Former Gwent detective leads Wales Police Rugby into Four Nations clash
15 October 2025
A former Gwent Police Federation member is preparing to lead the Wales Police Men’s Rugby Team into action, as they kick off their Four Nations campaign against England
Former Detective Constable Nigel Puddy, who served 35 years with Gwent Police, now manages the national police rugby side.
It’s a role that brings together officers from the four Welsh forces to compete at the highest level of UK police rugby.
Now in its third year, the Four Nations Championship, features police teams from Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Former Detective Constable Nigel Puddy.
Wales were the inaugural winners of the competition, lifting the trophy in Dublin three years ago.
Ireland claimed the title last year when the tournament was hosted by Scotland. England are this year’s hosts, with Wales travelling to Bournville
Nigel, who served 10 years in uniform and 25 in CID before retiring in 2011, said: “It’s a great competition.
Teamwork
“It’s about pride and teamwork, and representing your country and your Force.
“England will be strong, because they have so many players to pick from.
“It should be a cracking game.”
Despite challenges with player availability – a common issue for police teams balancing shifts, injuries and family life – Nigel is proud of the squad that will take the field.
“You know what it’s like with policing, shifts, childcare, injuries, it can be difficult at times.
For the shirt
“But it is what it is, and we’ll give everything for the shirt.”
The Wales squad is drawn from officers representing South Wales, North Wales, Dyfed Powys and Gwent police forces.
The team is coached by Simon Davies, a Detective Inspector from South Wales Police.
South Wales Police provides much of the backbone of the national team, having won the UK Police Sports (PSUK) rugby cup competition four years in a row.
But Gwent’s own rugby pedigree remains strong, and they beat South Wales 17-13 in the PSUK Cup league stages last week.
Wales travel to Bournville, near Birmingham, to play England
Credit Dan Minto Photography
Nigel, who managed the Gwent Police rugby team for 29 years, said
“South Wales have had a great run of success recently, but Gwent has been in the most cup finals, so there’s a lot of quality there.
“Gwent beat South Wales last week, which was a credit to us and a bit of a shock to them.
“But come the Four Nations that all goes out of the window and we’re all be pulling on that Welsh shirt and we’ll all be one.
Rugby World Cup
Nigel described how he became involved in the Wales Police Men’s Rugby Team, and how it was resurrected during the 1999 Men’s Rugby World Cup, which was hosted by Wales.
He was managing Gwent at the time, when Australia Police made contact to arrange a fixture.
“They were coming over to follow Australia and wanted a game against a Welsh team,” he explained.
“So, basically, we reformed the Wales Police Team for that game.”
The game was played at Waterton Cross, the former home of South Wales Police RFC.
“We won the game and from then on we started playing again,” Nigel said.
Charity games
“We played two or three times a year, if there were touring sides or we’d play for charity.
“Then the Four Nations was born three years ago, which has really given it new life. It’s something special for everyone involved.”
Looking ahead, the competition continues next month before concluding in May at Heywood Road, the home of Sale FC.
Wales are due to host the tournament in 2027, with hopes of staging it at Cardiff Arms Park.
Nigel, who now serves as chair and president of his local club Caerleon, remains deeply proud of his roots in Gwent.
“It’s an honour to still be involved in Welsh police rugby,” he said. “I’ve spent most of my life in this game, and to see officers from all over Wales come together like this is something really special.”
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