Leslie Manfield

Leslie Manfield (November 10 1915 – November 2 2006), was a Welsh rugby union international. He was the second oldest Welsh international of all time, and at the time of his death, aged 91, the oldest living man to have played as a forward for Wales. [ [http://www.wru.co.uk/10351_8973.php WRU obituary] ]

Manfield was born in Mountain Ash [ [http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=26145&includeref=dynamic WRU player profile] ] , the son of a railway worker, and went to school there. He played for the Welsh under-15 side on March 1 1930, and played for Cardiff RFC. After studying chemistry at Cardiff University, he won his first senior international cap in 1939 against Scotland. In 1940 he joined the Royal Air Force, and spent three years in the Middle East, rising to the rank of squadron leader.

Manfield played several internationals after World War II, one of only four men to have played for Wales both before and after the war. He retired from the international game at the age of 34, having won seven caps for his country, ["Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981", David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pg469 ISBN 978-0708307663] and taught at Mountain Ash Grammar School until forced to retire through ill-health. He died at Aberdare Hospital of complications after a fall.

International matches played

* Australia 1947
* England 1948
* France 1948
* Ireland 1939, 1948
* Scotland 1939, 1948

References