Call for Wales new boy, Andrew Coombs, to get his Grogg (From Campaign Series)

Call for Wales new boy, Dragon, Andrew Coombs, to get his Grogg

1:10pm Saturday 9th February 2013 in News

THE clamour has begun from Wales rugby fans for Andrew Coombs to receive one of Welsh rugby's biggest honours; to be turned into a Grogg.

The nine-inch works of art are almost as famous as the iconic red jersey, and are the pride and joy of many households across the country.

Welsh greats to have been cast into Grogg-dom range from the legendary Pontypool front-row to Barry John, Gavin Henson to Toby Faletau and the calls for Dragon Coombs to be the next have already begun.

Painstakingly crafted by Richard Hughes in his Pontypridd workshop, which doubles as a shrine to Welsh rugby, the hand-modelled clay likenesses take eight weeks to make, so a player's consistent performance is key before the modelling begins.

But Mr Hughes has no doubt the calls for a Coombs Grogg will only continue to grow if the Dragons second-row puts in a similar showing in Paris for Wales today.

"We've had calls for a Grogg of Andrew already, people are always excited when new players come into the side.

"We were all really impressed with Andrew against Ireland.

"We like to reward players for good performances so the message from the Grogg shop is to keep it up because we've got our eye on you," he joked.

Andrew's brother Ross, who plays for Newport RFC, laughed: "I think all the requests must have been from the family! It would be awesome to see one.

"They had better dust off the orange paint for the hair though. It's not been used since Martyn Williams."