Llandovery RFC has been named a Lions Origin Club, recognizing its role in nurturing talent and inspiring generations of rugby players writes Huw S Thomas
A wooden plaque which bears the names of those former Llandovery players who have represented the British and Irish Lions was received from Lions sponsors Howden and now hangs proudly in the Church Bank club house.
The Howden Insurance Group is the official front of jersey sponsor for The Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Tour to Australia this summer.
“The plaque arrived right out of the blue” said Llandovery Chairman Peter Rees “and we are hugely honoured to receive the nomination as a Lions Origin Club”
“It will serve as an inspiration to all our Junior Drovers, to know that they, too, can aspire to go on play for the Lions.”
The award recognises Llandovery’s contribution to rugby in nurturing the talent that went on to tour with the Lions and covers the club’s commitment in developing players of international class over the last 137 years.
W H (Willie) Thomas who was capped by Wales when a schoolboy at Llandovery College was the first Welshman to tour New Zealand and Australia in 1888 with a British team.
Since then five former Llandovery players have gone on to play for the British and Irish Lions.
Hooker Barry Williams toured South Africa in in 1997, flanker Andy Powell was in the 2009 squad that also toured South Africa.
Three-quarter George North was in the 2013 squad that went to Australia and he also went to New Zealand in 2017.
Both Powell and North went to school at Llandovery College.
Tadhg Beirne who turned out for Llandovery when a Scarlet toured South Africa in 2021 and local Llandovery boy, prop Wyn Jones was on the same tour
Wyn Jones holds a special place in Llandovery history that he played 90 times for the club 2010-2016 before moving to the Scarlets and on to fame with both Wales and the Lions.
