Connor Dever - Rugby Journey

Taken from the RGC Match Programme v Cardiff 

Connor Dever’s rugby journey is anything but ordinary. From his early days playing junior rugby in Rhyl to lifting trophies across Europe and Australia, the RGC scrum-half has travelled the world in pursuit of the game. Now back playing in North Wales, Dever’s is enjoying his rugby more than ever.

Connor Dever’s rugby education began close to home. He started his youth career at Waterloo Rugby Club before representing Rhyl Under 14s through to Under 16s, laying the foundations for a career that would later span continents.

“I was always playing,” Dever recalls. “Rhyl was a huge part of my development, and those early years really shaped my rugby journey”

His talent earned him a place at school in Kirkham, where he spent two years honing his skills before signing a professional contract with Sale Sharks. Training in a high-performance environment exposed him to some of the game’s most experienced figures.

“Being around international scrum-half like Mike Phillips, Peter Stringer, and Chris Cusiter was massive for me,” he says. “You learn so much just by watching how they prepare and how they control games.”

After two years at Sale Sharks, Dever was released late in the season — a moment that could have stalled his career. Instead, it opened the door to a new chapter abroad. He moved to Italy, joining Biella, where he helped the club win the Serie A league.

“It was a gamble, but it paid off,” Dever explains. “Winning a league in Italy was a great experience, both on and off the pitch”

Returning to the UK, Dever spent two seasons with Rotherham in National 1, working under coaches such as Lee Blackett, England’s attacking coach. The squad featured players including Keir Irvine and Matt Smith, and the experience added further layers to his game management and tactical awareness.

From there, the journey continued east to Germany, where Dever played for SC Frankfurt 1880. Surrounded by Tongan internationals, he once again lifted silverware, winning the German championship.

“Germany was another new opportunity”, he says. “Different culture, different style, but the same demand to perform.”

That success led him even further afield, to Perth, Australia, where he achieved a rare feat — winning two league titles in a single year across different competitions.

His most consistent exposure to elite rugby came in Sydney, playing for Gordon in the Shute Shield, a competition broadcast weekly and renowned for its intensity. There, he lined up alongside players such as  Pellegrini, a Tongan international, and John Smith, who would later go on to play for the Crusaders.

“The Shute Shield was probably the toughest, most consistent rugby I played,” Dever reflects. “Week in, week out, it was fast and physical”

After returning to the UK, Dever signed for Newport (Salop) in Birmingham. Despite a difficult season that ended in relegation, the experience added to his resilience. He has since spent the last two seasons with RGC, bringing a wealth of international experience back to RGC.

Though his career has taken him across the globe, Dever’s connection to North Wales has never faded. Having grown up playing in Rhyl and living in Prestatyn, returning to represent the region feels like coming full circle.

 “I love it here, love being at RGC, and having the chance to represent the region, and enjoying every moment”

From Rhyl to Rome, Frankfurt to Sydney, and finally back home, Connor Dever’s path to RGC is a testament to perseverance — and to the idea that sometimes, the longest journeys lead you right back where you started.

Next RGC home game v Carmarthen Quins, Saturday 21st February. 2.30pm.

Early bird tickets here - Tickets