Newport High School Old Boys (NHSOB) are 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 ...

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

club based in

Caerleon Caerleon (; cy, Caerllion) is a town and community in Newport, Wales. Situated on the River Usk, it lies northeast of Newport city centre, and southeast of Cwmbran. Caerleon is of archaeological importance, being the site of a notable Roman ...

on the northern outskirts of Newport in South Wales. They currently play in the Welsh Rugby Union Division Two and is a

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for the

Newport Gwent Dragons Dragons RFC ( cy, Dreigiau) are one of the four professional rugby union regional teams in Wales. They are owned by the Welsh Rugby Union and play their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport and at other grounds around the region. They play in ...

. Newport HSOB RFC were recognised by the

Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU; cy, Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the Sports governing body, governing body of rugby union in the country of Wales, recognised by the sport's international governing body, World Rugby. The WRU is responsible for the running ...

as the biggest community rugby club in Wales in November 2007. The club provides a full range of teams for all age groups and a full female team at all levels. They have ex-players at all levels of the game. They also provide rugby training for children and adults with learning disabilities. The 'Old Boys' have a close rivalry with nearby rugby club Caerleon R.F.C.

Early history

Newport High School Old Boys Rugby Club has been in existence for nearly 85 years having been founded in the season of 1923/24. Although the present ground at Yew Tree Lane, Caerleon has been the club's home for many years, as a club, it has led a very nomadic existence. During the early years the teams played on pitches at the Royal Oak, Bettws, Ponthir, Llanfrechfa, and the old Caerleon Racecourse. In 1949 a field at the present site at Yew Tree Lane became available for rent and this was to become the club's permanent home. A major milestone was achieved in 1954 when probationary membership of the Welsh Rugby Union was granted, followed by full WRU membership in 1957. In 1960 the ground and the adjoining land became available for purchase and an area of was bought for £975. Eventually the land was developed and a new pitch and club house were built and officially opened in 1967. Membership was opened to non Old Boys of Newport High School in the mid sixties and as a result, by the early seventies the club had four senior teams.

Notable former players

:''See also :Newport HSOB RFC players'' *

David Burcher David Howard Burcher (born 26 October 1950) is a former Wales international rugby union player. He was capped four times for Wales in 1977 and that same year he toured New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is ...

, Wales and British Lions international *

Jamie Corsi Jamie Corsi (born 30 December 1987) is a professional rugby union player. He is a former pupil of Bassaleg School, Newport. He was born in Cardiff. A tight head prop, he played all of his junior club rugby at lock and Number 8 for Rumney RFC i ...

* Mark Davies, Wales international *

Keith Jarrett Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945) is an American jazz and classical music pianist and composer. Jarrett started his career with Art Blakey and later moved on to play with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s, he has also been a ...

, Wales and British Lions international * Ceri Jones, Wales international *

John O'Shea John Francis O'Shea (; born 30 April 1981) is an Irish professional football coach and former player. He was known for his versatility in playing several positions on either side of the pitch or the centre. Born in Waterford, O'Shea joined Man ...

, Wales and British Lions international *

Alix Popham Alix Jon Popham (born 17 October 1979) is a Welsh former rugby union player who played as a number eight or flanker. Born in Newport, he began his career with Newport RFC in 1998, before moving to Leeds Tykes in 2002. He spent three years in E ...

, Wales international * Matthew Robinson, Wales international * John Ryan, former Wales national team Head Coach * Ashley Smith * Alex Walker * David Watkins, Wales and British Lions international * Stuart Watkins, Wales and British Lions international

External links

NHSOB Official website

References

{{Rugby Wales links Welsh rugby union teams Rugby union clubs in Newport, Wales Rugby clubs established in 1923 Caerleon