Allen Forward

Allen Forward (4 June 1921 – 1 January 1994) was a Welsh rugby union forward who favoured the position of flanker. He was the second eldest of nine children and was educated at nearby Varteg School, before attending Abersychan Grammar Technical School.

Forward was first selected for the Wales national team as part of the 1951 Five Nations Championship, filling the role left by Ray Cale, who had turned professional the previous year. Forward was chosen as a flanker Forward was left out for the final two games of the Championship.

During the 1951/52 season, Forward faced the touring South African team twice. His first encounter was as part of a joint Pontypool / Newbridge team that met the Springboks on 18 October 1951. Forward was only one of two internationals in the joint club side, the other being Don Hayward. South Africa won 15–6. His second encounter, playing in his usual role as a flanker,

Although Forward had not had the best start to his international career, the 1952 Five Nations Championship would see a reverse in his fortunes as Wales lifted the Championship title and won the Grand Slam. Forward played in all four Wales' games of the tournament as a flanker, with wins over England (8–6) and Ireland (14–3) away, and Scotland (11–0) and France (9–5) at home. The France game was Forward's final international appearance. The 1951/52 season also saw him chosen for invitational touring team, the Barbarians, playing in two matches of the tour, against Cardiff and Newport.

After 1952, Forward continued playing rugby at club level, and for the 1953/54 season he was selected as captain of the senior Pontypool side. He continued in his role as captain, when a joint Pontypool / Cross Keys team was selected to face the 1952/53 touring New Zealand side. Forward was the only international cap in the joint side, which lost to the All Blacks 19–6. During the second half of the match Forward was almost on the score sheet with a try, when he pounced on a cross kick in the All Blacks area; but the referee disallowed it.

Forward not only played rugby for Pontypool, but as a police officer, also represented several Police rugby teams. He played at county level for the Monmouth Police, and at country-wide level with the Wales Police and British Police teams.

International matches played Wales 1952 1952 1952 1951, 1952 1951