Work In Progress

ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇꜱᴛ ʟɪᴏɴꜱ ꜱᴏᴜᴛʜ ᴀꜰʀɪᴄᴀ 1974

In the Summer of 1974, the British and Irish Lions toured South Africa and have since been hailed as the greatest touring side ever. Under the captaincy of the great Willie John McBride, the Lions won 21 of 22 matches and drew the last Test and therefore, remained unbeaten for the whole tour.

Famous for their “99” call, which was a pre-planned signal should any violence break out, ensured every member of the Lions team reacted immediately to defend their teammates. After the sometimes brutal tour of New Zealand, three years earlier, the Lions were determined not to be intimidated again. The dominance of their forwards and the brilliance of their backs eclipsed the great series win in New Zealand in 1971, prompting Dannie Craven to dub them “The Greatest team to visit South Africa”.

I remember, as a teenager, listening to each match live on the radio with my Dad. We used to lay out a pitch on the floor using random household items and try to imagine where the play was on the field. It’s hard to think something so momentous wasn’t screened live, but the memories of that tour are still seared in my memory, even if it involves salt and pepper pots!
 

I modelled this commemorative, four piece 50th anniversary figure in 2024 but unfortunately, we were unable to release it due to having committed ourselves to other projects, we were determined to honour.. However, perhaps happenstance has positively intervened and it’s fitting for such an important anniversary figure to be available in the year of another Lions tour.

It almost didn’t get made at all, as I struggled to choose from so many great players from each country, who represented the British and Irish Lions on that incredible tour, The decision occupied my thoughts for a long time and caused many a sleepless night. I’m sure the debate will rage on, but in the end I couldn’t let the 50th anniversary pass without paying my tribute to “The Invincibles”.

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17.9.2024

A Tribute to JPR 

Coming soon.

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9.9.2024

DEE & LAKE

Coming this Autumn

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19.1.2024

An update from Richards Studio

Riiioooo!

9" Rio Dyer takes shape. This piece will be launched for the Six Nations.

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15.8.2023

A sneak peek at Christmas!

Coblyn the Elf Dragon will feature in this year's Christmas Shop coming in October.

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24.5.2023

Sir Tom ~ Coming 7th June.

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6.2.2023

Update from the Studio

Richard is currently working on another milestone anniversary piece.

50 years ago this year Max Boyce recorded his legendary “Live at Treorchy” album and this  new limited edition of Max takes us back to that special moment in modern Welsh culture. The figure depicts Max with his acoustic guitar and a special commemorative inscription celebrating 50 years of “Hymns and Arias”!

Launching St Davids Day

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5.7.2022

History In The Making

 

Richard starts work on Wales World Cup Qualifing stars Ben Davies and Wayne Hennessey.

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29.4.2022

Richard continues work on Jaz Joyce.

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15.4.2022

Richard in early stages of Wales star Jasmine Joyce.

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Studio Update 25.10.21

Our Land of my Fathers Collection is growing, the new One for the Dust Miner is coming soon.

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Studio Update 7.6.2021

New Mini's on the scene

Coming to the Miniature Collection very soon are Wales' latest superstar Louis Rees-Zammit and 70's legend the one and only Tommy David. 

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Studio Update 14.5.2021

Richard gets to work on the Wales 2021 Championship piece, Alun Wyn Jones in his tracksuit worn to receive the Six Nations Trophy complete with Triple Crown. Please check back for further Work In Progress photos as the piece progresses over the coming weeks.

Reserve your edition now by placing a deposit here https://www.groggs.co.uk/wales-2021-championship-deposit-6-8-month-delay/p02382

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Studio Update 18.9.2020

*We know, we know* It's only September but we can't resist showing you our 2020 Christmas Decoration ~ Vintage Santa!

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Studio Update 25.8.2020

The return of another classic Grogg. Richard makes the finishing touches to All Blacks Legend Sir Colin 'Pinetree' Meads. He will be returning to the collection after nearly 40 years.

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Studio Update 8.8.2020

Coming soon.... The return of a classic Llanelli, Wales & Lions legend Delme Thomas.

To be available in both Llanelli & Wales.

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Studio Update 11.3.2020

Alongside Jake Ball Richard is also working on a new 9" Action Justin Tipuric and one of three upcoming new Minis, Ross Moriarty. 

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Studio Update 4.3.2020

Richards progress on 9" Limited Edition Jake Ball.

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Studio Update 7.1.2020

The shape of things to come! Richard has a few new year projects underway, one of which is Dragons & Wales star Aaron Wainwright. #NewYearGroggs

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Studio Update 20.8.2019

Snowmen play rugby right? ⛄️🏉
Richard gets to work on part 6 of our Christmas Decoration Collection, named Shane the Snowman. 
To be launched in our Christmas Shop in October.
#SorryNotSorryForMentioningChristmas

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Studio Update 13.8.2019

After extensive research & advice including Georgia Rugby themselves Richard has started work on a Wolf to represent Georgia in our Mascot Collection, it was a tough choice between the Lion & Wolf but Richard likes a new challenge so the Wolf won this race. It'll be the 18th Mascot in the ongoing collection.

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Studio Update 5.6.19

Aside from delving into 54 years of Grogg history for Book planning Richard has been working on a 9" & Mini of Rob Evans & a Mini Cory Hill, all coming soon.

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Studio Update 1.5.19

Richard can’t put off working on Cory’s scrum cap any longer ⏳

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Update on Grand Slam Alun Wyn Jones 20.4.19

Richard has completed his work on the Grand Slam Alun Wyn piece and after a succesful firing we will be sending him to production to be moulded. We hope to see a finished piece within 3 weeks so keep watching!

 

📣Update from Richard's Studio 22.3.19

Progress on the Alun Wyn & Cup is well underway & keeping Richard very busy! 
We have now sold out of the edition for this piece and due to the volume of names on the reserve list we will not be taking any more names to add to the list, the possibility is just too unlikely. Many apologies.

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📣Update from Richards Studio 5.3.2019

Richard is in the process of 'roughing up' a trio of heroes from Wales' momentous victory over England last month.
*no pre orders* keep watching for updates!
↖️ Josh Adams ➡️ Cory Hill ↙️ Rob Evans

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Perfect Day Revisited

One of the many new projects Richard is working on at the moment is a new figure celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of the greatest games ever played between Wales and England in the old Five Nations.

On the 11th of April 1999 Wales hosted a strong England side at Wembley while the new stadium was being built in Cardiff. England were one win away from becoming the last Grand Slam Champions of the century and the old Five Nations while Wales had struggled to find form in the Five Nations under their new coach Graham Henry. Wales had however just defeated France for the first time in Paris for 25 years in a thrilling encounter, so the stage was set for a classic. England started strongly and were three tries to the good by half time while wales kept in touch with the man of the hour, Neil Jenkins’ impeccable goal kicking. The signs were ominous however as the game went on and England had stretched their lead to six points late in the game when their Captain made the unusual decision to kick for the corner instead of pushing their lead to 9 points and securing victory. The ensuing line out was turned over and England themselves conceded a penalty to give Wales one last chance. Neil Jenkins put his side on the English 25-yard line and from the line out Scott Gibbs scored one the greatest tries ever seen in the Championship. Bursting through England’s front line defence he bounced through three more tackles diving dramatically over the line to put Wales within one point of victory. At this point legend has it that Neil Jenkins commented that Scott could have run around under the posts to make his conversion easier and Scott calmly replied “just ******* kick it”. Neil hadn’t missed a kick all day prompting Graham Henry to say "l have never seen a kicking display better than that. If the posts had been two metres apart instead of ten, Neil Jenkins would have still kicked all his points”. Neil promptly added two more and Wales had the slimmest of leads. They held on to deny England the grand slam and handing the championship to Scotland. The confidence gained from that momentous win enabled Wales to go on a winning streak of ten consecutive matches including a first ever test series win in Argentina.

This New Neil Jenkins figure shows him preparing to convert the try in his oversized shirt and mentally coaxing the ball through the post with his famous hand gesture. The Limited Edition will be titled “Perfect Day Revisited” and will bear an inscription marking the 20th anniversary of that remarkable day.

Richard & John celebrate 'that win' at Wembley 1999 - many thanks to the lovely English fan who had the generosity of spirit to take this pic! 

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Studio Update 16.1.2019

With the Six Nations fast approaching Richard has been working on the first pieces of 2019, Scarlets & Wales Scrum Half Gareth Davies and new Mini's to follow - can you tell who they are yet!

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Studio Update 26.10.2018

Richard makes a start on a few new projects for before and after Christmas. Can you tell who it is yet?

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Studio Update 24.9.2018

Richard has made steady progress this week with Moriarty and Barrett

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Studio Update 11.9.2018

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett and Wales' Ross Moriarty take shape.

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Studio Update 14.8.2018

Geraint Thomas

 

We have been overwhelmed by your emails, calls and tweets so thank you for your continued interest for a Geraint Thomas Grogg. Richard has made some early progress but at this point we have no release date, price or idea on how many will be made but as Max Boyce said

“Now the Groggshop up in Ponty, are working night and day

But people are complaining, there's such a long delay

The kilns are full of Geraints, with a Welsh flag shouldered high

But people have to understand, his hair takes time to dry”

We are not taking pre-orders but we will keep you updated as often as possible, so please be patient and keep watching!

   

Quote from 'A Boy Who Climbed A Mountain' by Max Boyce

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Studio Update 27.4.2018

Work begins on Blues & Wales back row Josh Navidi. Coming soon in both 9" Ltd Ed & Mini. No pre orders are being taken.

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Update from Richard's Studio 

10.4.2018

 

Reflecting on the Six Nations Richard has started working on some new 9" figures. With so many new faces holding their hands up for Grogg selection this is just the tip of the iceberg but Conor Murray and Aaron Shingler are a great place to start.

Ken Owens is making an appearance in the Mini range and Richard has also managed to rescue the David Bowie he began in 2016 and Richard is determined to finish his musical hero this time!

*No pre-orders are being taken, please keep watching for further updates*

Return of the Thin White Duke

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Richard's Studio Update 7.3.2018

Finishing touches to Foxy's hat are underway, Richard's favourite job 

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Richard's Studio Update 16.1.2018

Richard progresses with Glasgow, Scotland and British & Irish Lions Superstar Full Back. Hopefully ready to order during the Six Nations so keep watching. *No pre-orders*

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Richard's Studio 13.9.2017

In recognition of his outstanding Lions Tour Richard has started work on a new 9" Jonathan Davies. This completely new piece will be available in Lions Strip bearing an inscription commemorating "Foxy's" Man of the Series performance... and yes... this one WILL feature his famous scrum cap!

This piece is not due for completion this year so won't be available for Christmas, please keep watching for updates. 

Meanwhile the Christmas Mini is almost complete, can you tell who it is?

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Richard's Studio 4.8.2017

Richard gets started on 3 new figures. Can you tell who they are yet?

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Richard's Studio 4.4.2017

Richard gets to grips with two new prominent figures from the Six Nations 2017. Can you guess who they are?

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Richard's Studio 17.3.2017

Rory Best

Richard puts the finishing touches to Irish Captain Rory Best. Keep watching for the launch in the next 3-4 weeks. No pre-orders are bring taken. 

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'The Devil is in the detail' 
Richard gets to grips with Mathieu's dreadlocks.

*No pre-orders are being taken, please keep watching for details.

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Richard's Studio 24.12.2016

2017 Groggs taking shape!

*No pre-orders are being taken at this time. Please keep watching for updates. 

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Gareth Bale

1st Sept 2016

Richard puts the finishing touches to the New 9" Limited Edition Gareth Bale. 

This figure is now complete and orders can be placed here

   

 

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Joe Allen

28.6.16

Richard is loving working on his latest project. 

22.6.2016

After Wales' momentus victory over Russia Richard, as promised, starts work on the Supporters MOTM Joe Allen. #GroggsLoveJoeAllen

*Please be aware we are not taking pre-orders on this piece currently.*

Ayumu Goromaru

 

Richards’s tribute to the fantastic Japanese rugby team who did so much to bring the Rugby World Cup 2015 to life with their incredible victory over the mighty Springboks in September, is their inspirational full back Ayumu Goromaru. We haven’t made a Japanese Player since Yuji Matsuo in the 1980’s but Richard has had endless pleas from the many Japanese supporters who visited us he felt it was time to change that. Ayuma’s iconic pose will make a fantastic Grogg (if not a little complicated to paint!) and will help to illustrate the great contribution Japan and the second tier nations have made to this fabulous World Cup.

Pre-orders can be sent to info@groggs.co.uk with a name and telephone number.

*Please be aware has been completed but we are aiming for a Summer release –  No price decided until completion.

Past Projects from Richards Studio

  

Warren Gatland

  

Scott Williams, Alun Wyn Jones & Richie McCaw

  

Uruguay Lapwing Mascot

  

Miniature Liam Williams & Dan Biggar, Johnny Sexton.

   

Dan Biggar & Rhys Webb

  

Luke Charteris, Sonny Bill Williams & George North.

  

Liam Williams, Sam Warburton & Jamie Roberts.

 

 

Field of Dreams ~ 50th Anniversary.