Rhys Oakley
Encyclopedia
Rhys Oakley is a Welsh
international rugby union
footballer for Leeds Carnegie (known as the Tykes). His usual position is at number eight .
Oakley played in the Premiership for Bristol Rugby
, where he made 19 starts for the club. Following Bristol's relegation from the top-flight in 2003, he joined Newport Gwent Dragons
and made 50 appearances for Newport.
Oakley attained two Welsh caps in August 2003, making his debut for against in the World Cup
warm-up games in the back row alongside former Tyke Richard Parks
.
He also appeared for Wales in the Commonwealth Games
in Melbourne
in 2006 (15 March-26), being part of the squad who won the Plate competition in Sevens Rugby
.
Oakley joined the Tykes from Newport on a two-year deal, along with Newport team mate Leigh Hinton
, for the start of the National Division One 2006–07 season, making his debut against London Welsh at Headingley
on 3 September 2006.
Tykes,then director of rugby Stuart Lancaster
said at the time: "Rhys is a very talented young back-rower who will add a great deal to our squad.
"I was surprised that he was released by the Dragons but am delighted to have secured his services.
"I was impressed by his desire to be part of a new team and his drive to reach the top. He is a versatile player who can play anywhere in the back row and he will give us strength in depth going forward."
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
international rugby union
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...
footballer for Leeds Carnegie (known as the Tykes). His usual position is at number eight .
Oakley played in the Premiership for Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
, where he made 19 starts for the club. Following Bristol's relegation from the top-flight in 2003, he joined 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...
and made 50 appearances for Newport.
Oakley attained two Welsh caps in August 2003, making his debut for against in the World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
warm-up games in the back row alongside former Tyke Richard Parks
Richard Parks
Richard David Parks is a former Wales international rugby union player, representing Newport RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Leeds Tykes, Perpignan and Newport Gwent Dragons at club and regional level. In May 2009 he was forced to retire from rugby due to a shoulder injury...
.
He also appeared for Wales in the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 2006 (15 March-26), being part of the squad who won the Plate competition in Sevens Rugby
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
.
Oakley joined the Tykes from Newport on a two-year deal, along with Newport team mate Leigh Hinton
Leigh Hinton
Leigh Hinton is a rugby union footballer for Rugby Lions. His usual position is at full-back, although he can also play at centre....
, for the start of the National Division One 2006–07 season, making his debut against London Welsh at Headingley
Headingley Stadium
Headingley Stadium is a sporting complex in the Leeds suburb of Headingley in West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league team Leeds Rhinos and rugby union team Leeds Carnegie ....
on 3 September 2006.
Tykes,then director of rugby Stuart Lancaster
Stuart Lancaster (rugby)
Stuart Lancaster is the Head of Elite Player Development for the England Rugby Football Union.-Rugby career:...
said at the time: "Rhys is a very talented young back-rower who will add a great deal to our squad.
"I was surprised that he was released by the Dragons but am delighted to have secured his services.
"I was impressed by his desire to be part of a new team and his drive to reach the top. He is a versatile player who can play anywhere in the back row and he will give us strength in depth going forward."