Player

Date Of Birth: 23/01/1971 (39)
Place Of Birth: Bridgend
Height: 175cm / 5'9"
Weight: 99kg / 15st 8lbs
Clubs: Pencoed / Neath / Swansea
Education: Ysgol Gyfun Llanharry (Wales)
Regions: Ospreys
Invitational: Barbarians
Honours: British and Irish Lions / Wales Youth / Wales B / Wales A / Wales

Profile
Ian Scott Gibbs' remarkable career spanned both rugby codes, his international career beginning in 1991 v England aged only 19. Moving from Neath to Swansea in 1992 the fast and powerfull centre scored the first try in The Whites' victory over then World Champions Australia. Further big performances helped his side to a Welsh Cup Final and secured a call-up to the 1993 Lions tour to New Zealand. His impressive form saw him replace the England captain Will Carling in the last 2 tests. Following ligament injury in a Barbarians game, Gibbs returned to rugby but in the League code in 1994 with St Helens where he developed into a remarkably powerfull player, representing Wales and Great Britain in that code. Returning to Swansea and Rugby Union in 1996, he brought with him a professional approach and hard edge that soon saw him back in a Wales Jersey. He was selected for the 1997 Lions tour to South Africa and was voted 'Player of the Series' for his devastating tackling and running exemplified by his flooring of the Springbok 2nd row Os du Randt. He aquired the nicknames of the 'pocket battleship', 'car crash' and 'the fastest prop in world rugby' due to these strengths. But he was more than just an impact player and had great vision, an eye for the gap and good hands. His dancing run to score "that try" in the last minute win over England in 1999 ensured his passing into Welsh rugby folklore. He scored twice as Man of the Match in his last of 53 Welsh caps (v Italy) in 2001 and went to Australia for this third Lions Tour in the same year. He captained Swansea for 5 consecutive seasons from 1998-99 to 2002-03, a feat only equalled by W J Bancroft and W J Trew (6 times each).