Mervyn Davies

Thomas Mervyn Davies (born 9 December 1946 in Swansea, † 15 March 2012) was a Welsh rugby union player who was used as a Number Eight. He was captain of the Welsh national team, and participated in two tours of the British and Irish Lions.

Davies made ​​his international debut in 1969 against Scotland in the Five Nations. In this tournament Wales could win the title, including the Triple Crown. The following year the team again the tournament in 1971 even won the Grand Slam. In the same year he became part of the British and Irish Lions on their tour to New Zealand for the first time. The Lions were able to win the series against the All Blacks 2-1 and are still the only British- Irish selection that could deny a victorious Test series in New Zealand. Davies was used in all four test matches.

In the 1970s, Wales developed with Davies as the leading rugby nation. In 1974 he was nominated again for the Lions. This time the tour led the national team to South Africa where three of the four test matches and thus the series was won confidently. The Springboks did not get beyond a draw in the final game. In 1975, he ran the first time as captain of the Welsh national team. He led the team to victory in the Five Nations this year and to a renewed Grand Slam the following year.

Davies was one of the contenders for the captain's role in the Lions tour in 1977, bleeding in the brain, however, ended his career in advance.

He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2001. From former players, he was voted the best Welsh captain in 2002.

On March 15, 2012 Davies died of complications from cancer.

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