Joe Westwood
Welsh rugby union player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Westwood (born 10 July 2003) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a centre for Dragons RFC.
| Born | 10 July 2003 Caerphilly, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 106 kg (234 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Coleg Gwent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Cardiff Metropolitan University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
Youth and amateur rugby
Westwood began playing with local club Blackwood RFC.[1] While playing for Coleg Gwent, Westwood scored a penalty, before kicking a drop goal to win the Schools and Colleges League Final.[2] In June 2021, Westwood signed a Dragons academy contract, and was allocated to Ebbw Vale RFC for the 2021–22 Indigo Group Premiership.[3][4] In 2023, Westwood made his debut for Newport RFC.[5]
Westwood also attended Cardiff Metropolitan University, and played for their rugby team in the BUCS Super Rugby league.[6]
Dragons
Westwood missed the first part of the season with an injury sustained while playing for Newport RFC, but made his Dragons debut on 21 January 2024 against the Sharks.[7][8] Westwood made his first start on 2 March 2024 on the wing, against Ulster, before starting at centre against the Bulls.[9][10]
Westwood signed a three-year contract extension with the Dragons on 2 April 2024.[11]
International career
Wales U20
Westwood was named in the squad for the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, and made his debut against Scotland.[12][1] Westwood participated in the 2022 Six Nations Summer Series, and scored a try in the final against South Africa.[13] Due to an injury, Westwood missed the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, but returned to the squad for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship, scoring against Georgia.[14]
Personal life
Westwood's grandfather Keith played for Ebbw Vale and Newbridge, and featured in the Combined Abertillery and Ebbw Vale side that played New Zealand on their 1963 tour.[15] His father Jonathan represented Wales U19 and U21, and played for Newbridge, Newport, Cardiff, and Neath.[16] Jonathan Westwood later served as Director of Rugby for Cross Keys RFC and Commercial Director for the Dragons.[17]