“Can he score? It would be a miracle if he could!” – Bill McLaren.
In 1972, scrum-half Edwards was in his prime. He scored two tries against Scotland in a 35-12 victory but only one is constantly remembered: his solo effort from a kick-and-chase in atrocious conditions resulted in his muddy visage after diving on the ball.
It has often been described as one of the greatest solo tries in Welsh rugby history, and the conditions have only added to its resonance all these years later. The sodden earth was part of the Cardiff Greyhounds track that ran around the old Arms Park, and which five years later would cease to operate.
Edwards scored 20 tries in 53 Tests for Wales, a novel record at a time when scrum-halves were more of a providers than a try-scorer.
When asked to discuss the try some years later, Edwards said: “The adrenaline was flowing. We’d only just taken the lead after what was a very difficult first half against Scotland where they were leading.
“All I was looking for was a little snipe around the blindside and found very much to my surprise I was in the clear. Watch me looking for Dai Morris and John Taylor, they let me down for the first time ever!”
He added that he was also “thinking about my hamstrings letting me down”, and that he only thought about a try the moment he touched the ball down in that oft-discussed muddy corner of the Arms Park pitch.
Mud and Glory for Edwards, 1972 won Round Three with 52% of the vote. You can vote for it in the final by clicking here.
