Newport flanker [PERSON_NAME] enters the 2026-27 Super Rygbi Cymru season with a new surname following his summer wedding to husband [PERSON_NAME]. The club celebrated the first same-sex blessing held at [ADDRESS] in Bassaleg with a social media post. [PERSON_NAME] has been out to teammates since 2018 and says everyone has been "really supportive." He hopes his story gives confidence to young players lacking role models, noting the backing of the squad, coaches, committee, and fans. While Welsh rugby has high-profile gay figures like [PERSON_NAME] and [PERSON_NAME], [PERSON_NAME] wants to reassure semi-professional players they can be themselves.

Growing up watching Newport with his father [PERSON_NAME], [PERSON_NAME] saw legends like [PERSON_NAME] and [PERSON_NAME]. After captaining Cardiff Met and Wales Students and playing for [ADDRESS], he debuted for Newport against [ADDRESS] in October 2015. Though he came out to his family in his late teens with a positive reaction, he hid his sexuality in rugby, fearing judgment over skill. The mental toll of a "double life" led him to come out to head coach [PERSON_NAME] in his second year. [PERSON_NAME]'s response — relief it wasn't a transfer request — and unwavering support allowed [PERSON_NAME] to focus on rugby. The news spread naturally through the squad with only encouragement, challenging his assumption that older generations would be homophobic.