Jack Whitfield

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Jack Whitfield


caption =
birthname = John James Whitfield
nickname =
birthyear = 1892
birthmonth = 03
birthday = 23
placeofbirth = Newport [ [http://www.blackandambers.co.uk/Personnel.aspx?pr=107461 Newport RFC player profiles] ] , Wales
deathyear = 1927
deathmonth = 12
deathday = 26
placeofdeath = Newport, Wales
height = 5ft 11insSmith (1980), pg 205.]
weight = 13st 8lbs
ru_position = Hooker
ru_amateuryears = ?-1919
1920-1926
ru_amateurclubs = Pill Harriers RFC
Newport RFC
ru_amclubcaps =
ru_amclubpoints =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = Wales [ [http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=26392&includeref=dynamic WRU player profiles] ]
ru_nationalyears = 1919–1924
ru_nationalcaps = 12
ru_nationalpoints = (15)
ru_ntupdate =
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other =
occupation = Fitter
publican
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =
url =

Jack Whitfield (23 March 1892 – 26 December 1927) was a Welsh international rugby union hooker who played club rugby for Newport and club rugby for Monmouthshire. He was an extremely powerful scrummager, but was not seen as skillful as the pre-war players produced by Wales.Smith (1980), pg 211.]

As a fitter in the Newport Docks, local dock team Pill Harriers was a natural choice to take on the front row skills of Whitfield. The Harriers, although seen as a lower league team, provided many Welsh players, especially front row hardmen like Whitfield. In 1919 he was selected for the Wales to face the touring New Zealand Services team. Over the next five years, now as a member of the Newport club, Whitfield was capped for Wales on 12 occasions and scored his first try on the 13 March, 1920 against Ireland. In the 1922 Five Nations Championship, Whitfield was the leading try scorer of the tournament with four tries one against England and France, and two against Ireland. In the 1924 Championship, in a game against Scotland, Whitfield was given the captaincy for Wales. Wales lost the match heavily, with Scotland running in eight tries, it was Whitfield's only time as captain.

He died on Boxing Day 1927 at the Royal Gwent Hospital after a gastric ulcer operation.

"International matches played""Wales"Smith (1980), pg 473.]
* England 1920, 1921, 1922
* France 1920, 1922
* Ireland 1920, 1922, 1924
* New Zealand Services 1919
* Scotland 1920, 1922, 1924

Bibliography

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References