George Littlewood Hirst (5 May 1890 – 30 July 1967) was a Welsh international rugby union player. He was educated at Emanuel School in London and played club rugby for Pontypool and Newport and invitational rugby for the Barbarians.

Rugby career

Hirst made his debut for Wales on 3 February 1912 against Scotland. Under the captaincy of Dicky Owen, Wales won the game 21-6, with Hirst and fellow debutant Reggie Plummer scoring a try each. Hirst had difficulty holding his role in the Welsh team, and was replaced by Bryn Lewis and later Billy Geen. Hirst recovered his place the next year when he was again selected to face Scotland in the 1913 Five Nations Championship. Hirst was again on the winning team, but found himself dropped once more. In the 1914 Championship Hirst managed to hold down the role on the wing when he played in all four matches, losing only once, in the opening game against England. During the tournament, Hirst scored a further two tries and two drop goals.

George Littlewood Hirst

Hirst's international career was cut short by the outbreak of World War I, but he returned to rugby when the war ended. He played in two matches for the Barbarians in 1919 before he sustained a broken leg in a charity game that ended his playing career.

George Littlewood Hirst

International games played

Wales

1914

1914

1914

1912, 1913, 1914

Bibliography

References

1890 births

1967 deaths

Barbarian F.C. players

Newport RFC players

People educated at Emanuel School

Rugby union players from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough

Rugby union wings

Wales international rugby union players

Welsh rugby union players

George Littlewood Hirst