Richard Johnston (born 26 February 1980 in

Neath Neath (; cy, Castell-nedd) is a market town and Community (Wales), community situated in the Neath Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot County Borough, Wales. The town had a population of 50,658 in 2011. The community of the parish of Neath had a po ...

, Wales) first started his career at

Neath RFC Neath Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Castell-Nedd) is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the WRU Championship. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The team is known as the All Blacks because of the team colours: black with onl ...

in 1998 where he gained representative honours for Wales under 18/19s. In 2000 Johnston signed for

Pontypridd RFC Pontypridd Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Pontypridd) are a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. They compete in the Indigo Group Premiership, which they won for four consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2015, and ...

where he spent three years. In his time at Ponty, Johnston was selected for Wales U21s and Wales 7s and was involved in the squad that won the

Welsh Cup The FAW Welsh Cup ( cy, Cwpan Cymdeithas Pêl-droed Cymru), currently known as the JD Welsh Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams in the Welsh football league system. It is considered the most ...

in 2002 and narrowly lost to Sale in the Parker Pen European Shield Final. After regional

rugby Rugby may refer to: Sport * Rugby football in many forms: ** Rugby league: 13 players per side *** Masters Rugby League *** Mod league *** Rugby league nines *** Rugby league sevens *** Touch (sport) *** Wheelchair rugby league ** Rugby union: 1 ...

was formed he returned to Neath RFC winning the league twice and Welsh Cup in a three-year stint. Johnston then changed codes, signing for Crusader RL and won 4 caps for Wales. He also played on the 7s circuit playing for Samurai 7s, White Hart Marauders, Crusaders and Scorpions. In 2003, he returned to rugby union, playing for the

Llanelli Scarlets The Scarlets () are one of the four professional Welsh rugby union teams and are based in Llanelli, Wales. Their home ground is the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup (which ...

in their first season as a regional side; he made two appearances in February 2004. In 2007 Johnston left rugby to pursue a career outside sport but continues to play on the 7s circuit and now vets competitions.

References

1980 births Living people Crusaders Rugby League players Footballers who switched code Neath RFC players Pontypridd RFC players Scarlets players Rugby league articles needing expert attention Rugby league players from Neath Rugby union players from Neath Wales national rugby league team players Welsh rugby league players Welsh rugby union players Rugby union articles needing expert attention {{Wales-rugbyleague-bio-stub