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RUGBY ace Colin Charvis has been passing on some of his intense knowledge of the game to Bahrain Rugby Club coaches as well as offering match-winning tips to the island's promising young players.
The former captain of the Wales national rugby union team dropped into the Saar club to join in a training session last Wednesday evening on the third anniversary of his world record-breaking scoring achievement.
He has been visiting Bahrain as part of his Middle East brief for venture capitalists Tag Capital Ventures, a company involved in projects from gold mining in Ecuador to renewable energy in Germany, and said: "I'm going to be spending a fair amount of time in the region, both on the business front and socially, and where better to make friends than at a rugby club.
"I had a fantastic time playing the game and enjoyed coaching and it's great to have the opportunity to put something back into the sport. It's all about passing on your knowledge and I'm confident that even if I'm only given 10 minutes I can help players with their game. It may only be a one per cent improvement but it could help secure vital points. Take the contact area as one example, more effective rucking can make all the difference in a game."
The wisdom of the Welsh wonder's words can be backed up with a distinguished playing pedigree. A back row forward, Charvis was equally adept as a flanker or as the No. 8.
Charvis, 38, became the world record try scorer for a forward in Test match rugby on November 24, 2007, against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, with his 22nd international try.
He began his club career with London Welsh while studying at Polytechnic of Central London. He stayed at the club until 1995, when he moved to Swansea RFC.
His first cap for Wales was in 1996 against Australia. He went on to become team captain for a period and toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. He also featured in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and captained Wales in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Charvis moved briefly to Tarbes in France and then to Newcastle Falcons in England whom he also captained. He subsequently joined the Newport Gwent Dragons.
After appearances against England, Scotland, Ireland and Italy in the 2006 RBS Six Nations Charvis had a spell away from the international scene.
However, his blistering form for the Dragons throughout the 2006-2007 season saw him named in the touring squad to Australia in May 2007.
Charvis was appointed to a player/coach role at Newport Gwent Dragons in July 2008. However, because of injuries amongst the playing squad he returned to the team, and as a result of his excellent form he played a number of matches during the 2008-09 season, but then hung up his boots in order to be full time forwards and defence coach. He parted company with the Dragons in late September.
Although based in Swansea his new business career will allow him to build rugby ties across the Gulf, and although he played in a charity fixture in Bahrain a couple of years ago, he said he was staggered by the recent massive investment in the club's facilities, particularly its artificial pitch of international standard.
"It's a fantastic club," said Charvis. "I'm very impressed - some of the first class clubs in Europe cannot boast one of these!"
Bahrain Rugby Club coaches Jim Rowack and Colin McLeod enjoyed discussing the finer aspects of the game with their distinguished visitor and officials said the club was looking forward to working with him again in the future. A friendly match was played at the weekend to give the new artificial turf a 'soft opening' and mark McLeod's departure from the island.
Club chairman Mehdi Honar said: "The lads really enjoyed their training sessions with Colin and the youngsters in particular were thrilled to mix it with one of the game's top names.
"It's exciting for everyone at the club to attract such inspirational characters and we look forward to seeing him again on his next visit to the region."
