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Bridgend Athletic Congratulates Rhys Webb & Josh Navidi on Selection for Wales V New Zealand

BARFC would like to congratulate Rhys Webb & Josh Navidi on their selection to start in the Welsh team v All Blacks this Saturday Nov 25^th.

Rhys Webb’s involvement with the Athletic U7’s through Youth and a few senior appearances for the Athletic Acquiring Caps at all age groups between 16 and 20, before gaining 29 Senior Welsh Caps to date and 2 British Lions Caps is well documented.

What is less known is that flanker Josh Navidi a pupil at Brynteg Comprehensive school with an Iranian father who has Business interests in Brackla and a Welsh mother, played Mini & Junior age group rugby with the Athletic up to the age of 16. He was very complimentary in an interview with the Western Mail of the coaching he received while with the Athletic age groups from our ex stalwart No 8 or Flanker Lee Davies. Lee the son of former Bridgend & Wales wing Lynn (Tanky) Davies – himself a former senior Athletic coach, played 188 senior Athletic games scoring 92 tries and 377 points.

Josh left the Athletic to attend St Bede’s College in New Zealand to help further his rugby education.

He returned at 18 joining the Blues Academy and played for Wales U18 on 8 occasions, captaining them in a win against France. He has made 122 appearances for the Blues Region scoring 90 points.

He gained his first Welsh Cap on the 15^th June against Japan – incidentally another Athletic Youth player Scott Baldwin also won the first of his 34 caps in the same game.

In this Autumn series Josh had an excellent game against Australia and came on as a substitute against Georgia. The club wishes him well for his 6^th Cap on Saturday and Rhys for his 30^th.