Jonathan Bryant
Encyclopedia
Jonathan 'Jon' Bryant is a former Wales
Rugby union
international. His previous clubs include Pontypridd RFC
, Celtic Warriors
, Newport Gwent Dragons
and Sale Sharks
. Formerly the player/manager of Merthyr RFC
, he is currently the backs coach at Newport RFC.
Before becoming seriously involved in the world of rugby, Jonathan was a talented footballer who was scouted by many professional clubs before switching codes after an invite to play for his old school, Aberdare Boys Comprehensive, against a select XV. This game would include his future team-mate, Dale McIntosh
.
Such was his enthusiasm and drive in the game, he was offered a trial by the then Merthyr Tydfil RFC manager (He was also offered a bet by his uncle that if he "dump-tackled" McIntosh he would be financially rewarded and make a talking point in the game few would have anticipated). After two years at Merthyr, Bryant was offered a trial with Pontypridd along with Robert Sidoli
, and he scored a try on his debut against Llanelli RFC
.
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...
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...
international. His previous clubs include Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, known as Ponty, are a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup, Principality Premiership, and are the current SWALEC Cup champions....
, Celtic Warriors
Celtic Warriors
The Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, who played in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup between 2003 and 2004.-History:The Warriors were one of the five original regions of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era...
, Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
and Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
. Formerly the player/manager of Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC is a Welsh rugby union club based in Merthyr in South Wales. Merthyr RFC are presently members of the Welsh Rugby Union playing in the Division One East League and are a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues..-Early history:...
, he is currently the backs coach at Newport RFC.
Before becoming seriously involved in the world of rugby, Jonathan was a talented footballer who was scouted by many professional clubs before switching codes after an invite to play for his old school, Aberdare Boys Comprehensive, against a select XV. This game would include his future team-mate, Dale McIntosh
Dale McIntosh
Dale "Chief" McIntosh is a rugby union player. Born Dale Lynsey Manawa McIntosh on 23 November 1969 in the King Country, New Zealand, he has become a cult hero in his adopted country of Wales...
.
Such was his enthusiasm and drive in the game, he was offered a trial by the then Merthyr Tydfil RFC manager (He was also offered a bet by his uncle that if he "dump-tackled" McIntosh he would be financially rewarded and make a talking point in the game few would have anticipated). After two years at Merthyr, Bryant was offered a trial with Pontypridd along with Robert Sidoli
Robert Sidoli
Robert Sidoli is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons.He has won 42 caps for Wales as a lock forward...
, and he scored a try on his debut against Llanelli RFC
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
.