Newport High School Old Boys (NHSOB) are a

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, of or about Wales * Welsh language, spoken in Wales * Welsh people, an ethnic group native to Wales Places * Welsh, Arkansas, U.S. * Welsh, Louisiana, U.S. * Welsh, Ohio, U.S. * Welsh Basin, during t ...

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

club based in

Caerleon Caerleon ( ; ) is a town and Community (Wales), 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 ...

on the northern outskirts of

Newport Newport most commonly refers to: *Newport, Wales *Newport, Rhode Island, US Newport or New Port may also refer to: Places Asia *Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay * Newport (Vietnam), a United States Army and Army of t ...

in South Wales. They currently play in the Welsh Rugby Union Division Two and is a

feeder club In sports, a farm team (also referred to as farm system, developmental system, feeder team, or nursery club) is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful pl ...

for the Newport Gwent Dragons. The team is led by ex Dragons, Ulster, Newport, Llanelli, Bargoed and Wales U18’s star Niall Martin. Known for his fierce mediocrity with the boot and mixed ability to manage games when in winning positions. Newport HSOB RFC were recognised by the

Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU; ) is the 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 of rugby in Wales, overseeing 320 member clu ...

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, Wales and British Lions international * Jamie Corsi, Wales international *

Mark Davies Mark or Marc Davies may refer to: * Mark Davies (athlete) (1960–2011), Australian Paralympic athlete *Mark Davies (footballer, born 1988), English footballer with Bolton Wanderers * Mark Davies (South African soccer) * Mark Davies (rugby union) ( ...

, Wales international *

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

, Wales and British Lions international *

Ceri Jones Ceri Rhys Jones (born 19 June 1977) is a Welsh professional rugby union coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of North Wales side RGC 1404. As a player, he typically played as a loosehead prop, but he could also play tighthead. H ...

, Wales international *

John O'Shea John Francis O'Shea (; born 30 April 1981) is an Irish professional football coach and former player who is currently assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland men's national team. He was known for his versatility in playing several defensi ...

, 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 Stuart Watkins (born 5 June 1941) was a Welsh international rugby union wing who played club rugby for Newport and Cardiff. Watkins began his rugby career at Cross Keys before switching to Newport in 1963, staying with the club for the major ...

, Wales and British Lions international *

Rio Dyer Rio Dyer (born 21 December 1999) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Dragons and the Wales national team. Club career Dyer began his career playing for the Risca RFC and Pill Ha ...

, Wales international

External links

NHSOB Official website

References

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