RGC 1404

RGC 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 6,000.

RGC 1404
Full nameRygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404
UnionWRU
Nickname(s)Gogs
Founded2008
LocationColwyn Bay, Wales
Ground(s)Eirias Stadium (Capacity: 6,080)
Coach(es)Mark Jones[1]
Captain(s)Maredydd Francis[1]
Top scorerRhodri Carlton-Jones (140)
Most triesCarwyn ap Myrddin (10)
League(s)Welsh Premier Division
2016–174th (Welsh Championship)
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
rygbigogleddcymru.wales

History

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[2][3][4] In their first season, Gogledd Cymru reached the final of the Welsh Counties Cup.

2008–2011
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.[5]

In January 2010, the team was renamed RGC 1404: RGC is an acronym for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Rugby), and 1404 reflects the year that Owain Glyndŵr became Prince of Wales.[6]

2012–2013

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.[7]

2013–2014

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.[8] Several RGC players 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

Current squad

Squad for 2016–17[9][10]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR 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
See Category:RGC 1404 players

As of August 2020, no player who has played senior Rugby for RGC 1404 has been capped by Wales. However, Olly Cracknell was named in the 2017 Six Nations squad,[11] and Rhun Williams was named for the 2017 Summer Tour before having to withdraw due to injury.[12] Furthermore, James Lang has been capped by Scotland.[13] Numerous players have represented Wales at U20 level whilst with RGC.

A number of former senior RGC 1404 players have gone on to play top level European professional rugby in the Pro 14 or English Premiership, including Olly Cracknell, Sean Lonsdale, Rhun Williams and Jacob Botica.

Coaching staff

Head coaches
NameTenure
Jon Aby2007–2009[14]
Clive Griffiths2009–2011[15][16]
Chris Horsman2012–2014[17]
Damian McGrath2012–2014[17]
Phil Davies2015–2016[18]
Mark Jones2016–[19]

Current backroom staff

Correct as of 17 January 2015

NameTitle
Sion JonesGeneral manager
Mark JonesHead coach
Phil JohnAssistant coach
Jason RobertsAssistant coach
Latham TawhaiAssistant coach
Dafydd PhillipsTeam manager
Jim CoyTeam manager
Oran DaviesPhysiotherapist
Sam JonesHead analyst

Results and statistics

WRU Leagues
Season Division Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA Try BP Losing BP Points Position
2012–13Div 1 East 22190380127752411930152931st
2013–14Championship 26170974541932411349132833rd
2014–15Championship 261501184843441412555167834th
2015–16Championship 26190792846046813355155964th
2016–17Premiership 151014429281148523251484th
2016–17Premiership Tier 1 740317616214221731204th

Honours

References
  1. "The Team". RGC. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  2. http://www.box.net/shared/zji725btpd
  3. "WRU plan for northern development team". The Independent. London. 9 September 2008.
  4. "WRU considers north Wales region". BBC News. 15 August 2008.
  5. 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.
  6. "BBC Sport - Rugby Union - North Wales summon Owain Glyndwr's spirit in revamp". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. "Coach Celebrates - News - Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC)". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  8. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/northwalesrugbyunion/s/fixtures-results-76105.html
  9. "Official Website Team Info". RGC 1404. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  10. "Official Website Team Announcement". RGC 1404. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  11. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-cast-who-actually-hardest-14010150
  12. Williams withdraws from Wales squad
  13. "Scottish Rugby on Twitter".
  14. "Jon Aby". gogleddcymru. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  15. "RGC 1404 BBC". BBC. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  16. Clutton, Graham (7 December 2009). "Clive Griffiths appointment". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  17. "Chris Horsman RGC". BBC. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  18. "Phil Davies RGC". Daily Post. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  19. "Mark Jones appointed as RGC head coach". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  20. "WRU Division 1 East 2012–2013". WRU. 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
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