23 May 13
Cardiff Blues have strengthened their relationship with Cardiff Met by signing young second row prospect Miles Normandale
Gwydion Griffiths
![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Connacht v Blues Teams Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Blues Opposition Connacht Rugby (A) Opposition Connacht (A) 9-13
HT 0-13
Opposition Connacht Rugby Venue Sportsground Time KO 17:00 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Connacht Form L W L D L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Edinburgh Teams Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh Rugby Opposition Edinburgh Rugby (H) Opposition Edinburgh (H) 19-21
HT 9-8
Opposition Edinburgh Rugby Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:05 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Edinburgh Form W W L L W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Dragons v Blues Teams Newport Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues Opposition Newport Gwent Dragons (A) Opposition Dragons (A) 5-16
HT 5-3
Opposition Newport Gwent Dragons Venue Rodney Parade Time KO 18:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Dragons Form L L L W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Treviso Teams Cardiff Blues v Benetton Treviso Opposition Benetton Treviso (H) Opposition Treviso (H) 34-18
HT 17-3
Opposition Benetton Treviso Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 18:30 Referee Fitzgibbon Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Treviso Form W L W D W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Ulster Teams Cardiff Blues v Ulster Rugby Opposition Ulster Rugby (H) Opposition Ulster (H) 19-48
HT 9-17
Opposition Ulster Rugby Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:05 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Ulster Form L W W W W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Glasgow Teams Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors Opposition Glasgow Warriors (H) Opposition Glasgow (H) 3-18
HT 3-12
Opposition Glasgow Warriors Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 18:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Glasgow Form W L W W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Sharks v Blues Teams Sale Sharks v Cardiff Blues Opposition Sale Sharks (A) Opposition Sharks (A) 34-33
HT 12-24
Opposition Sale Sharks Venue Salford City Stadium Time KO 12:45 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Sharks Form W D W L W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Toulon Teams Cardiff Blues v Toulon Opposition Toulon (H) Opposition Toulon (H) 14-22
HT 8-6
Opposition Toulon Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 12:45 Referee Clancy Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Toulon Form W L W W W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Leinster v Blues Teams Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Opposition Leinster Rugby (A) Opposition Leinster (A) 59-22
HT 40-3
Opposition Leinster Rugby Venue Royal Dublin Society Time KO 18:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Leinster Form W W W W W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Munster Teams Cardiff Blues v Munster Rugby Opposition Munster Rugby (H) Opposition Munster (H) 18-24
HT 3-10
Opposition Munster Rugby Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:05 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Munster Form W L L L W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Wasps Teams Cardiff Blues v London Wasps Opposition London Wasps (H) Opposition Wasps (H) 22-17
HT 7-14
Opposition London Wasps Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Wasps Form L L L L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Scarlets v Blues Teams Scarlets v Cardiff Blues Opposition Scarlets (A) Opposition Scarlets (A) 22-16
HT 13-13
Opposition Scarlets Venue Parc y Scarlets Time KO 18:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Scarlets Form W W W L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Zebre v Blues Teams Zebre v Cardiff Blues Opposition Zebre (A) Opposition Zebre (A) 7-14
HT 7-5
Opposition Zebre Venue Stadio XXV Aprile Time KO 15:00 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Zebre Form L L L L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Ospreys v Blues Teams Ospreys v Cardiff Blues Opposition Ospreys (A) Opposition Ospreys (A) 33-12
HT 16-6
Opposition Ospreys Venue Liberty Stadium Time KO 19:05 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Ospreys Form W W W L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Montpellier Teams Cardiff Blues v Montpellier Opposition Montpellier (H) Opposition Montpellier (H) 24-35
HT 15-19
Opposition Montpellier Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 12:45 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Montpellier Form W W W W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Montpellier v Blues Teams Montpellier v Cardiff Blues Opposition Montpellier (A) Opposition Montpellier (A) 34-21
HT 17-8
Opposition Montpellier Venue Time KO 19:00 Referee Garner Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Montpellier Form W W W W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Scarlets Teams Cardiff Blues v Scarlets Opposition Scarlets (H) Opposition Scarlets (H) 6-9
HT 3-9
Opposition Scarlets Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:05 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Scarlets Form W W W L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Dragons Teams Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons Opposition Newport Gwent Dragons (H) Opposition Dragons (H) 12-10
HT 9-0
Opposition Newport Gwent Dragons Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 14:05 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Dragons Form L L L W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Munster v Blues Teams Munster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Opposition Munster Rugby (A) Opposition Munster (A) 6-17
HT 3-3
Opposition Munster Rugby Venue Musgrave Park Time KO 19:30 Referee Owens Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Munster Form W L L L W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Toulon v Blues Teams Toulon v Cardiff Blues Opposition Toulon (A) Opposition Toulon (A) 45-25
HT 19-8
Opposition Toulon Venue Stade Mayol Time KO 14:35 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Toulon Form W L W W W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Sharks Teams Cardiff Blues v Sale Sharks Opposition Sale Sharks (H) Opposition Sharks (H) 26-14
HT 9-7
Opposition Sale Sharks Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 15:40 Referee Fitzgibbon Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Sharks Form W D W L W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Saracens v Blues Teams Saracens v Cardiff Blues Opposition Saracens (A) Opposition Saracens (A) 19-11
HT 6-8
Opposition Saracens Venue Allianz Park Time KO 15:00 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Saracens Form W L L W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v L Irish Teams Cardiff Blues v London Irish Opposition London Irish (H) Opposition L Irish (H) 10-6
HT 7-3
Opposition London Irish Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L L Irish Form W D L W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Leinster Teams Cardiff Blues v Leinster Rugby Opposition Leinster Rugby (H) Opposition Leinster (H) 11-26
HT 3-23
Opposition Leinster Rugby Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:30 Referee Fitzgibbon Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Leinster Form W W W W W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Edinburgh v Blues Teams Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues Opposition Edinburgh Rugby (A) Opposition Edinburgh (A) 16-17
HT 6-14
Opposition Edinburgh Rugby Venue Murrayfield Time KO 19:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Edinburgh Form W W L L W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Connacht Teams Cardiff Blues v Connacht Rugby Opposition Connacht Rugby (H) Opposition Connacht (H) 22-26
HT 8-15
Opposition Connacht Rugby Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 19:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Connacht Form L W L D L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Glasgow v Blues Teams Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues Opposition Glasgow Warriors (A) Opposition Glasgow (A) 29-13
HT 10-13
Opposition Glasgow Warriors Venue Scotstoun Time KO 19:35 Referee Clancy Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Glasgow Form W L W W L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Treviso v Blues Teams Benetton Treviso v Cardiff Blues Opposition Benetton Treviso (A) Opposition Treviso (A) 26-17
HT 13-10
Opposition Benetton Treviso Venue Stadio di Monigo Time KO 19:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Treviso Form W L W D W ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Ospreys Teams Cardiff Blues v Ospreys Opposition Ospreys (H) Opposition Ospreys (H) 16-23
HT 10-20
Opposition Ospreys Venue Millennium Stadium Time KO 17:15 Referee Owens Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Ospreys Form W W W L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Blues v Zebre Teams Cardiff Blues v Zebre Opposition Zebre (H) Opposition Zebre (H) 28-13
HT 21-6
Opposition Zebre Venue Cardiff Arms Park Time KO 14:30 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Zebre Form L L L L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Scarlets v Blues Teams Scarlets v Cardiff Blues Opposition Scarlets (A) Opposition Scarlets (A) 24-6
HT 10-6
Opposition Scarlets Venue Parc y Scarlets Time KO 18:30 Referee Owens Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Scarlets Form W W W L L ![]() ![]() ![]() Teams Ulster v Blues Teams Ulster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Opposition Ulster Rugby (A) Opposition Ulster (A) 37-13
HT 10-13
Opposition Ulster Rugby Venue Ravenhill Time KO 19:45 Referee Previous Meeting Blues Form L L W L L Ulster Form L W W W W Teams v Teams v Opposition () Opposition () {FixBroadcast}
Opposition Venue Referee Previous Meeting Form Form |
Describe yourself in three words.
Smiley, easy-going, committed.
What's the last book you read?
I really enjoy reading and last night I finished reading Deception Point by Dan Brown. It's a thriller about the American Space Program.
What's the last thing you bought?
Meals in restaurants while on holiday in Spain last week - I really enjoy going to good restaurants, and I love fish, mussels and prawns. I also bought clothes to go on holiday a few weeks ago, a new sports car.
Who's had the most influence on you and do you have a sporting hero?
Definitely my parents. They gave me a lot of support and used to run me to different venues for training and games. I don't really have one particular sporting hero but I looked up to rugby greats like Jonathan Davies, Rob Howley, Mike Rayer and Neil Jenkins among others.
How did you feel when you meet these players?
It was weird meeting them face to face, shaking their hands and knowing them on first name basis.
I understand you were a very talented cricketer. Why did you choose rugby?
All my family had an interest in rugby. My dad was a very good player and I found the game more exciting. I got asked to play for the under 16's welsh cricked team but it just didn't appeal to me as much as rugby did.
What else do you like doing besides from rugby?
I really like playing golf but it can be frustrating because one day you can be really good at it and the next day you can be terrible!!!
What do you do to keep fit?
The WRU gives us a year planner which we have to follow. We have pre-season training which is intense, such as long distance running to build stamina. Nearer to the start of the season we concentrate more on power training. You wouldn't be able to train yourself intensely all year round because you'd flake off. Eating the correct foods is also very important.
So you eat healthily then?
Yes I do. When I started training here a dietician educated us on food and nutrition, including things like good fats from nuts and certain oils and avoiding fried foods. When I go to restaurants I don't go for creamy sauces but have tomato based ones, for a healthier option. I rarely have deserts
What were your school days like then?
I loved them! At the time, you think things like GCSE's and A levels are a pain, but when you look back and realise what good times you had in school. I had really good friends too. I also did a year in University but rugby took over. When I have time, I will find the right educational opportunity for me. I always wanted to be a sports physio, so we'll see.
Did you have a favourite subject?
Math's was my favourite, and sciences - especially biology. I really enjoyed problem solving. Of course I loved PE.
So did you have a highlight in school?
There isn't a specific highlight but I can remember the worst moment. My team lost in the under 14's Welsh Cup (rugby) and I felt terrible. Can remember going on all the trips like skiing, which I really enjoyed. I also recall getting my A level results - I was late getting to school and my friends were already there, but the results were late anyway! I was really nervous then I saw my biology teacher who told me I had 3 B's and have me a big hug!
Can you speak a foreign language?
Welsh is my first language so I can speak it fluently. I did French to GCSE level but I wish I'd done better in it!
If you could invite two people to dinner who would you invite?
Mohammed Ali - he stood up for his beliefs and principles and would be so interesting to talk to. Also Nelson Mandela. I shook his hand once but I'd love the chance to talk to him about his years in prison then ruling his country and making huge progress towards bringing an end to apartheid. I'd quite like to meet the President of USA and hear about secrets like Area 51, but that would be scary!!
What's your favourite song?
I don't have a favourite song. I recently bought an iPod so I've been downloading music including Franz Ferdinand, Jay-Z, U2, Stereophonics and Maroon 5 - all legally of course! I downloaded Daft Punk this morning. I also like classics like Otis Reading and David Cassidy. I like Duran Duran as well - you could say I like a broad range of music!
Do you have an embarrassing moment?
I once skied into a tree! Also, one of the other players kegged me in the middle of a busy street in Tokyo - he pulled my shorts down and I had full hands so couldn't pull them up straight away, so that was pretty embarrassing.
What's the most outrageous thing you've done?
I did a bungee jump from a bridge into a river in New Zealand. It was about a 43 metre fall. It was terrifying but good fun and the adrenaline rush was just so immense! I also did a bungee jump off a crane in Swansea but as I was going down I had a wedgy!
What's the highlight of your career in rugby?
Getting my 1st cap for my country. Being part of the Grand Slam winning squad is very special. I think the France away game was the best this season - the way we were behind until the second half and then came back to win, it was a stunning performance!!
Have you swapped shirts with any prestigious players?
No, I always keep my shirts. I have the shirt from my first cap, but Scott Gibbs swapped his shirt and then gave it to me, which was nice.
And finally, can you describe the emotions you felt after winning the Grand Slam?
It was a unique situation. Initially I felt hysteria and jubilation, and the adrenaline was pumping. It was crazy and the atmosphere was intense. Everyone was clapping, it was a very humbling experience. I was gutted not to play the final - I was pulled out of the team the day before the final, due to injury.
Whilst consulting on the Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy, Torfaen Local Health Board and the County Borough Council realised the need for something specifically for young people and the idea of producing a Health, Social Care and Well-being magazine was formed.
Cardiff Blues and Grand Slam-winning rugby star Rhys Williams kindly agreed be interviewed for SPK Out.
For further information on SPK Out please contact Catherine Gregory, Torfaen Local Health Board on 01495 332274 or catherine.gregory@torfaenlhb.wales.nhs.uk