Brian Price: Ex-Wales Triple Crown captain dies, aged 86
- Published
Brian Price (centre) flanked by Dai Morris (left) and Denzil Williams (with headband) at a line-out for Wales in 1969
Former Wales rugby captain Brian Price has died at the age of 86.
A second row and line-out specialist, Price captained both the Newport team that beat New Zealand in 1963 and the Wales Triple Crown side in 1969.
He toured Australia and New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions in 1966, playing in all four Test matches.
Price retired from the game after professionalising himself by writing a column for the Sunday Express and was a respected pundit for BBC Radio Wales.
A teacher by profession, Price became head of PE at Caldicot Comprehensive School and was appointed president of the former players association in 2006.
"Brian was one of Radio Wales' foremost rugby pundits for many years," said Carolyn Hitt, head of Radio Wales and Sport at BBC Cymru Wales.
"He brought insight, wisdom and his great passion for the game to the station and was admired and respected by all who worked with him.
"He was also an absolute gentleman and our deepest condolences go to his family and friends."
Newport and Wales legend
Price was a highly respected player, among the best line-out jumpers of his time, making 32 appearances for Wales after his international debut in 1961 and also playing 252 games for Newport.
Wales claimed the Triple Crown in 1969, though Price missed the 30-9 win over England with injury. Only an 8-8 draw in France denied them a Grand Slam. Price was also part of the 1965 Triple Crown-winning side.
If the 1969 title was the pinnacle of Price's international career, the win over Wilson Whineray's legendary touring All Blacks of 1963-64 was the pick of his domestic achievements for a man who was from Deri near Bargoed and joined Newport in 1960.
The 3-0 defeat at Rodney Parade - thanks to John 'Dick' Uzzell's drop-goal - was the All Blacks' only loss on a tour which lasted four months and saw them play 36 games. The only other match New Zealand did not win was a 0-0 draw with Scotland.
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