Ystrad Rhondda RFC
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| Full name | Ystrad Rhondda Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1884 | ||
| Location | Ystrad, Rhondda, Wales | ||
| Ground(s) | Gelligaled Park | ||
| Coach(es) | Bradley Hughes Dylan Jones Tom Heatherington | ||
| Captain(s) | Jarrad Llewellyn | ||
| Most caps | Nathan Hughes 420 | ||
| Top scorer | Rhys Truelove 1,000+ | ||
| League(s) | WRU Admiral Premiership | ||
| 2024-25 | 8th of 13 | ||
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| Official website | |||
| www | |||
Ystrad Rhondda Rugby Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Rygbi Ystrad Rhondda) is a Welsh rugby union team based in Ystrad in the Rhondda Valley. The club was founded in 1884.[1] Ystrad Rhondda RFC plays in the Welsh Rugby Union WRU Admiral Premiership.[2]
History
Foundation and Early Years
The club was founded in 1884 and has become one of the leading Rhondda Valley and Mid District clubs.[3] The earliest recorded match between Ystrad Rhondda and Pontypridd RFC took place on 24th September 1885, at Ystrad Rhondda, with Pontypridd winning by a goal, a try, and two touches down to nil.[4]
Willie Llewellyn began his rugby career at Ystrad Rhondda before moving to other clubs.[5] He played for Wales and was part of the team that defeated the All Blacks in 1905.[6]
Modern Era
Mike Griffiths is described as a product of Ystrad Rhondda RFC who returned to coach the club after his playing career.[7] He toured with the British & Irish Lions in 1989.[8]
Another product of the club is Alex Webber, who was on the World Sevens circuit with Wales between 2012-15.[9] After a period with Pontypridd RFC where he made 120 appearances and scored 69 tries,[10] Webber returned to Ystrad as player-coach and has made a significant impact both on and off the field.[11]
Ground
The club plays at Gelligaled Park. First laid out in the 1920s, the space includes playing fields for rugby and cricket, a children's play area, a skatepark and bowling green.[12]
Current squad and structure
The club currently runs a second XV plus two youth teams which attract talent from across the valley. They also have an excellent mini and junior section.[13] The club has junior teams, a youth side and a second XV.[9]
Notable long-serving players include Nathan Hughes, who played 420 times for Ystrad and retired at the end of the 2023-24 season after being with the club since he was 18.[9] Prolific outside-half Rhys Truelove has appeared in excess of 250 times and scored more than 1,000 points for the club.[14][9]
Current squad
[15] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
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Honours
Domestic
- WRU Division One East Central:
- Titles (1): 2017–18[13]
- WRU Division Two East:
- Titles (3): 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12[13]
- Welsh League Division 6 Central:
- Titles (1): 1994–95[13]
- WRU Championship Cup:
- Runners-up (1): 2022–23[16]
- WRU Swalec Plate:
- Winners (1): 2014–15
- Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy:
- Runners-up (1): 2014–15
- Mid District Cup:
- Winners (3): 1993–94, 2000–01, 2022–23[17]
- Runners-up (1): 2013–14
Notes
- All titles listed are at senior level unless otherwise stated
- Seasons shown reflect the Welsh rugby season format (e.g., 2022–23 represents the season spanning 2022 to 2023)
Notable players
Mike Griffiths 38 Wales caps, 1989 British Lion- Willie Llewellyn (20 caps)
References
- ^ "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
The Club was founded way back in 1884
- ^ "Welsh Rugby Is Back On Saturday . . . As The Admiral Premiership Returns". Dai Sport. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
The Club was founded way back in 1884 and has become one of the leading Rhondda Valley and Mid District Clubs
- ^ "Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypridd - Matchday Preview". Pontypridd RFC. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Wales 1905 v All Blacks Rugby Player Postcards". Rugby Relics. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
Willie Llewellyn scored four tries for Wales against England on his debut in 1899
- ^ "Springbok ace Dai Williams – the greatest wing Wales never capped". Welsh Rugby Union. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
Mike Griffiths, the former Wales and British Lion, is a product of the Club. After retiring from the game he returned to his roots and coached Ystrad through a very successful period in their proud history
- ^ "Tales from the back of the plane: A reporter's eye view of the 1989 Lions tour". RugbyPass. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Ystrad ready to go one better than last year at #RTP24". Welsh Rugby Union. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Leavers' report". Pontypridd RFC. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Webber turns back clock for Ystrad Rhondda". Welsh Rugby Union. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Gelligaled Park". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Ystrad Rhondda RFC Official Website". Ystrad Rhondda RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Team Sheet vs Neath". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Championship Cup final: Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypool". Welsh Rugby Union. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Truelove stars as Ystrad beat Bargoed". Welsh Rugby Union. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.