Wales squad captain Sam Warburton and rugby legends JPR Williams and Graham Price were among the nation’s rugby heroes at the launch of the exclusive hospitality lounge for Wales’ capped players on match day.
Following Wales’ fourth successive 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship win – against Italy at the Millennium Stadium – the greats of the game joined together to celebrate in style at the refurbished facilities unveiled by WRU.
WRU President Dennis Gethin formally opened the room – once the WREX Bar set up by the Welsh Rugby Former International Players Association in 2002 – at a special ceremony to honour Wales’ past, current and future international players.
Mr Gethin paid tribute to the ex-internationals that continue to keep the spirit of rugby alive and thanked the former players association, without which the project would not be possible.
“It gives me pleasure to unveil the International Players’ Lounge in the company of so many great individuals that have made such huge contribution to the game of rugby in Wales,” he said.
“These refurbished facilities are for the players both past and present who continue to keep the spirit of rugby alive and I know that their camaraderie and support will long continue in Wales.”
Mr Gethin added: “I would also like to thank the Welsh Rugby Former International Players Association for all their help in recent years and for their continued support of former internationals.”
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis and WRU Chairman David Pickering also attended the opening of the renewed facilities that provide an unrivalled matchday hospitality experience for the players and their families.
Roger Lewis added: “The WRU International Players Lounge in our fabulous Millennium Stadium will ensure that the WRU continues to celebrate Welsh rugby with the past, present and future international representatives of the game.
“These players keep the greatest memories and stories of the game alive in Wales and I am proud to see so many great faces sharing in the success of their national squad.”
Wales’ international players are invited to attend all home rugby matches by the WRU which holds details of all the surviving players who represented their country.
