The local comprehensive children formed a sea of blue uniforms in one corner of the ground and you couldn’t get near the touchlines for screaming fans,” said Mr Carne. “Schools turned up from all over Pembrokeshire, having the Wales team here this week has been a real treat for the area.
“I’ve just stood next to Stephen Jones and when I get home and tell my daughter I’ve been within touching distance of him she’ll be beside herself. We’ve got some strong West Wales influence on this side with Jonathan Thomas hailing from Pembrokeshire, Tom Shanklin’s dad born and bred in Tenby itself and Mike Phillips from just around the corner in St. Clears.
“Seeing them in person is a real treat for the children and some of us older fans too and it’s the kind of thing that will stay with them for years to come.”
All the schools attending had their pictures taken with the squad after their sneak preview of the team which will face South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 24th November (Kick-Off 2.45pm).
“It’s a pretty impressive turnout for a simple training session and right up there with the reception we got in France at the Rugby World Cup, which is amazing in itself,” added Wales Team Manager, Alan Phillips, speaking from the team’s West Wales base, the St. Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot.
“The boys will be boosted by this too, it really makes you realise the nation is right behind you and it can’t be bad for the future of the game in Wales either – when you see so many youngsters turning up to watch their heroes.”
Ticket sales are going well for the inaugural Prince William Cup match between Wales and South Africa. If you want to be part of a very special occasion then tickets are available to personal callers only to the WRU Ticket Shop (98, St Mary Street, Cardiff), Thursday 9am-7pm, Friday 9am-7pm and on Saturday from 9am to kick off.
Tickets, priced at £20, £40, £45, £50 and £60 for this unique match against the reigning World Champions, will also be available on Saturday from the Cardiff Blues ticket office from 9am to kick off and from booths around the Millennium Stadium from 9am to kick off.
