Fans are realising darts star Gerwyn Price played pro rugby

World No. 92 Wesley Plaisier produced a fearless display to stun 2021 World Champion ‘The Iceman’ 3–0. The Dutchman set the tone immediately, pinning the bullseye to complete a 130 finish in the opening leg before edging the first set despite averaging almost five points fewer than Price.

Price briefly showed his trademark fire, roaring to the crowd after stealing a leg back, but momentum remained firmly with his opponent. Even a dramatic final set, in which Plaisier missed two match darts, could not spark a comeback. Price failed to convert two darts at tops, and Plaisier calmly returned to seal one of the biggest upsets of this year’s championship.

In the aftermath of defeat, many fans were reminded that darts was not Price’s first sporting calling. Before stepping up to the oche, the Welshman enjoyed a serious rugby career.

A hooker, he played in the Welsh Premier Division for Neath and Cross Keys, while also switching codes to rugby league with South Wales Scorpions and Blackwood Bulldogs. His performances earned him international honours with Wales Dragonhearts, and he even had a brief stint with Glasgow Warriors as injury cover in the Pro12.

Price’s rugby highlights included scoring a try in the 2012 WRU Challenge Cup final as Cross Keys lifted the trophy. He eventually stepped away from the sport in 2014 to focus fully on darts — a decision that would lead him to world titles and the top of the PDC rankings.

Though his World Championship journey ended earlier than expected this time, Price’s story remains one of elite-level sport across two very different arenas.