Sweeney, Ceri

A local boy from Glyncoch, Ceri Sweeney developed through the ranks of Pontypridd Youth, and was selected at various international levels.

As Wales hosted the 1998 under 19 FIRA world cup tournament, Ceri made a huge impression as a pivot and match winning kicker taking his country through to a final showdown against the All Blacks.  

Elevated to the Pontypridd senior squad, Ceri soon gained a reputation as a confident distributor and a fearless tackler and became a regular in the Wales under 21 set up in the 2000 season.

The departure of rival outside half Lee Jarvis to Neath in the summer of 2001 gave Ceri the opportunity to step up and claim the famous Pontypridd no 10 shirt as his own - a challenge which he took up with relish.

Ceri earned his first senior Welsh cap as a replacement against Italy in the RBS Six Nations 2003 Championship, and became a regular contender for the national outside half spot.

With the introduction of regional rugby in 2003, Ceri left Pontypridd to represent the Celtic Warriors and then the Gwent Dragons.