Ystrad Rhondda RFC

Ystrad Rhondda RFC
Full nameYstrad Rhondda Rugby Football Club
Founded1884; 141 years ago (1884)
LocationYstrad, Rhondda, Wales
Ground(s)Gelligaled Park
Coach(es)Bradley Hughes
Dylan Jones
Tom Heatherington
Captain(s)Jarrad Llewellyn
Most capsNathan Hughes
420
Top scorerRhys Truelove
1,000+
League(s)WRU Admiral Premiership
2024-258th of 13
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.ystradrhondda.rfc.wales

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

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Foundation and Early Years

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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]

Ystrad Rhondda RFC squad, taken for the 1931-32 season

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

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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

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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

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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

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[15] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Liam Wiggins Hooker Wales Wales
Gareth Williams Hooker Wales Wales
Tom Stacey Prop Wales Wales
Tom Foulkes Prop Wales Wales
Owain Davies Prop Wales Wales
Nathan English Prop Wales Wales
Jack Buckle Lock Wales Wales
Morgan Burgess Lock Wales Wales
Mason Williams Back row Wales Wales
Kelly Jones Back row Wales Wales
Lloyd Matthews Back row Wales Wales
Mason Roderick Back row Wales Wales
Callum Owen Back row Wales Wales
Player Position Union
Callum Phillips Scrum-half Wales Wales
Keian Richards Scrum-half Wales Wales
Rhys Truelove Fly-half Wales Wales
Lewis Williams Fly-half Wales Wales
Logan Hutchings Centre Wales Wales
Rhys Evans Centre Wales Wales
Kurtis Williams Wing Wales Wales
Cavan Davies Wing Wales Wales
Josh Williams Wing Wales Wales
Alex Webber Fullback Wales Wales

Honours

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Domestic

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Notes

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  • 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025. The Club was founded way back in 1884
  2. ^ "Welsh Rugby Is Back On Saturday . . . As The Admiral Premiership Returns". Dai Sport. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  3. ^ "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
  4. ^ "Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypridd - Matchday Preview". Pontypridd RFC. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  5. ^ "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
  6. ^ "Springbok ace Dai Williams – the greatest wing Wales never capped". Welsh Rugby Union. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  7. ^ "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
  8. ^ "Tales from the back of the plane: A reporter's eye view of the 1989 Lions tour". RugbyPass. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Leavers' report". Pontypridd RFC. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Webber turns back clock for Ystrad Rhondda". Welsh Rugby Union. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Gelligaled Park". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Ystrad Rhondda RFC Official Website". Ystrad Rhondda RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Team Sheet vs Neath". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Championship Cup final: Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypool". Welsh Rugby Union. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Truelove stars as Ystrad beat Bargoed". Welsh Rugby Union. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.