The Welsh Rugby Union chairman, whose time as chair of the Sports council of Wales coincided with the time Morgan held office as First Minister, remembers the then Welsh Labour leader fondly and says his passion for sport in general was insuppressible.
“Rhodri was a great politician and his record speaks for itself in those terms, but he was also incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about sport,” said Davies.
“Rugby was one of his great loves and I consider myself to be hugely privileged to have been able to join him at a number of games, in the stands both at the Cardiff Arms Park and at our national ground next door.
“His encyclopedic knowledge of, not just rugby, but all Welsh sport, was incredibly impressive. He was always humble, friendly and welcoming, but equally you were always aware that you were in the presence of an intellectual giant who was incredibly passionate about his beliefs and about Wales.
“I know he was a huge Cardiff fan and he will be sadly missed at the Arms Park in particular, but the whole of Welsh rugby mourns his loss and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues.
“We have lost a great servant not only to our national game but also to the nation.”
Morgan regularly presented winning trophies at Wales international matches as the VIP guest of the WRU when he was First Minister and, in October 2008, he joined Warren Gatland to officially open the WRU’s National Centre of Excellence, the training base in Hensol used regularly by the Wales national side and currently hosting the 2017 British and Irish Lions squad.
WRU president Dennis Gethin, who dined with Rhodri Morgan only last week, joined the tribute.
“Rhodri had a towering intellect and an encyclopedic knowledge of Welsh rugby. If I ever needed to check a fact, Rhodri could produce the right answer in an instant.
“He was a passionate supporter with a genuine love of the game. Some people know a little about many subjects. Some know a lot about their own specialism. Rhodri was a goldmine of information whose curiosity was boundless.
“He truly knew a lot about many, many things and it was always a delight to be in his company. I shared a table with him at the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame dinner last Friday and, as ever, he was on fine form. This news has come as an enormous shock and my thoughts are with Julie and his family.”
