The former London Welsh, Bridgend and Barbarians legend was synonymous with Wales as the nation’s heroic captain and played a key part in the British Lions success of the 1970’s.
One of the World’s greatest ever full backs, Williams won 55 caps for his country in a golden era where alongside the likes of Phil Bennett, Sir Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies and Barry John he won three Grand Slam Five Nation titles.
An iconic figure of the game with his trademark sideburns, flowing locks and socks draped around his ankles, fiercely competitive John Peter Rhys was blessed with mesmeric talent with ball in hand. A feature that made him a fan’s favourite and hero of the Welsh public.
Williams will be best known for his part in ‘the try of the century’ for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973 where he started a flowing length of pitch move from his own half ending with scum-half Gareth Edwards scoring for many what is one of the most memorable tries in rugby history.
Cliff Morgan the BBC commentator who described the action at the time wrote on X:
“If the greatest writer of the written word would have written that story, no-one would have believed it. That really was something,”
During the historic triumphant Lions tour to New Zealand in 1971 Williams scored a historic drop-goal to clinch the series with the final test locked at 14-14 in the closing moments. It would be the first and remains the only Lions victory against the All-Blacks in the Southern Hemisphere.
JPR was also one of the iconic figures of the ‘invincible’ side that toured South Africa in 1974 and win every test to whitewash the Springboks.
In this period in time JPR revolutionised the role of full back to a more attacking position with his courageous running and dogged spirit. Williams also had an astonishingly good record against England where he never lost a single test in the ten matches he played in, scoring five tries in the process.
After retiring from his international career, Williams, who also had a medical background, worked as an orthopedic surgeon.
[Credit: Media Wales]
Former Wales international Jamie Roberts, who also went into the medical profession after ending his career, hailed Williams as an inspiration.
“An inspiration and role model for the rugby-medical fraternity,” he wrote on X.
Among those to pay tribute was fellow Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies who said:
“Another legend goes too early.”
The Barbarians also paid tribute to the Welshman on the platform:
“It is very sad news as we lose one of rugby’s greats, he was a man who will always have a special place in the hearts and history of our club.”
“Rest in Peace, JPR.”
A statement from the Williams family said:
“JPR died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children, after a short illness, bravely battling bacterial meningitis.
“The family request privacy at this difficult time.”
[Lead image: PA Media]
