Cardiff make Namibian centre Malan first summer signing
Rhodri Evans
Cardiff Rugby have made Namibian centre Le Roux Malan their first signing for next season, joining from South African side the Sharks.
Malan has played eight times for Cardiff’s United Rugby Championship, mainly in the centre, but he can also play on the wing.
The 27-year-old was born in Namibia and came through the Sharks academy before signing for Major League Rugby side the New England Free Jacks in 2022.
Malan won three consecutive Major League Rugby (MLR) titles, and he also had a stint in New Zealand with Hawke’s Bay.
Capped internationally for Namibia, Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl believes that Malan can add “a combination of his natural size and athleticism with a high skill set.”
“We are delighted to bring Le Roux to the Arms Park next season,” Van Zyl said.
“He has really improved his all-round game over the last few seasons – he has put in some impressive performances for the Sharks since joining them in November and stood out against us a few weeks ago.
“It’s an area where we needed some more strength in depth. He’s a big, physical boy, who has played international rugby and will push the standards, while he’s versatile enough to play 13, 12 and wing if needed.
“From watching him closely and speaking to people in South Africa, his work-rate is one of his biggest strengths, he has brilliant ball skills, he can finish and he can be physical.”
Malan had the option of to remain in South Africa but chose to join Cardiff instead.
“I’m really looking forward to joining Cardiff,” Malan said.
“I have always wanted to play my rugby abroad, especially in the UK so I am excited for the opportunity to learn a new style. I’m also someone who really values different cultures and embracing it, so I can’t wait to meet the Welsh people and form part of the club.
“From what I have heard the people are extremely humble, hard-working and friendly and those are qualities that I value and try to carry in my life.
“Also knowing the strong history of the club, seeing the upward trend in the last couple of years and hearing about the project, I am so excited to play my part.
“The project that Corniel (van Zyl) laid out is something that excites me. It is something I feel I can add value to, but I also believe I can learn and grow as a player and a human as well.
“Playing at the Arms Park is going to be very cool. It is such an historical ground and I can’t wait to represent the club.
“Cardiff is also a sports mad city, that’s something I am passionate about and looking forward to experiencing, I’ve also visited in the past and it is really beautiful place.
“So I’m just excited for this as an opportunity and to have such a life experience. I can’t wait to meet the boys, all the staff and of course the supporters. I’m so excited to get stuck in.”
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Andrew Haswell goes from car crash to Welsh title
Rhodri Evans
Andrew Haswell overcame a car crash to claim Welsh Men’s Open Stroke Play Championship, with a strong home showing by Welsh golfers.
Pyle and Kenfig member Sean David was third, with clubmates Tom Peet tied sixth and Tim Harry tied 12th.
Fellow Wales players Alex James, Royal Lytham and St Anne’s, was tied 10th, Newport’s Ieuan Phillips tied 12th, Celtic Manor’s Piers Murphy tied 15th, Cilgwyn’s Dion Regan 17th and Glynhir’s Iestyn McAvoy tied 18th.
Ormskirk golfer Haswell beat Formby’s Tom Hughes in a play-off. Haswell had two rounds of 70 over the weekend to make up lost ground, with scoring high across the board on the opening day.
Haswell was also involved in a car crash near the course on the Saturday morning when he was hit by a car going the opposite direction, so the weekend form demonstrated great resilience.
“It’s unbelievable – I’m speechless, it’s just unreal. I’ll wake up tomorrow and it’ll probably hit me then,” said Haswell after his win.
“I am made up to win, especially a national event. This tournament is up there with the big ones.
“I have been working really hard on my game, hitting a lot of balls. I knew what the score was coming down the stretch, I knew I had to keep my head right, keep putting on the pressure and hole the putts.
“I did that, so I am proud of myself for that. I loved the golf course, it was beautiful, I’ll be back. It is a great course, a tough test, especially on Thursday and Friday.”
About the accident on Saturday, he added, “I was going down the lane to the side of the clubhouse. I was going nice and slow and he came round the corner, drag-like, skidded and smashed into me, so I was pretty lucky to be playing the rest of the tournament really. I’m going to get my car sorted now!”
Wales Golf Competitions Manager Dan Fullager said, “Congratulations to Andrew, a strong weekend saw him through the title with Tom also playing so strongly.
“It was great to see so many home players challenging as well with nine Welsh players in the top 20.
“Pyle and Kenfig also put on a tremendous event, the course was a fair, but tough challenge. Earlier this year they won our Championship Venue of the Year Award, with this event as another example of just why that was.
“Thanks go to the staff and volunteers who did so much to make the event a success.”
Next up is the Welsh Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship at Aberdovey from April 30.
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Veteran tighthead signs new contract at Ospreys
Rhodri Evans
Ospreys have announced that veteran tighthead prop Tom Botha has signed a new contract at the club.
Botha has been a regular for the west Walian region since signing in 2018, making 161 appearances and scoring two tries.
A long-term cornerstone of the Ospreys’ scrum, the 35-year-old has been a key member of the squad and emerged as a fan favourite.
Botha joined Ospreys from Cheetahs, having previously played his entire career in South Africa.
“Ever since I joined the Ospreys, I have been made to feel welcome, this club has become a second home for me, so I’m happy to be continuing my career here,” Botha said.
“I have had the privilege of playing alongside and learning from some incredible players in my time here. I’m now in a position in my career where I can pass on that knowledge to some of the youngers boys coming through, whilst still giving my all on the field for this great club.”
“Tommy has been an incredible servant to the Ospreys and a key factor behind our set-piece success as a team in recent seasons,” head coach Mark Jones added.
“The fact he has managed to mount up as many appearances as he has, it speaks volumes about his availability and care for the team.”
“With the specialised nature of the tighthead position and the ever-growing influence of the scrum, the importance of quality in depth on that front is vital.
“We’ve got the ideal balance of experience and high-potential players coming through at three, so we’re excited by that department moving forward.”
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Reign coach Harvey eases Fishlock injury concerns
Rhodri Evans
Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey has provided a positive update on the injury suffered by Wales legend Jess Fishlock.
When Fishlock had to be stretchered off in the second half of Reign’s 3-0 defeat to Utah Royals on Saturday, there were fears that it would be last time the Wales legend played professional football.
Having retired from international duty last October, Fishlock announced last week that she would be hanging up her boots at the end of the current National Women’s Super League (NWSL) season.
Head coach Harvey said that despite initial concerns, Reign are hopeful Fishlock will return to action before the campaign ends in November.
“For the most part I think the fear at the moment and immediately after the game was that this might rule her out for the year,” she said.
“I think we are pretty positive that that’s not going to be the case, so that was the best news we could have had.”
Fishlock left the field with her head in her hands having landed awkwardly after she jumped to avoid a team-mate’s shot.
The NWSL regular season is due to end on 1 November, with the play-offs to come later that month.
“I know Jess very well,” Harvey added. “Her body reacts differently than most human beings, in a positive way, to injury and her recoveries are often quicker than most just because of who she is.
“But with this one we obviously want to make sure we do it right, we get her back safely. I think the summer break is probably a blessing in disguise in regards to timelines, so we’ll see.
“I think overall from how I felt when I saw it [happen] and what the initial fears were, I think everything has been positive after that.”
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Versatile back Jacob Beetham signs 'long-term' Cardiff deal
Rhodri Evans
Cardiff Rugby have announced that Jacob Beetham has signed a new “long term” contract to stay with the club.
The capital region added in their statement announcing the news that Wales international Beetham has attracted interest from clubs “inside and outside Wales.”
The 25-year-old has made his mark for Cardiff as a versatile option, capable of playing full back, centre, and on the wing, earning Wales honours in 2024.
Beetham has not yet added to his solitary international cap, but was a part of Steve Tandy’s recent squad for the 2026 Six Nations.
Beetham came through the ranks of Brecon RFC and Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfair- ym-Muallt, moving to Cardiff and Vale College for sixth form.
He progressed right through the Cardiff pathway and Wales age-grade systems and made his senior debut for the club in the infamous Covid-hit European clash with Toulouse in 2021.
Beetham has gone on to make 38 first team appearances and made his Wales debut in 2024.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign another contract with Cardiff and in the end, it was a really easy decision to make,” Beetham said.
“It’s my home club and I have loved being here with the first team this past five years. I love playing for Cardiff, at the Arms Park, where we have incredible support, and with some of my closest mates.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to push on in myself individually but also as a team. We have come a long way in the last few years, and it just shows now with this opportunity to make the URC play-offs and placing high in the rankings.
“We can continue to build on that, progressing game on game, and season and season. I can’t wait to carry on in and see where we can go as a team.”
“I’m excited for what the future holds for Jacob in blue and black,” Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl added.
“Not only is he very versatile but he is very good rugby player, with high skill level and knowledge of the game.
“He’s had a few injury issues in the past, which have prevented him from pushing on but he’s growing in consistency, adding to his game and pushing every week.
“He is enjoying some really good form at the moment and has settled well on the wing, which suits him with the way the game has developed.
“That versatility is invaluable to us and while it can be challenging at times for the individual, Jacob has the ability to nail his role in whatever position he plays.
“The next step is establishing himself as a certainty in our team and while he has had a taste with Wales, I am confident there is more to come.
“He is a great young player, who is diligent, professional and highly motivated and we are delighted to keep him here at the Arms Park.”
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Jack Walsh to leave Ospreys for France at end of season
Rhodri Evans
Ospreys have announced that Jack Walsh will leave the club at the end of the season to join Montauban in the French Pro14.
Walsh, who can play either full back or fly-half, has made 76 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2022, scoring 233 points in that time.
The United States-born player came through the academy system at the Waratahs in Australia, before signing for Exeter Chiefs in 2020.
Walsh moved to Ospreys two years later in order to play more regularly.
“This club means a lot to me, so this was an extremely tough decision for me to make,” Walsh said.
“I am incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent at the Ospreys, I’ve grown a lot as a player and a person since I joined the team, and I want to take this moment to thank everyone who has played a part in that.
“I have made lifelong friends, and the Osprey supporters have been amazing throughout my time at the region. I’ve loved my time in Wales, especially the people within it. I’d also like to thank Mark, the coaches and all the staff, it’s an amazing place to come to work every day.
“While it’s a bittersweet moment for me, I’m excited to embrace this opportunity and to test myself in a new environment. Until then, I’ll be giving my all on the pitch until the end of the season.”
“Walshy is a model professional and a great character so he will certainly be missed by everyone at the Ospreys,” head coach Mark Jones added.
“As a club, we did our best to keep him but he received an offer to test himself in different waters and we understand his motivations to pursue that opportunity.”
“Whilst Walshy will be a loss for us, we have already added some quality in Tom Rogers and it will also present more opportunity for our younger 15s coming through that we have high hopes for in an Ospreys jersey.”
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George North announces retirement from professional rugby
Rhodri Evans
Wales legend George North has announced that he is set to retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2025/26 season.
North, 34, played his last game for Wales in 2024, having won 121 caps.
The wing-turned-centre ended his international career with 47 tries – only behind Shane Williams in Wales’ all-time top try scoring list.
North toured Australia and New Zealand for the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017 respectively, and was a major part of the series win Down Under.
Born in England but raised as a Welsh speaker in Anglesey, North’s rugby career started at the Scarlets, playing just six senior games before being called up by Wales in 2010.
Following a stellar start in red, North won the Grand Slam in 2012 and Six Nations Championship in 2013, leading to him being picked for the Lions.
North provided two of the most memorable parts of the series, scoring the first Lions try vs Australia; a run from inside his own 10-metre line beating four players.
In the second test, his ‘fireman lift’ of Israel Folau while carrying the ball quickly went down in Lions folklore.
In the deciding match, North score his second try of the series as the Lions thrashed Australia 41-16 to secure a series victory.
North would tour with the Lions again in 2017, but not appear in the test series, while an ACL tear saw him ruled out of the 2021 tour of South Africa.
At club level, the 2013 series saw great interest in North’s services, especially from the big French clubs.
North eventually decided to sign for English Premiership side Northampton Saints, where he played for five seasons, winning the Premiership and European Challenge Cup titles in his first season at the club.
In 2018, he moved back to Wales to play for the Ospreys where he continued his shift towards outside centre.
During December 2023, North confirmed he would be leaving the Swansea Ospreys after the conclusion of the 2024 season, and would be playing rugby in the south of France for the second division team, Provence Rugby, after signing a two-year contract with the club.
Unfortunately he ruptured his Achilles in his final match for Wales against Italy in the Six Nations, and he did not play competitive rugby until January 2025, when he won his debut for Provence in the second tier of French rugby.
“I want to let you know that at the end of the season, I will be retiring. For me, it’s the right time,” North said in a video on social media.
“I have been able to live out my childhood dream for many seasons, playing with some of the best players, coaches and staff behind [the scenes].
“I can’t thank my family, my friends and you guys enough for the support you have shown me over the years. Honestly, it’s meant the world to me.”
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‘It’s a very frightening experience when somebody tells you that they’re going to hurt themselves’ - Mental health training rolled out in Welsh rugby clubs
Rhodri Evans
The Welsh Government has confirmed that mental health training will be provided to every rugby club in Wales following a successful roll out of the same training in football clubs.
Concerns have grown in recent years about the rising number of men who struggle with mental health issues and do not have the support network in place to help.
In Wales, the highest suicide rates are in men between the ages of 35 and 55, while the charity Samaritans reported that there were 6588 recorded deaths by suicide in the UK in 2022.
The cost, too, of each suicide in the UK is a staggering £1.46 million, costing the Welsh economy over £500 million that year.
The Government’s statement announcing the roll out of training courses also says that it is providing more than £2 million investment into the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Research at Swansea University.
The course itself is online and run by UK Coaching and mental health charity Mind, has already seen more than 400 football clubs across Wales signing up to take part.
Speaking at a male suicide prevention summit at Rodney Parade in Newport, Mental Health Minister Sarah Murphy urged rugby clubs to sign up to the training.
“It is crucial men have access to support before reaching crisis point,” the Minister said.
“Sport can play a valuable role in reaching men who are struggling with their mental health. We want more sports club to learn how to provide their players, teams and staff with support at an early stage.”
Organisations such as Dragons, Sport Wales, Samaritans, Mind, Lads and Dads, Heads Above The Waves, and 2Wish are among those who attended the male suicide prevention summit on February 26th, organised by the Welsh Government.
Also at the event was former Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall.
A legend of Welsh football, Southall played 92 times for his country and appeared in a staggering 751 games for Everton.
Since retiring, Southall has used his profile to speak openly about his own mental health struggles, both during and after his playing days.
Mind Games – Southall’s second book – mentions very little of his stellar career. Instead, the focus is on mental health, both in football and wider society. As he is well known for doing on social media, Southall uses his platform as a former elite footballer to shine a light on the important issues of the day.
At the mental health summit in Rodney Parade, he is typically candid about the challenges that need to be addressed.
“It’s blatantly obvious why it’s so important because suicide prevention is perhaps the most important thing in this mental health crisis,” Southall explained.
“I think it’s about awareness. I know in the past, the people that I have dealt with, that it’s a very frightening experience when somebody comes to you and says they’re going to hurt themselves. You don’t know where to go.
“So, the training is vital because you need to have a framework of things in order to be able to help when someone is vulnerable.
“People think that it’s a magical mystery that you’ve got to talk this kind of talk, but really, it’s got to be as natural as you can possibly make it because fundamentally it’s two people having a conversation and one’s trying to help the other.
“There’s nothing more fundamental than that. You need that sort of environment in the background to help the conversation go along.”
The roll out of training has a clear aim of trying to reach middle aged men in places where they feel comfortable and safe.
Often that means a rugby or football club, where they have strong connections and links to.
“This is what we’ve heard from men in our previous courses with football clubs,” Murphy added.
“A lot of people go to rugby clubs to unwind, these are their trusted spaces, where they are on a regular basis, amongst their friends and peers. We’ve already had huge success with rolling the training out across 400 football clubs and now we’re targeting rugby clubs too.
“It’s making a huge difference, because I do think that sometimes people can feel very uncomfortable, not only asking for help, but also when somebody comes to you and they say ‘I need help’, it’s really about understanding and being able to deal with it in the moment and help them get the more professional help, if necessary.”
Expanding mental health training to sports clubs is in line with the ambitions in Wales’ Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Strategy, which was launched last year and is designed to improve access to support and to reduce stigma.
Progress has been made in improving access to support services without the need for a referral with more than 230,000 people contacting the 111 press 2 mental health service since it was launched in Wales in 2022.
Outside of the already established network, this training is designed to reach people as the first responders to their mental health struggles.
“At the end of the day, it’s about trying to listen, work out what makes someone tick, and let them tell you whatever they want to, and just be there for them,” Southall added.
“That’s why we have doctors and psychologists. We’re not there to change their lives, but we can be there for them to get things off their chest.
“What I’ve found, is that a ‘good morning’ or a ‘good night’ can make all the difference. Just that. It doesn’t have to be anything else because people realise than that there’s somebody there looking out for them.
“Those two little words can make a massive difference.”
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Winners of Sustainability in Sport Fund announced as second round of £100k distributed to drive environment change
Rhodri Evans
Three members of the Welsh Sports Association have been awarded grants, and two further members have been partly funded, from the Sustainability in Sport Fund, enabling the launch of initiatives which will drive lasting environmental change within the sport and leisure sector in Wales.
For the second year, WSA has provided funding from its Green Fund Initiative, part of the Community Investment Programme, committing up to £100,000 of seed funding to support WSA members.
The initiative is in partnership with Admiral, and encourages participants to innovate activity, encourage collaboration and influence behaviour change to inspire a greener and cleaner approach to participation in community sport.
Following a rigorous shortlisting process from 25 strong applications, eight members were invited to Admiral’s headquarters in Cardiff on Monday 23rd March to pitch their ideas.
The WSA stated that the standard of applications was “brilliant from the outset,” and the passion with which the representatives of the eight shortlisted organisations spoke was great to witness.
Judging them were Matt Wintle, Head of Talent Acquisition and Development of Admiral Group; Caroline Carlin, Member Engagement Manager at BASIS; and Lynn Pamment, WSA Chair and a Trustee of the Welsh Sports Foundation.
After an inspirational day that showcased sport’s desire to create impactful change, Malpas Cricket Club, Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, and Triathlon Cymru were announced as this year’s recipients of the grants from the Sustainability in Sport Fund.
Malpas Cricket Club’s Rainwater Harvesting and Sustainable Pitch Irrigation project will conserve up to 150,000 litres of water annually by capturing and reusing rainwater through smart, sensor‑based irrigation.
This approach aims to protect soil health and reduce runoff, while supporting biodiversity.
Visible dashboards, educational signage, and workshops with schools and community groups will promote behavioural change and sustainability awareness, while collaboration with local organisations, businesses, and governing bodies will strengthen impact and support wider change across Wales.
Cardiff City FC Community Foundation’s Stadium of the Future project will develop 900 young sustainability advocates through a five‑day programme across 30 primary schools, challenging Year 6 pupils to design an eco‑friendly “Stadium of the Future.”
Learners will explore carbon reduction, renewable energy, circular design, low‑carbon materials and real‑world engineering, supported by digital learning through Minecraft and industry partnership with Willis Construction.
The programme will build environmental awareness at a pivotal age, promoting sustainable behaviours at home, in school and in the community.
Through hands‑on design, site visits and a final showcase, the project will strengthen green skills, align with the Curriculum for Wales, and encourage long‑term climate‑responsible mindsets.
Wales’ lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters are crucial for health, communities, and sport, but current monitoring misses key risks such as viruses and chemical contaminants.
Following incidents like the 2023 Sunderland triathlon norovirus outbreak, the Safer Blue Spaces Wales project from Swim Wales and Triathlon Cymru will assess real athlete exposure using wearable passive samplers, analyse viral, bacterial, and chemical hazards, and link exposure data with self‑reported health symptoms.
Results will inform a traffic‑light risk system, dashboards, and rapid communications for athletes and organisers.
Working with universities, fellow NGBs, and public bodies including NRW and PHW, the project will identify pollution hotspots, support targeted environmental action, and create evidence to improve water safety policy and long‑term blue-space resilience across Wales.
Meanwhile, Beicio Cymru and Gogledd Cymru Actif North Wales have received part funding for their projects.
Beicio Cymru plans to pilot the Learn to Ride: Your Transport, Your Life programme to support children – particularly those in deprived communities – gain essential cycling skills.
Combining digital resources, coaching, and structured pathways, the programme will train 24 new coaches and deliver 55 sessions across Newport, Cardiff and Wrexham, enabling 450 children to ride independently.
By building early confidence and linking cycling to real‑world travel, the project encourages long-term active transport habits, improving health, reducing emissions, and strengthening access to Bikeability training.
Gogledd Cymru Actif North Wales’ pilot will embed youth‑led climate leadership into rural sports clubs in North Wales, empowering young people to drive measurable environmental change.
Four to six clubs will recruit Youth Climate Sports Ambassadors who complete accredited Carbon Literacy training and use an AI carbon‑footprint calculator to assess emissions and create Sustainability Action Plans.
Ambassadors will lead initiatives such as kit swaps, low‑waste matches, energy‑saving campaigns, and travel‑reduction challenges, influencing behaviours across clubs, families, and communities.
Delivered through a partnership with Mon Actif, Byw’n Iach, M‑SParc and 42able, the pilot will test a scalable model for sustainable, youth‑powered sport in Wales.
“This year’s cohort have been genuinely inspiring,” Michelle Leavesley, Chief Sustainability Officer at Admiral, stated.
“Their drive to support their communities, paired with their environmental ambition, shows just how much positive change is possible when people come together with purpose.
“We’re proud to support the Sustainability in Sport Fund, which is helping turn great ideas into meaningful action, and it’s exciting to see Admiral’s Green Futures Fund enabling organisations across Wales to take tangible steps towards a more sustainable future.”]
“To have been able to deliver the Sustainability in Sport Fund with Admiral for a second year has been so special and incredibly exciting; we are once again immensely grateful to Admiral for facilitating this significant investment,” WSA CEO, Andrew Howard, added.
“It’s been fantastic to see the continued commitment across the breadth of WSA membership to driving environmental change and making a real impact within communities across Wales.
“Sport and leisure organisations have the power to influence so many wider agendas, and our determination and success are truly woven into the DNA of our sector. I’m delighted that Admiral recognises this and has placed their trust in our Membership.
“We would like to congratulate all of this year’s recipients for their successful applications, and look forward to seeing their exciting propositions come to life.”
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Analyst from Porthcawl who slept in his car for six months remembers incredible career
Rhodri Evans
Simon Norris, a rugby analyst from Porthcawl, sits down with Peter Ryan to reflect on his career in rugby and pick his all-time XV.
“I actually slept in my car for six months.”
Simon Norris’ story is one of commitment and the pursuit of purpose, the relentless drive to achieve a dream.
What began as a dream has carried Norris to silverware, lasting memories, and the chance to share the game with world-class talent.
A rugby analyst from the shores of Porthcawl, Norris arrived in the rugby world relatively late. Still, he has made quite an impact, from a Premiership title with the Exeter Chiefs under Rob Baxter to working with Pat Lam at Ashton Gate.
Chapters have been written on both sides of the boarder, and along the way he has built a wealth of knowledge. It’s no wonder he has crossed paths with the game’s greats.
As the conversation unfolded, Norris revealed his ultimate XV, a line-up filled with world-class talent. But assembling greatness is never simple, and every choice came with debate.
Simon Norris’ All-Time XV
- Ben Moon
- Luke Cowan-Dickie
- John Afoa
- Dean Mumm
- Geoff Parling
- Ted Hill
- Ben White
- Sam Simmonds
- Nic White
- Fin Smith / Gareth Steenson
- Duhan van der Merwe
- Semi Radradra
- Henry Slade
- George North
- Jack Nowell
Coaches
Head Coach: Rob Baxter
Attack Coach: Pat Lam
Defence Coach: Omar Mouneimne
Lineout Coach: Jonathan Thomas
Scrum Coach: Robin Cowling
Breaking down the forwards
The pack is littered with international players. The foundation lies in the front row: Ben Moon, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and John Afoa, all quality operators. Cowan-Dickie has established himself as one of the more consistent hookers in the game today, and Norris talks about what makes him so special.
“Luke is exactly the type of player you want to go into battle with,” he says.
“You know he will never let you down. He would die for the cause, an exceptional competitor. He also has a decent arm on him, and is not afraid to get stuck in, chop people down, and put his body on the line.
“He is the kind of player you hate playing against but love having on your team, so maybe he does go a bit under the radar. He gets on with his job.”
In the second row are Dean Mumm and Geoff Parling, who are as experienced as it gets in the engine room. The back row have all gone on to fantastic things in rugby.
Ben White has a special place in Norris’s heart, and for good reason.
“Ben White is another interesting one,” Norris reveals.
“I lived with him for six years. When I first went to Exeter, I was barely earning enough and actually slept in my car for six months. No one knew.
“Ben found out and offered me a place to stay for free, which says everything about him as a person.
“On the field, he had freakishly long arms, which made him great in the line-out. A very underrated player.”
He has a highly experienced pack, but he has also worked with players who create an electrifying backline.
The backs
Fly-half is where the toughest choice came for Norris. He has seen Fin Smith rise through the ranks at Worcester and has warm memories of Gareth Steenson lighting up Sandy Park. It was a difficult decision to say the least.
“At 10, it is such a tough position,” Norris explains.
“Fin Smith is one, and then someone like Gareth Steenson with an exceptional kicking game. I remember Smith at 18; he would stand up in team meetings and confidently present game plans to players in their 30s.
“You could tell he was special, really special. The best 10s see things others do not. They make the right decisions under pressure more often than not, and they are tough as well, even if they do not always look it.”
Some players need no introduction. Norris’s backline selections of Semi Radradra, Henry Slade, and George North speak volumes.
“Then you have players like Semi Radradra,” Norris adds.
“What a player, powerful, skilful, and a great person too. A true team player, he did things he did not have to and was always willing to help.
“Henry Slade is an exceptional talent. I lived with him when he was 18. A brilliant player, probably unlucky not to have even more recognition. His kicking game is phenomenal, and he reads the game so well.
“George North. I worked with him at 15, and you could tell straight away he was different. Not just physically, but mentally. He really wanted to learn and improve, which is not always common at that age.”
Of course, a rugby team is not just about the players on the pitch, and Norris has crossed paths with fantastic coaches.
Rob Baxter
The coach who gave Norris his chance is Rob Baxter, and Norris speaks very highly of him.
“As for coaches, Rob Baxter would be my head coach. He gave me my chance in rugby. He is honest, resilient, and built Exeter on strong values and good people.
“The best head coaches create leaders within the team. When players repeat your messages when you are not there, that is when you know it is working.”
The words “honest” and “resilient” stand out because they sum up how Norris goes about his business. Years of experience and proven success have forged an analyst whose voice carries real weight. When he speaks, it comes from a place of knowledge earned and tested.
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