Our History

International Players:

Over the years the club has produced many players who have gained representative honours for Wales at Youth and Schools level, names include Errol Price, Dorian Jones, James Jones, Mark Bowen, Callum Williams, John Williams, Owen Gustafson, Michael Jones, Andrew Jones, Rhodri Jones, Rhys Jones, Kevin Jones, Mathew Gealy, Morton Howells, Craig Evans, Simon Lewis and Andrew McPherson.

One of Tumble's most notable players, was Welsh international prop Archie Skym. Although Skym had already moved to Llanelli RFC by the time he was first capped, he came to the attention of larger clubs when representing Tumble. He joined the team from a local side at Drefach, and in December 1926 left Tumble for the Scarlets. Nicknamed 'The Butcher' Skym earned 20 caps for Wales and also went on to play over 200 games for Cardiff RFC, who he also captained.

(ABOVE) Archie Skym of Cardiff RFC and Wales.

Wing Peter Rees represented Penygroes RFC and Tumble RFC before moving to Llanelli RFC in 1945. Rees earned 2 caps in the 1946/47 Five Nations championship against France and Ireland. Finishing his first class career at 25 years of age, Rees returned to Tumble and captained the Magpies in season 1952/53 before finishing at home village club Penygroes RFC. Rees later served as both chairman and president of Llanelli RFC. Peter was the oldest surviving Welsh international before he passed away in August 2020 at the age of 95.

Fly Half Handel Greville was born in Drefach and followed his father in playing for the Magpies before moving to Llanelli RFC, who he captained in the 1948/49 season. Greville was selected for his only international cap against the touring Australians in 1947 when the normally reliable Haydn Tanner was unavailable through injury. Wales won the game 6–0 with Greville giving an international-class performance but lost his place when Tanner was deemed fit for the next game. Like Peter Rees after finishing his playing career, Greville became Chairman and President of Llanelli RFC.

(ABOVE) Handel Greville on his sole appearance for Wales in 1947.

Former Tumble RFC player Des Jones also gained a cap in 1948 whilst playing at Llanelli RFC whilst D. Ken Jones tuned out for the club before having a successful career with Llanelli, Cardiff and Wales in the 1960s.

(ABOVE) Des Jones - Llanelli RFC and Wales 1948.

(ABOVE) Poster for a concert to celebrate Des Jones' Welsh cap in 1948.

Gareth Davies the former Cardiff, Wales and British Lions outside half of the late 70's early 80's and current Welsh Rugby Union chairman was born in Tumble and represented the club before moving into the first class game, briefly with Llanelli RFC before switching to the Arms Park. Davies would later become a successful administrator acting as chief executive of Cardiff RFC in the 1990's before returning to the game in the same role with the Dragons in 2012. In 2014 Davies was elected as chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, a role he carried out for two terms finishing in 2020.

(ABOVE) Gareth Davies of Cardiff RFC, Wales and British & Irish Lions.

One of the leading lights of Tumble's 1980's domination of West Wales rugby was full back Wynford Lewis. Before returning to his home village club in the early 1980's Wynford had enjoyed a successful first class career with Aberavon RFC from where he gained a Wales B cap in 1980. Despite his consitent form Lewis has the misfortune of playing in the same position as the great JPR Williams otherwise he would have likely won a full Welsh Cap. Following his playing career Lewis coached the club's successful Youth team for many seasons during the 1990's.

Another notable former player is Richard Rees the former Neath, Newport, Swansea, Scarlets and Wales wing. After graduating from the Youth team Rees quickly established himself as a powerful and quick winger with the first team before moving to Neath and then Newport. Rees had a long and distinguished career with Swansea RFC from where he gained his only Welsh cap against Zimbabwae in 1998. Rees returned to Tumble RFC to finish his career as player / coach in 2006.

(ABOVE) Richard Rees of Swansea RFC and Wales.

Dwayne Peel the former Llanelli Scarlets, Sale Sharks, Bristol, Wales and British Lions scrum half, who is now attack coach at the Irish province Ulster is the son of former Magpie Dennis Peel and came through the club's junior system before moving to Llanelli RFC. Before being overtaken by Mike Phillips, Peel was Wales' most capped scrum half on 76 caps. Peel also gained 3 caps for the British & Irish Lions on the 2005 tour of New Zealand.

(ABOVE) Dwayne Peel of Scarlets, Sale Sharks, Bristol, Wales and British & Irish Lions.

Daniel Evans the Ospreys fullback full back played for the Magpies at Under 15, Under 16 and Youth level before moving to the Scarlets. It was whilst at Parc y Scarlets that Evans gained two caps for Wales on the 2009 tour to North America, making his debut against Canada on 30 May 2009. Having left the Scarlets Evans moved to the Dragons and then the Ospreys. Despite some great regional form at the Liberty Stadium a third Welsh cap has so far eluded Evans. 

(ABOVE) Daniel Evans of Scarlets, Dragons, Ospreys and Wales

Bath's Darren Allinson formally of the Cardiff Blues, Nicholas Cudd formally of the Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons and Hugh Gustafson formally of the Dragons and Ospreys have all represented the club at junior and /or youth level. Both Gustafson and Cudd have been successful coaches within the club.

Former Wales Under 20 outside half and Wales 7s international Billy McBryde played for the club's junior section before moving to Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets Academy while his father Robin (Leinster and former Wales forwards coach) is a club vice-president. Gareth Williams, a former club junior section player is the Wales Under 20's head coach as has previously held the Wales 7's head coach position and was assistant coach for the Team GB Rugby 7's squad at the Rio Olympics. Williams is the son of club legend Peris Williams and was himself capped by Wales at Under 16, Under 18, Under 19, Under 21 and 7's level.

(ABOVE) Billy McBryde and Gareth Williams with Wales 7's

Young Scarlets wing Tom Rogers, who hails from Cross Hands played youth rugby for the club and made a 1st team appearance against Fishguard and Goodwick RFC in April 2017 before switching to Parc y Scarlets. Tom has been capped for Wales at Under 20. 7s and on 2 July 2021 made his debut for the Welsh national side in a 68-12 victory over Canada Rugby at the Principality Stadium. The appearance against Canada saw Rogers become the 11th former Tumble RFC player to gain a full Welsh cap.

     

(ABOVE) Tom Rogers with Tumble RFC Youth and the Scarlets

Full Welsh Internationals:

Archie Skym - 20 caps (1928-35)

Peter Rees - 2 caps (1947)

Handel Greville - 1 cap (1947) 

Des Jones - 1 cap (1947)

D. Ken Jones - 14 caps (1962-66)

Gareth Davies - 21 caps (1978-85)

Richard Rees - 1 cap (1998)

Robin McBryde - 37 caps (1994-2005)

Dwayne Peel - 76 caps (2001-2011)

Daniel Evans - 2 caps (2009)

Tom Rogers - 2 caps (2021-  )

 

British & Irish Lions:

Four players with close links to Tumble RFC have represented the British & Irish Lions -

D. Ken Jones - 1962, 1966 (6 caps)

Gareth Davies - 1980 (1 cap)

Robin McBryde - 2001

Dwayne Peel - 2005 (3 caps)

Rugby League Internationals:

In the early years of the club a number of players switched codes and signed 'professional' terms with clubs in the north of England. Of the squad which clinched the West Wales Challenge Cup in 1946 three switched to league at the now defunct Belle Vue Rangers RLFC, namely full back Mel Tierney, centre Lyn Walters and centre Austin Jones. A number of former Tumble RFC players went onto gain international honours in league.

Evan Davies 'Ianto Penygraig' - Wales (3 caps) and Great Britain (3 caps)

(ABOVE) Evan Davies

Edward Thomas 'Tommy Gwag' - Wales (1 cap)

(ABOVE) Edward Thomas

Mel Tierney - Wales (2 caps)

(ABOVE) Mel Tierney

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