Rugby Union: our national sport. Few things can inspire more Welsh pride than a full house at the Millennium Stadium. Singing the National anthem at the rugby has even been said to be characteristically Welsh.
We are rightly proud of this distinction; past players include Gareth Edwards, widely regarded as the greatest Rugby Union player of all time, as well as world renowned names such as JPR Williams, Phil Bennett and Cliff Morgan. We still produce world class talent - Shane Williams was named International Player of the Year in 2008 and retired from international rugby in 2011 as Wales’ leading try scorer.
The Welsh national rugby team also compete annually in tournaments such as the Six Nations which we have won, along with its predecessor the 5 Nations, 24 times. In 2011 we reached the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Rugby teams can inspire a strong pride in our communities at local level. Rugby teams such as Llanelli, Neath and Bridgend have a proud sporting tradition.
In the modern era, regional teams such as the Scarlet’s, Ospreys and the Cardiff Blues continue to compete at the highest level of Rugby Union.