Gwyn Rowlands
Gwyn Rowlands was an English-born rugby union wing, who played international rugby for the Wales national [rugby union team|Wales national team]. At club level he represented The London Hospital, London Welsh, Cardiff and the Royal Air Force.
Rugby career
Gwyn Rowlands was born and educated in Berkhamsted, and had dual qualifications for both England and Wales. He had trials for England national team during the 1948/49 season, but was unsuccessful. He was then invited to trial for Wales in 1949. Rowlands would remember years later that when he was selected for the trials for both teams, the fallout devastated his parents' marriage. While on national service for the Royal Air Force at St Athan he accepted an invitation to join Cardiff Rugby Club. In 1953 he was part of the Cardiff team to face the touring 1953–54 [New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland, France and North America|New Zealand team]. Rowlands was instrumental in a famous victory; his cross-kick set up the first Cardiff try, which was scored by Sid Judd, and then converted by Rowlands. His performance won him his first international cap for Wales, when he was brought into the side to face the same touring New Zealand team. He made a major contribution to the final result, scoring two conversions and a penalty goal in a 13–8 victory.Rowlands played in three more internationals for Wales, with encounters against England and France as part of the 1953 Five Nations Championship and after a year break, was brought in to face France again in 1956.