CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Former Wales rugby captain and coach Clive Rowlands, who guided his country to a first Grand Slam in 19 years in 1971, has died. He was 85.
The Welsh Rugby Union announced his death on Sunday.
Rowlands, who played 14 times for Wales as scrum-half, also managed the British and Irish Lions and served as president of the WRU. He captained Wales on each of his international appearances and led the team as it shared the 1964 Five Nations title with Scotland. He retired from playing at the age of 29.
As coach, he led Wales to the Grand Slam in 1971 as well as its most successful-ever finish at a World Cup — placing third at the inaugural tournament in 1987 — before masterminding victory for the Lions on their tour of Australia two years later.
He was appointed WRU president in 1989.
"Achieved everything there was to achieve in the game at the time: Wales captain, coach, manager, Lions manager and Welsh Rugby Union president," former England captain Bill Beaumont tweeted. “Revered as a coach. Gifted. A giant who will be greatly missed."
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The Associated Press
