All Time Greatest Welsh XV

Wednesday 27 July 2011

With less than 50 days to go until the most anticipated event in the rugby calendar kicks off, World Cup fever is well and truly kicking in. Come September, New Zealand will be hosting the finest players in international rugby as they battle it out to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on October 23.

Wales' first match of the tournament comes against the current World champions South Africa, but don't be fooled, the three matches that follow will be just as challenging for the Welsh. In what has been labelled the 'Group of Death', Wales will go on to face Samoa, Namibia and finally Fiji after their opening match against the Springboks so to say that Wales will be severely tested is an understatement. It was this thought that led me to ask myself the following question; How would an all time Welsh XV fare at this years tournament?

I have selected what I think is Wales' greatest XV of all time along with a list of potential replacements whose names were also considered when compiling the team.

Forwards

1. Gethin Jenkins- The most capped prop forward for Wales, Jenkins has been at the heart of everything good for the Welsh since his debut against Romania in 2003. The Cardiff Blues forward has also won five caps for the British and Irish Lions.

2. Bryn Meredith- Another player to have represented the Lions, Meredith is historically remembered for being part of the all Welsh front row for the Lions in 1955. Meredith won 34 caps for Wales and was voted as Wales' Sportsman of the Year in his final playing season.

3. Graham Price- Remembered for scoring a stunning 70 yard try on his debut against France, Graham Price helped Wales to Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978 before retiring in 1983. Price was in the Lions squads that toured New Zealand in 1977, South Africa in 1980 and New Zealand in 1983.

4. Rhys Haydn Williams- Previously an Officer in the RAF, Williams went on to play for Wales, the Lions and the Barbarians and was the only forward to be named Player of the Year in New Zealand in the 1959/60 season.

5. Bob Norster - Winning 34 caps during his career for Wales, Robert 'Bob' Norster was considered to be one of the greatest line jumpers of his era. The lock forward also won three caps for the British and Irish Lions side during the 1980's.

6. Geoff Wheel - Wheel, who played for Swansea throughout his club career, won 32 international caps for Wales and was one of the most powerful and intimidating players of his era. A great servant to Welsh rugby, Wheel also coached the junior side at Swansea.

7. Ivor Jones - Despite winning only 16 caps, three of which were as captain, Ivor Jones was considered a great player in his day. Jones also won five caps for the British and Irish Lions and made a huge impact when they toured New Zealand and Australia in 1930. After retiring, Jones was made the President of the Welsh Rugby Union.

8. Mervyn Davies - Completing the list of forwards is Swansea born forward Mervyn Davies who in my opinion is Wales' greatest ever number 8. Davies won 38 caps for Wales and seven for the British and Irish Lions and was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2001.

Backs

9. Gareth Edwards- Scorer of 'The greatest try of all time' in 1973 whilst playing for the Barbarians, Edwards is unquestionably Wales' greatest ever scrum half. The number nine was named the BBC Welsh Sports Personality of the Year in 1974 and only a year later he received an MBE highlighting how great an impact Edwards made during his career.

10. Barry John - Barry John can be summed up with the following lyric: 'He swapped five photos of his wife for one of Barry John'. Max Boyce immortalises John, who is regarded as one of the greatest fly halves in rugby history, in his song 'Hymns and Arias'.

11. Shane Williams - 2008 IRB International Player of the Year, 2008 BBC Welsh Sports Personality of the Year, 3rd on the overall list of test try scorers and Wales' leading try scorer of all time. The achievements of Shane Williams go on and on and despite being only 5ft 7, the 'wing wizard' will leave an enormous hole to fill if he does decide to retire after the World Cup.

12. Scott Gibbs - Voted as the Player of the Series in the Lions Tour of South Africa in 1997, Gibbs always had a strong impact on the pitch and after a brief stint of playing Rugby League, he returned to Rugby Union and in 1999 scored a superb solo try against England in the dying moments of the game securing a 32-31 win for the Welsh.

13. Bleddyn Williams - Another player to have joined the RAF, Williams, who won a total of 22 caps for Wales and captained the side in five of those, was made an MBE in 2005 and is remembered as one of the greatest players in Welsh rugby history.

14. Gerald Davies - Famous for his side step, the wing position belonged to Davies throughout his international career in which he won 46 caps for Wales. He also won five caps for the Lions and recently continued his affiliation with the Lions when he managed the side on their tour of South Africa in 2009.

15. JPR Williams - JPR Williams was a truly phenomenal full back and some of his achievements include winning the Grand Slam on three occasions and captaining the national side in five matches. Williams was even awarded an MBE in 1977 for his services to rugby and in 1997 was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.

Others in contention: Gareth Thomas, Ieuan Evans, Colin Charvis, JJ Williams, Phil Bennett, Roy John, Charlie Faulkner.

Who would/wouldn't make the cut if you were selecting players for the same side?

Get in touch and let us know your opinion.