“’I’m gonna break your nose,’” recalled Llewellyn about that first meeting. “He didn’t quite manage it, but it was a feisty old game.”
Feisty? At one stage there were 20 players brawling in the middle of the pitch and five times the future World Cup final referee Derek Bevan, who was running the line, had to come in with his fellow touch judge to indicate foul play to help out the beleaguered English referee in the middle.
“It was a bit of a battle, but we came out on top in the end. Different times, different rules,” admitted Llewellyn, who at least ended up on the winning side. “Doddie was a bit taller than me and quite skinny then, but he filled out over the years.
“Our paths crossed a couple of times on the international scene and we also had some battles in the English Premiership when he was at Newcastle Falcons and I was playing at Quins. He was a fierce competitor and an excellent player.
“I haven’t seen him for a while, but it is wonderful to see how the rugby family is coming together to help him in his battle against Motor Neurone Disease. It is one of the great characteristics of our game.
“I’d love to bump into him again and share a few memories. He remains one of the greatest Scottish forwards of his era – and one of the great guys!”
Weir made eight appearances against Wales at senior level in his 61 cap career, ending up with a 50% record with four wins and four defeats. Llewellyn and Tony Copsey were his opponents in his first game in Cardiff in 1992, when the men in red came out on top 15-12.
Llewellyn, who took the Wales cap record up to 94 in a 15-year test career, played in six of those eight games as the two big men ended up with honours even… and with their noses intact!
Find out more about the fundraising efforts for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation at this weekend’s game here.
