The former London Welsh, Bridgend, Barbarians, Wales and British & Irish Lions full back died on 8 January and the tribute to his incredible achievements both on and off the field came not only on St David’s Day, but also the day before what would have been his 75th birthday.
Taylor, who had been the best man at his wedding, and Edwards were among seven members of the 1971 British & Irish Lions squad that won the series 2-1 in New Zealand. John Bevan, Gerald Davies and Delme Thomas, as well as his former London Welsh clubmates Mike Roberts and Geoff Evans, were the others.
Among the other Welsh internationals at the Cathedral were Clive Griffiths, Roy Bergiers, Keith Hughes, Allan Martin, Brynmor Williams, Elgan Rees, Ieuan Evans and current WRU president, Terry Cobner.
JPR Wlliams
Described by his 1971 Lions coach Carwyn James as “the competitor of competitors”, JPR was an ever-present throughout the golden decade of rugby in the Seventies. He played in seven Five Nations champion winning teams, won six Triple Crowns, three Grand Slams and played in eight consecutive Tests for the Lions on two of the most successful tours of all time,
“JPR, the three most famous initials in any sphere of sport in living memory. Initials that shall forever evoke memories of glory days,” the former Daily Mail rugby correspondent, Jackson, told the packed house at the cathedral.
“He displayed courage above and beyond the call of duty and never once failed to take the fear out of the fearful. To say something about someone who leaves Wales and the world such a treasure trove of indelible memories is a privilege.
“In making this a St David’s Day like no other bears mighty witness to a Welsh warrior in the finest tradition. They shall not pass.
“We who saw him count our blessings because his like will never be seen again. The unforgettable can never be unforgotten.
“He was the ultimate warrior and competitor and the greatest Lions full back we have ever seen – or are ever likely to see.”
Taylor’s first meeting with a man who would become a firm friend for more than 50 years was in the dressing room before a game between London Welsh and Richmond in 1968. Taylor had helped to pick the team and had expected Gareth James to be filling the Exiles No 15 jersey.
“Imagine my shock when I saw a young, strapping teenager in the dressing room pulling on the jersey. I asked John Dawes, who had travelled with him on the 1968 Wales tour to Argentina, what was happening and he simply said ‘let me introduce you to the next Welsh full back’,” recalled Taylor.
“It was the beginning of a great friendship and we shared so many highs right to the end. He was a revolutionary on the rugby field, a player who ripped up the rule book.
“Between 1934-67 only two tries had been scored by Welsh full backs. JPR scored six in his career, five of them against England – he really was the scourge of the men in white.
“He was the most competitive animal I had ever met, yet there was also a touch of the renaissance man about him as well.
“He played 1st violin in the South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra, played the organ in his local church and sang in Gilbert & Sullivan shows at St Mary’s Hospital when he was a student doctor.
“He even joined me in singing the Everly Brothers hit ‘Dream, Dream, Dream’ for a recording of an album called ‘The Other Side of the Dragon’ that became a top 50 hit. We were re-christened the ‘Neverly Brothers’ after that!
“He really was a one off!”
One of three players who won three Grand Slams in the Seventies, along with Edwards and Gerald Davies, JPR, initially had to decide between a potential professional life in tennis – he beat David Lloyd to win the Junior British hard-court title at Twickenham – and rugby.
“On the Wales tour to Japan in 1975 I asked JPR to give me an extra work-out on the tennis court after training one day. I could play a bit, but not like him,” explained Edwards.
“Eventually a crowd began watching and the local club coach asked if a couple of their players could take us on. They had been showboating and won the first set against us as they went in search of a notable scalp.
“JPR just said ‘Gar, you just worry about getting the ball back and I’ll do the rest’. When he told you to do something you did it. We won the next two sets 6-1, 6-1 and it was all down to JPR’s competitive edge.
“In later life we would meet up on a caravan park in the Gower and over a beer he would always insist he scored the try against the All Blacks in 1972 that was ruled out by the English referee Johnnie Johnson.
JPR’s try that never was against New Zealand in 1972
“If only we’d had a TMO in those days! He was a tremendous innovator who changed the full-back position virtually overnight.
“He would carry the ball back like a guided missile and had so many ways to beat the challenge of a defender. Whenever there were fisty cuffs, he would run up and say ‘wait for me’ while Phil Bennett and I were running the other way.
“He was fearless, resilient and competitive – the ultimate warrior.”
As well as readings from his children, there was also singing from the Tabernacle Choir, of which he was a member for more than 20 years.
On the day that recognises the Patron Saint of Wales, this was a fitting tribute to another of the nation’s most famous sons. No wonder the congregation sang with such gusto the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’ and gave a stirring rendition of the National Anthem at the close.
