Kieran Hardy

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Kieran Hardy

| image =Kieran Hardy 20250419 163419.jpg

| image_size =220px

| caption =Judgement Day 2025

| fullname = Kieran Richard Hardy

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|11|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Carmarthen, Wales

| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|90|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Scrum-half

| currentclub = Ospreys

| years1 = 2013–2016

| clubs1 = Carmarthen Quins

| apps1 = 55

| points1 = 40

| years2 = 2014–2016

| clubs2 = Scarlets

| apps2 = 6

| points2 = 0

| years3 = 2016–2018

| clubs3 = Jersey Reds

| apps3 = 55

| points3 = 85

| years4 = 2018–

| clubs4 = Scarlets

| apps4 = 87

| points4 = 122

| repyears1 = 2015

| repteam1 = Wales U20

| repcaps1 = 5

| reppoints1 = 0

| repyears2 = 2020–

| repteam2 = Wales

| repcaps2 = 21

| reppoints2 = 20

| clubupdate = 16 March 2024

| repupdate = 16 March 2024

}}

Kieran Richard Hardy (born 30 November 1995) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Ospreys and the Wales national team.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/kieran-hardy|title=Kieran Hardy|work=Ultimate Rugby|access-date=30 April 2021}}

Club career

Hardy first played for local side Pontyberem RFC until the age of 16.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-26 |title=Kieran Hardy: Ten things you should know about the Wales scrum-half |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/players/who-is-kieran-hardy-ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-wales-scrum-half-121175 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Rugby World |language=en-US}} He began his professional career with Carmarthen Quins, while progressing through the age grade ranks with the Scarlets.{{Cite web |last=Southcombe |first=Matthew |date=2020-10-07 |title=Kieran Hardy's 'unbelievable' journey: From Channel Islands to the Wales squad |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/kieran-hardy-wales-scarlets-star-19065108 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}} Despite making his professional debut with the Scarlets in 2014, he departed the club in 2016 in order to gain experience and game time, as it was limited with competition in the scrum half jersey. Hardy subsequently joined RFU Championship club Jersey Reds, along with Scarlet teammate Regan King.{{Cite web |title=Ex-All Black King to join Jersey RFC |url=https://www.jerseyreds.je/news_article/ex-all-black-king-to-join-jersey-rfc/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Jersey Reds}}

In his first season with Jersey, Hardy helped the club reach the final of the British and Irish Cup. Jersey lost to Munster A 29–28, despite Hardy scoring a try in the fixture.{{Cite news |title=Munster A 29-28 Jersey Reds |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39649325 |access-date=2023-02-23}} Hardy extended his contract for one more season, in 2017.{{Cite news |title=Five players sign new Jersey Reds deals |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39416887 |access-date=2023-02-23}}

In 2018 Hardy was voted Player of the Season, before departing Jersey.{{Cite web |title=Kieran makes it the Hardy way |url=https://www.wru.wales/article/kieran-makes-it-the-hardy-way/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} Hardy rejoined the Scarlets ahead of the 2018–19 Pro14 season, following the departure of Aled Davies.{{Cite web |title=Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Kieran Hardy sign for Scarlets |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15187/11354506/sam-hidalgo-clyne-and-kieran-hardy-sign-for-scarlets |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}

Hardy was voted Breakthrough Player of the Season in his first term back in Llanelli, scoring seven tries in 18 matches. He was voted Player of the Month for October 2019, scoring multiple impactful tries early in the season.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-05 |title=Kieran Hardy voted Intersport player of the month for October |url=https://www.scarlets.wales/article/kieran-hardy-voted-intersport-player-of-the-month-for-october/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Scarlets Rugby |language=en-US}}

International career

In 2015, Hardy was selected for Wales U20, featuring in the 2015 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.{{Cite web |date=2015-01-16 |title=Wales Under 20 Six Nations squad - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2015/01/wales-under-20-six-nations-squad/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Bywater |first=Alex |date=2015-05-05 |title=The Wales Under-20 squad for the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gallery/wales-under-20-squad-2015-world-9187675 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}

On 6 October 2020 Hardy was named in the senior Wales squad for the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.{{cite news |date=6 October 2020 |title=Wales name uncapped Bristol duo Lloyd and Sheedy in autumn squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54431290 |accessdate=6 October 2020}} He made his debut for Wales on the 18 November 2020 in the starting line up for the 18-0 win against Georgia.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55019457 Lloyd debut] His halfback partner for the fixture was Callum Sheedy, who played alongside Hardy for Jersey in 2017 while on loan from Bristol. Hardy scored his first international try on 5 December 2020, against Italy.

Hardy retained his place in the Welsh squad for the 2021 Six Nations.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-20 |title=Wales name squad for 2021 Guinness Six Nations - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2021/01/wales-name-squad-for-2021-guinness-six-nations/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} He made his first Six Nations appearance on 13 February 2021, coming off the bench against Scotland.{{Cite news |title=Williams back for injury-hit Wales |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/56023342 |access-date=2023-02-23}} Hardy was selected to start the following match against England, and scored a try as Wales won 40–24, securing the Triple Crown.{{Cite news |last=Calvert |first=Lee |date=2021-02-27 |title=Wales 40-24 England: Six Nations 2021 – as it happened |language=en-GB |work=the Guardian |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/feb/27/wales-v-england-six-nations-2021-live |access-date=2023-02-23 |issn=0261-3077}} After suffering a hamstring injury during the match, Hardy was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, as Wales won the championship title.{{Cite news |title=Wales scrum-half Hardy out of Six Nations |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/56253138 |access-date=2023-02-23}}

Upon returning to fitness, Hardy was once against selected for the Wales squad for the summer tests against Canada and Argentina.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-07 |title=Five uncapped players in Wales' squad for summer series - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2021/06/five-uncapped-players-in-wales-squad-for-summer-series/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} Hardy featured in the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals, and scored his third test try during the match against Fiji.{{Cite news |date=2021-11-12 |title=Autumn Internationals: FT Wales 38-23 Fiji - late try flurry sees Wales beat 14-man Fiji |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/rugby-union/56974069 |access-date=2023-02-23}}

During the 2022 Six Nations, Hardy once again scored against England, appearing three times off the bench during the tournament.{{Cite news |last=Calvert |first=Lee |date=2022-02-26 |title=England 23-19 Wales: Six Nations 2022 – as it happened |language=en-GB |work=the Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2022/feb/26/england-v-wales-six-nations-2022-live |access-date=2023-02-23 |issn=0261-3077}} That summer he was selected for the 2022 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa, and started all three tests.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=Wales name squad for South Africa Test Series - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2022/05/wales-name-squad-for-south-africa-test-series/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} During the tour, Wales won the second test 13–12, securing a first ever win over the Springboks in South Africa.{{Cite news |date=2022-07-08 |title=South Africa 12-13 Wales - Reaction as Wales secure famous win |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/rugby-union/60573353 |access-date=2023-02-23}}

Hardy was selected for the 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals, coming off the bench against New Zealand and Australia.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-18 |title=Wales squad for 2022 Autumn Nations Series announced - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2022/10/wales-squad-for-2022-autumn-nations-series-announced/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} Hardy retained his place in the squad for the 2023 Six Nations, having been selected by returning head coach Warren Gatland.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-17 |title=Owens captains new 37-man Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2023/01/owens-captains-new-37-man-wales-squad/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}}