John Sidney Smith (1860 – unknown) was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Football Club and international rugby for Wales.

Rugby career

Smith came to note as a rugby player during the 1880–81 season when he joined first class club Cardiff. In the 1882–83 season he shared the role of club secretary with W. H. Treat, Smith at the time was articled to Cardiff's Town Clark.Davies (1975), pg 25. Smith was first chosen to represent Wales in the opening game of the

1884 Home Nations Championship The 1884 Home Nations Championship was the second series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 5 January and 12 April 1884. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. England won the c ...

in a game against his birth country, England. Playing under the captaincy of

Charlie Newman Charlie Newman (28 February 1857 – 28 September 1922) was a Welsh international three-quarter who played club rugby for Newport. He was awarded ten caps for Wales and captained the team on six occasions. An original member of the Newport squa ...

and fielding seven new caps, the Welsh side lost by a goal and two tries to a goal. Smith did not play in the next international, with his place taken by

Thomas Baker Jones Thomas Baker Jones (16 September 1862 – 26 May 1959) was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby union for Newport. Jones was capped six times for Wales and was the first player to score recognised international points f ...

, but regained his position for the final game of the tournament, a win over Ireland. Smith played one more international game for Wales when he was selected for the opening match of the 1885 Championship. Played at St. Helen's against England, Wales were again beaten, and Smith was not part of the next match, his position taken by Edward Alexander.

International matches played

WalesSmith (1980), pg 471. * 1884, 1885 * 1884

Bibliography

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, John Sidney 1860 births Cardiff RFC players English rugby union players Rugby union forwards Rugby union players from Manchester Wales international rugby union players Welsh rugby union players Year of death unknown