‘Urban guerillas’ kidnap threat stop England tour, 1973
Playing International rugby matches were far more complictated affairs in early 1970’s than today! For instance, Scotland and Wales refused to travel to Dublin in 1972 due to the IRA threat and South Africa tour to New Zealand in 1973 was cancelled due to Apartheid. There was one more high profile rugby cancellation and that was England’s tour to Argentina due to the threat of kidnapping from urban guerillas!
The Tongan tour to Australia 1973
The Tongan Rugby tour of Australia in 1973 witnessed the rugby shock of the century as Tonga famously beat Australia, 16-11, in the second test on the 30th Jun 1973. The Tongans were expected to provide ‘entertainment without football finessee’ but managed a thrilling victory in match that the Tongans always looked clearly superior.
This is a history of that tour which also included games against Sydney, New South Wales, ACT and Queensland.
The Wales B tour of Spain 1983
History was made 50yrs ago as Wales B embarked on a tour to Spain. Wales scored 83 points against a Castillian XV, a points record and beat Spain 65-16. An unique fixture was played. Wales played a Basque XV. The team was led by Eddie Butler. Despite 9 players being on Lions duty, a strong squad travelled including youngsters Mark Ring, Bleddyn Bowen and Adrian Hadley and experienced players such as Clive and Elgan Rees.
Wales at the 1993 World Rugby Sevens – The day Wales lost to Spain and the World Cup we have forgot about!
Wales at the 1993 World Rugby Sevens. The tournament we sent our starts and lost to Spain as underdogs England trooped on and became World Champions in the cauldron of Murrayfield!
Rugby and Strikes: A 111 yr history
Rugby and Strikes: A 111 yr history. Pre-match talk of the 2023 Wales England fixture has been dominated by threat of strike action by Wales. However, this is not the first time Rugby has been distrupted by strikes. Here are a 14 instances from the last 111 years of when strikes have halted or threatened to halt rugby matches in the past.
Rheinallt Hugh Lloyd-Davies (1926–1986)
A history of Rheinallt Hugh Lloyd-Davies scorer of all the points in the 1947 Varsity match and famous for being first Cambridge Blue to turn professional before disappearing and ending up in jail. Rheinallt was recently awarded a ‘president Cap’ as he played in the 1945 victory international against France.
1972 Five Nations Championship
This is a history of the 1972 Five Nations Championship. An unique Chamionship as it was the first not completed since World War II as Scotland and Wales refused to travel to Dublin to play Ireland because of the escalating political situation.
Fiji Barbarians in Wales, 1986
The Fiji Barbarians undertook a mammoth 20 match tour in 1986. It began in South America and concluded in France. Their itinerary included 3 matches in Wales; Pontypool, Llanelli and North Wales. It was the first and last visit of the Fiji Barbarians, who were virtually the Fijian Rugby squad boosted by a quartet of Western Samoans, New Zealanders and Tongans, to these shores.
Slava Moscow tour of Wales, 1976
Slava Moscow toured Wales in 1976. They played Rhymney, Blaina and Kidwelly. The tour is famous for being the first time a Russian Rugby team played in the UK.
Aberflyarf Rugby History: Rugby histories from Wales, UK and the World 
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