Known as Merv 'The Swerve', former Wales and British Lions No.8 Davies was one of the stars of the glorious Wales sides of the 1970s and was a key man in both the 1971 and 1974 British Lions series wins.

An athletic jumper at the tail of the lineout, his distributive skills were second to none and it was a sad day when a brain haemorrage finished his playing career in 1976 as he would almost certainly have led the British Lions to New Zealand in 1977.

Greatest Moment

That first international against Scotland ended in a comprehensive Welsh victory and the good days were to heavily outnumber the bad in the years that followed. ‘Merv the Swerve’ lost only eight times in 38 consecutive games in a Wales shirt as his country enjoyed a Golden Era in the 1970s. The headlines were made by John, Bennett and Edwards or, further out in the backs, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams, but the groundwork was done by a street-wise pack in which Davies was a lynchpin.

Interesting Facts

Davies was never the beefiest of backrowers, but his all-round excellence meant that he was one of the first names on the teamsheet when Wales or Lions selectors were in conference.

Career Status

1969-1976

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