Cardiff Blues welcome Exeter Chiefs to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time this Friday as the Blues take on the Chiefs in the second round of the LV=Cup, 7.30pm kick off.
Cardiff Blues welcome Exeter Chiefs to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time this Friday as the Blues take on the Chiefs in the second round of the LV=Cup, 7.30pm kick off.
There are a number of promotions available with children under 16 years of age being able to purchase tickets for only £1 and members of the Armed Forces being able to gain free entry to the match.
Cardiff Blues centre Dafydd Hewitt has returned to the Blues following his time training with the Welsh squad and is looking forward to the match,
“It was brilliant experience training with the Welsh squad and I was really happy to be called up,” explained Dafydd.
“It was nice to be considered and the training was a bit different to what we do at the Blues, in so much as I was training with players I’ve never trained with before from other regions, and the intensity was also a bit higher.”
“I hope that I’ve made the Welsh coaches a bit more aware of what I can do although I haven’t heard anything with regards to if I’ll be back training with the national squad again this autumn.”
“All I can do is try to play as well as I can for the Blues and hopefully they liked what they saw in training and I’ll be in the picture for the future.”
“I’ve always wanted to put on the red jersey, so it was nice to get that one step closer, it never hurts to train with the national squad.”
“Tom Shanklin was as good as gold looking after me and talking me through the moves and the running patterns.”
“It was good to have a familiar face up there to show me the ropes.”
“There are an abundance of quality centres in Wales, but with a few players injured it’s given the chance for people like me to have a go.”
Speaking of his Blues form Hewitt added,
“We have to take each game as it comes.”
“We felt we let ourselves and the fans down at the Scarlets game when we didn’t turn up, but it was a complete turnaround for the Aironi match, where we trained hard all week and picked up the win.”
“It wasn’t an easy match against Exeter in pre season although we did win.”
“I’m sure they will be coming up here determined to prove a point and they are doing well in the Aviva Premiership which will give them a bit of confidence.”
“Although it was a disappointing result again Bath, we can be pleased with the performance by a very young side.”
“The LV=Cup is a great opportunity for the young players to show what they can do and add depth to our team, they are keen to show what they can do which adds a bit of a buzz to training.”
Speaking of the Armed Forces for free ticket initative at the Exeter Chiefs games Hewitt added,
“I think it’s a great idea to give free tickets to members of the armed forces.”
“I’m from the Vale so know a lot of people who work at RAF St Athan and also have a few friends that are in the marines.”
“They are all huge rugby fans so it’s good that we can give something back and show our appreciation for what they are doing.”
“Hopefully we will also raise a lot of money for the 2010 Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes which are two very worth charities.”
Members of the Armed Forces can gain free entry to this Friday’s match as Cardiff Blues take on newly promoted Exeter Chiefs in the LV=Cup on Friday 12 November, 7.30pm kick off.
All members of the Armed Forces can gain free entry to the match simply by showing their ID cards at the ticket office on the day, or quoting their ID number when calling the Cardiff City Stadium Ticket Office on 0845 345 1400.
The Blues will be looking for a repeat performance against the Exeter Chiefs having already recorded a 26 point to 21 win over Exeter in a pre season friendly in Devon.
The Welsh Guards have already enjoyed a visit to the Cardiff City Stadium this season when they performed a demonstration to rapturous applause ahead of the Blues v Scarlets match in October.
The Cardiff Blues v Exeter chiefs match will also see a special collection being held for two service charities, the 2010 Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes.
The 2010 Poppy Appeal is about helping the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families – today and for the rest of their lives. The British Legion has committed £25 million to the Personnel Recovery Centres, including £12 million to The Royal British Legion Battle Back Challenge Centre, a facility being built to enhance the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel.
Since 2003 the Legion has helped more than 10,000 Serving, ex-Service and family members who are part of the Afghan and Iraq generation.
Help for Heroes was launched on 1st October 2007 with the initial aim of raising funds for the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court in Headley, Surrey. The new complex houses a gymnasium and full-sized swimming pool. Help for Heroes has provided £8M to build the Rehabilitation Complex which was opened by Prince William on 4 June 2010.
Help for Heroes has also donated £520,000 to the SSAFA Forces Help "Home from Home" appeal to provide a relatives house at Selly Oak Hospital and Headley Courtt allowing families can be close to their relatives while they are recovering.
The Blues will also be facing Exeter, Bath and the Ospreys in this year’s Anglo Welsh competition.