VivJenkins

A first-class cricketer who taught classics and games at Dover College, Vivian Jenkins may have been a man of many talents but his first and biggest passion was rugby.

The Port Talbot-born boy grew up watching the Aberavon Wizards and Jenkins first produced magic of his own playing for Bridgend, after being asked to play at full-back instead of his preferred position in the centres.

Jenkins impressed with the selectors watching on and he passed further Wales trials before being selected to play England in 1933 – at the age of 21.

Wales proceeded to beat England at Twickenham for the first time in ten attempts and Jenkins soon established himself as one of the first genuinely attacking full-backs in the game.

He was named vice-captain of the Lions in 1938 and though his Tour of South Africa was frustratingly cut short due to a hamstring injury, Jenkins still managed to kick 50 points in total through his 11 games.

And he impressed in his one and only appearance at Test level, scored nine points in a 26-9 defeat including a penalty from inside his own half.

Jenkins retired from international rugby at the age of 27 to concentrate on a career as a sports journalist, and enjoyed a successful career with the News of the World and later on the Sunday Times.