By David Williams
Tributes have been paid throughout Welsh rugby to former Wales and Newport captain Brian Price who has died at the age of 86.
Second-row forward Price captained Wales to a Five Nations Triple Crown in 1969, six years after leading Newport to victory over New Zealand.
He also toured Australia and New Zealand with the 1966 British and Irish Lions, playing in all four Tests on that trip.
Former Wales rugby captain Brian Price has died at the age of 86.
A second row and line-out specialist, Price captained the Newport team that beat New Zealand in 1963 and the Wales Triple Crown side in 1969.#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/Jij8DgnxAH
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 18, 2023
Wales claimed the Triple Crown in 1969, though Price missed the 30-9 win over England with injury. Only an 8-8 draw in France denied them a Grand Slam. Price was also part of the 1965 Triple Crown-winning side.
“We are extremely saddened to hear that Brian Price, one of the greatest players to have worn the Black & Amber jersey, has passed away,” Newport RFC posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We send our sincere condolences to Brian’s family, friends and everyone privileged enough to have known him.”
“A native of Deri near Bargoed, Brian joined Newport in 1960 and made 252 appearances in Black & Amber.
“His finest hour in the jersey came in 1963 when he captained Newport to the famous victory against the All Blacks before a packed house at Rodney Parade.
“Having played 32 times for Wales and captained the national team to their Triple Crown wins in 1965 and 1969, Brian also played in all four tests for the British & Irish Lions on their 1966 tour.
“He later become one of the first inductees into our Hall of Fame in 2013.”
On a drizzly Wednesday afternoon 60 autumns ago, a boy from the village of Deri did something nobody had done before. Brian Price became the first Welsh second row to captain a club to victory over New Zealand: Newport 3 @Allblacks 0, Oct 30, 1963. A towering man in every sense. https://t.co/B36rzrRrQB
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) December 19, 2023
Outside his playing career, Price worked as a PE teacher at Caldicot Comprehensive and became a BBC radio pundit and journalist following his rugby retirement.
Wales rugby legend Brian Price dies as tributes are paid to all time greathttps://t.co/3LPBqDJRSu pic.twitter.com/ZdZ7iSLFgP
— WalesOnline 🏴 (@WalesOnline) December 19, 2023