RIP Mark Orpin

Everyone at Wales Rugby League is sad to hear of the sudden passing of Mark Orpin, aged 35, who was most recently a coach for the Bridgend Blue Bulls’ U12 side. Mark helped to coach his Bridgend side as they won the WRL U12 Grand Final in 2023. Before coaching, he was also a player …

RIP Bill Arthur

Everyone at Wales Rugby League is saddened to hear about the passing of Sky Sports commentator and friend of WRL, Bill Arthur, following a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 68 years old. Sky Sports have reported that Bill died peacefully yesterday (Wednesday) surrounded by his family and inspired many with his courageous battle …

RIP Norman Dawkin

Wales Dragonhearts “original”, Norman Dawkin, who played in the first-ever international match in this category 30 years ago, has died aged 67 after a long battle with cancer. Heritage number 11 for the Dragonhearts, the representative side of the community game in Wales, his appearance against England on March 27, 1994 was his only capped …

RIP Gabriel Holt

Everyone at Wales Rugby League is shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of current Wales Students squad member Gabriel Holt, aged just 21. Gabriel currently played rugby league for Wigan St Patricks and the University of Central Lancashire and qualified for Wales via the heritage rule. He won three caps for Wales …

RIP Keith Barnes

Keith Barnes, one of the greatest Welsh-born rugby league players never to play for Wales, has died aged 89. Born in Port Talbot, Wales on 30 October 1934, he was 15 years old when his family emigrated to Australia in 1948 to Wollongong where Barnes learned rugby league at Wollongong High School, having only played …

RIP Lewis Jones

Former Wales Rugby League captain Lewis Jones has died aged 92 following a short illness.  His club Leeds Rhinos reported earlier today that he had passed away peacefully in his sleep after a short illness. He was Wales Rugby League’s oldest surviving international player. Benjamin Lewis Jones became Wales’ 24th captain when he led us …

RIP Bill Francis

We were sorry to hear that former Wales captain Bill Francis died this afternoon aged 76. Bill was Wales’ 30th captain, leading us six times, the first being against France in February 1977 against France, deputising for the injured Dai Watkins. He was the first heritage player to ever captain Wales. Born in Featherstone, he …

RIP Malcolm Price

We were sad to hear that former Great Britain international, the Welsh-born Malcolm Price, died yesterday aged 86. Malcolm played rugby league during a time where Wales played few games so he didn’t ever win a Wales RL cap. He was however capped twice by Great Britain, both on the Kangaroos tour in 1967, and …

RIP Dale Tucker

Everyone at Wales Rugby League was really shocked to hear about the sudden passing of former Wales Dragonhearts and Wales U19 international Dale Tucker, aged just 32. Hailing from Newport, Dale last played for Torfaen Tigers in 2021 and his last ever sports match was this recent Saturday when he turned out for Newport Saracens …

RIP Alec Martin

We were sad to hear about the passing of Cardiff Blue Dragons player Alexander “Alec” Martin, who lost his battle with cancer on the morning of December 11, aged 25. Alec was an integral part of the Wheelchair Rugby League side at Cardiff. He played just three games but was the club’s top try scorer …