St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future
Seven
Transcript:
This is part seven in this nine part audio trail following the career of ‘Merv the Swerve’, Mervyn Davies. The prior six parts in this trail shared Mervyn's story from London Welsh, two British and Irish Lions tours, to his time with Swansea RFC. In this, it shared each of the jerseys in Mervyn’s display at St Helens that he wore himself. Moving forward into the back half of this trail, we shall now explore a range of international jerseys that were swapped for, all jerseys donated by Mervyn himself undoubtedly obtained after matches were played. This part shall explore three jerseys, that of the home nations, Scotland, Ireland and England. As previously explored, Mervyn’s first Welsh cap was won against Scotland in the February of 1969, and so this entry shall explore this jersey first.
Whilst we cannot be certain from which of the games Mervyn Davies played against Scotland that this jersey originated from, the archive here at St Helen’s argues that it may very well have originated from that 1969 match - Mervyn’s first international. Unlike every other jersey in this trail thus far, it does not carry the number 8, but instead is a number 9, the scrum-half position. The jersey is, of course, the expected blue. It bears the thistle badge on the breast. Unlike many prior jerseys in this trail, it doesn’t seem to have suffered any ultra-violet fading from years of display prior to arriving in the archive, so its blue colour is very much vibrant. Adding to complications of ascertaining which game this jersey originated from however, Mervyn played against Scotland in Welsh internationals every year after his international debut, from 1969 through until 76. Throughout this, Mervyn only lost twice, in 1973 10 points to 9 and again in 1975 12 points to 10.
The next of the home nations this entry in the trail shall explore is Ireland. Mervyn played Ireland seven times from 1969 to 1976, twice as Wales’ skipper. This was one less occasion than his record of games against Scotland, with a game unfortunately not held due to ‘The Troubles’ in 1972. This jersey is another example of the archive being unsure from which game this jersey emerged, and from who Mervyn had exchanged with. The jersey itself has the number 1 on the back, the expected Irish green, with the Irish shamrock emblem on a white shield on the left breast. Between 1969 and 76, this jersey could have been worn by three of Ireland’s greatest forwards: Syd Millar, Ray McLoughlin and Phil Orr. All three became ‘Lions’, McLoughlin playing with Mervyn Davies on the 1971 tour and Millar going on to coach the successful 1974 ‘Lions’ tour. Phil Orr however missed playing alongside Mervyn, as he would tour with the 'Lions' in 1977 - the same tour Mervyn may well have captained. Overall, with five wins, one loss and one draw against Ireland during this period, Mervyn Davies had a strong record against the side.
The last of the home nations, and the last jersey in this part of the trail, is an English jersey. Like with Mervyn’s Scottish record, he played against England eight times during his international career. Wales won all those encounters except that of the game in 1974 at Twickenham - a game ending 16 to 12 to England. Max Boyce penned a song about the "Blind Irish Referee" in reference to a disallowed Welsh try. Mervyn scored one of his two tries against England in that rare loss. It was the only blemish on an otherwise consistent record against England for Mervyn.
This number 8 jersey is, of course, the English white. It has a large rugby football union rose motif on the breast, in its full range of colours: red, pink, & maroon for the flower itself and brown, greens and grey for the stem and leaves. The number 8 on the back is in black. It is likely that this England jersey was worn by 'Lion' Andy Ripley, the only player to wear that jersey more than once in the 8 matches. He turned out in 4 of the 8 Wales/England fixtures that Mervyn played in, from 1972 through to 76, only missing the game in 1975. Andy Ripley played 24 times for England and toured with the 1974 ‘Lions’ to South Africa. He could not oust Mervyn Davies from the No 8 test spot however, though Mervyn had said that Ripley was his most difficult opponent.
This ends this extended part on the home nation’s jersey’s Mervyn Davies had within his personal collection, before donating them to the archive. In the next, penultimate part to this trail, we will explore another jersey from the earliest parts of Mervyn’s international career: an Australian jersey from 1969. Please don’t forget to press next to follow along.