Welsh rugby legend and former Wales captain David 'Dai' Watkins has died aged 81.
The Blaina-born dual code star was the only man to captain both Wales and Great Britain in rugby union and rugby league.
Born in 1942, Watkins played for Abertillery, Ebbw Vale and Pontypool before joining Newport in 1961, where he spent six years. He scored 294 points in 202 games at fly-half, the highlight being a 3-0 home win over the touring All Blacks in 1963.
Watkins was capped 21 times by Wales, winning the Triple Crown in 1965, and played six times for the British and Irish Lions in Australia and New Zealand in 1966.
His rugby union playing career came to an end in 1967 when he moved to Salford for £16,000.
Wales Rugby League heritage number 268, he won 16 Wales league caps, captaining the side to 1975 World Cup wins over England, New Zealand and France. He also won six caps for Great Britain and in 1977 coached them in the World Cup as they reached the final, before losing 13-12 to Australia.
He then went on to coach Wales and also became one of the founders and coaches of Cardiff City Blue Dragons in 1981, helping to reintroduce rugby league into south Wales.
He received an MBE in 1986 and became Newport RFC team manager in 1992 – three years before the ban was lifted for any rugby league players and administrators to be involved in rugby union. Watkins later became Newport chairman and in 2009 became president of Celtic Crusaders RLFC.
In a statement shared on social media on Sunday, Newport RFC said: "We are extremely saddened to hear that David 'Dai' Watkins, one of the greatest players the club has ever produced, has passed away at the age of 81.
"Dai joined Newport in 1961 and won the Welsh Championship in his first season, before playing a pivotal part in our famous victory against the All Blacks in 1963. He later captained the club between 1964-1968 and also captained Wales and the Lions.
"Switching codes in 1967 to join Salford, Watkins’ time in rugby league was as glittering as anything in his union career. He made over 400 appearances for the Red Devils, as well as earning 16 caps for Wales and playing in six tests for Great Britain.
"After retirement, he returned to Newport to become Team Manager in 1992 before serving as club Chairman and later President. His many accolades include being awarded an MBE in 1986 and inducted into the NRFC and Men’s Rugby League Hall of Fame.
"We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and everyone privileged to have known him. There will be a minute's silence before [Newport v Pontypool] kick-off."
