Captain Ryan Jones and his team took to the field for the final time before the climax of their 2008 campaign against Les Blues wearing the red T-Shirts sporting an action image of Gravell in full flight.
Gravell passed away in October 2007 aged 56, he won 23 caps for Wales, famously helped Llanelli beat the All Blacks in 1972 and was part of the Grand Slam winning teams of both 1976 and 1978 – he was a close friend of the Wales national team, a regular at Welsh internationals as part of his TV work as a pitch-side reporter and much loved by everyone in Welsh rugby.
His funeral, held at a packed Stradey Park, was attended by around 10,000 mourners and the players had taken a personal decision to support his charity today. Gravell’s two daughters Gwenan (9) and Manon (12) will lead the team out as mascots at the match tomorrow.
“The boys would do anything for Ray, he was much loved by the team and this was an ideal opportunity for them to show the world just how much he meant to them,” said Wales Team Manager Alan Phillips.
“Part of the revenue from every shirt sold will go directly to Ray’s charity. We know he would have loved to be with us supporting us on what we hope will be a great day for Welsh rugby. He was the Wales team biggest fan and also one of the greatest servants to the game we have ever had.”
The t-shirts are available for £15 online from http://www.cowbois.com.
