16 Facts About Bleddyn Williams

Bleddyn Llewellyn Williams MBE, was a Welsh rugby union centre.

Bleddyn Williams played in 22 internationals for Wales, captaining them five times, winning each time, and captained the British Lions in 1950 for some of their tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Bleddyn Williams had already played for the Welsh Schoolboys in 1937 when he had been recommended for a scholarship to Rydal by legendary rugby player Wilf Wooller.

Bleddyn Williams turned out for both the RAF and the Great Britain United rugby teams.

Bleddyn Williams made his debut for Wales in January 1947 against England as a fly-half, playing alongside Haydn Tanner.

Bleddyn Williams went on to win a further 21 Welsh caps, all as a centre, making his final appearance against Scotland in January 1955.

Bleddyn Williams scored seven tries, for a total of 21 points in internationals.

Bleddyn Williams captained Wales in five matches, four times in 1953 and once in 1955, in his final international.

Bleddyn Williams led the side to victory in all five games.

Bleddyn Williams was a member of the 1950 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia and played three of the four tests against New Zealand and both tests against Australia.

Bleddyn Williams captained the Lions in the third and fourth tests against New Zealand, deputising for the injured captain Karl Mullen.

Bleddyn Williams scored one international try for the Lions, in the first test against Australia.

Bleddyn Williams was the rugby union correspondent of The Sunday People for 30 years.

Bleddyn Williams was made an MBE in the 2005 New Year Honours list, an award he accepted with typical modesty by saying he owed it to his team mates.

Post war, Bleddyn Williams married Violet; the couple had a son and two daughters.

On 6 July 2009, Bleddyn Williams died at the Holme Tower medical centre in Cardiff, after suffering ill health for some time.