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Arise, Sir Gareth! Greatest is knighted!

12th June 2015


Cardiff Blues has tonight (Friday) congratulated former Cardiff RFC, Wales and British and Irish Lions international Gareth Edwards on the announcement of his Knighthood conferred in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Legendary scrum half Edwards, a current Director at Cardiff Blues, is described by many across the world as ‘the greatest’ player of all time and is an icon of Welsh rugby.

Edwards, 67, made his debut for Cardiff RFC against Coventry on 17 September 1966. All in all he played 12 seasons for Cardiff, scoring 69 tries in 195 games.

He won 53 caps for Wales between 1967 and 1978, 13 as captain along with 10 caps for the British and Irish Lions while taking part in victorious tours of New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974.

In 2003 a Rugby World magazine poll named him as the greatest player of all time and in 2007 he was awarded a CBE.

Richard Holland, Chief Executive at Cardiff Blues, tonight said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Gareth has deservedly been awarded a knighthood for the absolutely colossal contribution to rugby he has made, both on and off the field.

“Gareth is an iconic figure across world rugby; a true legend of the Welsh game and for many people will always be regarded as the greatest player of all time.

“He is a wonderful ambassador for our sport, a true gentleman of the game and his place as one of the most loved sportsman of all time is assured.

“For those lucky enough to have witnessed him play, he was an incredible talent. For those lucky enough to know him off the field, he is a true gentleman and passionate rugby man who richly deserves this honour.

“Everyone at Cardiff Blues is thrilled that Gareth has been awarded his knighthood and our congratulations go to him and his family.”