The Scarlet Runners and the Welsh All Blacks: Traditions and Identities in Welsh Rugby

While research on sport and identity has focused heavily on nationalism and collective belonging, the role of playing styles and the traditions through which they are reproduced are often overlooked, particularly within a nation. Using Wales as a case study, attention is given to how two of its most storied rugby clubs, Llanelli and Neath, embody contrasting traditions that have come to define their historic identities. The concept of tradition is used to trace how identities rooted in playing styles formed, evolved and persisted, drawing on match reports, club histories, and media commentary. Existing literature on sport, identity, and tradition is considered alongside the historical emergence of Llanelli’s association with running rugby, and Neath’s forward‑dominated ethos. These traditions were invoked in key Welsh Cup finals between 1972 and 2009, which continued to shape perceptions despite significant change in Welsh rugby. Traditions function as powerful interpretive frameworks through which clubs understand themselves and are understood by others. Even as performances contradict stereotype, these traditions endure, demonstrating that sporting identities are plural, narratively sustained, and deeply rooted in history.