Alix Popham

Who is Alix Popham?

Alix Jon Popham is a former Welsh rugby union footballer, who played at Number eight or flanker and was captain for the 2009 season at Brive in the French Top 14, having signed from the Llanelli Scarlets in 2008. Popham has also played for Wales, earning 33 caps to date.

Before moving up to the full Welsh squad, Popham captained the Wales Under-21 team and played for Wales 'A'. He moved from Leeds Tykes to the Scarlets in the summer of 2005. During his time at Leeds he helped them win the 2004–05 Powergen Cup, the final of which he started. He made his international debut for Wales in June 2003 against Australia. He was also capped another three times before being included in Wales' 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He played two matches during the tournament.

The following season he played in the 2004 Six Nations Championship, as well as being capped against South Africa in June, and against Japan in November. He played two internationals in 2005, and was capped five times in 2006, in the Six Nations, and against Romania in June.

He is well known for his block-busting tackles, including a tackle on Joe Maddock in a Powergen Cup semi-final against Bath in the 2005–06 season. The centre broke through the Llanelli line, and Popham knocked him side-on, knocking the ball out of Maddock's hands in the process. In his next appearance, London Wasps flanker Johnny O'Connor was knocked out after he ran into Popham's chest.