WREX room
The story so far
The Welsh Rugby EX – International room was created using a six figure sponsorship from drinks manufacturer Diageo GB.In just over 6 weeks, the room was transformed from an old store into one of the most comfortable and historic rooms in the Millennium Stadium. The walls are filled with pictures of famous Welsh Rugby greats and pictures of many Welsh teams from previous eras. There are separate sections for Grand Slam Winning teams, Triple Crown Winning teams and World Cup teams. There are also various items of memorabilia including a signed jersey of the famous 1976 Grand Slam winning team. The walls resemble a pictorial tour through the history of Welsh rugby form the first ever Welsh team through to modern day stars of the professional game. The room is a standing testament to the players that have contributed to Welsh rugby over the years and the deep history that we have so much to be proud of.
The Room was opened on the 23rd of November 2002 in advance of the Wales v New Zealand autumn international. The event was captured live on BBC Grandstand which broadcast live from the room that day. Gareth Edwards, the greatest Welsh international of all time, officially opened the room on this day which marked the official birth of the Welsh Rugby Former International Players Association.
The room has developed into the meeting point of all Ex-Internationals before and after every home Welsh match, and gives the players a chance to meet and talk about the days rugby events in a hassle free and comfortable environment.
The room has proved so popular that it has become the premier suite in the stadium being used by bands such as the Stereophonics and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers when they performing in the Millennium Stadium. The room has also been used by the Football Association of Wales for the players and wives before home football internationals. However the room continues to have a rugby theme running throughout, and its famous walls, is the envy of every other hospitality suite in the stadium. Just as the Millennium Stadium is the new spiritual home of Welsh Rugby, so to the WREX room is the spiritual home of the Welsh Rugby Former International Players Association.
The WRFIPA would like to thank Simon Oag and Phil May of Diageo and the tireless work of J.J.Williams and Peter Thomas in making the WREX room possible.
Mervyn Davies
Chairman
WRFIPA
