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Gerald Davies was a gentleman off the rugby pitch, but on it he will be remembered for not being so generous towards the opposition.
Raw speed and a devastating sidestep made him an elusive figure, who made try scoring look relatively easy. He was a lethal attacking player and one of the best wingers the rugby world has seen.
His greatest weapon was that the opposition had no clue as to what method of attack he would use. Was it going to be a sidestep or a graceful swerve that left his marker absolutely flummoxed? Davies, or as every Welshmen calls him “Gerald”, trained as a sprinter while at school and this attribute led to many breathtaking tries.
He famously scored a try for Wales versus Scotland in 1971 in the last minute, with John Taylor kicking his memorable conversion, known as the “greatest conversion since St Paul.”
Gerald Davies in action for Wales against Scotland at Murrayfield. 15th March 1975. (Photo by Staff /Western Mail Archive/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Davies ranks alongside David Duckham as one of my two favourite wingers from countries other than Australia or New Zealand. Others who stood out were Bryan Habana, Philippe Saint-Andre and Rupeni Caucaunibuca.
From that distant period of 1971 I remember Gerald Davies as a magical, electrifying player who was a prominent figure in the successful British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
“Without hesitation I would name Gerald as the greatest player I ever played with. He could do things that other players could only dream about,” said John Dawes, who was Davies’ captain for club, country and the Lions.
Thomas Gerald Reames Davies, born 1945 in Llansaint Wales, who was captivated by film of the 1955 Lions tour of South Africa, which left an indelible mark on the 10 year old.
He played club rugby for Cardiff and London Welsh and captained Cardiff from the wing position for three seasons. Gerald made his international debut for Wales against Australia in 1966 and coincidentally the Australians were his final appearance opponents in 1978.
He made 46 appearances for Wales, playing a featured role in their “golden era” of the 1970s. One of a group of players including Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams to win three Grand Slams and rating ahead of Ken Jones, Ieuan Evans and Shane Williams as Wales finest wing. He switched from centre to right wing upon the wise recommendation of Welsh coach Clive Rowlands in 1969. It was a reluctant move for Davies as he humourously said that the “next position available would be touch-judge.”
Gerald toured with the Lions in 1968 and 1971 and turned down an opportunity to tour South Africa in 1974 based on his personal views on apartheid. Oh to have seen him on the fast, hard grounds there! He became an icon of the British and Irish Lions which undoubtedly qualified him to manage the Lions team to South Africa in 2009. Gerald was also elected as President of the Welsh Rugby Union in 2019.
After retiring Gerald transferred his knowledge of rugby to becoming a journalist for The Times. He also sat on the Tasker Watkins committee to reform Welsh rugby. He holds many University Honorary Fellowships and in 2008 received an Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University for services to sport and journalism.
“His Cambridge degree in literature, taken on top the famed teaching course at Loughborough, places him alongside Dr JPR Williams and Aberystwyth science graduate John Dawes as the most educated Welsh star of the 1970s golden age,” wrote ESPN UK.
Gerald Davies CBE has been an important figure for both Welsh and Lions rugby in his various roles, but in my mind will be remembered for his electric ability to make breathtaking runs with various methods to beat the defence and score tries.
A debonair, educated gentleman who is my third player in the series of favourite overseas players.
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