J. P. R. Williams

J. P. R. Williams
MBE FRCS
Williams in 2009
Birth nameJohn Peter Rhys Williams
Date of birth(1949-03-02)2 March 1949
Place of birthBridgend, Wales
Date of death8 January 2024(2024-01-08) (aged 74)
Place of deathCardiff, Wales
School
UniversitySt Mary's Hospital Medical School
Occupation(s)Orthopaedic surgeon
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full-back
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1967–1968 Bridgend ()
1967–1968 St. Mary's Hospital ()
1968–1976 London Welsh ()
1969–1977 Barbarians ()
1974 Natal ()
1976–1990s Bridgend ()
1990s–2003 Tondu ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1969–1981 Wales 55 (36)
1971, 1974 British Lions 8 (3)

John Peter Rhys Williams[1] MBE FRCS (2 March 1949 – 8 January 2024) was a Welsh rugby union player who represented Wales in international rugby during their Golden Era in the 1970s. He became known universally as J. P. R. Williams (or sometimes just as JPR) four years after his Welsh debut, in 1973 when J. J. Williams (also John) joined the Welsh team.[2]

Playing in the position of full-back, he was noted for his aggressive attacking style. With his long sideburns and socks around his ankles, "JPR" was an iconic figure on the successful 1970s Wales team. However, despite playing full-back throughout his international career, his preferred position was flanker, where he played for Tondu at the end of his career.[3]

Williams is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three Grand Slams including Gerald Davies, Gareth Edwards, Ryan Jones, Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Alun Wyn Jones.[4]

An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Williams continued to be involved in rugby following his retirement, serving as president of the Bridgend Ravens.[3]

  1. ^ Williams, JPR (2006). My Life in Rugby. Hodder & Stoughton. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-0-340-92308-5.
  2. ^ "The life of JPR at 70, a courageous Welsh rugby great who was always different from the rest". Wales Online. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference wo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Six Nations: Wales' Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones hail third Grand Slam". BBC Sport. 17 March 2012.