By pitprop
August 31 2006

Sale Sharks recently held a press day to show off the new signings and talk about plans for the season. Not intending to miss out, salerugby.co.uk gave pitprop a fedora with a press card tucked into the band, and instructed him to come back with the straight dope. Part 1 of that report follows.

It was in 1865 that the first Welsh settlers emigrated to Patagonia. They went (encouraged by their leader Michael D Jones of Bala) to find freedom, freedom to speak their language and practice their non-conformist religion away from an environment they found oppressive. The Argentine government gave them land in the desert province of Patagonia to strengthen the Argentine claim to the region. But the colony have never fully assimilated, and Welsh is spoken to this day. The Argentine Rugby Union acknowledged the roots of the people in Puerto Madryn, Patagonia by taking the Pumas down there to play the first test this summer against Gareth Jenkins' Wales. Among the winning Pumas side were our own two, Nacho and Juan Fernandez Lobbe.

Some 141 years later, another, minor, emigration from Wales took place, orchestrated by (among others) another Jones, Kingsley Jones. Towards the end of last term, it became apparent that we would have to recruit some players for this season, Tino and Coutts were off back to their native lands, Big Pete and Toddy had to retire through injury and illness, and Taione was released. One of our Welsh players, Nick Wakley, headed for the antipodes. But we retained a strong Welsh influence, head coach Kingsley, former Wales captain Mark Taylor and Nathan Bonner-Evans, not to mention young players Eifion Roberts, Marc Jones and Rhys Jones. Plus the fact that Elvis and Lilo (that Welsh soap star!) both came to us from Welsh regional sides. The management got busy, and before the season ended, in early April, it was announced that we had gained the services of Lee Thomas, Jon Bryant and Ben Evans. With the usual news blackout over other transfer targets, on the face of it, it looked as though South Wales had been our only hunting ground, and that Kingsley Jones of Nantyglo had been encouraging Welsh emigration to the former professional rugby union desert of Stockport!

After the season ended, further signings were announced (slow-drying ink!!), and it was obvious that the net had been spread much wider, to include that tormenter of the Welsh team in Patagonia, Juan Fernandez Lobbe. But the triple signing seemed unusual, intriguing, and worthy of further investigation. Particularly after that intrepid reporter of all things Shark (Mike Bradley) had secured an interview with Western mail journalist Andy Howell to discuss the trio. Because Howell was downright negative. Controversial. "Ben Evans", he said, "his career has just gone into decline in the last few years". The verdict on Jon Bryant was "he's a basher". And Lee Thomas? "Jury's out on Lee as to whether he'll make it as a professional player." Ouch! Swanny's PR machine countered with PSA's quote "when the opportunity arises to strengthen the team with players who I know will fit into our group and will add a new dimension to my options, I will move to secure those players". Still perhaps the downbeat assessment weighed more heavily on supporters' minds.

The glimmer of light here was Philippe's comment that Lee Thomas "was very well known to my head coach, Kingsley Jones". It reminded us that PSA and KJ knew their onions, and were seemingly able to pluck good players from relative obscurity and maximise their potential. Remember Bruno's meteoric rise from ninth in the rankings to starting for 'Les Bleus'? Mark Taylor seemingly undervalued at Llanelli and shown the door? The same player who locked our midfield up tight throughout the season and who was bounced off by Tuilangi in the final yet determinedly hunted his opponent down?

We'd had many Welshmen at Sale before, most recently in the late 90s. Chief Exec Howard Thomas with Adrian Hadley (Team Manager), Jon Devereux, Richard Smith and Kevin Ellis. Not forgetting the nearly-Welshman Shane Howarth! But what had prompted this latest exodus? Why were they leaving the Valleys? Why drawn to Sale? Any truth in Andy Howell's pessimistic assessment? And what part did our own Welsh Pied Piper Kingsley Jones have in this emigration? Thus your intrepid correspondent attended the Sale press day, armed with a digital recorder and a list of questions, in an attempt to answer these questions. To find he was not the only one interested in our Welsh contingent - S4C were dragging them off left, right and centre for interview!

We'd tried to recruit Welsh players two seasons ago when the Celtic Warriors disbanded, and failed (although Sililo Martens came to us then). I asked Kingsley Jones what has changed in Welsh rugby to enable us to recruit the Welsh boys now? Our head coach confessed that the bid for Jenkins and Sidoli had started a bit late in the day, but admitted "they're often hard to get out of the valleys, the Welsh boys". He continued, "I think they've [the players] become almost frustrated with the regions, having only four regions now and a lot of good players in Wales and they don't get enough game time having only four teams". When the regions were evolving, "they thought that it would be ninety per cent Welsh players but obviously its not and Cardiff and Ospreys are well known for recruiting New Zealanders and South Africans and I think that the Welsh guys find it frustrating". Jon Bryant reinforced that opinion, "If you speak to most coaches now they are happy to go with experience rather than bringing the youngsters through, and that's what's happening. We've narrowed it down to four regions, which has narrowed opportunities". Lee Thomas cited lack of opportunity as a reason for moving, while Ben Evans felt constrained in the environment in South Wales, looking to move away from the parochialism.

Kingsley put into context the standing of Sale to Welsh players. "I think that they've looked at Sale in the last two years they see it as a great opportunity to play in one of the best clubs in England and possibly Europe". He added, "it's a fantastic chance to win something in their playing days". Ben Evans had considered others' recommendations, "the players, Mark Taylor, Sililo Martens I played with them down in Swansea. I played for the Barbarians with Steve Hanley and they said it was a good setup and a great environment to play in and train in. The facilities are second to none. The facilities here at Sale with the new training ground at Carrington, they knock spots off anything in Wales. It even rivals the National setup in the Vale of Glamorgan". Both Jon Bryant and Lee Thomas saw development opportunities with the players already here. Lee Thomas stressed the opportunity "to play with the likes of Charlie Hodgson, Jason Robinson, Mark Cueto, you can go on and on". Jon said that "coming to a club like this ... a club with quality players will allow me ... to develop my game", adding that, "Someone who I admire most is Alan Bateman 34 years of age [when he was] playing international rugby and still learning. I've got a lot of learning to do". Jon noted that the most difficult factor in his decision was persuading his wife!

And what of Andy Howell's estimation? Both the centres were measured in their answers, both saying that he was entitled to his opinion. Jon Bryant (the basher!) responded, "I like to think I've got a little more to my game and maybe its something that hasn't come first in the last few years because of the style of game that's been played by the various clubs I've been at. Hopefully the talent here and the coaches and players around me will develop and use the skills that I have got and [enable me to] use them more than I have". Lee Thomas had the light of battle in his eyes, "its been by far the best pre season I've had. I'm in the best shape I've been in, the quickest, the fittest, the strongest. I haven't got to prove anything to anyone, I know my ability, I'm confident in my ability. Wait and see". Our new tighthead was honest enough to confess "I don't know maybe, maybe I didn't challenge myself enough and that was one of the reasons for coming up here, so that I could start off with a clean slate".

So perhaps a spark of truth in the Western Mail man's evaluation, but perhaps, too, fanned in the hotbed that is Welsh rugby to wildfire proportions. Time to seek Kingsley's reaction to the question, "Ben, Lee and Jon were described by Andy Howell on "Talking Sharks" as "bit part players in Wales" and "not first teamers at their regions" - what did you and PSA see in the three players to encourage you to sign them?" Your reporter thought that perhaps he had made a mistake at this point. Kingsley's face tightened, his nostrils flared and became white-rimmed, and his voice hardened, all of which had your correspondent looking over his shoulder to assess his escape route! In very deliberate tones he replied, "Basically what we saw in the players, Ben Evans was behind two very good props at the Cardiff Blues, he's about 30 years old with 27 caps and hasn't played much rugby in the last two years. And its up to us to get the best out of him. A change of environment for the lad will do him the world of good. He's done very well in the pre-season tour. The same with Lee Thomas, has all the potential in the world, could be one of the best Welsh players we've seen, kicks goals, kicks the ball 60 metres out of hand he's got every spirit you can attribute, he's tough, he's brave. But again, he's got Robinson in front of him in Cardiff, he's got Stcherbina [plus Tom Shanklyn] and there's not many clubs to choose from. Jon Bryant's another player who's been messed around for the last two years and if people keep messing you around and don't pick you, you can lose your confidence. Three years ago I played with Jon Bryant at Pontypridd and I tell you now he was one of the best centres I've played with and he's still 29. So he's still got two or three years left in him, he's wants to prove himself, finish with a bang and win something".

He then disposed of Howell as a commentator, "To be honest I don't value Andy Howell's opinion. He's a mate of mine, I'm not stabbing him in the back, we've known each other a long time, before he was a reporter, but I saw the report on "Sharks" and it makes me wonder sometimes whether the guy works in that field to be honest". And his comeback, "Its up to us to prove him wrong, its up to these guys to prove him wrong. He's motivated me a little you can tell by my response, we want to prove him wrong. Hopefully they'll come through. Not all of the signings will come through, that's a fact of life. But I'm prepared to give them a chance". All of which convinced this reporter that he would not wish to be the player that missed a tackle in Kingsley's team!

The interviews moved on to less contentious topics. How had the pre-season gone? Ben, perhaps predictably, was gushing, "Loved it. I've worked with Nick Johnstone before and he's a talented guy, got a lot to offer and having worked with Nick four years ago now down at Swansea when we were both there, Nick's come on in leaps and bounds." Lee said that it was definitely the best pre-season he's done and it had been really enjoyable, while Jon also mentioned the enjoyment factor (Nick, you'd better find some new tortures!) and said, "there's a lot of work been done. Its been tough, very tough. I'm as fit as I've been for a while and the lightest I've been for a long long time, feeling fresh and ready to go".

And the French tour? Ben, again, specifically on the Biarritz game, "Playing with players like Lionel, Bruno, and they get excited about scrummaging, they love scrummaging, which appeals to me. I'm playing in a team that knows the worth of a strong scrum. We dominated over Biarritz, we dominated their scrum. Not me, trying to big myself up, we as a pack of forwards dominated." Both Jon and Lee mentioned the chance to bond with the squad, and the chance to play rugby with their new team mates. Kingsley was satisfied with the new boys' start, "The new players were really pleasing, really impressive. Really impressed with, difficult to single anyone out, but Lee Thomas, Chris Bell, Ben Evans, those guys. Ben Evans played 2 games played very well, Chris Bell fantastic. But not only that Chris Mayor, David Tait, guys who might not have had as many first team opportunities last season as they would have liked really took the opportunity and played outstandingly well, Chris Mayor in particular, Charlie was outstanding. It's a great thing for the squad. Keep the pressure and the competition in the squad and that's very very important. We need to be humble, we've won the championship, but we've got to start again."

Tongue in cheek, your reporter asked KJ if there were plans to limit future recruitment from Wales, in much the same way PSA limits himself to four of his compatriots. Kingsley took it seriously and answered that the Welsh boys spoke the same language as the majority of the squad, and therefore the same problems didn't apply. His musings led him onto why Wales was such a good recruiting ground. He said, "We've gone for the Welshmen at Sale but at the end of the day to be honest with you when you look at the quality of players we've got for the money that we can provide then that's the main reason for going into Wales to get them. If you could get the same quality of player in England and the same value we'll certainly look to that. We always look to recruit English players first, Chris Bell is a fantastic signing for us, he was an EPS player. We are looking to recruit English players first but I'll be honest, its not always the way we can get them and it seems they want more money and other clubs [will oblige]. We have a budget to work to. To be honest I'd have an Eskimo, if he can do the job we want, we'll take him".

So there it is. This particular Welsh emigration has taken place so that these boys can practise their rugby (and fill the Stockport streets with the sound of their accents - to be honest with you!) free from the pressures that the rugby environment in Wales can produce. Kingsley Jones is their leader, and his knowledge of the South Wales scene has persuaded these players to emigrate to a rugby union desert. He played with Jon Bryant, and Ben Evans knew some of the players and worked with Nick Johnstone before. Lee Thomas, the youngest of them, has taken the biggest step in the dark, although his talents are well known to KJ. The Sale club is a big attraction to the players, English champions, excellent facilities, talented players and coaches to work with and learn from, and the chance to develop their game and win silverware. And when they arrived, no doubt like their countrymen before them, they ran into the local Argentinians, Nacho and Juan! Quality and value - make Andy Howell eat his words, boys!

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