The Welsh Rugby Federation (WRU) announced on Sunday the death of Clive Rowlands, former captain, coach and manager of the selection of Wales, at the age of 85.
Nicknamed ‘Top Cat’, Rowlands was a skilled scrum-half who was particularly fond of kicking. He played 14 games with the Welsh selection, all as captain.
Under his captaincy, the Leek XV won the 5 Nations Tournament (Italy having not yet been integrated) in 1964 (a title shared with Scotland) and in 1965. Rowlands retired from international football at the from this second coronation.
Rowlands hung up his boots at the age of 29 and very quickly joined the WRU management committee. In 1968 he became Wales’ youngest manager, a position he held until 1974.
As a coach, he won three new 5 Nations Tournaments (1969, 1971, 1973). He later took on the role of manager, notably during the Welsh third place at the 1987 World Cup in New Zealand. In 1989, he was appointed president of the Welsh Federation.
In a press release, the WRU thanks Clive Rowlands for “his immense contribution to our game”.
