Neath RFC

The Neath Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club that plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The home games are played in the stadium The Gnoll.

History

The Neath RFC was founded in 1871 and is the oldest Welsh Rugby Club. Despite its history, the club is not one of the founding members of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881. Why no representative of Neath at the meeting of the Welsh clubs was there, is still unclear. In the season 1882/83 the club was however added to the ranks of the Association.

2003 the WRU decided to set up five regional Welsh teams. These were made from the existing clubs. Neath Swansea RFC merged with and became the Ospreys. The two part- owners remained and continued to play in the Welsh Premier Division. In 2008, the club decided its stadium to share with the football club Neath AFC to promote modernization.

From the 2009/10 season the club at the British and Irish Cup, will take part in a competition for second-rate clubs.

Achievements

  • Welsh Premier Division: 1991, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
  • Welsh Cup winners: 1972, 1989, 1990, 2004, 2008, 2009

Well-known former players

Ospreys (rugby team) Duncan Jones (rugby player) Aberavon RFC Bedwas RFC Carmarthen Quins RFC Cross Keys RFC Llandovery RFC Llanelli RFC Newport RFC Pontypridd RFC
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