Hallam Benjamen Amos (born 24 September 1994) is a former Welsh rugby union player who played for Cardiff Rugby and Newport Gwent Dragons. He mostly played as a wing, but he was also capable of playing at fullback and as a centre. In October 2021, Amos announced his retirement from professional rugby union to focus on his medical career.
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| Birth name | Hallam Benjamen Amos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 24 September 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Stockport, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 96 kg (212 lb; 15 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Monmouth School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Cardiff University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born in Stockport, England, he came through the Newport Gwent Dragons academy and made his professional debut for the region in October 2011 at the age of 17 years and 28 days, briefly making him the youngest player to appear for one of the four Welsh regional sides. After eight years with the Dragons, during which time he made 115 appearances, he moved to the Cardiff Blues in 2019.
Amos also represented Wales in international rugby. After playing at under-16 and under-18 level, he played for the under-20s in the 2013 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, before making his full international debut later that year, against Tonga in the 2013 Autumn internationals. He scored his first international try in Wales' opening game at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, a 54–9 win over Uruguay. During his rugby career, he earned a total of 25 international caps, scoring six tries.
Playing career edit
Club rugby edit
Amos made his debut for the Newport Gwent Dragons against Wasps in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 22 October 2011, aged 17 years and 28 days.[1] In doing so, Amos broke the record for the youngest player to play Welsh regional rugby held by Kristian Phillips of the Ospreys. Amos also scored a try on his debut.
On 21 March 2019, Cardiff Blues announced that Amos would be joining the squad for the 2019–20 season.[2] In October 2021, Amos announced that he would be retiring from professional rugby union at the end of the 2021–22 season, at the age of 27, to focus on his medical career.[3]
International career edit
In January 2013 Amos was selected in the Wales Under 20 squad for the 2013 Under 20 Six Nations Championship,[4] having previously played for Wales Under 16 and Wales Under 18. That summer he played in the Under 20 World Cup, where Wales reached the final.
In November 2013 Amos was called up to the senior Wales squad for the Autumn international series matches.[5] He made his full international debut on the wing versus Tonga on 22 November 2013. Amos was narrowly denied a try by his right foot being in touch.[6]
In September 2015, Amos was selected in the Wales squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where he scored his first international try in Wales' opening game against Uruguay. A week later he played in the victory against England, but a shoulder injury in this match meant he could play no further part in the tournament.
In April 2018, Amos was selected as a member of the Commonwealth Games squad to play in the Gold Coast for the Wales Rugby Sevens team. Amos was involved in the 2019 Six Nations Championship, where Wales won the Grand Slam.
In September 2019, Amos was selected in the Wales squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He played in the bronze medal match against New Zealand, scoring Wales' opening try.
In Wales' victorious campaign in the 2021 Six Nations Championship, Amos started their opening match against Ireland.
Alongside Shane Williams and Gareth Thomas, Amos is one of only three Welshmen to have scored international Test tries against New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
International tries edit
| Try | Opponent | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Uruguay |
Cardiff, Wales | Millennium Stadium | 2015 Rugby World Cup | 20 September 2015 | Win |
| 2 |  Australia |
Cardiff, Wales | Millennium Stadium | 2017 Autumn internationals | 11 November 2017 | Loss |
| 3 |  Georgia |
Cardiff, Wales | Millennium Stadium | 2017 Autumn internationals | 18 November 2017 | Win |
| 4 |  South Africa |
Washington, D.C., USA | RFK Stadium | 2018 Summer tour | 9 June 2018 | Win |
| 5 |  Argentina |
San Juan, Argentina | Estadio San Juan | 2018 Summer tour | 9 June 2018 | Win |
| 6 |  New Zealand |
Yokohama, Japan | International Stadium Yokohama | 2019 Rugby World Cup | 1 November 2019 | Loss |
Personal life edit
Amos studied medicine at the Cardiff University School of Medicine, following in the footsteps of both his doctor parents and other Welsh international rugby players such as J. P. R. Williams and Jamie Roberts.[7] During his studies at Cardiff, he completed an intercalated degree in Neuroscience, in which he achieved First Class Honours.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Newport Gwent Dragons confirm centre Hallam Amos deal". BBC Sport. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "Hallam Amos: Wales wing to join Cardiff Blues from Dragons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Hallam Amos: Cardiff and Wales wing to retire at 27 to pursue medical career". BBC Sport. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Wales Under 20 Squad
- ^ Amos Wales call up
- ^ "Rugby – Wales celebrate Gatland's ton with win over Tonga". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ "New Wales cap Hallam Amos looks to follow in the footsteps of Jamie Roberts". 20 November 2013.
- ^ Thomas, Simon (17 July 2019). "Wales rugby star had to miss his graduation so his team-mates held one for him". WalesOnline. Retrieved 15 March 2021.