A true leader. Jason Forster – known to many simply as Fozzie – is a cult hero at Rodney Parade. A former captain, international and all-action flanker who gave his all for the Men of Gwent.
Forster played for the Black and Ambers 109 times between 1999 and 2003 - scoring 45 tries – before joining Dragons in 2003 and being capped 73 times from 2003 to 2006, scoring 24 tries.
He was later named captain at Dragons for the 2004/2005 season, taking over from former Wales centre Andy Marinos, who retired to become the side's chief executive.
“Jason epitomises everything that is good about this club - he is fiercely committed, never gives up, always wants to improve himself and is proud to represent Gwent,” said Marinos at the time.
Forster was to earn his one and only cap for Wales in their tour to Argentina in 2004, getting on the score sheet with a try in a 50-44 defeat.
Forster left Dragons in 2006 to join Doncaster Knights as a player coach, helping them to their highest ever league position before joining Henley as head coach in 2008.
“It’s only when you look back on your career that you realise how special your time as a professional sportsman was; the camaraderie, banter and friendships, and the respect you earn from your colleagues last a lifetime,” said Forster, in an interview with the Rugby Paper.
“I was privileged enough to have played with some world-class players and in some great teams, with some fantastic coaches. My biggest honour was getting capped by Wales on the 2004 tour to Argentina and South Africa.
“Nowhere in world rugby is quite like the hostile environment in South America; the fans are passionate and coming up from the underground changing rooms and running on to the pitch feels like you are entering a gladiatorial arena, with the crowd chanting and flares going off.
“It was a crazy game where tackling seemed optional – ten tries were scored in the second half alone. I got one of them, but I’d have gladly given it up for a win: we lost 50-44 in what was Mike Ruddock’s first Test in charge. Unfortunately, that appearance in 2004 proved to be my one and only cap for Wales.”
Forster’s early career had seen him feature for Bridgend – in the non-professional era where he played alongside the likes of Gareth Thomas and Rob Howley – before leaving in 1997 to join Bedford and then on to Newport and the Tony Brown revolution in 1999.
“Tony made some stellar signings such as Gary Teichmann and Percy Montgomery. Captaining the team against Cardiff on my debut was a proud moment,” he said.
“In 2001 we won the Principality Cup for only the second time in the club’s history, beating Neath 13-8 in the final.
“In the first year of regional rugby we’d been written off as underdogs, but we finished third, the highest position Dragons have achieved. Had we won at Leinster on the final weekend we’d have been champions,” he added.
During his time with Dragons, he played for Wales Sevens in two World Cups and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Wales ‘A’ and Wales. He was also selected to tour with the Barbarians.
Forster can still be seen at Dragons today in an ambassadorial role. His dedication to the club shows no signs of abating – and neither does the high regard with which he is held by all at Rodney Parade.
