Village teams which gave stars their start
The Rugby Paper|October 29, 2023
WHEN the Principality Stadium crowd rises to salute Leigh Halfpenny as he makes his final appearance on the international stage against the Barbarians this weekend, the fans should couple Gorseinon RFC in their applause.
Village teams which gave stars their start

That’s where Leigh’s love of rugby was first developed and he rose through the ranks with a certain Dan Biggar. Just behind them in the age groups was Ross Moriarty.

Leigh and Dan played together for Wales at U16, U18, U19, U20 and senior level, as well as touring together with the British & Irish Lions. Between them, they amassed 1,463 points for Wales and 72 more for the Lions.

They won 213 caps between them for Wales and seven more for the Lions. Take a bow, Gorseinon and one of their junior coaches Rob Steele, who steered them both through their junior ranks. Who says the club system in Wales is broken? If ever a village helped to raise two great players, then Gorseinon is that place.

They have been among the pin-up boys of Welsh rugby for almost 15 years and were part of an amazing crop of talent that came through together – Sam Warburton, Jonathan Davies, Rhys Webb and Justin Tipuric. Many others who played in the IRB Junior World Championships at U19 level in Belfast in 2007 and in the inaugural U20 tournament in Wales a year later also went on to play for Wales and become high-level professional players.

What we need now is for more clubs like Gorseinon who can mine the rich seam of talent that undoubtedly still exists in Wales. After all, Cwmtwrch nurtured Jac Morgan, Bridgend Sports set Dewi Lake on his way to senior honours and Pencoed recently added Sam Costelow and Tommy Reffell to a list of international players who started in their junior section – Gareth Thomas, Scott Gibbs, Gareth Cooper and Gavin Henson.

Esta historia es de la edición October 29, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 29, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE RUGBY PAPERVer todo
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024