 During the mid @-@ 19th century the influx of immigrants from the older mining towns , such as Aberdare and Merthyr , brought with them the game of rugby . At Treherbert it took a five @-@ month lockout in 1875 to see the game establish itself at the various collieries where the Amalgamated Association of Miners held their meetings . In 1877 Penygraig Rugby Football Club was formed , followed by Treherbert in 1879 , Ferndale in 1882 , Treorchy in 1886 and Tylorstown in 1903 . In the late 19th and early 20th century , the ' Rhondda forward ' was a key player in many Wales teams . The heavy industrial worker was a prime aggressive attack figure in early Welsh packs , typified by the likes of Treherbert 's Dai ' Tarw ' ( bull ) Jones who at 6 @-@ foot 1 inch ( 185 @.@ 5 cm ) and 16 stone ( 100 kg ) in weight was seen as an animal of a man . 
