Today’s The Day

BORN TODAY . . . 5 MARCH
DAVID WATKINS MBE.
David Watkins was born in Blaina on March 5, 1942 and became a brilliant
outside half at both Rugby Union and Rugby League, playing for Britain and
Wales at both codes. He began his senior career with Newport and helped
them beat the 1963 All Blacks 3-0. He was capped on 21 occasions from
1963-1967 and captained Wales in 1967. He appeared in six tests for the 1966 British Lions in Australia and New
Zealand. His transfer to Salford Rugby League club in 1967 ended his 202 appearances for Newport and he soon played for Wales and Great Britain at Rugby League, going on to score 3,117 points in 472 first-class matches. He later coached the British team in Australasia and managed Cardiff Blue Dragons Rugby League team on his return to Wales. He was awarded the MBE in 1986 and is now a respected chairman of Newport, being one of the greatest players to have played for his country at both codes.
ON THIS DAY….
5 March, 1988: Wales gained the Triple Crown for the first time in nine
years by defeating Ireland 12-9 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. The Neath
full back Paul Thorburn kicked a penalty and a superb conversion of a try by Swansea No 8 Paul Moriarty as Wales came from 3-9 down to capture the Crown. Llanelli outside half Jonathan Davies opened the scoring with a drop goal for a side skippered by South Wales Police centre Bleddyn Bowen. It was the last time Wales won the Triple Crown.