AMBASSADORS OF THE UNION
By Glyn Rees, Chairman WWRU 2004
The idea of having a WWRU representative team was considered at the very outset and on 14th March 1931 the first ever WWRU XV played Llanelli RFC. Due to absence of records the next recorded fixture was against Pembrokeshire at Ammanford on 25th march 1948. From 1948 to 1957 regular fixtures were played against the "big clubs". During this period, the late Ieuan Evans (Amman United) (WRU President in 1991-92), created a record of no less than twenty appearances in WWRU colours. ironically, it was another Amman United player, Darrell Campbell, who broke this record during Ieuan's Presidential year, a record he proudly holds until this day.
Season 1952-53 was our busiest ever when we played nine matches. On Easter Monday, 1953, the team visited Bridgend RFC whose "Programme Notes" for the game indicate the regard with which the WWRU was held.
"We pay a very sincere welcome today to a Representative XV of the Strong West Wales Rugby Union, which has so far this season gained notable victories over Swansea(10-0), Pontypridd(17-3), Rhondda Mid District (12-0). Their only defeat has been at the hands of Maesteg(9-0)
In February 1955 history was made with a tour "Over the border" to Scotland where Musselburgh was played on the eve of the Scotland v Wales International. The experiment was never repeated however and after a game against Llanelli (Llanelli again!!) in September 1957 no games were arranged for a period of 8 years.
The team was eventually revived to play a combined Tumble/Tycroes XV in a special "Dennis Richards Memorial" match at Tycroes in September 1965, and from that moment onwards the team has appeared only on special occasions and only at the invitation of the host club.
From 1981 season onwards the W.W.R.U. XV helped many Clubs too numerous to list, to celebrate Centenaries, opening of Dressing Rooms, Clubhouses, etc.
In season 1984/85 the W.W.R.U. XV played the counties of Pembroke, Glamorgan and Carmarthen as warm up games towards a fixture in Spain, The fixture was granted to the W.W.R.U. by the the Welsh Rugby Union, The game was played at Stradey Park in April 1985 and the result was W.W.R.U. 30pts - Spain 13 pts.
Between 1988 and 1990 regular fixtures were played against the Welsh Districts XV
In 1990 another Tour was arranged and this was at the request of the Welsh Rugby Union. The Tour to North Wales and was to help to develop the game of Rugby Football in that area. The result being another fine win for the W.W.R.U. XV.
In 1990/91 season a request was received from Llanelli RFC to play at Stradey Park, again showing the strength and respect the First Class Clubs held for the West Wales Rugby Union. The result another fine win for the W.W.R.U. XV.
The most recent match was at the request of Gorseinon RFC on August Bank Holiday Monday 2002 to help raise funds for the Burns Unit at Morriston Hospital. One of the Gorseinon Committee, Peter Clements, was injured in an explosion at the Corus Steelworks, Port Talbot, when 3 men were killed and over 30 injured and spent a long period of time at the Burns Unit.