Byron Hayward
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| Byron Hayward | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Byron Idris Hayward | ||
| Date of birth | 1969-02-22 | ||
| Place of birth | Cardiff | ||
| Height | 170cm / 5'7" | ||
| Weight | 85kg 13st | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Fly Half, Full Back | ||
| National team(s) | Caps | (points) | |
| 1998 | Wales | 2 | 15 |
Byron Hayward (born Byron Idris Hayward on 22 May 1969) was an International rugby union full back who played for Wales and Wales A. He had an impressive debut for Wales scoring 3 tries in his first international match against Zimbabwe. Hayward caused controversy in 2000 by refusing to play against Scotland A in Bridgend because of the inclusion of foreign players Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson. This was in the heat of the Grannygate scandal, both players claimed to have Welsh grandparents that would later be found to be false.
Byron Hayward started his rugby career at Newbridge RFC. He mainly played his club rugby for Ebbw Vale RFC but as the club went into administration he and fellow Welsh International and club captain Kingsley Jones were sold. He joined Llanelli RFC but as he couldn't hold down a starting place would later move to Gloucester Rugby reuniting him with Kingsley Jones who had joined from Worcester RFC.
After Gloucester Rugby Hayward would moved north to play for the Sale Sharks where he mainly played as an acting fly half. He returned to Welsh rugby with Welsh division 2 side Pontypool RFC, he was later loaned out to Ebbw Vale RFC where he was later made head coach. In January 2006 he was replaced by one cap England International Alex Codling as coach despite Vale winning holiday derbies against Newport RFC and old club Pontypool. Today Haywood works as an academy fitness coach for the Newport Gwent Dragons. Byron Hayward is an ex-boxer and went unconscious whilst contracted to Pontypool RFC.
