| Born | 18 April 2001 Brecon, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 96 kg (212 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ysgol Calon Cymru Cardiff and Vale College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jacob Beetham (born 18 April 2001) is a Welsh rugby union player, who plays as a full-back for United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby. [1]
Beetham was born in Brecon, Powys, and educated at the Builth Wells campus of Ysgol Calon Cymru. [2] He attended Cardiff and Vale College. [3]
Beetham was part of the Cardiff academy until under-18 level. He departed the academy and played for Glamorgan Wanderers, before rejoining the academy during the 2019–20 season. [4] [5]
Beetham was named in the Cardiff academy squad for the 2021–22 season. [6] He made his debut for Cardiff in the first round of the 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup against Toulouse, starting at full-back. [7] During the match, he received a red card for a high tackle, and was subsequently banned for three weeks. [8]
In September 2022, while playing for Cardiff RFC, Beetham suffered an ACL injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. [9]
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Beetham signed an extension with Cardiff's academy, while training with the senior squad. [10]
On 2 February 2024, Beetham signed a new contract with Cardiff. [11]
Beetham has shown his versatility while playing for Cardiff, covering inside centre, wing, and full-back all in the opening rounds of the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship. [12]
Beetham was selected for Wales U20 for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. [13] During the match against England, he was taken out in the air by opposing full-back Freddie Steward and injured. Steward was banned for four weeks following his citing. [14]
Beetham remained in the squad for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. [15]
Ahead of the 2024 Six Nations Championship, Beetham was targeted by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. [16] Beetham joined the Wales squad to train during the tournament, but was not officially called up. [17]
Beetham was called up to the senior Wales squad by Warren Gatland in June 2024 for the tour to Australia. [18] Beetham made his international debut on 22 June 2024, coming on as a replacement against South Africa. [19] Beetham was slated to feature in the friendly against Queensland Reds, but suffered a foot injury which ruled him out of contention. [20] He returned to the Wales squad for the 2025 end-of-year rugby union internationals, but did not feature in any match day squad.. [20]