Arthur Gould (1864–1919) was a Welsh international rugby union centre and fullback who was most associated as a club player with Newport Rugby Football Club. He won 27 caps for Wales and critics consider him the first superstar of Welsh rugby. A talented all-round player and champion sprinter, Gould could side-step and kick with either foot. He never ceased practising in order to develop his fitness and skills, and was considered the outstanding player of his time. In 1893 Gould led Wales to their first Home Nations Championship and Triple Crown titles; the match against England that year established him as a great player and captain. During his international career he played twice at fullback, and 25 times at centre. He was Wales’ most capped centre until the record was surpassed by Steve Fenwick in 1980. He ended his international career with an 11–0 win over England on 9 January 1897 in front of 17,000 supporters at Rodney Parade. It was Gould’s 18th match as Welsh captain – a record that stood until 1994. Towards the end of his career Gould was at the centre of a controversy over a fund collected in his honour which saw Wales temporarily withdraw from international rugby. (Full article...)
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