Edwards Receives CBE In New Year Honours List

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Rugby legend Gareth Edwards has been rewarded with a CBE in the New Year Honours list.

Scrum half Edwards, who had been made CBE for services to sport, is considered by many as Wales’ greatest-ever rugby player, winning 53 caps during the golden era of Welsh rugby in the 1960s and 1970s.

During Edwards’ era, Wales won seven Five Nations titles, including three grand slams. He also starred for the British Lions on their winning tours of New Zealand in 1971 and of South Africa in 1974.

But possibly his most famous moment came when he finished off a length-of-the-field try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 1973 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Amongst his many varied engagements, Gareth is a Non-Executive Director of Cardiff Blues and Chairman of Future Blues the regional rugby development scheme.

Speaking on Radio Wales, he said: “I couldn’t believe it. I read [the letter] about three or four times. I thought they’d sent it to the wrong person.

“When this kind of recognition does come along you are just flabbergasted but delighted with the whole thing.

“You don’t do it for the recognition. You’re just delighted that somebody actually does write you and say you’ve made a great effort thank you very much.”

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis, paying tribute, said Edwards was an “icon” in the game.

“Since finishing playing he has continued to hit the headlines with his work in business and charity and a CBE is just reward for his continued contribution to Welsh life,” he said.

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