Brian Sparks
Encyclopedia
Brian Anthonie Sparks is a former Welsh
rugby union
and professional rugby league
footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played rugby union (RU) for Wales
, at invitational level for Barbarian F.C.
, and at club level for Neath RFC
, Pontypool RFC
, Bridgend RFC
, and Glamorgan Police RFC
, playing at Flanker, i.e. number 6 or 7, and at club level has played rugby league (RL) for Halifax
.
(RU) while at Neath RFC in 1954 against Ireland, in 1955 against England, and France, in 1956 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1957 Scotland.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played rugby union (RU) for Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, at invitational level for Barbarian F.C.
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
, and at club level for Neath RFC
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
, Pontypool RFC
Pontypool RFC
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in the town of Pontypool. Pontypool RFC has a long history within Welsh rugby and is one of the most notable clubs, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, but disbanding before the turn of the 19th century...
, Bridgend RFC
Bridgend RFC
Bridgend Ravens are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales. They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division...
, and Glamorgan Police RFC
Glamorgan Police RFC
Glamorgan Police RFC was a Welsh rugby union team that that served the Glamorgan Police force before the emalgamation of the four district police forces of South Wales in 1969...
, playing at Flanker, i.e. number 6 or 7, and at club level has played rugby league (RL) for Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
.
International Honours
Brian Sparks won caps for WalesWales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
(RU) while at Neath RFC in 1954 against Ireland, in 1955 against England, and France, in 1956 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1957 Scotland.