Rugby fans, get ready for a tale that rocked Welsh rugby to its core! Remember the explosive saga of David Bishop? Back in 1985, Bishop was caught in a whirlwind of controversy after an off-the-ball punch on Newbridge’s Chris Jarman led to an 11-month suspension from the Welsh national team. His rugby career as an international player came to a screeching halt, painting him as the “bad boy” of Welsh rugby.
Fast forward to today: Bishop’s upcoming autobiography, “The Bish,” promises a deep dive into the incident and his rocky relationship with the Welsh Rugby Union. Reflecting on what happened, Bishop shares his belief that the Union was singling out Pontypool, his club at the time. “It was the sheer bloody hypocrisy,” he writes, as he recalls the challenges he faced during a career where physical plays and aggressive tactics were common on the field.
Despite carrying the label of villain for decades, Bishop speaks out for the first time about the sleepless nights and the frustration of bearing the brunt of accusations for actions he felt were widespread. Pontypool’s coach, Ray Prosser, remarked on seeing far worse incidents that went unpunished, and teammate Eddie Butler acknowledged that Bishop had become the focal point for criticism of foul play.
Bishop’s revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into an era where rugby’s hard knocks were part and parcel of the game. Curious to know more? “The Bish” hits bookshelves officially on 10 October, but early copies will be available during his launch events on 4 October in Pontypool. This is a piece of Welsh rugby history you won’t want to miss!
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