Whilst born in Pontypool, Reg Edwards attended Presswell School in England. He later became a Master Butcher by trade. He played 230 games for Newport RFC from 1909-10 to 1924-25, his first game against Cwmbran in September 1909 (Won 34 v 0), his last against Abertillery in April 1925 (Won 24 v 4). A member of the "All International" Newport side that defeated Bristol 17 v 0 at Rodney Parade in 1921, Reg was Vice-captain of the 1922-23 "Invincibles" who won 35 games and drew 4. He captained Newport in the two seasons 1923-24 and 1924-25.
A Welsh trialist but overlooked by Wales, Reg was picked by Englnd making his debut at Twickenham on 15th January 1921 when, ironically, England defeated Wales 18 v 3. On his third appearance he scored a try in an 18 v 0 TripleCrown clinching victory over Scotland at Inverleith, Edinburgh. His last appearance in the white jersey came against New Zealad in 1924 at Twickenham. This match was notable for the sending off of New Zealand's Cyril Brownlie for seemingly kicking Edwards on the floor, later denied. The referee subsequently reported Edwards to the RFU for misconduct and he never played for England again.
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Upon his death The Times of 13th August 1951 reported:-
"DEATH OF R. EDWARDS"
"The news has reached South Wales of the death in Montreal of Mr. R. Edwards, the former Newport Rugby captain and English international forward. Edwards was an outstanding player in the invincible Newport XV of 1922-23 and played for England 11 timesafter first of all appearing in a Welsh Trial. He was a member of perhaps the greatest of English modern packs, including as it did such players as W. W. Wakefield, R. Cove-Smith, A. T. Voyce, W. E. C. Luddington, G. S. Conway, E. R. Gardner, and A. F. Blackiston. Perhaps Edwards's most famous encounter was that with the Second All Blacks, at Twickenham, on January 18, 1925. He was 64 at the time of his death."