- Date of Birth09 / 12 / 1946
- Died15 / 03 / 2012
- Lions Tours1971, 1974
- International CapsWales / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsSwansea College
- Lions Origin ClubsLondon Welsh, Barbarians, Guildfordians, Swansea
In his two victorious Tours as a Lion, Mervyn Davies revealed himself as the outstanding No.8 of not only his but arguably any generation.
The Welshman made 13 appearances on the 1971 Tour to New Zealand, including all four Tests against the All Blacks.
The legendary Sir Colin Meads stated Davies was “the one player who probably had the biggest impact on that 1971 Lions Test series” as his height, reach and basketball player's athleticism enabled him to stop the hugely-influential Brian Lochore from dominating the Tests at the back of the lineout.
'Merv the Swerve's' mobility and tactical awareness also made him a vital playmaker coming off the back of the scrum and by 1974 the understanding he had developed with scrum-half Gareth Edwards created an unbreakable axis within the 'middle five' that did much to destroy the Springboks' belief in their own invincibility.
Davies pulled the strings alongside Roger Uttley and Fergus Slattery as he again featured in all four of the Tests.
But unfortunately the then Wales captain was to be denied the honour of leading the Lions as he suffered a brain haemorrhage while playing for Swansea in 1976. Prompt medical attention pitchside saved his life but his illustrious playing career was over at the age of just 29.
He sadly passed away in 2012 aged 65.