"St David's Day Special" - Ultimate XV: Wales Legends

Undeniably amongst the most historic rugby nations in the world, Wales have produced some of the sport's true greats throughout their decorated lineage. Established as a Test rugby nation in 1881, Wales made their debut in an exhibition match against England, two years before the Home Nations Championship (now the Six Nations) was formed.

Throughout the near century and a half that has since passed, iconic Welshman have defined each decade of rugby union's progression. Wales have enjoyed two fabled 'Golden Ages', the first coming from 1893-1913 and could well have long continued before the break-out of the First World War. The second era of Welsh dominance is so fondly remembered from the 1970s, as the team saw the icons of J.P.R Williams, Gareth Edwards and Barry John entertain fans across the world.

It has been a challenging task to pick an Ultimate XV of Wales legends to commemorate St David's Day, but we have whittled down our picks for the following match day squad. With 28 outright wins of Rugby's Greatest Championship, spanning the Home, Five and modern Six Nations competitions, Wales have long been titans of the Northern Hemisphere. Now, Warren Gatland is ushering in the new generation, and the likes of Tommy Reffell or Dafydd Jenkins could well make this updated team in decades to come.

ULTIMATE XV: WALES LEGENDS

Beginning in the back three, and we award the number 15 jersey to one of the true legends of Wales' second Golden Era. John Peter Rhys Williams, or more commonly known as JPR, the fullback is amongst the finest players of his generation and dutifully slots in to our Ultimate XV. Sadly passing away in early January, Williams was an orthopaedic surgeon by trade, and an all-round entertainer when it came to the rugby pitch. With his iconic sideburns and socks low around his ankles, JPR's image will last a lifetime for the generations to come.

Upon the right wing we have selected Gerald Davies, who is amongst the decorated company of Welsh legends to have three Grand Slams. Davies is joined by JPR in such company, as well as an assortment of players that are set to make our Ultimate XV. Regarded as one of the best attacking wings to ever play the game, Davies would light up the pitch with his spell-binding runs and an effortless ease of gliding passed his opponents. He scored 72 points in his Wales career, and became a successful journalist after hanging up the boots.

On the left wing we have selected Shane Williams, who is the first of a more recent era to make our Welsh legends squad. Retiring from the international stage after the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Williams had long been a favourite of the Principality faithful. Spending the majority of his career with the Ospreys, Williams ended his playing days in Japan, following a three season run with the Mitsubishi Dynaboars. As dynamic in attack as he was ruthless in defence, Williams' explosive first step would often wrong-foot his opponents, and his powerful fend would leave them scrambling on the deck.

There was much deliberation towards the centres, with the likes of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies demoted to the Honourable Mentions list. We have opted for George North at outside centre, given the longevity of his career after coming infield off of the wing. North's 119 Wales test caps and counting, sets him amongst the top representatives for his nation, in third overall. Still as powerful as he was upon his Wales debut, North may have lost a step or two from a pace perspective, but the 31-year-old remains amongst the top performers in every outing for his country.

On the inside of North is Scott Gibbs, who was the gem in the Welsh midfield throughout the 1990s. A dual-code footballer, Gibbs also represented Wales in Rugby League, yet it is his days as the union midfield linchpin that earns him this spot. Leading the charge in the centres, 'Gibbsy' would tear up trees for his nation be it alongside Alan Bateman at the turn of the professional era, or Mark Taylor as the world crossed over from the late 90s and entered the new Millennium. As hard-hitting as they came, Gibbs was a cornerstone for Wales, as well as for Neath, Swansea, and later the Ospreys.

Donned to have 'played rugby from another world', Barry John's generational talents were truly ahead of there time. With seamlessly interlinked passes and a third eye for spotting space, John would weave his way in an out of helpless defenders, or thread the ball through the eye of needle to send a teammate in to score. Sadly passing away at the beginning of February, John's legacy lives on in all those who followed him, with Dan Biggar resembling a modernised iteration of the great out-half. Predating most of the Welsh legends that arrived in the Golden 70s, JPR only enjoyed a brief run with John, yet called the fly half his greatest ever teammate.

Reforming their partnership of the late 1960s, Gareth Edwards is our pick to wear the number nine shirt in this dream team of Welsh legends. With a breath-taking ability to supply the ammunition, Edwards had a true talent of firing out quick ball at a blistering rate of knots. Edwards' athleticism never gave the opposition a break, and often caught them on the back-foot following such a quick speed of phases. Edwards could go it alone as well, and duly holds the accolade of scoring what is known as the 'Greatest Try Ever', as he finished of a move from the Rugby Gods, in an exhibition match for the Barbarians.

Onto the front row now, and we begin our picks with the man that is regarded as the best loose-head prop to ever pack down a scrum. Wales' second most-capped player in history, Gethin Jenkins was a pillar of the Welsh pack for the best part of a decade and a half. Jenkins was revered across the globe for his no-nonsense approach to the game, and won three Grand Slams with the side. Upon his 105th test cap he became Wales' all-time appearence holder, but this record was since surpassed by a soon to be named lock. Jenkins still holds the honour of being the all-timed most capped prop forward, after he surpassed England legend Jason Leonard's record for his 119th appearence.

At hooker we have selected Bobby Windsor, with former Wales captain Ken Owens narrowly missing out for a seat amongst the replacements. When you get bestowed the nickname of 'the Duke' by your teammates, you are certainly a respected figure both on and off the pitch. Windsor was certainly that and battled up front in the fabled trio with Graham Price and Charlie Faulkner. A steelworker by trade, Windsor scored a try on his Wales debut, and helped achieve a memorable win against Australia in 1973. Windsor surpassed Jeff Young to the number two jersey that day, and held the starting spot for the next six years throughout the 'Golden Era' of Welsh rugby.

In on the tight-head we have gone for Adam Jones, who is one of Welsh rugby's most instantly recognisable stars from the turn of the new Millennium. Frequently propping alongside Duncan Jones, the duo were known as the 'hair bears' due to their stature and impressive locks. A battering ram around the park, Jones' efforts in the loose were impressive for a front row of the time. An educated scrummager who new all the tricks of the trade, Jones' knowledge has been passed on following his retirement, as he teaches the likes of Fin Baxter and Joe Marler, as Harlequins' scrum coach.

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Captain) (158 caps, 2006-2023)

None other than Alun Wyn Jones comes in at lock, and we have also awarded the all-time most capped international rugby player, the captaincy for this Wales dream team. Alun Wyn ended his illustrious career with Wales ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, having racked up an unprecedented 158 caps for his country. Couple this with the additional 12 test appearances he accrued over four Lions tours, and you have one of the all time great locks in your number four jersey. We could wax lyrical about Jones' accomplishments for the next 10 pages, so we best summarise his career in a few short accolades; five Six Nations titles (three Grand Slams), 2019 Six Nations Player of the Tournament, and three domestic league titles with the Ospreys.

Binding up with Alun Wyn in the second row is Bob Norster, who was a true technician of the aerial set-piece. The master of the line-out dictated Wales' pack throughout the 1980s, as Norster combined this astute knowledge with a towering 6ft 5" frame. There were few that could pick the ball out of the lock's grasps, and even fewer who could bring him to the deck once he'd built up a full head of steam. Norster was a school teacher by profession, and transferred these skills to be Wales' Team Manager following his on-field retirement.

Dan Lydiate begins our back-row, as the legend comes towards the end of his time in the Wales squad. The hard-hitting workhorse had been a staple of the Welsh back-line, since his emergence onto the scene in 2009. Alongside the likes of Liam Williams and George North, Lydiate represented the last of an old guard, who went to last year's Rugby World Cup. Currently residing with the Dragons, Lydiate has been also previously enjoyed alternating stints with Racing 92 and the Ospreys. A warrior of the red jersey, Lydiate's legacy looks set to continue in the likes of Tommy Reffell, having passed the torch in Wales' new era, yet a return can not be written out.

Alongside the likes of Richie McCaw, Lewis Moody and Michael Hooper, former Wales back-row Sam Warburton undoubtedly goes down as one of the top flankers of the professional era. His fearlessness in defence made even the most powerful ball carrier take a backwards step, and he always got the best out of his teammates, through his impassioned pre-match speeches. A true leader of men, Warburton captained his country from 2011, with his maiden run in the armband being at just 22-years-old. Wales' third youngest captain, Warburton's knowledge of the game and Welsh pride is now shown through his work as a television pundit.

Rounding off our starting XV of all-time Welsh greats, we have selected Talupe Faletau to take the number eight jersey. With an honourable mention in place for the brilliant Mervyn Davies, Faletau gets out pick for his longevity at the back of the Welsh pack. Known as 'Toby' to his teammates, the Tongan-born back-row is the son of Pacific Island legend Kuli Faletau, and Talupe has been residing in Wales since he was six years old. Faletau proudly belts out "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" (The Old Land of My Fathers) every time he lines up for Wales, before battering his way through many a broken defender. Faletau has not hung up the test match boots just yet, but with the new era in full swing he could well soon pass on the torch to Aaron Wainwright for the foreseeable future.

Jamie Roberts (Centre)

Mervyn Davies (Number Eight)