St Helen's Archive

30/09/2026

St Helen's Archive is all about sporting heritage! Visit our website: https://sthelensarchive.wales/s/st-helens-archive/page/home

30/09/2026

08/09/2026

Following the post about the incredible photo album, here is one of the two Ranji Walker XV jerseys in the collection at St Helen's Archive. The Swan logo is no doubt a nod to where the team was dreamt up - here in Swansea, of course, at St Helen's! Many well-known players happily played for Ranji Walker's XV, including Munster man Gordon Wood, who later played for the British and Irish Lions. His famous son would also play for the Lions, as well as Ireland, Garryowen and Munster - the same four sides as his dad! Unfortunately, Ranji Walker's XV didn't last as long as the Barbarians or Crawshays, so the famous son never got to pull on the burgundy jersey! Without looking it up, who is his famous son?

04/09/2026

When asked to name invitational rugby sides, two names immediately come to mind - the Barbarians and Crawshays. But did you know about the invitational side dreamt up to celebrate Swansea RFC's 75th anniversary? Swansea RFC's then Honourable Secretary, Cliff Prosser, was good friends with Group Captain Sydney George 'Ranji' Walker, who asked him to raise a side to help the club celebrate the anniversary. The side was such a roaring success that they toured for several years following. At St Helen's Archive, we have several related artefacts you can see on the website, including this incredible photograph album, donated by Ranji's son, Brigadier Jonny Walker. He was photographed shaking hands with Horace Phillips and David Price after he donated the album.

27/08/2026

...In anticipation of the return of first-class rugby to St Helen's, we present a rare image from 146 years ago, when the famous St Helen's ground hosted Wales's first-ever rugby international on home soil. This is the England team, photographed at Henry Chapman's studio on High Street pre-match. The Wales team photo is sadly lost to history, with no known copy existing. Unfortunately, the match was lost to a strong England side, their Australian player Gregory Wade scoring a hat trick of tries as the visitors scored 2 goals and 4 tries to nil. Come to St Helen's in 2026-27 to enjoy more historic occasions. Find out more by searching for PH285 on the St Helen's Archive website, or going to 1882-1883 in Rugby Seasons and Statistics on the menu tabs.

16/08/2026

Now that the Swansea RFC v Plymouth Albion RFC match report is online, here's one from the archive.... The match was played at South Devon Place, Plymouth. The Whites won by 17 points to 5!

Have a look at our website: https://sthelensarchive.wales/s/st-helens-archive/page/home

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

09/08/2026

Before Ospreys Rugby moved to the then Liberty Stadium, St Helen's was all about household names. Of course, from October this will be the case again!

Here we have the archives' latest acquisition, and there are some real gems here... These will eventually be part of a new and improved display in the 1876 Lounge - formerly the St Helen's Lounge.

Keep an eye on the website over the coming weeks for further information. Ospreys in the Community's Sporting Memories group will get to hear all about the items on Tuesday. These items belong to Joseph Ivor Thomas Morris - known as Glyn. We have both his Swansea and Wales caps, a wonderful portrait, and a menu for a gala dinner, fully signed by the 1924- 25 Invincible All Blacks! The keener-eyed may also spot an Aberavon Rugby Club squad photo, as Glyn later played for the Wizards.