#1. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
- Major teams British and Irish Lions, Presidents XV, World XV, Wales, Wales XV
- Position Scrum-half
- Lions caps 10
- Tours 1968 (South Africa), 1971 (New Zealand), 1974 (South Africa)
If you put on the field the 15 best players to have played in the distinctive Lions red, the No 9 shirt would automatically be handed to Gareth Owen Edwards.
It was his partnership with Barry John in the half back line that was key to the Lions’ only tour series victory in New Zealand in ’71.
His work rate in ’74 was the cornerstone on which the tourists won 21 and drew one of their 22 games.
GATLAND SAID: “To me, he is probably the greatest halfback we’ve seen in the game. He was quick, intelligent and scored a lot of tries.”
DID YOU KNOW? In 2003, in a poll of international rugby players conducted by Rugby World magazine, Edwards was declared the greatest player of all time.