John Dawes

Sidney John Dawes (born 29 June 1940 in Chapel of Ease, part of Abercarn) was a Welsh rugby union player, playing at rugbycentre, and later coach. He captained Wales, The Barbarians and the British and Irish Lions.

Education

Dawes was educated at Lewis School Pengam, and later Aberystwyth University, then Loughborough College. He got a chemistry degree and then later went on to get a PGCE at Loughbrough college where he met his wife to be, Janet

Rugby career

He played club rugby for Newbridge in Monmouthshire, then joined London Welsh. Winning his first cap for Wales against Ireland in 1964, he went on to make twenty two appearances for Wales, captaining the side in six of them, including leading the Grand Slam winning side of 1971.

British Lion Captain & Barbararian

In 1971, Dawes was appointed captain of the British and Irish Lions side for the tour to New Zealand. This side, coached by Carwyn James, became the first and so far the only Lions team to win a series in New Zealand. Dawes was also captain of the Barbarians side that beat New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973.Today he holds a proud record for any welshman in the fact that as a player or coach he has never lost to an England side.

Wales Rugby & Lions Coach

After retiring as a player, Dawes became coach of the Welsh national side in 1974, a post he held until 1979. This was one of the most successful periods in the history of Welsh rugby, with the team winning the Five Nations Championship four times in the five seasons between 1975 and 1979, including two Grand Slams. He also coached the 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand, but was unable to repeat the success of 1971. He is currently president of London Welsh R.F.C. and has written several books on rugby union.

References

External links

* [http://www.wru.co.uk/14058_14083.php Wales profile]