JPR Williams: Wales rugby legend remembered at service

JPR Williams was remembered at a St David's Day memorial service in Llandaff Cathedral

The life of a rugby "revolutionary" and family man was remembered at a memorial service for former Wales and British Lions full-back JPR Williams.

The rugby great died in January, aged 74, and people gathered at Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral to celebrate his life on Friday.

Williams gained a worldwide reputation for his fearless defensive play.

During his rugby career, he won seven Five Nations titles, six Triple Crowns and three Grand Slams.

He also and starred in two victorious Lions tours - New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa three years later.

"On the field he was a revolutionary," said John Taylor, a former London Welsh and Wales team-mate and Williams' best man when he married his wife Priscilla.

"JPR ripped up the rule book from the start. Wales went from 1934 to 1967 without a try from a full-back until Keith Jarrett scored there and he was really a centre.

"JPR scored six, five against England. He was the scourge of the men in white and the most competitive animal I've ever met. Nobody created the extra man better than he did."

• Wales and Lions legend JPR Williams dies aged 74

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Williams' sporting prowess was recalled in detail, from 55 Wales caps - a world record upon his retirement in 1981 - to Lions tours.

He even won a British junior competition at Wimbledon, beating former Great Britain Davis Cup captain David Lloyd, and represented Wales' senior squash team.

Williams also loved music and his young soprano voice played over a loudspeaker in the cathedral.

He later developed into a rich baritone, which was reflected during the service.

There were five hymns and a piece of reflection from the Bridgend Tabernacle Choir, of which Williams was a member and played the organ.

Williams, an orthopaedic surgeon who studied at St Mary's Hospital in London, also played the piano and the violin and the service concluded with a rendition of the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

Williams' four children - Lauren, Annelise, Francine and Peter - performed readings during the service.

Sir Gareth Edwards, who attended the service with his wife Maureen, described JPR Williams as a "tremendous innovator"

Wales and Lions team-mate, Sir Gareth Edwards, described him as "a tremendous innovator" who "changed the full-back position virtually overnight".

"He would carry the ball back like a guided missile and had so many ways to beat the challenge of a defender," he said.

"He was fearless, resilient and competitive - the ultimate warrior."

Welsh Rugby Union president Terry Cobner described Williams as "an icon and role model", saying he had inspired a generation of youngsters "not only in Wales but throughout the world".