Byron Hayward
Encyclopedia
Byron Idris Hayward was an international rugby union
full back who played for Wales
and Wales A. He had an impressive debut for Wales scoring three tries in his first international match against Zimbabwe. Hayward caused controversy in 2000 by refusing to play against Scotland A in Bridgend because of the inclusion of foreign players Shane Howarth
and Brett Sinkinson
. This was in the heat of the Grannygate
scandal, both players claimed to have Welsh grandparents that would later be found to be false.
Byron Hayward started his rugby career at Newbridge RFC
. He mainly played his club rugby for Ebbw Vale RFC
but as the club went into administration he and fellow Welsh International and club captain Kingsley Jones were sold. He joined Llanelli RFC
but as he couldn't hold down a starting place would later move to Gloucester Rugby reuniting him with Kingsley Jones who had joined from Worcester RFC.
After Gloucester Rugby, Hayward moved north to play for the Sale Sharks
where he mainly played as an acting fly half. He returned to Welsh rugby with Welsh Premier Pontypool RFC
, spending three seasons with the Gwent club and helping 'Pooler' to win the Division 1 championship. He was later loaned out to Ebbw Vale RFC
where he was later made head coach. In January 2006 he was replaced by one cap England International Alex Codling
as coach despite Vale winning holiday derbies against Newport RFC and old club Pontypool. Today Hayward works as an academy fitness coach for the Newport Gwent Dragons
.
He is currently working as the Backs Coach back at Newbridge RFC in the Welsh Division 1 East.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
full back who played for Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
and Wales A. He had an impressive debut for Wales scoring three tries in his first international match against Zimbabwe. Hayward caused controversy in 2000 by refusing to play against Scotland A in Bridgend because of the inclusion of foreign players Shane Howarth
Shane Howarth
Shane Paul Howarth is a New Zealand born former international rugby union player who gained four caps and scored 54 points for the All Blacks before later switching allegiance to Wales, attaining 19 Welsh caps....
and Brett Sinkinson
Brett Sinkinson
Brett David Sinkinson is a New Zealand born rugby union player who played for the Wales national rugby union team. A flanker, he was known for his mobility and hard tackling...
. This was in the heat of the Grannygate
Grannygate
Grannygate is the name given to two different sporting scandals regarding eligibility of players for international matches. The rugby union version of Grannygate occurred in Wales in March 2000. The rugby league version occurred in New Zealand in 2006....
scandal, both players claimed to have Welsh grandparents that would later be found to be false.
Byron Hayward started his rugby career at Newbridge RFC
Newbridge RFC
Newbridge RFC are a Welsh rugby union club based in Newbridge, Caerphilly in South Wales. Newbridge RFC was formed in 1888 and gained admission to the WRU in 1911...
. He mainly played his club rugby for Ebbw Vale RFC
Ebbw Vale RFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby Football Club is a Welsh Rugby Union Club based in the town of Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The club currently play in the WRU Division One East and the SWALEC Cup. It also acts as a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons....
but as the club went into administration he and fellow Welsh International and club captain Kingsley Jones were sold. He joined Llanelli RFC
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
but as he couldn't hold down a starting place would later move to Gloucester Rugby reuniting him with Kingsley Jones who had joined from Worcester RFC.
After Gloucester Rugby, Hayward moved north to play for the Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
where he mainly played as an acting fly half. He returned to Welsh rugby with Welsh Premier Pontypool RFC
Pontypool RFC
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in the town of Pontypool. Pontypool RFC has a long history within Welsh rugby and is one of the most notable clubs, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, but disbanding before the turn of the 19th century...
, spending three seasons with the Gwent club and helping 'Pooler' to win the Division 1 championship. He was later loaned out to Ebbw Vale RFC
Ebbw Vale RFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby Football Club is a Welsh Rugby Union Club based in the town of Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The club currently play in the WRU Division One East and the SWALEC Cup. It also acts as a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons....
where he was later made head coach. In January 2006 he was replaced by one cap England International Alex Codling
Alex Codling
Alex Codling born 25 September 1973 in Lewisham is a former Rugby Union lock forward.He won his only cap for England under Sir Clive Woodward against in 2002. He is currently the Head of Sport at Trinity School in Shirley...
as coach despite Vale winning holiday derbies against Newport RFC and old club Pontypool. Today Hayward works as an academy fitness coach for the Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
.
He is currently working as the Backs Coach back at Newbridge RFC in the Welsh Division 1 East.