| Full name | Byron Idris Hayward | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 February 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Cardiff | ||
| Height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Weight | 85 kg (13 st) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Fly Half, Full Back | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| Newbridge RFC Ebbw Vale RFC Llanelli RFC Gloucester Rugby Sale Sharks Pontypool RFC |
|||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1998 | Wales | 2 | (15) |
| Coaching career | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| Ebbw Vale RFC Newport Gwent Dragons Newbridge RFC |
|||
| Rugby union career | |||
Byron Idris Hayward (born on 22 May 1969)[1] was an international rugby union full back who played for Wales and Wales A. He had an impressive debut for Wales scoring three 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 moved north to play for the Sale Sharks where he mainly played as an acting fly half. He returned to Welsh rugby with Welsh Premier Pontypool RFC, spending three seasons with the Gwent club and helping 'Pooler' to win the Division 1 championship. 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 Hayward works as an academy fitness coach for the Newport Gwent Dragons. He is currently working as the Backs Coach back at Newbridge RFC in the Welsh Division 1 East.
Whilst playing professional rugby, Hayward also continued to box as an amateur for his local club.