Nigel Meek

{{short description|Wales international rugby union footballer (born 1964)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Nigel Meek

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|10|20|df=y}}

| birth_place = Blaina, Wales

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}

| weight = {{convert|91|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

| school = St Alban's School, Pontypool

| university =

| relatives =

| occupation =

| ru_position = Hooker

| ru_amateuryears =

| ru_amateurclubs =

| ru_clubyears = ?
1991-1993
1993-1994?
1994-1995?
1995-?

| ru_proclubs = Ebbw Vale RFC
Pontypool RFC
Pontypridd RFC
Abertillery RFC
Newbridge RFC

| ru_clubcaps = ?
60
?
?
?

| ru_clubpoints = ?
60
?
?
?

| ru_clubupdate =

| ru_nationalyears = 1993

| ru_nationalteam = Wales

| ru_nationalcaps = 3

| ru_nationalpoints = 0

| ru_ntupdate =

}}

Nigel Meek (born 20 October 1964) is a retired Welsh international rugby union player. He made three appearances for his country, as well as representing Ebbw Vale RFC, Pontypool RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Abertillery RFC and Newbridge RFC in the top division of Welsh club rugby. He also made 11 appearances for the Barbarians between 1992 and 1994, including international matches against Russia, Zimbabwe and an Australian XV.{{cite web |url=http://www.barbarianfc.co.uk/archive/profile/4239/n-meek/ |title=Player Archive - N. Meek |publisher=Barbarian Football Club}}

Meek joined Pontypool for the 1991/92 season, playing two seasons for the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.pontypoolrugby.co.uk/Teams/Player?personId=100345# |title=Player:Nigel Meek |publisher=Pontypool RFC |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025028/http://www.pontypoolrugby.co.uk/Teams/Player?personId=100345 |archivedate=2015-11-17 }} Meek made his début for Wales against England in the 1993 Five Nations Championship, replacing Wales' usual first choice hooker Garin Jenkins, who had been suspended after being sent off in a league game. Wales beat England for the first time since 1989. Meek played the following two games, losses against Scotland and Ireland. He was dropped for the final game of the championship against France, and didn't play for Wales again.{{cite web|title=Rugby Union: How Nigel Swung Low after a High |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97990563.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220180257/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97990563.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2016 |publisher=Wales on Sunday |first=Simon |last=Roberts |via=HighBeam |accessdate=16 November 2015 |date=16 February 2003}}

Meek moved from Pontypridd RFC to newly prompted Abertillery RFC ahead of the 1994/95 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-club-by-club-guide-to-the-heineken-league-first-division-1385997.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-club-by-club-guide-to-the-heineken-league-first-division-1385997.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=27 August 1994 |work=The Independent |title=Rugby Union: Club by club guide to the Heineken League first division}}

He was made club captain for Newbridge RFC in the 1996/97 season.{{cite news |title=Swansea steeled for road ahead |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/swansea-steeled-for-road-ahead-1312346.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/swansea-steeled-for-road-ahead-1312346.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Independent |first=Robert |last=Cole |date=31 August 1996}}

In 1995, while playing in a Fire Services cup match, Meek struck another player in the jaw.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/forward-jailed-for-on-field-punch-1320625.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/forward-jailed-for-on-field-punch-1320625.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Forward jailed for on-field punch |work=The Independent |first=David |last=Llywelyn}} He was convicted of grievous bodily harm at Merthyr Law Courts in August 1995 by a majority verdict of ten to two,{{Cite AV media |title=Wales Tonight |publisher=HTV Wales |date=17 August 1995}} and sentenced to six months in prison at Cardiff Crown Court in September 1995.{{Cite AV media |title=Wales Tonight |publisher=HTV Wales |date=18 September 1995}}

Outside of rugby, Meek is a fire fighter in Blaina.{{cite news |title= Six Nations: Whatever happened to the Wales team that beat England in 1993? |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-whatever-happened-wales-8581124 |date=6 February 2015 |first=Anthony |last=Woolford |work=Wales Online |publisher=Media Wales}}