Joe Westwood

Last updated

Joe Westwood
Date of birth (2003-07-10) 10 July 2003 (age 20)
Place of birth Caerphilly, Wales
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight101 kg (15 st 13 lb; 223 lb)
School Coleg Gwent
University Cardiff Metropolitan University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Dragons
Youth career
Blackwood RFC
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2021–2022 Ebbw Vale RFC ()
2023– Newport RFC 11 (25)
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2024– Dragons 4 (0)
Correct as of 24 March 2024
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2022–2023 Wales U20 9 (10)
Correct as of 24 March 2024

Joe Westwood (born 10 July 2003) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a centre for Dragons RFC.

Contents

Club career

Youth and amateur rugby

Westwood 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

Westwood 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

Wales U20

Westwood 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

Westwood'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]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Joe Westwood". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  2. ↑ "Westwood steps up as Coleg Gwent crowned champions". Welsh Rugby Union | Club & Community. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Dragons Academy Allocation to Ebbw Vale RFC | EVRFC". 10 September 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  4. ↑ "Dragon News : Club support for Academy aces". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Westwood to follow in father's footsteps with start for double-chasing Newport". South Wales Argus. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  6. ↑ Thomas, Graham (21 June 2023). "Joe Westwood Ready For Southern Hemisphere Test . . . Just Like Dad And Grandad". Dai Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Burnard, Lloyd. "Sharks take another step forward with commanding Dragons win". Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "The Dragons young guns aiming to make big breakthroughs in 2024". South Wales Argus. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "Influential Wales forwards straight back from Six Nations as Dragons impact subs". South Wales Argus. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Dragons hand Wales U20s centre Westwood new deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "Wales U20s 26-13 Scotland U20s". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Wales U20s succumb to South Africa in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  14. ↑ "Wales U20s hit Georgia U20s for six". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Graham (21 June 2023). "Joe Westwood Ready For Southern Hemisphere Test . . . Just Like Dad And Grandad". Dai Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  16. ↑ Thomas, Graham (21 June 2023). "Joe Westwood Ready For Southern Hemisphere Test . . . Just Like Dad And Grandad". Dai Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "Dragon News : From Coleg Gwent to Dragons Rugby - Jonathan Westwood". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
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