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RGC 1404

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RGC 1404 (Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404), formerly "Gogledd Cymru" (Welsh: [ˈgɔglɛð ˈkəmrɨ], "North Wales"), is a rugby union team founded in 2008 and based in Colwyn Bay, Conwy. They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division; after winning Division 1 East at the first attempt in 2012–13, they spent three seasons in the Welsh Championship before earning promotion to the Premier Division in 2015–16. They finished fourth in their first season in the top flight, but also won the WRU Challenge Cup for the first time. They play at Eirias Stadium, which has a capacity of just over 6,000.

RGC 1404
Full nameRygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404
UnionWRU
Nickname(s)Gogs
Founded2008; 16 years ago (2008)
LocationColwyn Bay, Wales
Ground(s)Eirias Stadium (Capacity: 6,080)
Director of RugbyJosh Leach
Captain(s)Afon Bagshaw
League(s)Super Rygbi Cymru
2023–2411th (Welsh Premier Division)
1st kit
2nd kit
First match
Gilfach Goch 19–42 RGC 1404
Largest win
RGC 1404 127–0 Tredegar
Largest defeat
RGC 1404 19–88 Wales
Official website
northwalesrugby.wales

History

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Although an amateur North Wales rugby representative side had existed for over 50 years, Gogledd Cymru was established by the North Wales Rugby Council, in February 2007, in response to the WRU approved strategic plan for the development of rugby union in the region. This aimed to achieve a north Wales side playing in the Welsh Premier Division by 2010–11[1][2][3] In their first season, Gogledd Cymru reached the final of the Welsh Counties Cup.

2008–2011

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A plaque at Machynlleth commemorates Owain Glyndŵr's 1404 parliament

In December 2008, it was announced that the Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay was to be the home ground for Gogledd Cymru.[4]

In January 2010, the team was renamed RGC 1404: RGC is an initialism for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Rugby), and 1404 reflects the year that Owain Glyndŵr became Prince of Wales.[5]

2012–2013

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For the 2012–13 season, the team were entered into WRU Division One East, playing a full season of games against teams from South East Wales. RGC finished the season at the top of the table, earning promotion to the Welsh Championship for 2013–14.[6]

2013–2014

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RGC's first season in the Welsh Championship saw them spend much of the season in second place to a dominant Ebbw Vale only to drop to third in the last game by losing to Cardiff Met 36–24.[7] RGC players Afon Bagshaw, Harri Evans and Ollie Cracknell were selected and played in the Wales side for the 2014 U20 Six Nations, with the home games hosted at RGC's Eirias Stadium.

Players

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Current squad

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Squad for 2016–17[8][9]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Afon Bagshaw Fullback   Wales
Rhys Williams Wing   Wales
Carwyn Ap Myrddin Wing   Wales
Richard Hopkins Wing   Wales
Aron Evans Wing   Wales
Sam Jones Wing   Wales
Danny Cross Centre   Wales
Tom Hughes Centre   Wales
Tiaan Loots Centre   South Africa
Harri Evans Centre   Wales
Tom Seddon Centre   Wales
Armani Roberts Fly-half   Wales
Jacob Botica Fly-half   New Zealand
Josh Leach Scrum-half   Wales
Alex Schwarz Scrum-half   Wales
Cameron Davies Scrum-half   Wales
Efan Jones Scrum-half   Wales
Player Position Union
Phil John Prop   Wales
Tom Hughes Prop   Wales
Joe Simpson Prop   Wales
Jed Kerkin Prop   Wales
Sam Wainwright Prop   Wales
Evan Yardley Hooker   Wales
Rhys Williams Hooker   Wales
Maredydd Francis (c) Lock   Wales
Henri Williams Lock   Wales
Robin Williams Lock   Wales
Andrew Williams Flanker   Wales
Huw Worthington Number 8   Wales
Mei Parry Flanker   Wales
Will Bryan Flanker   Wales
Tim Grey Flanker   Wales

Notable former players

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See Category:RGC 1404 players

On 6 November 2021, hooker Bradley Roberts became the first former RGC 1404 player to win a senior cap for Wales, though previously both Olly Cracknell and Rhun Williams had been named in senior Wales squads,[10][11] and James Lang had been capped by Scotland.[12]

Several other players who played senior rugby for RGC 1404 have gone on to play top level European professional rugby in the Pro 14 or English Premiership, and a number of players have played for Wales at U20 level whilst with RGC.

Coaching staff

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Head coaches

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Name Tenure
  Jon Aby 2007–2009[13]
  Clive Griffiths 2009–2011[14][15]
  Chris Horsman 2012–2014[16]
  Damian McGrath 2012–2014[16]
  Phil Davies 2015–2016[17]
  Mark Jones 2016–2019[18][19]
  Ceri Jones 2021–2024[20][21]
  Josh Leach 2024–present[22]

Results and statistics

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WRU Leagues

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Season Division Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA Try BP Losing BP Points Position
2012–13 Div 1 East 22 19 0 3 801 277 524 119 30 15 2 93 1st
2013–14 Championship 26 17 0 9 745 419 324 113 49 13 2 83 3rd
2014–15 Championship 26 15 0 11 848 434 414 125 55 16 7 83 4th
2015–16 Championship 26 19 0 7 928 460 468 133 55 15 5 96 4th
2016–17 Premiership 15 10 1 4 429 281 148 52 32 5 1 48 4th
Premiership Tier 1 7 4 0 3 176 162 14 22 17 3 1 20 4th
2017–18 Premiership (West) 14 11 1 2 375 294 81 42 41 5 1 52 1st
Premiership (Phase 2) 15 9 1 5 513 328 185 68 39 8 4 58 4th
2018–19 Premiership 30 14 1 15 859 650 209 121 83 16 11 85 8th
2019–20 Premiership 17 8 1 8 409 381 28 54 50 5 4 43 7th
The 2019–20 season was cancelled early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021–22 Premiership 11 6 0 5 286 244 42 38 34 6 1 31 4th
2022–23 Premiership 22 11 0 11 576 476 100 74 58 9 5 58 7th
2023–24 Premiership 24 7 0 17 518 651 −133 66 89 6 7 41 11th

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "Box".
  2. ^ "WRU plan for northern development team". The Independent. London. 9 September 2008.
  3. ^ "WRU considers north Wales region". BBC News. 15 August 2008.
  4. ^ Tim Channon (11 December 2008). "Rugby: WRU unveil Parc Eirias as home of North Wales rugby". Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  5. ^ "BBC Sport – Rugby Union – North Wales summon Owain Glyndwr's spirit in revamp". 6 January 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Coach Celebrates – News – Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC)". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. ^ "RGC Senior - Fixtures & Results - Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC)". Archived from the original on 1 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Official Website Team Info". RGC 1404. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Official Website Team Announcement". RGC 1404. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  10. ^ "The Wales reject who has carried more ball than anyone in PRO14". 8 December 2017.
  11. ^ Williams withdraws from Wales squad
  12. ^ "Scottish Rugby on Twitter".
  13. ^ "Jon Aby". gogleddcymru. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  14. ^ "RGC 1404 BBC". BBC. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  15. ^ Clutton, Graham (7 December 2009). "Clive Griffiths appointment". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  16. ^ a b "Chris Horsman RGC". BBC. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Phil Davies RGC". Daily Post. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Mark Jones appointed as RGC head coach". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  19. ^ Thomas, Simon (19 May 2019). "Former Welsh international Mark Jones steps down as coach of Premiership club RGC". Wales Online. Media Wales. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  20. ^ Gillespie, Graeme (2 September 2021). "Jones appointed as new RGC head coach". wru.co.uk. Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  21. ^ Gillespie, Graeme (18 March 2024). "RGC head coach Jones to depart at end of season". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  22. ^ "RGC APPOINT JOSH LEACH AS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY". Rygbi Gogledd Cymru. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  23. ^ "WRU Division 1 East 2012–2013". WRU. 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
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