Captain of both club and country, Newport legend Arthur Gould is regarded as the first superstar of Welsh rugby. 

The multi-skilled and charismatic back played 27 times for Wales, 25 at centre and two at full-back, and was captain in 18 of them – a record that lasted almost a century. He retired in 1897 and remained Wales’ most-capped centre until overtaken by Steve Fenwick in 1980.

Under his captaincy Wales broke new ground, registering their first international win against England at Dewsbury in 1890 and their first Triple Crown and Championship three years later. He scored two tries in the win over England that year, one a brilliant long distance effort.

One of three brothers to represent Wales, Gould played for Newport for 16 years between 1882 and 1898. His tally of 37 tries in 24 games in the 1893-94 season is a club record that stands to this day.