The legendary duo will be joined by back row forward Willie Thomas, who was Wales’ first Lions tourists, in joining rugby’s ultimate pantheon. Thomas is included among the pioneering 1888 Lions tour party and their captain Robert Seddon.
Now it is eighth year, the IRB Hall of Fame has already honoured Gareth Edwards, Cliff Morgan, Frank Hancock and Cardiff RFC. Bleddyn, Dr Jack and former Llandovery College, Cambridge University and Llanelli forward Willie will be among 11 legends of the game added to the Hall of Fame list under the theme ‘the British & Irish Lions and Australia’.
The six Australian inductees are: Thomas Lawton Snr, John Thornett, Ken Catchpole, Mark Ella, David Campese and George Gregan. The other five inductees are the first Lions tour captain Robert Seddon and his 1888 ‘British’ team, 1904 skipper David Bedell-Sivright, 1959 captain Ronnie Dawson, 1993 skipper Gavin Hastings, Bleddyn Williams and Jack Matthews.
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The 2013 inductions include pioneers and playing greats from the Lions v. Australia series, who have not only excited but inspired many generations of players, fans and coaches.
“The IRB Hall of Fame honours those that have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to Rugby as well as rewarding Unions and other organisations that have contributed so much to growing our sport around the world.
“With these exciting inductions taking place alongside the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition, I look forward to welcoming the international Rugby community to Dublin for what will be a spectacular celebration of Rugby and those that have contributed so much to our sport over the years.”
IRB Hall of Fame Citation
Bleddyn Llewellyn Williams MBE and Dr Jack Matthews OBE
The two Welsh centres formed a uniquely complementary and successful partnership at club, national team and Lions levels after the Second World War. They played together for Cardiff and Wales and they both captained their club and the country. They also played for the 1950 Lions in both New Zealand and Australia.
Bleddyn Williams, the third of eight rugby playing brothers, made his international debut against England in 1947 at fly half, the first of his 22 Welsh caps – the other 21 were at centre. He captained Wales in five tests, winning all five, and remains to this date the only Welsh captain to claim 100% success record. He was vice-captain of the 1950 Lions and played in five of the six Tests (injury prevented him from playing in the first Test). With Karl Mullen injured he captained the Lions in three of the six tests, (two in New Zealand and one in Australia). He became a very successful rugby commentator and was awarded an MBE for services to rugby.
Dr Jack Matthews made his international debut in a non-cap Victory International against France, one of the five War Internationals he played in. Described as one of the fiercest tacklers in the game, he won 17 caps for Wales and six for the 1950 Lions (four in New Zealand and two in Australia). He captained both the Cardiff club and Wales and became the first Lions team doctor with the 1980 tourists to South Africa.
