Prince William Cup

The Prince William Cup was created in 2007 by the WRU and celebrates 100 years of rugby union history between Wales and South Africa. It is named after the Vice Royal Patron of the WRU, Prince William of Wales, who presented the cup, amid much booing from the Millennium Stadium crowd, to the inaugural winners of the trophy in the inaugural Prince William Cup match held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 24th November 2007.

The Trophy

The trophy was chosen by Prince William, from three different designs presented by specialist jewelers. Mari Thomas, from Llanelli, and Nicola Palterman, from Neath won the commission to create the cup. The pair, who have exhibited their jewellery around the world from London to New York, claim the creation of the 55 cm high, 1.5 mm gauge trophy as their biggest and most elaborate creation to date.The Prince William Cup is elegantly designed, inspired by the landscapes of South Africa and Wales. The trophy is the ninth of its type in world rugby and was presented to the winner of the first clash by Prince William himself.

Controversy

The naming of the cup for Prince William has caused considerable controversy in Wales. Many people called on the WRU to rename the trophy in honour of Welsh international rugby star Ray Gravell, who died on 31 October 2007 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7078526.stm BBC Wales South West] ] . During a tribute to Gravell at the inaugural match the stadium announcer asked the crowd to remember Ray as 'gwir dywysog Cymru', a true prince of Wales. Gravell's funeral was attended by over 10,000 people, including Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of Wales. On-line petitions were launched. The matter was raised in the National Assembly for Wales by Helen Mary Jones AM backed by a number of other AMs [ [http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber/bus-chamber-third-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=64665&ds=11/2007 Welsh Assembly session 06.11.07] ] including Bethan Jenkins [ [http://bethanjenkins.blogspot.com/2007/11/renaming-prince-william-cup-to-ray.html Bethan Jenkins AM on Blogspot] ] . Amongst MPs, Labour MP Paul Flynn and Plaid's Adam Price MP called for the WRU to honour Ray Gravell as a patriotic Welshman rather than Prince William, regarded by many in Wales as an Englishman who openly supports the England rugby and football teams [ [http://www.adampriceblog.org.uk/adam-calls-rename-cup Adam Price MP calls on WRU to rename cup] ] (and is also president of England's football governing body, The Football Association).

Results

ee also

South Africa vs Wales in rugby union

References