Who is Clive Rowlands?
Daniel Clive Thomas Rowlands OBE, born on 14 May 1938 in Upper Cwmtwrch, is a famous Welsh rugby union football player and coach. A professional teacher, he played as a defender for a number of clubs including Abercroft, Pontypool, Llanelli and Swansea. Rowlands captained Pontypool in 1962-63 before leading Swansea in 1967-68.
His debut with the Welsh national team in 1963 was outstanding as he became captain from the start. Rowlands retained captaincy for the next 13 games until 1965, leading Wales to their first Treble victory since 1952. Notably, he captained Wales in every match they played, including their historic first match outside Europe and in the Southern Hemisphere against East Africa in Nairobi on 12 May 1964. Wales won convincingly 26-8.
After his career ended, Rowlands made a major impact as a coach. He served as head coach of the Wales national team from 1968 to 1974, becoming the youngest person to hold the position. His tenure saw Wales achieve success, including a Grand Slam in 1971 and a memorable tour of New Zealand in 1969.
He also captained the British and Irish Lions to Australia in 1989 and captained Wales to the 1987 Rugby World Cup. Rowlands was also awarded the honor of President of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1989. Despite battling cancer in the 1990s, Rowlands showed tremendous resilience and dedicated herself to raising funds for cancer charities. On July 29, 2023, Daniel Clive Thomas Rowlands OBE passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind outstanding contributions to Welsh rugby and the entire sport.
Clive Rowlands passes away
Former Wales captain and coach “Top Cat” Clive Rowlands has died aged 85, the Welsh Rugby Union has announced. Rowlands is a legend in Welsh rugby circles, having played 14 times for Wales. He also had a brilliant coaching and managerial career, leading the British and Irish Lions to victory on their 1989 tour of Australia.
As a player, Rowlands captained Wales in all international competitions and played an important role in the 1964 Five Nations title with Scotland. After retiring at the age of 29, he turned to coaching and achieved remarkable success. Under his leadership, Wales won its first Grand Slam in 19 years in 1971, a major achievement for the country.
Rowlands also guided Wales to an impressive third-place finish at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, which remains one of their best performances in the tournament’s history. His coaching expertise and strategic acumen were instrumental in the Lions’ triumphant 1989 tour of Australia.
In addition to his coaching and playing careers, Rowlands made significant contributions to the game as an administrator. He served as Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union and was inducted into the Wales Sports Hall of Fame ‘Honorary Roll’ in 2013, recognized for his huge impact on rugby.
Rowlands battled bowel cancer throughout his life in the 1990s and showed remarkable resilience on and off the field. The rugby community is deeply saddened by his passing and the Welsh Rugby Union offers its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Current Wales defensive coach Mike Forshaw expressed his condolences to Rowlands’ family, praising Rowlands as a great rugby player whose legacy will continue to be cherished in the sport.
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What happened to Clive Rowlands?
Former Wales captain, coach and British and Irish Lions manager Clive Rowlands has died aged 85. The Welsh Rugby Union announced his death, marking the end of a remarkable career and life dedicated to the game.
As a player, Rowlands represented Wales on the wing and held the rare honor of captaining each of his international appearances. One of his notable achievements as a player was leading Wales to a joint Five Nations title with Scotland in 1964.
After retiring at the age of 29, Rowlands transitioned into coaching and achieved great success in that field. In 1971, he led the Welsh national team to its first Grand Slam victory in 19 years, a major achievement in the history of Welsh rugby.
Rowlands also had a distinguished coaching career with the British and Irish Lions. In 1987, he guided Wales to a commendable third place finish at the inaugural Rugby World Cup, which remains one of Wales’ most successful tournament performances. Two years later, in 1989, he took charge of the Lions to victory on their tour of Australia.
In addition to his coaching and playing achievements, Rowlands made significant contributions to the sport as an administrator. He served as chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, a position of great significance and influence in the rugby community. In recognition of his huge impact on Welsh rugby, Clive Rowlands was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame ‘Honorary Roll’ in 2013.
Throughout his life he maintained a deep connection with the game and continued to inspire generations of rugby players and fans. Despite battling bowel cancer in the 1990s, Rowlands showed remarkable resilience both on and off the field. His dedication, passion and love for rugby left a lasting impression on those who knew him and the wider rugby community.
How did former Wales captain coach Clive Rowlands die?
The cause of death of former Wales captain and coach Clive Rowlands has not yet been revealed. The Welsh Rugby Union announced his death at the age of 85. Clive Rowlands is a legend in Welsh rugby, known for his outstanding contribution as a player and coach.
As a player, Rowlands made 14 appearances for Wales as a full-back and was captain of the national team each time. His leadership qualities were evident when he led Wales to a Five Nations title with Scotland in 1964. After his playing career ended, he transitioned into coaching and achieved remarkable success, leading Wales to their first Grand Slam title in 1971.
Rowlands’ influence extended beyond Wales, as he also guided the British and Irish Lions to victory on their 1989 tour of Australia. He later served as chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, leaving a lasting legacy for the sport. While the rugby world mourns the passing of one of its great men, specific details surrounding the cause of Clive Rowlands’ death have yet to be made public.
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