Keith Smith
Encyclopedia
Keith Smith was a former English
rugby
player; he excelled in playing centre. He first played with Yorkshire Colts rugby then advanced to Roundhay. It was from that side that he was selected to play in the English
international ranks.
His Roundhay début was against local rivals West Leeds Old Boys in 1972. The last of his eventual 85 games was played was against Gosforth in 1976 for the National Cup. He eventually played 14 times for Yorkshire.
His first English appearance was a disappointing 12-12 draw against France played at Parc des Princes
in Paris
on March 2, 1974. In this game his centre pairing was Coventry’s
Geoff Evans. Peter Squires and Alan Old also played alongside him, they were both from his Yorkshire club. The following day over 200 people, many rugby supporters returning from the match, were killed in an air crash over Northern France.
Smith then went on the play for England
against Wales
at Twickenham two weeks later and added two more caps against Wales in Cardiff in 1975 and then playing against Scotland at Twickenham the following game.
Smith’s trademark skill was an irresistible dummy and a beautiful pair of hands, while his ability to glide through the tightest defences made him a valuable centre.
’s 3-12 defeat to Widnes
in the 1978–79 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on 5 May 1979.
He transferred those skills to rugby league when he joined Wakefield Trinity
and in 1979 he also represented England at Rugby League against Wales scoring a try, before becoming a postman and spending time coaching junior rugby league in East Leeds. Keith was diagnosed with cancer, and died in 2006 at St. Gemma's Hospice, Leeds, aged 53.
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
player; he excelled in playing centre. He first played with Yorkshire Colts rugby then advanced to Roundhay. It was from that side that he was selected to play in the English
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
international ranks.
His Roundhay début was against local rivals West Leeds Old Boys in 1972. The last of his eventual 85 games was played was against Gosforth in 1976 for the National Cup. He eventually played 14 times for Yorkshire.
His first English appearance was a disappointing 12-12 draw against France played at Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
on March 2, 1974. In this game his centre pairing was Coventry’s
Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
Geoff Evans. Peter Squires and Alan Old also played alongside him, they were both from his Yorkshire club. The following day over 200 people, many rugby supporters returning from the match, were killed in an air crash over Northern France.
Smith then went on the play for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
at Twickenham two weeks later and added two more caps against Wales in Cardiff in 1975 and then playing against Scotland at Twickenham the following game.
Smith’s trademark skill was an irresistible dummy and a beautiful pair of hands, while his ability to glide through the tightest defences made him a valuable centre.
Challenge Cup final appearances
Keith Smith played , i.e. number 3 in Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
’s 3-12 defeat to Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
in the 1978–79 Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
final at Wembley Stadium on 5 May 1979.
He transferred those skills to rugby league when he joined Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
and in 1979 he also represented England at Rugby League against Wales scoring a try, before becoming a postman and spending time coaching junior rugby league in East Leeds. Keith was diagnosed with cancer, and died in 2006 at St. Gemma's Hospice, Leeds, aged 53.