Following an agreement with Ospreys Rugby, Menter Iaith Castell-nedd Port Talbot have been responsible for arranging bilingual articles which have appeared in every match programme.
Here are some of the most recent articles:-

Number 8…That’s the bus I used to catch to go down to Swansea to see the Scarlets playing the Jacks, or more often to see Glamorgan playing cricket in Saint Helens

I used to think that it depended on which side of the bridge you were born or raised on that made you support one team or another. Of course this isn’t true. It has never been true, and in this day and age, it never will be. There are Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons’ shirts to be seen everywhere, and the marketing team in each region doing their best to get one over on the neighbouring region.

There’s more then one bridge crossing the Loughor, and I was raised about a mile west from the one crossing the river in Pontardulais. I moved from Tumble to live in Fforest when I was just a young lad. I went to school in Hendy and then on to Llanelli Boys, and therefore there was only one team I was to support, and that team was going to be to the West of Loughor, because as every sensible person knows……West is Best

Things have changed since those days, but the healthy rivalry that exists between the Ospreys and Scarlets are rooted deep in those battles across the Loughor between Llanelli, Swansea and Neath.

Just think about the time when Swansea station was closed due to the Scarlets triumph at Saint Helen’s field. Yes, the home team got so worked up, they closed the gates and thousands of fans had to walk home. A few seasons earlier, the supporters of sosban town had bombarded Swansea’s train with all sorts of missiles after the Jacks’ victory at Stradey!! The days of the trains have stopped, and the days of catching the Number 8 have come to an end too. But while rugby is played in this little part of the world, let us hope that the healthy rivalry from both sides of the Loughor Bridge will continue until Judgment Day. Good luck to both teams today, and let hope the best team wins…. as long as that team is from the West………. of Loughor.

I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than watching the Blues 'flying' into the Ospreys, and the Ospreys turning 'Blue' trying to turn over the capital city side!

Always a difficult game to call - sometimes not much rugby is played, it can be frustrating and tense, always confrontational. But there's always an edge and a commitment that helps both my dad and I to forget about everything that's going on in the world. Its a release, its 80 minutes of nothing but rugby. Shouting - at the players, at each other! We both think we have all the answers, and could coach Wales! We love it!

If the fixture itself is not motivation, the realisation that in just over a month about 25 of the players on the Liberty pitch today, could be swapping their regional jumpers for a red one at 'Twickers ey what'. Lots of injuries, but that creates opportunities for others. Game on, play for the team, shine as an individual.

Today’s line up reminds me of one of my favourite fixtures as a kid.. The Probables v The Possibles. Do you remember those?! Roberts, Shanklin, Cooper, G Jenkins v Biggar, Hook, J Thomas and co. Pick your two sets of XV's..

Not much chance of that happening with the schedule as it is. The game is changing so rapidly, the players are huge and the "collisions" are genuinely dangerous.

S4C have a problem today too, when Jerry Collins tackles Jamie Roberts, how will they get the Ospreys mans "guns" and the Blues mans jaw in the same shot? It will have to be a wide angle lense..

Enjoy! And may I wish you all a happy and healthy 2010.

Geth

Ospreys V Northampton Saints is a fixture that would interest any rugby supporter, regardless of their allegiance, but it holds a special resonance in the Williams household due to the significance the 2 areas hold to us. I was very fortunate to play rugby both within the Region and for Northampton, and I have fond but fading memories of both- my first and last games of senior rugby happened in these places. Playing for Swansea and Neath was a dream for me. The Gnoll is where I went most Saturdays as a teenager.
When I walked out for the last game of my career at Franklins Gardens I remember looking at the board in the tunnel that you get to sign after playing your first victorious home game as a Saint. When I heard “When The Saints Go Marching In” from Jimmy’s End, I realised I’d been very, very privileged in the 16 seasons I had played– my pressing concern was what would I do on a Saturday afternoon from then on in.
But of greater significance to us is the life outside of rugby, and the moments we’ve had as a family. The Osprey region is where I was born and brought up, and discovered a passion for the game that has shaped the course of my life. Baglan will always be home for me- whether or not I can persuade the rest of the family to move there one day. I’ve come down the M4 with a few non-Welsh rugby teams over the years, and I would be the only one whose face lights up when catching a glimpse of the Corus Steelworks. It has been the best part of 10 years since we moved away, and to my children Alffi(11) and Anna(9) Northampton would probably be where they regard home. In spite of their ‘posh’ Northampton accents, both children consider themselves very much Welsh and proudly display their leeks and daffodils on March 1st.
Both places are, in many ways, very similar- they are what you would call ‘rugby towns’. Whereas this is the norm in South Wales, Northampton is probably the only place in England where you see more rugby shirts being worn around town than football. Both places have produced local players who have gone on to become world names and seem to be continuing that trend with the conveyor belt of future talent showing no sign of slowing down. These local players have, and are benefitting from playing alongside a long list of world famous names such as Justin Marshall, Jerry Collins and Filo Tiatia at the Ospreys and Bruce Reihana, Carlos Spencer and Tom Smith at the Saints.
Although this tournament is starting during the autumn international programme, and will be lacking many top names from each side, it will allow us to see the future of both teams and most likely a glimpse of internationals to come. So let the sparks fly tonight (well, I HAD to get one Nov 5 line in) and I will be able to jump on the bandwagon of whoever is triumphant tonight.

Steve Williams (Coach Neath RFC)

I have recently returned to Swansea after completing in what is regarded as the hardest footrace in the world - the Jungle Marathon. 222 self-sufficient kilometres in 7 days through the Amazon Forest in Brazil.

Up to 17 hours a day were spent in the heart of the jungle on my own fighting physical pain and mental battles. Around me elite athletes dropped like flies. Failure for me was not an option but for 60% of those competing it was their fate.

Having run 3,000miles in 15 months during training, I knew I was physically ready. Being mentally prepared was another thing. Fond memories kept me going, together with mutterings of ‘pain is temporary, quitting is forever’ and ‘Glory is not by never falling but the way we rise when we do fall’.

These mantras, over the years, have been used during some Sports' biggest victories of all time.

Being a Gowerton girl, I had not been given the choice over who to support - the All Whites were my brother and my heroes. Our father, together with his friend Derek, would religiously take us to Swansea’s lion’s den - St Helen’s RFC. Derek would go to the stand whilst the three of us would wait patiently on the Terraces for the roar of the crowd as our heroes sprinted out from the tunnel and into battle. For us, the enclosure was the place to be. Nothing beats the atmosphere of a full packed stadium.

My fondest rugby memory and a truly momentous victory which happened on November the 4th 1992. It was to become one of the greatest atmospheres St Helen’s would ever witness. 10,150 crammed into rickety but beautiful St Helen’s to watch the most famous day in Swansea RFC’s post-war history. The All Whites were about to face the World Champions Australia who fielded their Test side, whilst Swansea were missing a few of their key players.

The tension. The noise. The smell. Everything contributed to the amazing tense atmosphere that had been created prior to the whistle. Nobody noticed the mist and the rain.

Few gave Mike Ruddock’s men a chance. However, there was something special in the Swansea Bay air that day.

It was a true battle. Scott Gibbs and Garin Jenkins scoring with Aled Jenkins keeping the scoreboard ticking with two penalties, a drop goal and conversion.

The All Whites won a memorable victory. 21 – 6.

The pain that Tony Clement; Mark Titley, Kevin Hopkins, Scott Gibbs, Simon Davies; Aled Williams, Robert Jones; Chris Clark, Garin Jenkins, Keith Colclough, Paul Arnold, Richard Moriarty, Alan Reynolds, Richard Webster and Stuart Davies (capt) felt that day was temporary but the glory will stay with them forever. They beat the Wallabies.

On my return from the Amazon, there was an Ospreys ticket waiting for me. My father, brother and I, just like 18 years ago, still make that eager journey to the rugby stadium. Yes, Nothing beats the atmosphere of a fully packed stadium.

RIP Derek

Question & Answer
Name: Rhydian Roberts
D.O.B: 14/02/1983
Hometown: Sennybridge, Powys

1.How did you become interested in rugby?
I became interested rugby from about the age of 3. I think the desire to play was in the blood. My older brother played so I guess that helped. My Dad was also a huge fan of the sport.

2.What is your earliest memory of rugby?
Answer- watching Paul Thorburn kick a penalty from within his own half! I went outside into the nearest field to practice day and night, dreaming of one day playing for Wales!

3.Who were your rugby heroes whilst growing up?
I had a few role models over the years. I idolized Vainga Tuigamala, Jonah Lomu, Scott Gibbs. Basically all beef cakes with pace!

4.If you hadn’t had the injury that stopped your rugby career, where do you think you would be now?
Well I certainly would have continued to aspire to put on the red jersey! Whether it would of happened or not is another matter! Professional rugby player was the dream but then maybe I wouldn't have had the opportunity to be a singer, which I absolutely love doing. If the careers woman at school was anything to go by I would have ended being a nanny or a prison officer!!!

5.Will you be going to watch any of the 6 nation’s games this year?
I've left spaces in my diary to watch all of Wales’s matches. I had to cancel a gig I was supposed to be doing in California when I saw it clashed with Wales Vs England!

6.What do you think Wales’ chances are for the Grand Slam this year and who is their biggest threat?
As good as any I believe. So you think, so you act, so you become. We have the talent and a great coaching team so now it's a test of mental strength and the will to succeed. The Irish and the French are their biggest threat!

7.Who do you think will be Wales’ star player in this years’ tournament?
It doesn't really matter. As long as they play as a unit they'll all shine in the end when we pick up the trophy. That's all that counts!

8.How did it feel singing in front of thousands at the Millennium Stadium?
Amazing! Best arena in the world to sing. Nothing beats the millennium stadium!

9.Do you think the Ospreys have a chance of winning the league this year as well as the EDF and Heineken Cup?
I certainly hope so! I've put money on them this year!

10.Finally, and most importantly, who do you think will win today?
Apologies to any Leeds fans reading this but...Ospreys of course! I just hope it'll be a great game to watch for one and all.

This weekend’s games show how difficult it is for the players and supporters with the order of the season these days for the Welsh regions. The various competitions are so scattered by now that it’s almost impossible to know what is what, and this game tonight is an example of that. Munster, the Champions, here at the Liberty. A great occasion, as well as an important one. But this is the Ospreys’ first game in the Magners League since the end of October, five weeks ago, and their next one won’t be for another three weeks when the Ospreys visit Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day.

This weekend is only one draught of the Magners for all teams in the Celtic League, after a month on the international stage and on the threshold of a fortnight of important games in Europe; it’s also a dilemma for the coaches. Are there expectations for Ryan Jones and Alun Wyn Jones for example to be able to perform their best after four extremely physical international games in four weeks? The same question could be asked about Gethin Jenkins and Jamie Roberts with the Blues; Stephen Jones and Mathew Rees for the Scarlets and Luke Charteris with the Dragons. Obviously, there’s the option of resting them over this weekend to ensure they recover fully and are full of energy and enthusiasm once again as they face a crucial fortnight in the Europe Heineken Cup. On the other hand, the challenge of the Celtic League is much greater this year with the new order. All teams aiming for the top four positions in order to go on to the play off at the end of the season. For the Welsh teams – there’s the added factor of avoiding being the lowest of the four regions, or they won’t ensure a place in the main competition in Europe next season. Therefore, it’s important to concentrate on this weekend too, and the supporters are expecting to see the strongest team on the field every Saturday, especially welcoming a team as mighty and forceful as the Champions from Ireland.

What is the answer? Personally, this is the ideal situation: To play all the Celtic League games in the first few months of the season in order to finish by the end of January, after a gap for the three international games in November. Then start the European Cup and play these games all together in a space of time. The Six Nations would then end the season before venturing on the summer tour. This makes much more sense to me – some structure to the season so that everyone knows where they are; the excitement in various competitions increasing from Saturday to Saturday without a gap in between. Good idea? I would say so, but I doubt it will ever get accepted!

CHEATING has its own reward. If you can get away with it success and glory can be yours. Get caught and you will have to take the consequences and live with the shame of being burnt in the fiery aftermath of it all. Many of you have asked me since the scandal of ‘BLOODGATE’ did I know what was going on.
Yes I had my suspicions. When I saw Nick Evans warming up on the touchline I was quite aware that the only way he could come back on was for a blood replacement. But I didn’t think that they would take things so far to do so. Mind you in hindsight and a wonderful thing it is too, I should have been more vigilant and not taken the word of the Harlequins medical person as true, but I had no reason not to, after all I was brought up to always tell the truth, so why should I doubt anyone else’s integrity? Maybe I should have insisted on seeing the cut itself, but there again if he had said the cut was in a part of his mouth that was not visible, I certainly was not medically trained to rule otherwise.
None of us should imagine that cheating hasn’t, doesn’t and will not be a part of professional sport. It always has, is and whether we like it or not will. What about Andy Haden hurling himself out of the lineout against Wales in 1978 in an effort to earn the match winning penalty for New Zealand. Was this not cheating too? Or is it what others like to call gamesmanship, as long as it’s favours them or their team?
Looking back now I am glad that the drop goal attempt by Nick Evans did not go over, for it really would have been a mess. I have replayed that moment in my mind many times since, believe me, and my only regret is that I was not more aware of what was going on when Williams’ injury was brought to my attention, but I can assure you one thing, if I had seen the footage of Williams spitting blood and winking as he left the field I would have taken further action.
As a referee I am not bothered at all who wins the match I officiate in. All I am concerned with is that I have done my best and refereed both teams consistently and fairly, as long as I don’t make any glaring mistakes then the team who should win and deserves to win usually does so.
Rugby needed to take a stand here and show those involved in this type of dubious practice that it should not and would not be tolerated. Well done to ERC I say for dealing with it. I personally believe that the individuals involved have been dealt with properly. After all, if you live by the sword, you die by the sword.
Nigel’s autobiography ‘Half Time’ will be available in the shops from October 21st
The Welsh version ‘Hanner Amser’ is available to purchase now