Neath Rugby Pay Tribute to Bleddyn Williams MBE

Neath Rugby were saddened to her of the passing of former Cardiff, Wales and Lions captain Bleddyn Williams has died, aged 86.

BLEDDYN WILLIAMS MBE Neath Rugby were saddened to hear of the passing of former Cardiff, Wales and Lions captain Bleddyn Williams has died, aged 86. After appearing in various “wartime” internationals, Bleddyn Williams made his Wales debut against England in 1947 and won 22 caps in all in a career that lasted through to 1955. He was also vice-captain of the 1950 Lions on their tour of New Zealand and Australia when Neath’s Rees Stephens and Roy John toured with Lewis Jones being flown out as a replacement. On that tour, Bleddyn Williams scored 13 tries in 20 appearances for the Lions He then enjoyed the unusual distinction for a Welshman of having captained both club and country to victory over the All Blacks in 1953. Although inextricably linked with the Cardiff club, it is a little-known fact that Bleddyn Williams played one game for Neath – in a war-time fixture against an RAF XV. Neath secretary Mike Price said, “When I first told Bleddyn about that, he didn’t recall it. But I sent him evidence in the shape of the match report that appeared in the “Neath Guardian” of the time and he immediately sent me back a charming letter saying that it had revoked the memories and he clearly recalled the game and several of the other players involved. “He was one of Welsh rugby’s all-time greats and a real gentleman who had sound and much respected views on the Game which has lost one of its leading ambassadors and authorities. He will be missed far beyond the boundaries of the Cardiff Athletic club of which he was President and our sympathies go the family.”