Biography
Sir Gareth Owen Edwards CBE (born 12 July 1947) is a former Welsh rugby union player who played as a scrum-half and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. Born in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Wales, he excelled in multiple sports before focusing on rugby. He played a crucial role in Wales’ dominance during the 1960s and 1970s, winning multiple Five Nations Championships and Grand Slams.
In recognition of his contributions, Edwards was awarded an MBE (1975), later promoted to CBE (2007), and knighted in 2015 for his services to sport and charity.
Teams Played For
- Cardiff RFC (1966–1978) – 195 appearances, 426 points
- Wales National Team (1967–1978) – 53 caps, 88 points
- British and Irish Lions (1968–1974) – 10 test caps, 3 points
- Barbarians
- World XV (1977)
- RAF Rugby Team (1972, Cyprus Tour)
Rugby World Cups Played
- None (Edwards’ career ended before the Rugby World Cup era began in 1987)
Career Highlights
- Wales’ Youngest Captain (1968) – Led Wales at the age of 20 against Scotland.
- Five Nations Championship Titles (7 times) – Including three Grand Slams (1971, 1976, 1978).
- British and Irish Lions Tours:
- 1971 Tour to New Zealand – Key player in the Lions’ only series win against the All Blacks.
- 1974 Tour to South Africa – Unbeaten series.
- Legendary Try for Barbarians (1973) – Scored ‘That Try’ against New Zealand, regarded as the greatest try in rugby history.
- 53 Consecutive Caps for Wales (1967–1978) – Never dropped due to form or injury.
- BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year (1974)
- Inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame (1997)
- Voted Greatest Welsh Rugby Player of All Time (2001)
- Named Greatest Rugby Player Ever by Rugby World (2003)
Personal Life
After retiring, Edwards became a respected rugby commentator for the BBC and S4C, providing analysis in both English and Welsh. He has also served as a director of Cardiff Blues and worked in various business ventures.
A passionate outdoorsman, Edwards once held the British pike fishing record (1990) and has supported multiple charities, including The Richard Hunt Foundation and the Jaguar Academy of Sport.
In 2019, he and his wife Maureen starred in the BBC series Gareth Edwards’s Great Welsh Adventure, showcasing Wales’ landscapes and culture. The series returned for a second season in 2021.
A statue of Gareth Edwards stands in St David’s Centre, Cardiff, commemorating his legendary contributions to Welsh rugby.