Romeo Colella – very much a tough rugby player with The Seagulls

 
Anyone watching Fishguard & Goodwick RFC playing rugby might see a stocky first-aid man run on to tend their ‘walking wounded’, without realising that he is Romeo Colella, a fantastic player in his younger days, not only with The Seagulls, where he deservedly won Welsh caps at under 18 and under 19 levels, but for almost a decade at Whitland where he was a real supporters’ favourite, before finishing off back at The Moors and now still involved with his bucket of cold water and sponge.
 
Indeed, Romeo would be judged by many as one of the best players ever to emerge at the club because although he plays down his worth, he was certainly competitive by nature, showed total commitment, was a good ball carrier and had an innate tactical awareness not normally associated with front row players!
 

Early start at Ysgol Bro Gwaun

 
He started out in his second year at Fishguard Secondary School, now known as Ysgol Bro Gwaun, where Mr Wayne Harries played him in the back row alongside others like Huw Evans, Ross Evans, Jonathan ‘JJ’ Jones, Kevin Nicholas and Barry James that were so strong together that they only lost once in their four years  together’
 
“In the county youth I played alongside Martin Tamilia (Neyland), Richard ‘Bomber’ Morgan and Neil Humphreys (both Pembroke), and won the MK Electrics Cup with Bobby Simons as coach.”




 

Also popular with The Borderers

 
Romeo made his first-team debut under Colwyn James when he was very much a youth player and warned not to get sent off because he was officially too young to play – and he stayed as a regular in the senior side until he was 27 before he was persuaded to join fellow Seagull Randall Williams at Whitland by a great man called Dai John.
 
He was made welcome by the supporters because of his commitment and this writer can vividly recall a Colella run up the touchline in front of the stand where he was heavily tackled by two huge forwards before the trio went down in a heap.
 
Romeo bounced up quickly whilst the opponents needed treatment - and the crowd loved it!
 

Welsh recognition as a teenager

 
It was this powerhouse stuff that saw Romeo receive recognition with Wales at under 18 and under 19 levels, although there was no cap in the first season because they played The Welsh Schools – but the following season he played against Scotland and France to receive his coveted cap.

“The French game was tough because my opponent at prop was four stone heavier than me but eventually I managed to get under him and he sprung a rib so I was quite pleased to win that battle,” admitted Romeo!
 
Romeo eventually retuned to Fishguard  to end his playing days and the undoubted highlight was helping them to reach the final of the Divisional Competition at The Principality Stadium and although it was a wonderful occasion for everyone at the club there was great disappointment in defeat.

“But that’s rugby for you,” Romeo told us, “and I hope that you youngsters playing today remember what a great game it is – so win or lose, just keep your heads up and carry on enjoying it!”