John Dawes

Sydney John Dawes (29 June 194016 April 2021) was a Welsh rugby union player, playing at centre, and later coach. He captained London Welsh, Wales, the 1971 British Lions and the Barbarians. He is credited with being a major influence in these teams' success, and in the attractive, attacking, free-flowing rugby they played. Dawes also had considerable success as a coach with Wales, and coached the 1977 British Lions. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1972 New Year Honours List for services as Lions captain. Early life and education Dawes was born in Chapel of Ease, part of Abercarn, near Newbridge, on 29 June 1940. He was educated at Lewis School Pengam, and later at University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he earned a degree in chemistry. He later achieved a PGCE at Loughborough College. Rugby playing career Club Dawes played club rugby for Newbridge in Monmouthshire. He then joined London Welsh. Dawes was appointed captain, and effectively also as coach, for the 1965–66 season, leading the club in a period of great success in the late 1960s. He initially significantly increased fitness levels, and then led the club in an open, running, quick-passing, attacking style of rugby, including an overlapping full-back, and relatively skilled forwards. One 1968–69 performance was described by journalist John Reason as "one of the most brilliant exhibitions of club football it has been my privilege to see", and by journalist Terry O'Connor as "the finest display by a club team I can remember", further describing London Welsh "switching attacks with speed and handling skill".