We were sad to learn about the passing of Gordon Pritchard today (Saturday 17 May) at 12.35pm following an illness, aged 70. Gordon won three caps for Wales, the first two in 1978 against France and England, and the other in 1981 against England. Gordon started playing rugby union for Cardiff in 1973 before playing …
We were sad to hear that our former World Cup player Frank Wilson, sadly passed away early on Friday morning at the age of 80. Frank played for Wales in the 1975 World Championship which included the infamous 1975 “Battle of Brisbane” win over England. It was one of his 14 caps for Wales after …
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 …
It was with the greatest sadness to report that our former international player John Cheshire died on 4th September, at the age of 91. He was our oldest surviving player. Born in Wattsville, Cross Keys, Wales, in 1933, John first took up rugby union, before signing for Salford from his local club, Cross Keys, in …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
We were sorry to learn about the sudden passing of our former international Mark Moran at the age of 59. Mark played for Wales via the heritage rule. Hailing from Widnes. he was a product of the Simms Cross club. He also played at Wembley in 1975 in the traditional U12s curtain-raiser to the Challenge Cup …
