- Rob Hodgetts - 大象传媒 Sport journalist
- 18 Jan 07, 05:51 PM
I'm what's known in rugby parlance as a utility back. Rugby and golf are my main positions - I blogged from Ireland during the Ryder Cup - but you'll see me pop up in all sorts of other areas, too.
My fondest rugby memories are Five Nations Saturdays in the OVT at Birmingham University, and sitting in the press box at Twickenham covering the 1999 World Cup semi-final between France and New Zealand.
All impartiality went out the window when France began their famous comeback, as the hardened hacks, and me, leapt to our feet to cheer on Les Bleus.
Work over, the party in the pub in Twickenham that night was legendary, with a cocktail of French, Kiwis and British all celebrating a sensational game together.
Now then, call me old-school, but I reckon all modern backs should be made to watch videos of the likes of and back in the days when sidesteps (as well as sideburns) were as important as big muscles. Those guys knew how to beat an opponent one-on-one. England backs take heed.
- Gareth Lewis - 大象传媒 Wales Sport presenter
- 18 Jan 07, 05:13 PM
I was born in a part of Wales now scandalously denied professional regional rugby, but those days are gone and like everyone else who lives there I'm not bitter now. Honest...
Just as well, because that famous 大象传媒 impartiality has to come to the fore in my role presenting Scrum V on 大象传媒 Wales television and radio.
Like all fans of my generation, my rugby highlight came two years ago when Wales ended almost three decades of agony by .
Either that or winning the Trignac Sevens u-16 tournament in Brittany, only to be accused by the French of fielding an over-age team. And there's always THAT Gareth Thomas interview, still available on the Scrum V website.
Away from rugby, I follow events at Goodison Park closely (another long wait for a trophy goes on) and spend the rest of my spare time refining the delicate balance between post-match hospitality, and running it off.
- Sean Davies - 大象传媒 Wales Sport journalist
- 18 Jan 07, 03:57 PM
I'm a sports writer who has been working for the 大象传媒 out of the Cardiff office for the last seven years, specialising - whenever I get the chance - in rugby and boxing.
The Six Nations have been the highlight of my sporting year for as long as I can remember. Although this working lark does seem to have cut back on my chances to enjoy the full range of the tournament's festivities, my liver thanks me for it and it's a privilege to get so close to the stories and the action.
I'm originally from in the south Wales valleys. I have to confess to being a bit soft, though, as I never really took to regular visits to The Rec, and my real love for the game developed in the balmier climes of Swansea where I studied history. I went through my university days there as built his great Swansea side of the early '90s, and it will take a lot to convince me that Wales have moved on since sacking the Grand Slam coach.
- Bryn Palmer - 大象传媒 Sport journalist
- 18 Jan 07, 08:24 AM
I'm a senior broadcast journalist working on 大象传媒 Sport's website, and responsible for looking after our rugby output. I'm 34, Welsh (don't hold that against me) and have been at the 大象传媒 since early 2002.
My journalism career started with the Press Association in Scotland 10 years ago, writing about everything from the Old Firm to curling, before I moved on to the .
I then spent a wonderful year travelling in Australia and New Zealand, freelancing for various British newspapers, and taking in the Sydney Olympics and the . I've also covered the last two Rugby World Cups, including England's triumph down under four years ago.
Having grown up in south Wales, I'm obviously a Manchester United fan - since I was five, honestly - and have a soft spot for Hereford, who I used to cheer from the home end at Edgar Street. Rugby-wise my heart's with Wales, but I cheer on all the Celtic countries.
My body won't allow for rugby anymore but I still play five-a-side football, a bit of tennis and golf, and love skiing, snowboarding and water-skiing. I'm also a big fan of snooker and darts.
- James Standley - 大象传媒 Sport journalist
- 18 Jan 07, 08:12 AM
I joined 大象传媒 Sport working for the website back in 2001 and am one of a number of journalists who help out with the rugby union coverage.
I started my career on the before joining the-then Mirror Group after a brief spell at the Press Association.
After the failed re-launch of the Sporting Life I worked on a number of Mirror Group publications, including a memorable week on the news desk of the Sunday People.
Like most sports journalists I鈥檓 a frustrated player who lacked only the pace, power and ability to get right to the top.
A non-tackling fly-half, my rugby career was stymied at a young age by my inability to last a match without getting injured, although now I am officially a sporting veteran I am considering returning for one last fling.
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Wales 27-18 England
