Welsh Rugby Union : Newsroom : Edwards up for 'ultimate challenge'

Lions defensive coach Shaun Edwards has described the forthcoming three-Test series against world champions South Africa as 'the ultimate rugby challenge.'

"We have seven weeks to get together to play a team that has been together for almost seven years," said Edwards.

"It's the biggest thing I've ever been a part of in my coaching career. We know the Springboks are a very good side and they have huge depth in quality with great experience, speed and power from 1-15."

Edwards realises the task at hand and was left frustrated after seeing the Lions try-line breached on three occasions by a makeshift Royal XV in the opening game last Saturday.

"The one thing we know for sure is that we aren't going to win a Test series if we let in three tries a game against the Springboks," said Edwards.

"The players are just an extension of me really. If they miss a tackle I'm with them in spirit and body. I'm just like a player who has a bad game when I see my team concede tries - it hurts," he added.

The British Lions tackle the Golden Lions in Johannesburg this afternoon in their second match of the tour. The home side has a sprinkling of talented players with Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius a particular threat.

Meanwhile Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has announced a 28-man squad for the Test series which includes uncapped Blue Bulls fly half Morne Steyn and Lions No 10 Earl Rose.

Springbok Squad:
Forwards:
John Smit - Sharks - Captain
Victor Matfield - Vodacom Blue Bulls - Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker - Vodacom Western Province
Bakkies Botha - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Schalk Burger - Vodacom Western Province
Deon Carstens - Sharks
Bismarck du Plessis - Sharks
Ryan Kankowski - Sharks
Tendai Mtawarira - Sharks
Chiliboy Ralepelle - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Danie Rossouw - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Juan Smith - Vodacom Cheetahs
Pierre Spies - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Gurthrö Steenkamp - Vodacom Blue Bulls

Backs:
Jean de Villiers - Vodacom Western Province
Fourie du Preez - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Jaque Fourie - Xerox Lions
Bryan Habana - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Adi Jacobs - Sharks
Ricky Januarie - Vodacom Western Province
Odwa Ndungane - Sharks
Jongi Nokwe - Vodacom Cheetahs
Wynand Olivier - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Ruan Pienaar - Sharks
JP Pietersen - Sharks
Earl Rose - Xerox Lions
Frans Steyn - Sharks
Morné Steyn - Vodacom Blue Bulls

The Millennium Stadium will host the biggest beer festival in Wales when the inaugural 'W-Ales Beer Festival' comes to the iconic city-centre venue this summer (5-7 June).

Porthcawl recently received a WRU facilities grant and funding from Natwest RugbyForce in order to give their changing rooms a facelift. This came after receiving £10,000 in a WRU facilities grant last year to tarmac their car park. The improvements have already helped to make the club more accessible, not only for their own members and players but for the whole community.