Gerald Davies

Player Profile

Country:
H.O.F. Inductee:

Position:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:

Wales
1999
Wing
07/02/1945
Llansaint

Career Summary

Lions and Wales wing Gerald Davies studied at Loughborough University before appearing for Cambridge University, Cardiff and London Welsh. He was switched from his original position of centre to the wing in 1969 by Wales coach Clive Rowlands and was devastating in his new role, his remarkable pace and side-step left many a tackler trailing in his wake.

In New Zealand with the '71 Lions, his three Test tries and four more in one afternoon against Hawke’s Bay have gone down in rugby folklore, no one was left in any doubt that here was the finished article. New Zealand critics hailed him as a superstar in a galaxy of stars and nearer home he was regarded as the greatest wing ever to play for Wales. At club level he transformed the playing style of Cardiff during his three years of captaincy.

Greatest Moment

Perhaps his most dramatic try came at Murrayfield against Scotland in the 1971 Five Nations. In the dying moments of a furious match that had seen the lead change hands many times, Scotland looking to have the result sewn up. Suddenly the ball came to Davies who sprinted around the Scottish cover to score a try which brought Wales within a point of the Scots. John Taylor's subsequent conversion snatched a 19-18 victory for the Welsh.

Interesting Facts

After his playing days were over Davies has gone on to become a renowned journalist.

Career Status

1966-1978

Test Caps
Test Points
Test tries
Penalties
Conversions
Drop Goals

46
72
20
-
-
-