Keith Jarrett (born May 18 1948 in Newport, Monmouthshire) was a Welsh Rugby centre who played union for Newport and league with Barrow. Jarrett is notable for his memorable early appearances for Wales where he set point scoring records. Jarrett switched to rugby league in 1969 but illness forced him to retire in 1973 at the age of 25.

Early career

Jarrett is the son of former Glamorgan cricketer Harold Jarrett and attended Monmouth School. Like his father he also played cricket for Glamorgan County Cricket Club. In 1966 Keith Jarrett played for Newport against Ebbw Vale, shortly after leaving school.

International career

He played his first international for Wales on April 15, 1967, against England, still aged only eighteen. He scored a try that has been voted seventh in a poll of the top ten Welsh tries. In the same match, he kicked two penalty goals and five conversions. His performance on the field was so impressive that he made the cover of Rugby World magazine two months later.

Jarrett played for Wales ten times in all, making his final appearance against Australia. In 1968 he set a club record of 30 points for Newport against Penarth and was selected for the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa. In 1969 he transferred to rugby league club Barrow, and also went on to play for the Welsh national rugby league side.

Later life

His career was cut short in 1973, after he suffered a stroke resulting from a hemorrhage. He was unable to achieve his fullest potential. At 25 he was about to come into his prime.

He also was great friends with Chris "the Cat" Morgan a Welsh centre half and cricket captain of Wales, who was the first man ever to be caught and bowled and hit wicket in the same match in 1978 against the Thessalonians in Cairo in the aid of Jarrett's testimonal.

References

External links

• Wales Rugby Union profile