MelBaker

Welsh winger Mel Baker was one of seven players from Newport RFC selected for the 1910 Tour to South Africa – the most ever selected for a British & Irish Lions tour.

Baker was first capped for Wales in 1909 when he played against Scotland and a year later was offered a place on the Lions Tour of South Africa under the captaincy of teammate Tommy Smyth.

In total, he appeared in 12 matches, racking up six tries in total against South Western Districts, Western Provinces Colleges, Natal, Southern Rhodesia and Eastern Province Kings.

Baker only played in the last of the three Tests, as South Africa secured a 2-1 series win with a 21-5 victory in Newlands.

Baker opted to stay in South Africa after the tour finished where he played for regional team Griqualand West.