Cliff Morgan dies

Welsh rugby international and broadcaster Cliff Morgan has died aged 83, the Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed.

The sportsman, who grew up in a mining family in south Wales, played for Cardiff, Wales and the British Lions in an illustrious career.

His broadcasting career included a stint on Question of Sport and commentary duties on countless games including the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973 when Gareth Edwards scored.

The try by his fellow Welshman was accompanied by Morgan’s exultant: “This is Gareth Edwards, a dramatic start. What a score!”

Morgan suffered a stroke when he was 42 and recently coped with cancer of the vocal cords and removal of his larynx, which limited his ability to speak. WRU president Dennis Gethin said: “I have lost a friend and we have all lost one of rugby’s greats who was also a true gentleman.

“His exploits as a player for Cardiff - he also played for Bective Rangers - Wales, the Barbarians and the British and Irish Lions are legendary but he also achieved so much off the field of play.

“As a broadcaster he became one of the best known faces and voices of radio and television in the UK and as a producer and editorial executive he reached the top of his profession.

“Despite all that success, he remained a true gentleman throughout his life and always remained a true son of the Rhondda. “He was rightly honoured during his life and he will definitely be remembered for all his contributions in so many fields of excellence.”

Roger Lewis, group chief executive of the WRU, said:“Cliff Morgan epitomised the values of Welsh rugby and throughout his life remained a great ambassador for our sport and for Wales.

“He possessed remarkable ability as an outside half whose flair was rightly recognised with the top honours rugby has to offer with Wales and the British and Irish Lions.

“His face was known to millions because of his successful career and perhaps that famous voice of his will live on forever particularly when we recall his magnificent commentary of the Gareth Edwards try against New Zealand for the Barbarians in 1973.”