Jacob Beetham

Jacob Beetham
Date of birth (2001-04-18) 18 April 2001 (age 23)
Place of birthBrecon, Wales
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb)
SchoolYsgol Calon Cymru
Cardiff and Vale College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full-back
Current team Cardiff
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Glamorgan Wanderers ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Cardiff RFC 21 (164)
2021– Cardiff Rugby 16 (3)
Correct as of 18:06, 29 June 2024 (UTC)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2021 Wales U20 7 (10)
2024– Wales 1 (0)
Correct as of 18:06, 29 June 2024 (UTC)

Jacob Beetham (born 18 April 2001) is a Welsh rugby union player, who plays as a full-back for United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby.[1]

Early life

Beetham was born in Brecon, Powys, and educated at the Builth Wells campus of Ysgol Calon Cymru.[2] He attended Cardiff and Vale College.[3]

Club career

Cardiff Rugby

Beetham was part of the Cardiff academy until under-18 level. He departed the academy and played for Glamorgan Wanderers, before rejoining the academy during the 2019–20 season.[4][5]

Beetham was named in the Cardiff academy squad for the 2021–22 season.[6] He made his debut for Cardiff in the first round of the 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup against Toulouse, starting at full-back.[7] During the match, he received a red card for a high tackle, and was subsequently banned for three weeks.[8]

In September 2022, while playing for Cardiff RFC, Beetham suffered an ACL injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.[9]

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Beetham signed an extension with Cardiff's academy, while training with the senior squad.[10]

On 2 February 2024, Beetham signed a new contract with Cardiff.[11]

International career

Wales U20

Beetham was selected for Wales U20 for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[12] During the match against England, he was taken out in the air by opposing full-back Freddie Steward and injured. Steward was banned for four weeks following his citing.[13]

Beetham remained in the squad for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[14]

Wales

Ahead of the 2024 Six Nations Championship, Beetham was targeted by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.[15] Beetham joined the Wales squad to train during the tournament, but was not officially called up.[16]

Beetham was called up to the senior Wales squad by Warren Gatland in June 2024 for the tour to Australia.[17] Beetham made his international debut on 22 June 2024, coming on as a replacement against South Africa.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Jacob Beetham". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Duo go from Calon Cymru classroom to flying Welsh flag". County Times. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ James, Ben (15 December 2021). "'Deceivingly quick' ex-Wales full-back is backed to make his mark in Welsh rugby after unforgettable debut". Wales Online. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Rees reflects on Cardiff Blues under-18 programme after title-winning season". Cardiff Rugby. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  5. ^ Cole, Rob (22 September 2020). "Cardiff Blues confirm squad as youngsters step up". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Academy Squad". Cardiff Blues. 5 May 2019.
  7. ^ "European Champions Cup: Cardiff Rugby 7-39 Stade Toulousain". BBC Sport. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  8. ^ James, Ben (17 December 2021). "Cardiff youngster Jacob Beetham banned for three weeks after Toulouse red card". Wales Online. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Young reacts to back three injuries". Cardiff Rugby. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Seven academy stars sign contracts at CAP". Cardiff Rugby. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Jacob Beetham: Full-back signs new contract with Cardiff". BBC Sport. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  12. ^ Gillespie, Graeme (17 January 2020). "Wales U20 Six Nations squad announced". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  13. ^ "England U20 star has been banned for this mis-timed tackle against Wales". Ruck. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  14. ^ Gillespie, Graeme (12 June 2021). "Wales U20 squad announced for Six Nations". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  15. ^ Thomas, Steffan (14 January 2024). "Promising Wales full-back emerges as shock target for Scotland". Wales Online. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  16. ^ Thomas, Steffan (15 May 2024). "Wales could consider fresh talent to inject life into team this summer". Wales Online. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Wales call up Scarlets' James to summer squad". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  18. ^ "South Africa 41-13 Wales: Springboks ease to five-try win". BBC Sport. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.