A TRIO of former Newcastle Emlyn players have been in action for Wales on their summer tour to New Zealand, with all three starting the match against the Chiefs at the FMG Stadium in Waikato, Hamilton on Tuesday.
Cardiff Blues’ back rower and Player of the Year Josh Turnbull joined the Scarlets duo of scrum half Gareth Davies and centre Scott Williams in the Welsh line-up - and this was the first time that all three players have started together for their country.
Emlyn secretary Chris Jones said: “We are naturally always pleased when one of our boys plays for Wales, but we are delighted by the fact that all three were starting together for the very first time in a Wales jersey, especially as they all came through the junior ranks at Newcastle Emlyn.
“As a club are very proud of the fact that the three of them are representing their country out in New Zealand.”
Turnbull started as blindside flanker on Tuesday, with Sam Warburton being brought in at open-side, with James King starting at number eight.
Davies was joined by Rhys Priestland at half-back, with Williams partnering Tyler Morgan in the midfield.
Warren Gatland’s side, however, was humbled by the Super Rugby giants in his hometown of Hamilton as they were outscored by six tries to one in a 40-7 defeat against the Chiefs.
In a dismal first-half, the Chiefs built up a 21-0 lead, as Wales squandered three chances to score tries, and although the visitors dominated the second-half in terms of territory and possession, they could only manage a single try from a driving lineout for replacement hooker Kristian Dacey.
"We'll have to look at our game because the standard of the Welsh jersey wasn't good enough," said Turnbull."We'll all have to look at that and take responsibility for it because it wasn't good enough."Scrum-half Gareth Davies added that Wales have "no excuses" following the defeat in Hamilton."No-one's played well enough to put their hands up to start at the weekend," Davies said."We've been with each other day in, day out training so we can't really blame that."We've got to take a good look at ourselves in the review and we've got a big day's training on Thursday. We've got to look forward to that now."Meanwhile Newcastle Emlyn duo Davies and Williams had both come on as replacements in the first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park, Aukland on Saturday, where the All Blacks pulled away to triumph 39-21.
Wales had led 21-18 after an hour, with Taulupe Faletau and Rhys Webb scoring tries, along with three penalties and a conversion by Dan Bigger, but the World Champions then scored 21 unanswered points in the final quarter to overpower the visitors.
The second Test against New Zealand is in Wellington on Saturday.