Rory Watts-Jones

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Rory Watts-Jones
Birth nameRory Watts-Jones
Date of birth (1988-12-15) 15 December 1988 (age 34)
Place of birth Cowbridge, Wales
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight99 kg (15 st 8 lb)
University University of Plymouth
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Youth career
Cowbridge RFC
2009-2011 Plymouth Albion R.F.C.
2011-2012 Cardiff RFC
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2012-2015 Cardiff Blues [1] (0)
Correct as of December 2012
National sevens team(s)
YearsTeamComps
Wales 7s

Rory Watts-Jones (born 15 December 1988) is a retired Welsh rugby union player. A flanker, he played club rugby for Cardiff Blues regional team. [1]

Born and raised in Cowbridge, Watts-Jones joined Cowbridge RFC and played for the Wales under-16s team. [2] Having gained a place at the University of Plymouth, he joined their rugby club, where he came to the attention of Plymouth Albion R.F.C. coach Graham Dawe. [2] Watts-Jones made his debut from the bench in January 2009, against Doncaster R.F.C. in the EDF Energy Trophy. [2] Starting 35 games and playing in a further 12 from the bench, he also played for the Wales Sevens team. [2]

Having finished his university course, in June 2011 he joined Cardiff RFC, [2] and then graduated to the regional Cardiff Blues squad. [3] He made his debut against Connacht in September 2012. In November 2014, whilst playing against Newcastle Falcons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup when he scored a decisive try, [4] he suffered a concussion related injury. [1] [3]

The Blues took Watts-Jones through the WRU defined graduated return-to-play protocol, [3] but noted that he was fairly slow going through the process. [3] His family and girlfriend then noted that his behaviour was different from previous concussive recovery episodes. [3] Referred to a specialist doctor, after further tests Watts-Jones was advised to retire due to a concussion-related injury. [3] On 17 February 2015, the club and Watts-Jones announced his reluctant retirement from rugby, based on medical grounds with regards his long-term health. [1] [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cardiff Blues flanker Rory Watts-Jones 'devastated' by retirement". 17 February 2015 via bbc.co.uk.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 [ dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rory Watts-Jones retired after family noticed behaviour change". 17 February 2015 via bbc.co.uk.
  4. 1 2 Bywater, Alex (17 February 2015). "Cardiff Blues forward Rory Watts-Jones forced to retire from rugby".