Dr Julian Widdowson 1959 – 2022

Tributes have been paid from across the sporting world to Faculty Fellow and Wales rugby pathway doctor Julian Widdowson, who has died suddenly at the age of 63.

Widdowson was a popular and respected physician who spent 12 years with Bath Rugby and also served Gloucester and England Saxons, as well as Wales. Since 2018, he has also been working with West Bromwich Albion football club and he has helped the Royal Ballet School.

He joined the WRU as Wales men’s U20s team doctor in 2014, later twice accompanying the men’s U18s to South Africa, and performed the role of Wales men’s senior team doctor in 2021. He was also involved at the Paralympics World Cup in 2009 and was the medical team leader at the athletics track of the London Olympics in 2012.

In a statement on their website, the Welsh Rugby Union shared an emotional tribute to Widdowson, while West Brom dedicated their recent victory to the memory of the club doctor. The thoughts of everyone at the faculty are with his family and friends at this difficult time.