Town's 160-year wait to be recognised as birthplace of Welsh rugby

It has taken nearly 160 years for Llandovery to be recognised as the joint birthplace of Welsh rugby

Almost 160 years since two teams contested a rugby match, a town has finally been recognised as a birthplace of what would become Wales' national sport.

Lampeter has long been known as the home of rugby in Wales in recognition of its role in the match in the village of Caio in 1866 against Llandovery College.

But, following extensive research by historians, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has awarded equal status to both Lampeter and Llandovery in recognition of their role in pioneering the sport.

Now, more than a century and a half later, the town has a new set of entrance signs marking the historical link between Llandovery, its college and the formation of Welsh rugby.

The Reverend John Williams, the first warden of Llandovery College in 1848, is credited with having brought rugby to the town.

He moved to Carmarthenshire from Edinburgh where he had been first rector of the city's academy.

Iestyn Thomas, former rugby coach at Llandovery College, said: "There were a group of schools playing rugby football in Edinburgh at that time and Williams was therefore aware of the game and also of playing against other institutions and brought that with him to Llandovery.

"This led to Llandovery College squaring up against Lampeter College in 1866 on the fields of Glanrannell Farm in the village of Caio, halfway between the two towns."

Iestyn Thomas says the match between Llandovery and Lampeter was "quite a game"

Though there is little evidence today of that first derby, Caio can lay claim to being the venue for the first ever match in Wales played by two Welsh clubs or institutions.

Mr Thomas added that it was "quite a game".

"It was held during the spring fair where local farm labourers turned up looking for work with local farmers," he said.

"They saw the game being played and they all apparently jumped in and got involved and the referee had to stop the game and kick them off the pitch."

Llandovery College rugby team, pictured here in 1878

Llandovery went on to excel in the world of rugby and sport.

The college produced two players for the first Welsh international rugby fixture as well as being present when the WRU was created in 1881.

Its rugby roll of honour continues today.

Dominic Findlay, the warden of Llandovery College, said: "Our director of rugby is Nathan Thomas, former Welsh back row.

"We are connected with old boys like Alun Wyn Jones and George North."

He added the college had "just brought three boys into the professional game with the Scarlets".

"Our current number 10 is Carwyn Leggett Jones, who has just played in the under-20s. So the future is hugely exciting," he said.

Dominic Findlay is proud of some of the big rugby names, past and present, from Llandovery College

He added that many of the greats in Welsh rugby had nurtured their skills and magic at Llandovery College, with more than 50 students earning more than 550 caps for Wales.

Wales rugby coach Carwyn James also taught at the college from 1956 to 1969, where he made a lasting impact.

Llandovery being officially recognised as the co-founder of rugby in Wales alongside Lampeter University was "a huge honour," councillor Handel Davies said.

"It came as a shock to a lot of people," he said.

"Nobody knew much about it. Everybody says they saw the sign in Lampeter and they thought that was where rugby was born, but I said 'it takes two to tango'."

Now the attention is turning to Caio, with one villager saying a plaque was needed on Glanrannell field to mark its contribution to sporting history as home of the first ever competitive rugby match played in Wales.