St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future
Three
Transcript:
This is part three of the nine part, all jersey, audio trail sharing the career of Mervyn Davies. This entry in the trail, like each of the others, shall be accompanied by images of the objects discussed, as well as description within the audio. This trail continues from the previous part, which discussed Mervyn’s Welsh internationals, into more international rugby of a different kind.
Continuing within the first half of this trail, with jerseys Mervyn wore himself, this entry is the first of two jerseys from British and Irish Lions tours. This one in particular is the jersey Mervyn wore during the successful tour of 1971 where he played in all four tests against New Zealand. The ‘Lions’ won the series 2-1, with the fourth match being a draw. The ‘Lions’ were captained by the familiar skipper, John Dawes, who had also captained London Welsh, playing alongside Mervyn Davies at this time. The series win for the Lions still stands as their only such success in New Zealand, this alone giving legendary status to several of the Welsh ‘Lions’ players of 1971, including of course, Mervyn Davies.
In total, across the tour Mervyn played in 13 matches and scored three tries. He was a standout player, putting in a world-class performance. In Mervyn’s obituary forty-one years later, New Zealand international player Colin Meads commented that Mervyn had been the biggest impactful player in that 71’ side, as he ‘dominated the game’ in the area in which they had grown most comfortable - ‘throwing to Brian Lochore at the back of the line-out’.
To speak of the jersey itself, it is of course another red jersey, with the quartered ‘shield’ badge representing the four home nations on the breast. It has unfortunately suffered some ultra-violet damage, having been displayed in direct sunlight before coming into the care of the archive. Its rear however is still a vivid red, and since Mervyn wore this jersey himself, it bears the number 8 proudly.
Interestingly, after Wales had won the Five Nations Championship that same year, Wales supplied more players to the ‘Lions’ squad than any other home nation. The coach, Carwyn James was also Welsh, alongside the aforementioned John Dawes as captain. This said, Mervyn Davies was in good company, alongside other Welsh internationals; J. P. R Williams, John C. Bevan, Gerald Davies, Arthur Lewis, Gareth Edwards, Chico Hopkins, Geoff Evans, Mike Roberts, Delme Thomas, Derek Quinnell, John Taylor and Barry John.
The results for each test; the first on the 21st of June, 9-3 Lions. The second, on the 10th of July, 22-12 New Zealand. For the third, on the 31st of July, 13-3 Lions. And finally, as previously stated, a draw on the 14th of August, 14-14.
Following on from this stellar British and Irish Lions tour, we see 22 of the victorious players return between two teams for a celebratory match. A Barry John XV versus a Carwyn James XV just seven months after returning from New Zealand. Follow on to the next part to hear about Mervyn Davies’ part in the Barry John side. Please don’t forget to press next.