Mervyn Davies

Welsh number eight whose exceptional athleticism, outstanding reading of the game and brilliant captaincy formed the spine of Welsh and Lions teams throughout the most successful era in northern hemisphere rugby history.

Mervyn Davies was the outstanding number eight of Welsh rugby's golden 1970s generation, combining exceptional ball-winning ability at the tail of the lineout with powerful carrying and inspirational leadership. Captain of Wales and the Lions, his career was tragically ended by a brain haemorrhage in 1976 when he was at his peak. His influence on Welsh rugby's most successful era was immeasurable.