Sir Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Barry John, Gerald Davies, Mike Roberts, Derek Quinnell, Geoff Evans and John Taylor were all out in force to pay their respects at the funeral of John Dawes at Llandaff Cathedral, as were other former Lions in Gareth Davies and Elgan Rees.
Eight of the golden oldies had played under Dawes captaincy on the historic 1971 tour to New Zealand, when the Lions won the series 2-1 with the fourth Test drawn. It remains the only time the Lions have won a series against the All Blacks.
Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams
Dawes remains one of the greatest of all Lions and Welsh captains and was laid to rest on the day another great Welsh leader, Alun Wyn Jones, was named to follow in his footsteps as captain of the Lions.
Dawes, the 1971 Welsh Grand Slam skipper, died on 16 April at the age of 80. After hanging up his boots he took over from Clive Rowlands, who was also in attendance at the funeral, as the Welsh National Coach.
Under his guidance Wales went on to secure Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978. He also coached the 1977 Lions in New Zealand.
With numbers allowed into the cathedral restricted due to COVID, there were many mourners out on the streets paying their respects, including the current chairman of the WRU, Rob Butcher.
Michael Dawes, John’s son, led the tributes to his father in a moving eulogy.
