Keith Smith

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Keith Smith
Full name	Keith Smith
Date of birth	1952
Place of birth	Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Date of death	2006-06-02
Place of death	st. gemma's hospice, Leeds
Height	6"3' m
Nickname	smig
Rugby union career
Position	Inside and Outside Center
Amateur clubs
1972-76	Roundhay
correct as of 11 Sept 2006.
National team(s)		Caps	(points)
1974-75	England	4
correct as of 11 Sept 2006.
Teams coached
	East Leeds ARLFC, Easy Road.
correct as of .
Rugby league career
Position	Centre
Professional clubs		Caps	(points)
1977-1979	Wakefield Trinity
correct as of 11 Sept 2006.
National teams
1979	England	1
correct as of 11 Sept 2006.

For the former professional basketball player see Keith Smith.

Keith Smith (1952-2006) was a former English rugby player; he excelled in playing centre. He first played with Yorkshire Colts rugby then advanced to Roundhay. It was from that side that he was selected to play in the English international ranks.

His Roundhay debut was against local rivals West Leeds Old Boys in 1972. The last of his eventual 85 games was played was against Gosforth in 1976 for the National Cup. He eventually played 14 times for Yorkshire.

His first English appearance was a disappointing 12-12 draw against France played at Parc des Princes in Paris on March 2, 1974. In this game his center pairing was Coventry’s Geoff Evans. Peter Squires and Alan Old also played alongside him, they were both from his Yorkshire club. The following day over 200 people, many rugby supporters returning from the match, were killed in an air crash over Northern France.

Smith then went on the play for England against Wales at Twickenham two weeks later and added two more caps against Wales in Cardiff in 1975 and then playing against Scotland at Twickenham the following game.

Smith’s trademark skill was an irresistible dummy and a beautiful pair of hands, while his ability to glide through the tightest defenses made him a valuable center.

He transferred those skills to rugby league when he joined Wakefield Trinity and also represented England league before becoming a postman and spending time coaching junior rugby league in East Leeds. Keith became ill due to cancer, and he died on 02/06/06.

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