Kemsley Mathias

Kemsley Mathias (born 29 July 1999) is a Welsh rugby union player, who plays for United Rugby Championship team Scarlets as a loosehead prop.[1] Mathias has represented Wales, making his international debut on 12 August 2023 against England.

Kemsley Mathias
Date of birth (1999-07-29) 29 July 1999
Place of birthHaverfordwest, Wales
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight113 kg (17 st 11 lb; 249 lb)
SchoolSir Thomas Picton School
UniversityUniversity of Wales Trinity Saint David
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loosehead Prop
Youth career
Narberth RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Scarlets 32 (5)
Correct as of 13 April 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Wales U20 11 (0)
2023– Wales 1 (0)
Correct as of 12 August 2023

Club career

Mathias first played tag rugby for Llangwm RFC, before stepping up to Narberth RFC, where he played alongside future Scarlets teammate Ryan Conbeer.[2] Mathias joined the Scarlets academy, and was also registered to local clubs Carmarthen Quins RFC and Llandovery RFC.[2]

Mathias was named in the Scarlets first-team squad for the 2020–21 Pro14 season.[3] Originally slated to make a possible debut off the bench along with fellow academy product Iestyn Rees in the EPCR Challenge Cup match against Toulon on 18 December 2020, Rees was forced to wait, as the match was called off due to COVID-19 cases.[4][5] He finally made his Scarlets debut in Round 11 of the 2020–21 Pro14 against Cardiff Blues.[6] On 29 May 2021, Mathias signed his first professional contract with the Scarlets.[7]

In 2021, Mathias completed a degree in Exercise and Sport Science at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, while pursuing his rugby career.[8]

Mathias scored his first try for the Scarlets on 27 January 2023, in the 37–28 win over the Bulls.[9] Mathias signed a contract extension with the Scarlets on 20 April 2023, along with fellow prop Sam Wainwright.[10]

International career

While attending Sir Thomas Picton School, Mathias was selected for Wales U18 on their tour to South Africa in 2017, starting against England and scoring a try in the win.[11] The following year, Mathias was first selected for Wales U20, and made 11 appearances for the side over two seasons. Mathias was part of the team what beat New Zealand U20 in the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

On 1 May 2023, Mathias was called up to the Wales 54-man training squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[12] Mathias made his debut on 12 August 2023, coming off the bench against England in the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches.[13]

References
  1. "Kemsley Mathias". Scarlets. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. "Rising Star: Kemsley Mathias". Western Telegraph. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  3. "Squad". Scarlets. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  4. Skippers, David (17 December 2020). "Jonathan Davies one of 10 changes to the Scarlets side". PlanetRugby. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  5. "Scarlets handed 28-0 'win' in Toulon game". BBC Sport. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  6. "Pro14: Liam Williams sent off as Cardiff Blues beat Scarlets in thriller". BBC Sport. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  7. "Pembrokeshire forwards Dom and Kemsley sign for Scarlets". Western Telegraph. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  8. "Press Releases 2021 | University of Wales Trinity Saint David". uwtsd.ac.uk. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  9. "Impressive Scarlets beat Bulls with bonus point". BBC Sport. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  10. "Props Wainwright and Mathias commit to Scarlets". BBC Sport. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  11. "Kemsley crashes over against England on a memorable tour of South Africa". Western Telegraph. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  12. "Hawkins left out of Wales World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  13. "Lake captains new-look Wales as Roberts makes debut". BBC Sport. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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