Leeds Career

Alix Popham finally arrived at Headingley on a permanent basis during the 2002-2003 season after coming on loan to the Tykes the previous season, when he made one appearance against Newcastle Falcons at home in the Powergen Cup Quarter Final. Such was his impact that he gained the man of the match award and Phil Davies jumped at the chance to resign him this season from Newport.
From his arrival, Alix fitted into Phil Davies' back row options however due to an injury crisis he also played against title chasing Gloucester in the centre, a position he had not played since childhood. Alix departed way with the Tykes at the end of the 2004-05 season with 51 appearances and 2 tries to his credit.

Rugby Career

Popham was touted as a potential Wales captain earlier in his career but suffered a dip in form in recent seasons during a difficult spell with his hometown club Newport. The move to Headingley is just what he required. He played six seasons with Newport, featuring in their Heineken Cup campaign of 2001-2002.
Popham first taste of representative rugby was as a Welsh schoolboy, he then skippered his country at under 21s level, played for Wales A and made it onto the bench for the full side against Scotland in the 2000 Six Nations as well as going on the Development tour to Japan.
At the end of the 2002-2003 season, Popham was rewarded with a place in the Wales squad that toured Australia and New Zealand. He gained his first full cap for Wales against the then World Champions Australia in Sydney on that tour.
Since then he has gained nine caps scoring his first try for his country against Romania in the pre-World Cup warm up. He followed this up with a place in the World Cup squad featuring against Tonga and the unforgettable game against New Zealand.

Personal Details