The sad passing of 'Merv the Swerve'

Wales and British Lions legend Mervyn Davies has died after a long illness, the Welsh Rugby Union announced Friday.

Davies, who passed away at age 65, captained Wales to a Grand Slam in 1976 and was a member of the British Lions sides that won series in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa three years later.

The former London Welsh and Swansea No.8 won 38 caps for Wales and played in eight Tests for the Lions.

His playing career was cut short after he suffered a brain haemorrhage playing for Swansea against Pontypool in 1976.

“The Welsh Rugby Union is saddened to learn of the death of Mervyn Davies who deservedly earned a worldwide reputation as one of the greats of the modern game,” the WRU said in a statement.

“Flags at the Millennium Stadium are flying at half-mast from today [Friday] in honour.”

And a minute’s silence will be held in tribute to Davies at all Wales international games across the weekend.

“Everyone involved in the game in Wales offers their condolences to the family and friends of a true giant of the game who was known universally as ‘Merv The Swerve’,” the WRU said in a statement.

News of Davies’ death comes on the eve of Wales bid for a Grand Slam against France in Cardiff on Saturday.

Former Wales and Lions teammate Phil Bennett paid tribute to his friend, insisting Davies would have captained the 1977 Lions had his career not ended prematurely.

He revealed how Davies’ talents shone through on the 1974 Lions tour, when the back row raised his game to take his place in the Test team ahead of England’s in-form Andy Ripley.

“‘Rippers’ was playing the rugby of his life, and Mervyn said, ‘I’m going to step my game up’,” Bennett told BBC radio.

“And he started to play rugby football like I’ve never seen him play before. He was totally outstanding.

“I was captain of the 1977 Lions that went out to New Zealand.

“Mervyn Davies suffered a brain haemorrhage in 1976 playing [for Swansea] against Pontypool in Cardiff in the semifinals of the Welsh Cup.

“Without doubt he’d have been skipper of that ’77 tour and thoroughly would have deserved it.

“That’s the fate life plays on you at times.

“To lose him so tragically is absolutely devastating.”

Meanwhile, WRU president Dennis Gethin mourned the loss of “a great player, a wonderful ambassador for the game and a true gentlemen.

“I played against Mervyn many times and knew just how good he was but I also grew to appreciate him as a true friend,” he said.

“In later life he also became an accomplished after dinner speaker so his loss will be felt in many ways by so many people.”

WRU chairman and former Wales captain David Pickering added: “Mervyn Davies was a man who epitomised the values of Welsh rugby and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him and all who knew of him.

“He was a giant of the game, both on and off the field, for London Welsh, Swansea, Wales, the Barbarians and the British and Irish Lions.

“He bore his illness with courage and his memory will undoubtedly live on within our game for all time.”

Davies made his international debut against Scotland at Murrayfield in 1969 and led Wales to the 1976 Five Nations Grand Slam.

He won 38 caps for Wales and went on two British and Irish Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974.

Davies played for London Welsh from 1968 and later joined Swansea where he completed his playing career.

WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, added: “We have lost a true great of our game with the sad death of Mervyn Davies. He was a giant in all senses.

“His loss will be felt across the rugby world because of the huge impact he had as an icon of the game.

“He stood out in one of our great Welsh teams but remained a modest and gentle man off the field of play throughout his life. He was a modest, gentle but straight talking man.

“Mervyn also played a prominent role in Welsh international rugby’s former players association so his love of the game remained undiminished throughout his life.

“He truly earned his place in the Hall of Fame and it is right and fitting that this weekend his memory will be honoured by everyone involved in Welsh rugby.

“I want to send our condolences to all his family and friends because Mervyn Davies was a true great.”