Silence 'mistake' by rugby team

The Wales rugby team has apologised after continuing to train through the Armistice Day two-minute silence.

The squad were preparing for their clash with Samoa on Friday, but failed to stop at 1100 GMT.

The Welsh football team was also training at the same time at the venue in the Vale of Glamorgan, although they came to a halt to mark the silence.

In a statement, Welsh head coach Warren Gatland said he "sincerely apologised" for "an oversight on our part".

"This is simply something that was, wrongly, overlooked against the background of all that we have done already to show the ultimate respect in which we all hold this unique and special day," he said in a statement.

"There is not a man amongst this squad who does not have the maximum amount of respect for those who have lost their lives and those who continue to risk them for their country's cause"

"I know personally as a proud New Zealander all about the history of my own country's involvement in both world wars and there is not a man amongst this squad who does not have the maximum amount of respect for those who have lost their lives and those who continue to risk them for their country's cause.

"From myself and the entire squad please accept our sincerest apologies to anyone who has been offended by this oversight."

The WRU reinforced his apology, stating that it was "proud of its association with and observance of remembrance".

In a statement, it added: "The Wales squad were anxious to display their wholehearted support for Remembrance services by staging a minute's silence before the international against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

"They did this in the knowledge it would be shown live on network television and would help inform millions of people of their empathy with the principle of remembrance. It was something, to a man, they wanted to do.

"The squad have also made sure they wear poppies at all times, especially when engaged in public appearances, during their current time in camp as well as wearing embroidered poppies on their jerseys on match-day against New Zealand last weekend, together with the opposition."

A WRU spokesperson said staff did observe the two-minute silence on Wednesday, as did Wales players and management not involved in the training session at the Hensol resort complex.

"We apologise if anyone was offended by the team delaying their own observations of the formality of silence during this special and significant day," added the spokesperson.

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