Welsh Rugby Union Captains Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Clive Rowlands was a player during the amateur era of rugby union with Pontypool, Llanelli and Swansea among the teams he played for. A scrum half, he played international rugby for Wales between 1963 and 1965 and was the designated captain in every game he played. After retiring, he coached the national team, leading them to a Grand Slam (beating every other team) in 1971. Gareth Edwards was another scrum half to captain Wales, with his time in the national team lasting rather longer, from 1967 to 1978. He became the youngest man to captain Wales when he was appointed in 1968, aged only twenty. Being paired with two outstanding fly half players in Barry John and Phil Bennett. only added to the magic.

Having mentioned Phil Bennett, he is another man to captain Wales. He was called up to the international team when Barry John retired and played for his country on 29 occasions from 1969 until 1978. Bennett was the captain in his final season for Wales, leading his country to yet another Grand Slam before retiring. J P R Williams was a full back, playing in that position for a few clubs, mainly Bridgend. He achieved 55 caps for Wales while still working as an orthopaedic surgeon.

After that series of backs, we now have a forward in Eddie Butler, a number eight. His international career was relatively short, lasting only sixteen matches between 1980 and 1985, but he was the captain for six of those games. He moved into broadcasting after retiring and was a regular commentator on televised matches. By contrast, Gareth Llewellyn's Welsh career lasted from 1989 until 2004, although we are now in the professional era when rugby became a full-time paid job. He appeared for Wales on 92 occasions, mainly as a lock (second row) and sometimes as a flanker (back row). He captained Wales seven times between 1993 and 1995. His brother, Glyn, was also a Welsh international lock.

Colin Charvis is another back row forward to have captained Wales, which he did between 2002 and 2004. He was a versatile player who could perform well as a number 8 or a flanker. He played club rugby primarily for Swansea, until the club folded in 2003, before playing in both France and England. His last match for Wales was in 2007 and he gained 94 caps for his country.

Gareth Thomas won a hundred caps for Wales between 1995 and 2007 and could play as a full back, winger and centre. He captained Wales between 2003 and 2007. After his rugby union career ended, he turned to rugby league and won four caps at international level at that code. Sam Warburton was a flanker who played for Wales on 74 occasions between 2009 and 2017. He captained the side for the first time in 2011 and was also appointed captain for the British and Irish Lions tour in Australia, in 2013, becoming the youngest man to take on the role.

Alun Wyn Jones was another forward to captain Wales, playing as a lock for Ospreys (mainly) and the national team. At the time of his retirement, in 2023, he held the record for the most international caps not just for Wales but for any international team. with 158 between 2006 and 2023. Jones captained the team on numerous occasions and has been described as the 'best player ever' for Wales. That his career lasted so long in such a physically demanding sport is amazing.

The incorrect answers are all former England rugby union internationals.