Roy Mathias


Roy Mathias is a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league, and footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played representative level rugby union for Wales, and at club level for Felinfoel RFC and Llanelli RFC, as a wing, i.e. number 11 or 14, and representative level rugby league for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for St. Helens and Cardiff City Blue Dragons, as a, or, i.e. number 2 or 5, or 13, during the era of contested scrums.

Background

Mathias was born in Llanelli, Wales.

Rugby union career

Mathias won a cap playing Right-Wing, i.e. number 14 for Wales while at Llanelli RFC in the 11–6 victory over France at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 4 April 1970.

Rugby league career

International honours

Mathias won caps for Wales while at St. Helens in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against France, England, Australia, New Zealand, Australia, New Zealand, and France,and won a cap for Great Britain while at St. Helens in 1979 against Australia.

World Club Challenge Final appearances

Roy Mathias played, i.e. number 5, in St. Helens' 2–25 defeat by the 1975 NSWRFL season premiers, Eastern Suburbs Roosters in the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday 29 June 1976.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Roy Mathias played, i.e. number 5, in St. Helens' 20–5 victory over Widnes in the 1976 Challenge Cup Final during the 1975–76 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 8 May 1976.

County Cup Final appearances

Roy Mathias played as an interchange/substitute, i.e. number 15, in St. Helens 0–16 defeat by Warrington in the 1982 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1982–83 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 23 October 1982.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Roy Mathias played, i.e. number 5, and scored 2-tries in St. Helens' 22–2 victory over Dewsbury in the 1975 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1975–76 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 16 December 1975, and played in the 7–13 defeat by Widnes in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1978–79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 12 December 1978. The record for the most tries in a BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final is 2-tries, and is jointly held by; Roy Mathias, Peter Glynn, Gerald Dunn and Stuart Wright.

Honoured at St. Helens R.F.C.

Roy Mathias is a St Helens R.F.C. Hall of Fame inductee.