The following Wizards have departed from Aberavon RFC.
LLOYD EVANS – Open-side flanker. DOB: 14/9/1990 Bridgend.
Club debut v Dinas Powys (away) 24/8/2019.
57 appearances.
Lloyd was a superb signing for the ‘Wizards’ in the summer of 2020, scoring a try on his debut. He joined Aberavon from Ebbw Vale where coach Greg Woods was very sorry to see him go, particularly as he was a more-than-useful centre as well as a flanker. He had scored two Premiership tries with Neath before joining Ebbw Vale and scored 11 more Premiership tries whilst with the ‘Steelmen’. He had previously played for the Ospreys Academy, Ospreys (12 games), Bridgend Athletic, Bridgend (41 games, 11 tries from 2011-12 until 2015-16) and the Wales Sevens. His great rugby brain was shown particularly when he handled twice in the Chay Smith try against Cardiff in March 2020. It showed what Lloyd is all about – a brilliant vision and quick decision-making. It is believed that the ashes of Lloyd’s grandfather were buried under the pitch. In March 2022 Lloyd was selected as captain for the Wales Sevens side. He has now Aberavon to join Swansea for the 2023-24 season.
JOE THOMAS – Centre. DOB: 21/2/1996.
Club debut – v Yorkshire Carnegie (home) 28/11/2014.
80 appearances.
Joe came from Morriston Comprehensive School through to Neath and Port Talbot College, joining Swansea and scoring 11 tries in 16 appearances as a wing in the Championship in 2014-15 that included a hat-tricks against Tondu and Tata. He played one GB/I Cup game for Aberavon before making nine Premiership appearances in 2015-16 scoring tries against Cross Keys (away) and Llanelli (home). He had made a Wales under-16 debut against Canada at Newport in 2012 and then from the Ospreys Academy with a Wales under-18 debut against France at Swansea in 2013. In 2015 came his Wales under-20 debut against France at Swansea and he continued through 2016, including the Junior World Cup in Manchester, scoring tries against New Zealand and Scotland. He moved from the Ospreys to play for Leicester, but was later released and played from April 2021 in Texas, USA for Houston Saber Cats until returning to Wales in the August. He soon was back in training and had the ability to play in numerous back positions, including helping out at fly half. He has re-signed for Swansea for the 2023-24 season.
GERAINT RHYS JONES – Outside half. DOB: 23/8/1988 Abergavenny.
Debut v Trebanos (away) in friendly 18/11/200 (3 cons).
18 appearances.
Rhys is the son of the former Wales captain and forward Kingsley Jones. He joined Aberavon in May 2022 from Ebbw Vale at the age of 33. He was educated at Brynmawr Comprehensive School and since then he has played for many clubs/regions in England and Wales. Amongst the clubs were Sale Sharks (7 games, 22 points, 2007-08); Cornish Pirates (25 games, 220 points, 2008-10); Newport (13 games, 101 points, 2010-11); Llanelli (4 games, 7 points, 2011-12); Carmarthen Quins (4 games, 10 points, 2011-12) and Scarlets (4 games, 7 points, 2011-12). From 2013 he returned to Gwent, making appearances for the Dragons, Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale. In 2018-19 he scored 67 cons, 43 pens, 4dg, 275 points in the league (plus 17 in the cup) for Ebbw Vale. in the half season of 2019-20 he scored 48 points for Merthyr and 16 points for Ebbw Vale. He had gained Wales under-20 caps in 2007. His younger brother Dorian, also a fly half, was playing for Carcassonne in 2021-22.
We would like to thank all three players for their efforts and hard work in and out of the Aberavon jersey. Good luck in the future.