Former Wales and British and Irish Lions fullback JPR Williams has died aged 74.
The Bridgend and London Welsh legend won eight Five Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, in a 12-year, 55 cap career for his country.
He started in all eight Lions tests across the respective victorious tours of 1971 and 1974 to New Zealand and South Africa, and was one of the players featured in the move that led to the ‘greatest try ever scored’ for the Barbarians in 1973.
“Bridgend Ravens are devastated to announce the passing of JPR Williams,” the club said in a statement on social media.
“One of Bridgend’s most decorated-players and an icon of world rugby, JPR served the club most recently as club president. Our thoughts are with JPR’s family and friends at this sad time.”
As a young man, ahead of a hugely successful medical career away from the game, Williams switched his focus from tennis to rugby as a teenager with the latter still being an amateur sport.
After making his club debut at Bridgend, Williams went to London to study where he was recruited by Welsh, before making his debut for Wales aged 19 in 1969.
It began an international career that lasted a dozen years and spanned into three decades, with Williams one of only a small number of Welshmen to win three Grand Slams through his career in 1971, 1976 and 1978.
Terry Cobner, the new Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) president and teammate of Williams in the latter two successes, paid tribute to one of the country’s greatest players.
“The world of rugby has lost one of its greatest players of all time, a man who revolutionised full back play over an international career of 12 years that included 55 caps for Wales and eight for the British & Irish Lions,” he said.
“He was the defensive rock in every team in which he played, the counter-attacking inspiration and the man who feared nothing and never saw a lost cause. We all thought he was ‘Mr Indestructible’.
“Although he played during the amateur era, he was thoroughly professional in his sporting outlook and always drove standards in training and on the field. With JPR in your side, there was always a chance of winning anything.”
Despite his longevity, Williams also retired with two astounding unbeaten records that may never be replicated by a Welsh player in the future.
He won all ten tests he played against England, a record made even more impressive by the fact he scored all five of his international tries in those games.
His 100% record in two Lions tours, to New Zealand and South Africa, is similarly unmatched, with the fullback only missing the subsequent 1977 and 1980 tours to focus on his medical career.
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