The back-row forward – who earned the nickname “Steel Claw” for his phenomenal mauling strength – won nine caps between 1977 and 1982 after making a try-scoring debut against Ireland. Born in Manmoel on 25 November 1950, Robert Clive Burgess joined Ebbw Vale from Croesyceiliog and was a superb servant to the Eugene Cross Park club, for whom he made more than 200 appearances, before finishing his career in Italy with Brescia.
Burgess, who only took up rugby as a 20-year-old after leaving the Merchant Navy, was capped by Wales B against France in 1976, was a key member of the 1977 Triple Crown-winning side and, on his recall from the international wilderness in 1981, was promptly voted Welsh Player of the Year.
WRU Chief Executive Steve Lewis, a former scrum-half who spent seven seasons as an Ebbw Vale clubmate with Burgess, said: “Clive was an awesome player, physically competitive and immensely strong.
“Whenever you saw his name on the team sheet you knew you had a chance of winning any game. He was a tower of strength at Ebbw Vale and his mauling capabilities were legendary.
“He took over the mantle of Dai Morris as the unsung hero of the Welsh back-row and he will be sorely missed.”