Born in north Wales, Buckett was admired and feared in equal measure as a loose head prop who played for Wales throughout the age-grade ranks before going on to win senior honours. He made 186 appearances for Swansea over 10 seasons and played for the All Whites against New Zealand in 1989 and South Africa in 1994.
In announcing his death on their Facebook page on Sunday 7 July, Flint RFC paid tribute to one of their most illustrious players and a former chairman.
“It is with great sadness that Flint Rugby Club announce the sad passing of Ian Buckett. Ian started his illustrious rugby career at Delyn RFC, where his talents were soon recognised and was selected for Welsh Schools,” they wrote.
“He then played for a number of North Wales clubs and Birkenhead Park before moving down to play for Swansea. Ian spent 10 seasons at Swansea and in that time, he played for Wales U21 and Wales A, he represented the Barbarians against Argentina, Leicester and Newport, gained an Oxford Blue and topped off his rugby career with three full caps and nine uncapped appearances for Wales.
“In 1998 Ian left Swansea and headed for London and played for London Welsh. Once he had finished playing first class rugby he returned to his home in Holywell and his club Flint, where he shared his wealth of knowledge and experience in helping the club.
“He was chairman for three years, even playing for a season and turning out for the North Wales Barbarians a few times. Ian was also instrumental in helping RGC in their early years, putting his experience of being a professional player and solicitor to good use.
“Ian touched so many lives and he’ll be sorely missed, not only at Flint RFC, but also throughout North Wales, Wales and the wider rugby community. Ian was a gentleman and good friend to everyone, and our thoughts go out to his son Conor and family.”
Capped for Wales at U16 level against Scotland in 1983, toured Zimbabwe with the Welsh Secondary Schools in 1985 before going on to win three caps against Scotland, England and Ireland the following year from Holywell High School.
He played for Wales Students at the inaugural World Students Cup in 1988 and after graduating from Swansea University in 1992, where he studied English Literature and Ancient History and Civilisation, he went up to Oxford University.
He represented the Barbarians for the first time in 1990 while still a student and after taking up a Stanley’s Scholarship to go to Oxford he featured in the 1992 Varsity Match at Twickenham. He played for West Wales against Japan in 1993 and Wales A against the USA in 1994.
He toured with Wales to Zimbabwe and Namibia in 1993, scoring on his debut in a win over Zimbabwe B, to Canada and the South Seas in 1994, where he made his international debut in the win over Tonga, and to North America in 1997, when he featured in the Test victories over the USA and Canada.
The WRU passes on sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ian Buckett.
Ian Martin Buckett – Cap No: 914 / 3 caps. B. 23.12.1967 near Holywell; D: 07.07.2024 in Holywell
