J. J. Williams (rugby union)

J. J. Williams
MBE

Birth name	John James Williams
Date of birth	(1948-04-01)1 April 1948
Place of birth	Nantyffyllon, Maesteg, Wales
Date of death	29 October 2020(2020-10-29) (aged 72)
School	Maesteg Grammar School
University	Cardiff College of Education
Rugby union career
Position(s) Winger Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) –1972 1972– Maesteg RFC Bridgend Llanelli Barbarians 100[1] 223[2] 10[3] () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1973–79 1974–77 Wales British Lions 30 07 (48) 0(20) Correct as of 10:47, 29 April 2019 (UTC)

John James Williams MBE (1 April 1948 – 29 October 2020), known universally as J. J. Williams, was a rugby union player who gained thirty caps for Wales as a winger.^[4] In his early career, Williams was a talented sprinter, later becoming a member of the Wales rugby team that won the Five Nations Championship in 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979, including Grand Slam wins in 1976 and 1978.^[5]

Williams played for the Bridgend Ravens and Llanelli RFC in the 1970s. His time at Llanelli included a famous win against the All Blacks in 1972. He was a key try creator and scorer for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa. After his retirement in 1980, Williams became a pundit and commentator for BBC Cymru Wales and later a successful businessman. His son, Rhys, is a professional track and field athlete.