08 January 2024 , 21:00
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JPR Williams, the former Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back, has died at the age of 74.
John Peter Rhys Williams – known simply as JPR - was one of Wales’ most celebrated players during his country’s 1970s golden era. He gained a reputation worldwide for being a fearless player, known for his aggression and attacking style.
Williams, who took on the JPR moniker in 1973 in a bid to distinguish himself from team-mate John JJ Williams, won 55 Wales caps and started all eight Tests on victorious Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa three years later. He also remains among a small group of Welshmen to win three Grand Slams.
He was revered among fellow Wales greats like Sir Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies, and regarded as one of rugby union’s finest players. His death was announced by Bridgend Ravens, a club that Williams served as a player and club president.
A statement read: "Bridgend Ravens are devastated to announce the passing of JPR Williams.
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"An icon of the World game, John Peter Rhys Williams served Bridgend Ravens as a player and most recently as Club President. He was capped 55 times for Wales and made 8 Test Appearances for the British and Irish Lions. Highlights of his illustrious career included winning two Schweppes Cup Titles with Bridgend in 1979 and 1980 and Three Grand Slam Titles in 1971, 1976 and 1978 for Wales.
"Following his retirement from the game, JPR became a key figure of the club’s administrative team, serving as Bridgend Ravens Club President – a role he held until his passing.
"JPR’s passing leaves a huge void at the club, and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time."
JPR Williams, pictured in 1978Away from rugby, he was an orthopaedic surgeon and was the son of two GPs and studied medicine at St Mary’s in Paddington following a spell at the prestigious Millfield School in Somerset. He was married to wife Scilla and lived in the Vale of Glamorgan. They had four children. He was appointed MBE in 1977 for services to rugby.
“I used to say that I spent half my life breaking bones on the rugby field, then the other half putting them back together in the operating theatre,” he said in his 2007 book JPR Given The Breaks – My Life In Rugby.
He gained an MBE for his contribution to the sport, and such was his superb natural fitness that he continued playing into his early 50s for village club Tondu, often in the back row, before finally hanging up his boots in 2003.
Cardiff Rugby are among the first to pay tribute to the legendary full-back. Writing on social media, the club state: "Incredibly sad news this evening with the passing of the legendary JPR Williams. A Bridgend, Wales and Lions great. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and former teammates of JPR."