Joe Westwood (born 10 July 2003) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a centre for Dragons RFC.
| Date of birth | 10 July 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Caerphilly, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 101 kg (15 st 13 lb; 223 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Coleg Gwent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Cardiff Metropolitan University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editYouth and amateur rugby
editWestwood began playing with local club Blackwood RFC.[1] While playing for Coleg Gwent, Westwood scored a penalty, before kicking a drop goal to win the Schools and Colleges League Final.[2] In June 2021, Westwood signed a Dragons academy contract, and was allocated to Ebbw Vale RFC for the 2021–22 Indigo Group Premiership.[3][4] In 2023, Westwood made his debut for Newport RFC.[5]
Westwood also attended Cardiff Metropolitan University, and played for their rugby team in the BUCS Super Rugby league.[6]
Dragons
editWestwood missed the first part of the season with an injury sustained while playing for Newport RFC, but made his Dragons debut on 21 January 2024 against the Sharks.[7][8] Westwood made his first start on 2 March 2024 on the wing, against Ulster, before starting at centre against the Bulls.[9][10]
Westwood signed a three-year contract extension with the Dragons on 2 April 2024.[11]
International career
editWales U20
editWestwood was named in the squad for the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, and made his debut against Scotland.[12][1] Westwood participated in the 2022 Six Nations Summer Series, and scored a try in the final against South Africa.[13] Due to an injury, Westwood missed the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, but returned to the squad for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship, scoring against Georgia.[14]
Personal life
editWestwood's grandfather Keith played for Ebbw Vale and Newbridge, and featured in the Combined Abertillery and Ebbw Vale side that played New Zealand on their 1963 tour.[15] His father Jonathan represented Wales U19 and U21, and played for Newbridge, Newport, Cardiff, and Neath.[16] Jonathan Westwood later served as Director of Rugby for Cross Keys RFC and Commercial Director for the Dragons.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b "Joe Westwood". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Westwood steps up as Coleg Gwent crowned champions". Welsh Rugby Union | Club & Community. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Dragons Academy Allocation to Ebbw Vale RFC | EVRFC". 10 September 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Dragon News : Club support for Academy aces". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Westwood to follow in father's footsteps with start for double-chasing Newport". South Wales Argus. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Graham (21 June 2023). "Joe Westwood Ready For Southern Hemisphere Test . . . Just Like Dad And Grandad". Dai Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Burnard, Lloyd. "Sharks take another step forward with commanding Dragons win". Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "The Dragons young guns aiming to make big breakthroughs in 2024". South Wales Argus. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Powerful young centre gets first Dragons start on wing and U20s star set for debut". South Wales Argus. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Influential Wales forwards straight back from Six Nations as Dragons impact subs". South Wales Argus. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Dragons hand Wales U20s centre Westwood new deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Wales U20s 26-13 Scotland U20s". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Wales U20s succumb to South Africa in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Wales U20s hit Georgia U20s for six". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Graham (21 June 2023). "Joe Westwood Ready For Southern Hemisphere Test . . . Just Like Dad And Grandad". Dai Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Graham (21 June 2023). "Joe Westwood Ready For Southern Hemisphere Test . . . Just Like Dad And Grandad". Dai Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Dragon News : From Coleg Gwent to Dragons Rugby - Jonathan Westwood". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 24 March 2024.