John Yapp
Encyclopedia
John Yapp is a Welsh international rugby union
player, currently with Cardiff Blues
. He first played for Cardiff
during the Christmas period in 2002. He made his first team debut against Ebbw Vale
on Boxing Day at the age of 18 years. Despite his young age he had featured in 17 of a possible 19 games by the end of the season. He had also been called-up to train with the Wales under-21 squad and seems certain to win honours with them in the next two seasons.
Yapp has represented Cardiff Youth and under-21s, winning cup and league medals and playing for Wales at under-19 level. Originally educated at Cowbridge Comprehensive School, he had first team experience with the Llantwit Major
and Pontypridd
clubs but is now a full-time Cardiff Blues
squad member.
Yapp won his first cap for Wales
as a substitute in the victory over England in the RBS 6 Nations in February 2005 during the teams Grand Slam
winning season.
In the summer of 2008 Yapp had discussions with club coach Dai Young
and national coach Warren Gatland
about the possibility of switching from loose head to tight head prop. He then headed out to Australia to play for Tuggeranong Vikings
during the Northern hemispheres off season in an effort to become familiar with his new role in the scrum, before returning to the Cardiff Blues
for the start of their domestic season.
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...
player, currently with Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
. He first played for Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
during the Christmas period in 2002. He made his first team debut against Ebbw Vale
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....
on Boxing Day at the age of 18 years. Despite his young age he had featured in 17 of a possible 19 games by the end of the season. He had also been called-up to train with the Wales under-21 squad and seems certain to win honours with them in the next two seasons.
Yapp has represented Cardiff Youth and under-21s, winning cup and league medals and playing for Wales at under-19 level. Originally educated at Cowbridge Comprehensive School, he had first team experience with the Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major RFC
Llantwit Major Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based in Llantwit Major in Wales. Llantwit Major RFC is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues....
and Pontypridd
Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, known as Ponty, are a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup, Principality Premiership, and are the current SWALEC Cup champions....
clubs but is now a full-time Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
squad member.
Yapp won his first cap 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...
as a substitute in the victory over England in the RBS 6 Nations in February 2005 during the teams Grand Slam
Grand Slam (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, a Grand Slam occurs when one team in the Six Nations Championship manages to beat all the others during one year's competition...
winning season.
In the summer of 2008 Yapp had discussions with club coach Dai Young
Dai Young
David "Dai" Young is a Welsh former rugby union and rugby league player, presently Director of Rugby at London Wasps.Born in Aberdare in 1967, Young lived in Penywaun for many years, and was regularly seen training with his father on the local sports field, now occupied by the Welsh-language...
and national coach Warren Gatland
Warren Gatland
Warren David Gatland is a former New Zealand rugby footballer and the current head coach of the Wales national team.Gatland was born in Hamilton, New Zealand and educated at Hamilton Boys' High School and Waikato University...
about the possibility of switching from loose head to tight head prop. He then headed out to Australia to play for Tuggeranong Vikings
Tuggeranong Vikings
The Tuggeranong Vikings are a rugby union club based in Tuggeranong, Australian Capital Territory. It is supported by 5 licensed clubs based in Wanniassa, Greenway, Conder, Chisholm and Narrabundah. The club has been successful in the local, and national competitions...
during the Northern hemispheres off season in an effort to become familiar with his new role in the scrum, before returning to the Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
for the start of their domestic season.