Howell Francis (1878-1966) was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s. He played at representative level for Wales, and at club level for Bradford Northern and Wigan, as a forward.[1][2][3]

Howell Francis
Personal information
Full nameHowell Francis
Born(1878-10-05)5 October 1878
Gwar y ceaua, Port Talbot, Wales
Died3 April 1966(1966-04-03) (aged 87)
Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Playing information
PositionForward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1908–≤08 Bradford Northern
1908–11 Wigan 74 23 1 71
Total 74 23 1 0 71
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1908–09 Wales 2
Source: [1]

Background

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Howell Francis was born in Port Talbot, Wales, in 1878. In 1911 he was a lodger in the house of George and Matilda Scott at 17, Kimberley St Wigan. He married Janet Halliwell in 1912. After her death in 1913 he married Johanna Simpson Williams in 1915.

Playing career

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International honours

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Howell Francis won caps for Wales while at Wigan in 1908 against New Zealand, and in 1909 against England.[1]

Championship final appearances

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Howell Francis played as a forward in Wigan's 7-3 victory over Oldham in the Championship Final during the 1908–09 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 1 May 1909.[4]

County Cup Final appearances

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Howell Francis played as a forward and scored a try in Wigan's 22-5 victory over Leigh in the 1909 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1909–10 season at Wheater's Field, Broughton, on Saturday 27 November 1909.[5]

Club career

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Howell Francis was considered a "Probable" for the 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand, but ultimately he was not selected for the tour.[6]

Note

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He is incorrectly named in the 1911 census as Howell de Francis

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ^ Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  3. ^ "Statistics at rugbyleague.wales". rugbyleague.wales. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  4. ^ "1908–1909 Championship Final". cherryandwhite.co.uk. wigan.rlfans.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  5. ^ "1909–1910 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Northern Union – The Colonial Football Tour – Probable Players". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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