William Roberts (20 February 1909 – 7 December 1969) was a

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

international forward who played club rugby for Oxford University,

London Welsh RFC London Welsh Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Llundain) was a rugby union club formed in 1885. Based in Old Deer Park, Richmond-upon-Thames, London Welsh RFC played in the English Premiership in the 2012–13 and 2014–15 seasons, ...

and

Cardiff RFC Cardiff Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd) is a rugby union club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876Parry-Jones (1989), pg 59 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, shortly after ...

. He won a single cap for Wales in the

1929 Five Nations Championship The 1929 Five Nations Championship was the fifteenth series of the rugby union Five Nations Championship following the inclusion of France into the Home Nations Championship. Including the previous Home Nations Championships, this was the forty-se ...

Personal history

Roberts was born in Toxteth, Liverpool in 1909. He was educated at Cardiff High School for Boys before matriculating to Oxford University. In 1934 he married Betty Elliot, daughter of former Wales international Jack Elliot. He served his country in the Second World War, joining the

Welsh Guard Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...

as an acting captain. Roberts was a freelance journalist and a breeder of prize Welsh pigs. He died in Bodfari in 1969.

Rugby career

Roberts first came to note as a rugby player while a student representing Cardiff High School. He played for

while still a teenager, making his first appearance for the club in the 1926–27 season. On entering Oxford he was selected for the Oxford University student team and won four sporting Blues, playing in the Varsity matches of 1928 through to 1931. In the 1929 match he faced his older brother John Roberts, who was playing for Cambridge. In 1931 Roberts was made the secretary of Oxford University RUFC, and for that year's Varsity game he was made captain of the team. Under his captaincy, Oxford won a 'splendid game'. Writing in 1951 Marshall opined that Roberts 'did more than anyone to win the match for Oxford; Roberts weaving and swaying his way in short, powerful strides'. In 1929 Roberts was selected to play for Wales. This time he was on the same side as his brother, as they faced England in the opening match of the

. Roberts played in his preferred fly-half position outside the more experienced

Wick Powell Wick most often refers to: * Capillary action ("wicking") ** Candle wick, the cord used in a candle or oil lamp ** Solder wick, a copper-braided wire used to desolder electronic contacts Wick or WICK may also refer to: Places and placename ...

. The game ended in an England victory and Roberts was dropped for the next match and didn't represent Wales again. Despite a long association with Cardiff RFC, Roberts only played 31 matches for the club. He also played for

International matches played

Wales * 1929

References

Bibliography

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Bill 1909 births 1965 deaths People from Toxteth Cardiff RFC players English rugby union players London Welsh RFC players Oxford University RFC players Rugby union centres Rugby union players from Liverpool Wales international rugby union players Welsh rugby union players