Born in Taffs Well in 1933, the son of a coal-trimmer, Lloyd was the fourth of eight brothers who played for Cardiff and made 1,480 appearances between them. In the 1961-62 season, his second year as captain, he was regularly joined in the 1st XV by brothers Tony, Cenydd and Elwyn.
He won 13 caps for Wales at scrum half between 1957-1962 and played 310 games for the Blue and Blacks after making his debut in 1952 – and a further 64 for the Rags. He captained both club and country and he followed one of his elder brothers, Bleddyn, into the Wales side.
He attended Caerphilly Secondary School and was earmarked for stardom after winning the Dewar Shield with Cardiff Schools and then playing for Wales Youth against France. He served a long apprenticeship at the Arms Park before clinching a first-team place.
He had the Wales and British & Lions scrum half Rex Willis ahead of him when he launched his senior career and played a mere 43 1st XV matches in his first four years having made his debut at the age of 18 against Nantes/Cognac in September, 1952. His last game came against Newport in April, 1964.
After retiring at the end of his 12-season playing career he went on to serve on the Cardiff Rugby committee for 21 seasons from 1965-66. He made his Wales debut against Scotland at Murrayfield in 1957, while his final cap was also against the Scots in Cardiff in 1962 at Cardiff.
One of the tallest scrum halves selected for Wales, his dive pass gave his back line plenty of space in which to move and he made seven appearances in the Welsh side with club partner Cliff Morgan. His strength around the fringes of rucks, mauls and scrums made him a huge threat, earning him the title of a ‘ninth forward’.
As well as playing for Cardiff and Wales he also represented the RAF, Combined Services and the Barbarians. He was a reserve for Cardiff when they beat the All Blacks in 1953, when his brother, Bleddyn, was captain, and played for his club in the defeats to South African in 1960 (13-0) and New Zealand in 1963 (6-5).
The WRU offers its sincerest condolences to Lloyd’s family and friends.
