Sam Warburton’s advice for Varsity clash
20 April 2016
Welsh International rugby captain Sam Warburton (Hon 2015) met with the Cardiff University Rugby Union squad ahead of their Welsh Varsity game against Swansea University on Wednesday 20 April.
Sam offered the squad advice and explained how he deals with the pressures of big games. He also presented the squad with their match shirts.
Stuart Vanstone, Head of Sport at Cardiff University, said: “It’s a great experience for the students to play in a Varsity game, and one they will remember long after graduating. To have their shirt presented by Sam is another memory they will hold dear.
“Welsh Varsity has a proud and rich history, and it's great that Sam found the time to be with the squad ahead of the big game.”
Louie Tonkin, Head of Rugby at Cardiff University, said: “To have a Welsh and Lions captain speak to the squad ahead of the Varsity game will help the players to manage their nerves and excitement.
“It’s a tradition to have a shirt presentation before a big rugby fixture, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than Sam to do this ahead of what promises to be a great game.”
A number of players who have featured in the Varsity fixture have gone on to play professional rugby including Jake Cooper-Woolly (Wasps), Ross Wardle (Newport Gwent Dragons), James Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons) and Arthur Ellis (Ealing).
Sam received an Honorary Fellowship from Cardiff University in 2015 in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements.
Now celebrating its 20th year, Welsh Varsity has grown into the second biggest varsity competition in the UK (only behind Oxford and Cambridge).
Cardiff University Rugby Union squad 2015/16
Ben Madgwick(c), Tom Wilson(c)
Props: Tom Boot, Fraser Young, James Holmes, Aled Rees, Morgan Bosanko. Hookers: Jack Haines, Alun Rees. Locks: Jack McGrath, Tom Bell, Ben Egan, Jon Kenny. Back row: Tom Wilson, James Sawyer, Chris Williams, Joe Gaughan, Sam Montieri. Scrum halves: Owen Clemett, Owen Davies, John Preddy. Outside halves: Julian Mogg, Elliot Clement, Lewis Molloy. Centres: Harry Salisbury, Ben Madgwick, Harry Griffiths, Matt Roberts. Back three: Iwan Phillips, Greg Heath, Lloyd Lewis, Bentley Halpin.