Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby legend JPR Williams has died aged 74, his former membership has introduced.
He performed an enormous half in Wales’ success within the Seventies – serving to them to a few Grand Slams – and featured on the triumphant Lions excursions to New Zealand in 1971 and 1974 in South Africa.
The former fullback, immediately recognisable along with his low socks and lengthy sideburns, additionally performed for Bridgend, London Welsh and the Barbarians.
It was whereas enjoying for the Barbarians in 1973 in opposition to New Zealand that he was concerned in what’s extensively thought to be the “greatest try ever scored” – a surprising 22-second blitz from one finish of the sphere to a different ending in a attempt by Gareth Edwards.
“Bridgend Ravens are devastated to announce the passing of JPR Williams,” the membership mentioned in a press release.
“One of Bridgend’s most decorated players and an icon of world rugby, JPR served the club most recently as club president.
“Our ideas are with JPR’s household and buddies at this unhappy time.”
The British and Irish Lions described JPR as “one of many biggest ever Lions”.
“A person who impressed so many. It is with enormous disappointment to be taught that JPR Williams has handed away on the age of 74. All our ideas are along with his household and buddies. Rest in Peace,” they wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
London Welsh RFC said they were “deeply saddened by the information”.
“Our ideas and condolences exit to his buddies, colleagues and household. An enormous loss to all who knew and liked him,” the membership mentioned in a publish on X.
Rugby star and surgeon
Born John Peter Rhys Williams in Bridgend, south Wales, in 1949, JPR as he would later turn into recognized, was the son of two GPs.
He initially shared his time as a schoolboy between rugby and tennis – at one level successful a British junior title at Wimbledon in 1966.
It was his resolution to pursue a profession in medication that might ultimately lead JPR to decide on rugby over tennis – as a result of the game was beginner on the time and so allowed him to be taught and prepare on the identical time.
He was awarded his first of 55 caps for Wales in opposition to Scotland in 1969 – the beginning of what could be Wales’s second golden period of rugby.
With gamers like Edwards, Barry John, and Phil Bennett, Wales dominated a lot of the Seventies, with JPR serving to the aspect to Grand Slam wins in 1971, 1976, and 1978.
He was additionally a member of six Triple Crown-winning groups all through the interval and starred in triumphant Lions excursions to New Zealand in 1971 and 1974 in South Africa, successful eight caps for the aspect.
At the identical time, he continued his profession in medication, qualifying as a doctor in 1973.
JPR, who was awarded an MBE for companies to rugby in 1977, retired from worldwide rugby in 1981 to deal with his work as an orthopaedic surgeon.
However, he continued to play for membership aspect Bridgend by way of the Eighties and Nineties, earlier than becoming a member of Tondu the place he remained till retiring in 2003.
Speaking about his mixing work and rugby, he instructed WalesOn-line in 2009: “I was happy with my career as a surgeon and happy with my experiences in rugby.
“I used to be fortunate to play for Wales once I did. I used to be surrounded by nice gamers, who undoubtedly helped me turn into the participant I used to be. And I loved my membership rugby, too.”
Source: information.sky.com”