| Birth name | Rory Watts-Jones | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 December 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cowbridge, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 99 kg (15 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Plymouth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Cardiff Blues flanker Rory Watts-Jones 'devastated' by retirement". 17 February 2015 – via bbc.co.uk.
- 1 2 3 4 5
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rory Watts-Jones retired after family noticed behaviour change". 17 February 2015 – via bbc.co.uk.
- 1 2 Bywater, Alex (17 February 2015). "Cardiff Blues forward Rory Watts-Jones forced to retire from rugby".
External links