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Colin Charvis

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Colin Charvis
Charvis at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Birth nameColin Lloyd Charvis
Date of birth (1972-12-27) 27 December 1972 (age 51)
Place of birthSutton Coldfield, England
Height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight112 kg (247 lb)
SchoolQueen Mary's Grammar School
UniversityPolytechnic of Central London
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back row
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1992–1995 London Welsh 82 (215)
1995–2003 Swansea 168 (310)
2003–2004 Tarbes 17 (15)
2004–2006 Newcastle Falcons 44 (30)
2006–2009 Dragons 51 (35)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–2007 Wales 94 (110)
2001 British & Irish Lions 2 (0)
Coaching career
Years Team
2008–2009 Newport Gwent Dragons (defence/forwards)

Colin Charvis (born 27 December 1972) is a former professional rugby union player. A back row forward, Charvis was equally adept as a flanker or at number 8. Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, he captained the Wales national team from 2002 to 2004, and also played for the British & Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in 2001.

Charvis became the world record try scorer for a forward in test match rugby with his 22nd international try on 24 November 2007 in a match against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.[1] In 2011, he was overtaken by Takashi Kikutani of Japan on the list of leading rugby union test try scorers.

Early life

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Charvis was born in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, on 27 December 1972 to Lloyd and Lynne Charvis,[citation needed] and grew up in the nearby town of Aldridge. Charvis is of Jamaican heritage through his father.[2] After playing football in his early years, Charvis began playing rugby at the age of 11 when he started attending Queen Mary's Grammar School in Walsall. At age 18, he began studying at the Polytechnic of Central London, where he was coached by former London Welsh RFC player Glan Richards, who convinced Charvis to join the club.[3] He stayed at London Welsh until 1995, when he moved to Swansea RFC, under the management of Mike Ruddock.[4]

Club career

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Charvis played for Swansea for eight seasons, making a total of 168 appearances and scoring 62 tries. In March 2003, the club went into administration,[5] and Charvis was offered a redundancy package on 21 March.[6] He was released the following week amid hopes for a contract offer from the newly founded Neath–Swansea regional team,[7] as well as the Gwent team coached by Mike Ruddock, who had brought Charvis to Swansea.[8]

After Wales's elimination from the World Cup, having not received an acceptable offer from any of the five new Welsh regional sides,[9] Charvis signed for French second-tier side Tarbes on a contract that would take him through to the end of the 2003–04 season, when he was expected to return to Wales;[10] During the season, he expressed his intent to continue playing for Wales;[11] however, although he was part of the squad for the 2004 Six Nations Championship, his desire to continue his international career proved a stumbling block, and by the end of the tournament in March 2004, initial talks with three of the regions had reached an impasse.[12]

Despite interest from at least three unnamed, top-flight French sides,[12] Charvis signed for Newcastle Falcons in England in June 2004.[13] He missed three months of the 2004–05 season after suffering a broken foot in January 2005, but returned for the last three games of the season. After captaining the team in those matches, he was named as Newcastle's full-time captain for the 2005–06 season, taking over from co-captains Jonny Wilkinson and Ian Peel.[14] With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, talks began over a new deal but by May 2006, rumours surfaced that negotiations had broken down.[15]

No deal was forthcoming, and on 26 May 2006, it was announced that Charvis would be leaving Newcastle.[16] After a move to the Newport Gwent Dragons fell through over the summer, Charvis was reportedly considering retirement;[17] however, he did ultimately sign for the Dragons on a one-year deal.[18] He made his debut for the club in a pre-season friendly against the Cornish Pirates, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 20–6 victory.[19] Coach Paul Turner said after the game that he expected Charvis would play at least 15 games for the Dragons that season.[19] He ended up playing 26 times, mostly at flanker but also at number 8, and scored three tries. Charvis particularly shone in the European Challenge Cup, scoring a try in the 66–10 win at home and the 39–29 win away to the București Wolves in December 2006.[20][21] The Dragons went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition, but Charvis missed the match against Clermont due to injury and the Dragons lost 46–29.[22] He scored his third try of the season in the Dragons' penultimate league match, a 23–0 win at home to Connacht.[23]

Due to his involvement with Wales at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Charvis missed the first five games of the Dragons' season in 2007–08, returning to action in the 19–13 away win over Edinburgh on 12 October 2007.[24] He again scored back-to-back European tries in December 2007, crossing in the 35–33 away win at Benetton Treviso and 24–22 loss in the return game at Rodney Parade.[25][26] That win over Benetton proved to be the Dragons' only one of the Heineken Cup campaign; they lost 25–0 in their final pool game against Perpignan on 19 January 2008, and Charvis suffered an injury that ruled him out for the next 10 weeks.[27] He returned to play in five of the last six games of the season, scoring a try in an 18–10 win at home to the Ospreys in the penultimate match that secured Heineken Cup qualification; he was named man of the match in that game,[28] as well as the final-day win at home to Leinster.[29]

Charvis signed a new one-year contract with the Dragons in July 2008 naming him as the team's contact and defence coach, while also reducing his playing commitments.[30] He made his first appearance of the season off the bench in a 25–14 win over former club Newcastle in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 3 October 2008, being named man of the match for his half-hour cameo.[31] He was on the scoresheet the following week with a try in a 32–22 win over Glasgow Warriors.[32] That proved to be his final try in professional rugby, as he played in seven of the Dragons' next eleven matches without scoring, although his chip kick did provide the assist for Jason Tovey's decisive try in a 30–24 win over the Ospreys on 19 December;[33] his final appearance for the Dragons came on 18 January 2009 in a 15–12 loss at home to Bath in the Heineken Cup.[34] He also made an appearance for the Barbarians in a match to mark the official opening of the Scarlets' new stadium, Parc y Scarlets, on 31 January.[35] At the end of the season, after undergoing knee surgery, Charvis went full-time with his coaching duties at the Dragons, with a focus on defence.[36] His remit was expanded to coaching the forwards group in December 2009, after fellow coach Leigh Jones took a job in Hong Kong.[37] He left the Dragons in late September 2010, but no reason was given for his departure.[38]

International career

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Charvis in action for Wales against England

Charvis won his first cap for Wales on 1 December 1996, when he came on as a substitute in a 28–16 loss to Australia at Cardiff Arms Park. He scored his first tries two years later, scoring twice in a 43–30 win over Argentina at Stradey Park in Llanelli on 21 November 1998. He followed this up with another try in a 34–33 win over France at the Stade de France in the 1999 Five Nations Championship.

In 2000, Charvis was implicated in Grannygate as he had been first capped for Wales in 1996 while apparently ineligible. However, by the time the scandal broke he had completed the required three-year residency period and no further action was taken. In 2015, a DNA testing project suggested that Charvis had genuine Welsh ancestry that he did not know about.[39]

In 2001, Charvis was selected by the British & Irish Lions for their tour of Australia; he scored two tries in their 83–6 win over a Queensland President's XV in the second match of the tour,[40] followed by another in a game against New South Wales Country Districts in the final game before the first test.[41] He was named as a substitute for the first and third tests, coming on for Wales teammate Scott Quinnell both times.[42]

In October 2004, Charvis was at the centre of a selection row between Wales and the Newcastle Falcons, whose coach Rob Andrew believed Charvis would not have to be released for Wales' match against South Africa on 6 November; however, it was later clarified that Wales players based in England would have to be released by Premiership clubs as their fixture that weekend had been arranged in April 2004, unlike Scotland, whose game against Australia the same day had not been arranged until late August.[43]

Charvis was named in Gareth Jenkins' 41-man preliminary summer training squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He made the final 30-man squad in August after playing in the Test against England and made substitute appearances in both summer matches against Argentina and France. Charvis made a try-scoring substitute appearance in Wales's opening Pool B match against Canada, and made the starting line-ups for the remaining pool clashes with Australia, Japan and Fiji.

In November 2007, Wales caretaker coach Nigel Davies included Charvis in his starting line-up for the inaugural Prince William Cup match with South Africa. Despite the 34–12 defeat to the reigning world champions, Charvis scored his 22nd try for his country, making him the leading try scorer among all Welsh forwards (as of 2021).[44] He is one of only four forwards to score over 100 international points (John Eales, Carlo Checchinato and Takashi Kikutani are the others). He was the second most capped player for Wales and the most capped forward with 94 caps until overtaken by Martyn Williams on 13 March 2010. He also featured in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and captained Wales in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

International tries

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Try Opponent Location Venue Competition Date Result
1  Argentina Llanelli, Wales Stradey Park 1998 autumn internationals 21 November 1998 Win
2
3  France Paris, France Stade de France 1999 Five Nations 6 March 1999 Win
4  Argentina Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 1999 Rugby World Cup 1 October 1999 Win
5  Romania Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2001 autumn internationals 19 September 2001 Win
6
7
8  South Africa Cape Town, South Africa Newlands 2002 summer tour 15 June 2002 Loss
9  Fiji Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2002 autumn internationals 9 November 2002 Win
10  Canada Melbourne, Australia Docklands Stadium 2003 Rugby World Cup 12 October 2003 Win
11  New Zealand Sydney, Australia Stadium Australia 2003 Rugby World Cup 2 November 2003 Loss
12  England Brisbane, Australia Lang Park 2003 Rugby World Cup 9 November 2003 Loss
13  Argentina Tucumán, Argentina Cancha del Atletico 2004 summer tour 12 June 2004 Loss
14  Japan Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2004 autumn internationals 26 November 2004 Win
15
16
17
18  United States Hartford, USA Rentschler Field 2005 summer tour 4 June 2005 Win
19
20  Canada Toronto, Canada York Stadium 2005 summer tour 11 June 2005 Win
21  Canada Nantes, France Stade de la Beaujoire 2007 Rugby World Cup 9 September 2007 Win
22  South Africa Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2007 autumn internationals 24 November 2007 Loss
Source:[45]

Post-professional career

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After retiring, Charvis opened a carpet and flooring shop in Swansea. In 2013, the shop was located on Oystermouth Road in Swansea,[46] but in 2016, it was moved to Horizon Park, Llansamlet.[47][48]

In 2018, commemorating Black History Month in the United Kingdom, Charvis was included on a list of 100 "Brilliant, Black and Welsh" people.[49]

In 2023, Charvis was named as one of 295 former rugby players bringing a lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies over brain injuries sustained while playing.[50]

References

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  1. ^ "Wales' Try Milestones". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ^ Jones, Hannah (27 November 2015). "Colin Charvis puts 'Grannygate' scandal to bed as DNA reveals he IS Welsh". WalesOnline. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ^ https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-henry-turns-charvis-into-a-main-chancer-1080543.html Charvis' career up to 1999
  4. ^ Glover, Tim (14 March 1999). "Rugby Union: Henry turns Charvis into a main chancer". The Independent.
  5. ^ "Swansea opt for administration". BBC Sport. 11 March 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  6. ^ Charvis, Colin (23 March 2003). "Charvis offered Swansea exit". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Swansea release Wales trio". BBC Sport. 28 March 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Charvis seeks side with ambition". BBC Sport. 24 April 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Charvis seeks home comforts". BBC Sport. 11 November 2003. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Charvis seals Tarbes move". BBC Sport. 18 November 2003. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Charvis commits to Wales". BBC Sport. 10 November 2003. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Charvis spurned by regions". BBC Sport. 17 March 2004. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ^ Rees, Paul (3 June 2004). "Falcons swoop to sign Charvis". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Charvis named as captain". Chronicle Live. Trinity Mirror North East. 4 August 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Falcons quiet on Charvis rumours". BBC Sport. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Charvis and Grimes leave Falcons". BBC Sport. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Unwanted Charvis eyes retirement". BBC Sport. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Dragons capture back-row Charvis". BBC Sport. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Morgan delight at Charvis arrival". BBC Sport. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Dragons delight at Bucuresti win". BBC Sport. 9 December 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Bucuresti 29-39 Dragons". BBC Sport. 16 December 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  22. ^ "C Auvergne 46-29 Dragons". BBC Sport. 21 April 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Dragons 23-0 Connacht". BBC Sport. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  24. ^ "Edinburgh 13-19 Dragons". BBC Sport. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Benetton Treviso 33-35 Dragons". BBC Sport. 8 December 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Dragons 22-24 Benetton Treviso". BBC Sport. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Dragons 0-25 Perpignan". BBC Sport. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Dragons 18-10 Ospreys". BBC Sport. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Dragons 31-26 Leinster". BBC Sport. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Charvis agrees player-coach role". BBC Sport. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Dragons 25-14 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Dragons 32-22 Glasgow Warriors". BBC Sport. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Dragons 30-24 Ospreys". BBC Sport. 19 December 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Dragons 12-15 Bath". BBC Sport. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  35. ^ "Scarlets 40-24 Barbarians". BBC Sport. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  36. ^ "Charvis stays on as defence coach". BBC Sport. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Colin Charvis named Dragons forwards coach". BBC Sport. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Coach Colin Charvis parts company with Dragons". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  39. ^ Jones, Hannah (27 November 2015). "Colin Charvis puts 'Grannygate' scandal to bed as DNA reveals he IS Welsh". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  40. ^ "Robinson's five-star Lions show". BBC Sport. 12 June 2001. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  41. ^ Rookwood, Dan (26 June 2001). "Lions stutter towards Test". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  42. ^ Kitson, Robert (2 July 2001). "Rampant Lions defy logic with strokes of genius". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  43. ^ "Charvis release row a 'mistake'". BBC Sport. 12 October 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  44. ^ Thomas, Simon (4 February 2021). "The rugby tales of ex-Wales captain Colin Charvis, from World Cup tears to the Scott Gibbs try that should never have been". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Player analysis - Colin Charvis - Test matches".
  46. ^ "Colin Charvis's car towed in dispute over shop access". BBC News. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  47. ^ "I have moved premises. New showroom coming along at: Unit 11, Horizon Park, Mona Close, Llansamlet, Swansea. SA6 8RG". LinkedIn. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  48. ^ Orders, Mark (16 August 2018). "The new life of maverick Colin Charvis and the truth about the most controversial smile in Welsh rugby history". WalesOnline. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  49. ^ Wightwick, Abbie (28 September 2018). "Brilliant, Black and Welsh: A celebration of 100 African Caribbean and African Welsh people". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  50. ^ "Rugby concussion: Wales' Henson and Charvis named in lawsuit". BBC News. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
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