Rhys Williams (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Gethin Rhys Williams is a Welsh rugby union
player who played for Cardiff Blues
and won 44 caps for the Wales national rugby union team
as a full-back and winger. During the 2005-2006 season Williams was the captain of the Cardiff Blues.
Educated at Ysgol Iolo Morganwg (the Welsh-medium primary school in Cowbridge) and Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Rhys Williams is a versatile back, who has played at wing, centre and full back for Cardiff Blues, although full-back is his preferred position. He played here when helping Cardiff RFC
win the Welsh-Scottish League title in 1999.
He represented Wales at all age levels from Under 16 to Under 21, and played in the Youth World Cup in 1999 when Wales reached the final, losing to New Zealand along with fellow Cardiff Blues player Jamie Robinson
. He made his debut for the full national side in a Six Nations Championship
match against Ireland
in Dublin in 2000, playing at full-back.
In the early part of the 2005 Six Nations, Williams was out of the Wales side with thumb ligament damage, but came on as a substitute against France
when Gareth Thomas
was injured. He did well enough to earn a place in the starting lineup as a winger in the following match against Scotland
, with Kevin Morgan
moving to full-back. Rhys scored two tries, including an 80 metre effort following an interception. He missed the final match of the campaign against Ireland through injury.
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 who played for 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....
and won 44 caps for the Wales national rugby union team
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 full-back and winger. During the 2005-2006 season Williams was the captain of the Cardiff Blues.
Educated at Ysgol Iolo Morganwg (the Welsh-medium primary school in Cowbridge) and Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Rhys Williams is a versatile back, who has played at wing, centre and full back for Cardiff Blues, although full-back is his preferred position. He played here when helping Cardiff RFC
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...
win the Welsh-Scottish League title in 1999.
He represented Wales at all age levels from Under 16 to Under 21, and played in the Youth World Cup in 1999 when Wales reached the final, losing to New Zealand along with fellow Cardiff Blues player Jamie Robinson
Jamie Robinson
Jamie Peter Robinson is a Wales international rugby union footballer who currently plays for Agen at outside centre. He attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf with younger brother Nick Robinson. He is known for his saloon door defence, blistering pace and ability to beat defenders.Robinson came to...
. He made his debut for the full national side in a Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
match against Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
in Dublin in 2000, playing at full-back.
In the early part of the 2005 Six Nations, Williams was out of the Wales side with thumb ligament damage, but came on as a substitute against France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
when Gareth Thomas
Gareth Thomas (rugby player)
Gareth Thomas , known as Alfie, is a retired Welsh professional rugby footballer who played rugby league for the Crusaders RL in the Super League. He also previously played rugby union for the Cardiff Blues and as a fullback, wing or centre.On 26 May 2007, Thomas surpassed Gareth Llewellyn as the...
was injured. He did well enough to earn a place in the starting lineup as a winger in the following match against Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, with Kevin Morgan
Kevin Morgan
Kevin Andrew Morgan is a Welsh rugby union player who has won 48 caps for the Wales national rugby union team, mainly at full back but also on the wing.-Education:...
moving to full-back. Rhys scored two tries, including an 80 metre effort following an interception. He missed the final match of the campaign against Ireland through injury.