- Date of Birth14 / 07 / 1930
- Died27 / 01 / 1993
- Lions Tours1955, 1959
- International CapsWales / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsYsgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera GS
- Lions Origin ClubsWelsh Academicals, Barbarians, Combined Services, Llanelli, Royal Air Force, Cwmllynfell, Bristol Rugby
Rhys Williams was a mainstay of both the 1955 and 1959 Lions Tours – the Welsh lock making ten consecutive Test appearances, a record at the time.
Williams won 23 caps for Wales over his career and was a key figure in the engine room as the Lions secured a 2-2 Test series draw with South Africa in 1955.
Four years later the Lions toured Australia, where they won the Test series 2-0, before four clashes with the All Blacks in New Zealand.
They won the fourth and final Test at Eden Park, the only Lions to have done so, and Williams stood out in the clash – he was the only forward to be named as 'Player of the Year' in New Zealand during the 1959–1960 season despite the overall 3-1 loss in the series.
Overall the Llanelli lock made 38 appearances in the famous red jersey – scoring one try which, fittingly, came in his last outing against Eastern Canada at end of 1959 Tour.