John Dawes, who captained and then coached Wales during one of the most successful spells in their history, has passed away at the age of 80.
He had been ill for some time and in hospital since last September before passing away on Friday morning.
Dawes won the first of his 22 Wales caps in 1964, against Ireland at Lansdowne Road and fittingly marked the occasion with a try.
He played on Wales’s first-ever overseas tour a year later and wore the captain’s armband on six occasions – leading them to a Five Nations Grand Slam in 1971.
As a talented centre in one of the most mesmerising teams in rugby history, he helped the 1971 Wales team beat England 22-6, edge past Scotland 19-18 in Edinburgh, conquer Ireland 23-9 and then seal the clean sweep with a 9-5 victory in France.
That same year he was chosen to captain the British & Irish Lions on their tour to New Zealand, where the Lions pulled off a remarkable 2-1 victory in the Test series.
That feat means he is still the only man to date to skipper the Lions to a series triumph over the All Blacks.
Upon retiring as a player, Dawes became coach of Wales in 1974 and held the post until 1979.
In that time, an incredible Welsh side won the Five Nations four times in five, including Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978.
In fact, Dawes not only holds the distinction of having captained and coached Wales to Grand Slams, but he never lost to arch-rivals England either on the field or in the technical area.
Born in Abercarn in 1940, he gained a degree in chemistry and later taught science, while at club level he began his career with Newbridge RFC before becoming a stalwart for London Welsh, where he played 274 games and was honorary club president.
And his first club Newbridge confirmed the news of his passing, saying: “We’re unfortunately having to report some very sad news.
“After a period of ill health, John Dawes sadly passed away this morning. Everyone associated with our game will be aware of John’s story and his great achievements.
“His venture into senior rugby started with us here at the Welfare Ground. The heartfelt condolences of everyone at Newbridge RFC go out to John’s family at this very sad time.”
Dawes’s place in rugby history is secure from his Wales and Lions achievements alone but he also made his mark when captaining the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 1973.
The Baa Baas completed a famous 23-11 success and Dawes played a part in Gareth Edwards’ try that has become known as ‘the greatest try ever scored’.
Everyone at Six Nations Rugby would like to pass their condolences on to John Dawes’s family and friends.
