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Tuesday, 31 December, 2002, 00:25 GMT

Gerald Davies CBE

Wales and Lions legend Gerald Davies has been awarded a CBE for his services to young people and to rugby in Wales.

Davies, 57, was one of the most thrilling attacking players ever to grace the rugby field.

The centre turned wing won 46 caps for Wales in their golden era in the 1970s and went on two Lions tours in 1968 and 1971.

Since his retirement, Davies has been a respected journalist with the BBC and 'The Times,' and he is chairman of the Wales Youth Agency

Thomas Gerald Reames Davies

  • Born: Llansaint, 7 Feb 1945
  • Position: Centre, wing
  • Clubs: Cambridge Uni, Cardiff, London Welsh, Barbarians
  • Caps: 46
  • Tries: 20
  • Debut: Australia, 1966
  • Last Game: Australia, 1978
  • He has also been involved in attempts to reform the Welsh game, sitting as a member of the Tasker Watkins working party.

    Davies made his debut for Wales as a centre against Australia in 1966.

    He was good enough in that position to make the 1968 Lions tour of South Africa, playing one Test before injury ended his chances.

    Perhaps the key moment in his career came on Wales' 1969 tour of Australia and New Zealand.

    Wales had major injury problems in their threequarters, and tour manager Clive Rowlands persuaded Davies - in the course of an internal flight - to fill in on the wing.

    He was a revelation in the role, so much so that he makes many pundits' all-time XV in the position.

    Perhaps his most-famous score came in the 1971 Five Nations clash with Scotland.

    The Scots had the game sewn up when a devastating last-minute move saw Davies cross in the corner, and John Taylor land the 'greatest conversion since St Paul' to seal the game.

    Davies carried his form into the 1971 Lions tour of New Zealand, as perhaps the finest touring side this country has produced went undefeated through the land of the long white cloud.

    He went on to score 20 international tries before making his final appearance for Wales against Australia in 1978.


    Internet links: Wales Youth Agency
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