Rory Watts-Jones
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| Full 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 | ||||||
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* Professional club appearances and points counted for domestic first grade only and correct as of 18:00, 12 December 2012 (UTC). | |||||||
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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31502445
- 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Albion-flanker-Rory-Watts-Jones-returns/story-12730252-detail
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31508482
- 1 2 http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-forward-rory-watts-jones-8661723