Mel Rosser

Mel Rosser
Born	(1901-04-18) April 18, 1901 Machen, Wales
Died	September 8, 1988(1988-09-08) (aged 87)
Occupation(s)	Rugby union and rugby league footballer, police officer, publican
Years active	1920s–1930s
Known for	Dual-code rugby international for Wales

Melville "Mel" Aaron Rosser (18 April 1901 – 8 September 1988) was a distinguished Welsh rugby centre who competed internationally in both rugby union and rugby league. Initially, he played rugby union representing Penarth and Cardiff before transitioning to professional rugby league. His league career included stints at Leeds, Castleford (Heritage #88), and York. Rosser also earned caps for Wales in both codes and participated in the 1928 Great Britain rugby league tour of Australia.

Rugby union career

Rosser launched his rugby union journey with the local side Machen RFC, subsequently advancing to the top-tier club Cardiff, where he notched four tries across two seasons. In the 1923–24 period, he transferred to Penarth, a rival club. While playing for Penarth, Rosser received his inaugural international selection for Wales during the 1924 Five Nations Championship against Scotland. Positioned at centre alongside Jack Elwyn Evans, Wales endured a substantial 35–10 defeat.

Following his omission after the Scotland encounter, Rosser was recalled for the concluding match versus France. With fullback Ossie Male suspended, Rosser was deployed as an emergency fullback, helping Wales secure a tight win highlighted by a dropped goal from Vince Griffiths.

Throughout his rugby union tenure, Rosser also represented Glamorgan County and played for Glamorgan Police RFC while serving as a police officer.

International rugby union matches played

Wales

• 1924 vs Scotland
• 1924 vs France

Rugby league career

Rosser turned professional during the 1924/25 season by signing with Leeds Rhinos, which led him to leave his policing career and pursue work as a publican. He made his club debut on 6 September 1924. On 12 April 1926, he earned his first cap for the Wales league side against England, scoring a try despite a narrow defeat. His second international appearance came almost four years later at Wembley in 1930 against Australia, where he again crossed the try line in a losing effort.

Between these appearances, Rosser toured Australia in 1928 with the Great Britain squad, participating in nine matches though not featuring in any Test games. During the 1930/31 season, he briefly played for Castleford before transferring to York. While at York, he added three more Wales caps to his record, including his final international match against Australia on 30 December 1930.

In regional competition, Rosser played left-centre for Monmouthshire in their 14-18 defeat to Glamorgan at Taff Vale Park, Pontypridd during the 1926–27 season.

He also featured as right-centre for York in the 1930–31 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium where they were defeated 8-22 by Halifax before an audience of 40,368.

International rugby league matches played

Wales

• 1926, 1931, 1932
• 1930, 1933