St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PQ015

Stained wood commemorative plaque with gold lettering. Swansea RFC British & Irish Lions representatives. Presented to the club by the Swansea RFC Patron Supporters' committee.

Plaque

CIC

1904-2001

This large commemorative plaque is mounted in the Main Bar at St Helen's and lists the 23 players who have played for the 'Lions' WHILE REPRESENTING the Swansea Rugby Club. The first in 1904 were forward Syd Bevan and wing Fred Jowett and the last in 2001 were forwards Darren Morris and Colin Charvis along with centres Mark Taylor and Scott Gibbs. Five players have played on two tours and Scott Gibbs played on three (1993, 1997 and 2001). Mervyn Davies was a London Welsh player on the 1971 tour to New Zealand and a Swansea player during the unbeaten 1974 tour to South Africa. Clive Williams was an Aberavon player during the 1977 'Lions' tour but a Swansea player when he toured to South Africa in 1980. Geoff Wheel was selected for the 1977 tour to New Zealand but was unable to go due to an adverse medical report. Other players who would also have been Test Match selections, were obliged to withdraw. For example, Billy Trew (Wales 29 caps) and Dicky Owen (Wales 35 caps) both accepted invitations to play on the 1904 'Lions' tour but were each forced to reconsider for financial reasons. The length of the summer tours often prevented players from accepting the invitation to play for the 'Lions', especially during the amateur era, when the uncertainty of returning to employment and loss of wages to a family, was usually a factor.