He played representative rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Milford ARLFC, in Leeds, [1] the Leeds Rhinos, the Wakefield Trinity (Wildcats), Halifax, the Widnes Vikings, the Leigh Centurions, Oldham, and the Barrow Raiders, as a centre or wing, and club level rugby union (RU) for Leeds Tykes.
Hughes won caps for Wales (RL) in 2002 against New Zealand, in 2003 against Russia, and Australia, in 2004 against Ireland.
Hughes won his caps for Wales while at Widnes, Leigh, and Oldham 2002–2007 13(11?)-caps.
[1] Hughes played at centre in Wakefield Trinity's 24–22 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1998 First Division Grand Final at McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday 26 September 1998.
[3] Hughes played at centre in Leigh Centurions' 22–18 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2006 Northern Rail Cup Final at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool on Sunday 16 July 2006.