Famous Sporting People Visiting Pembrokeshire – No 16:

 

Clive Rowlands OBE – he forced a rule to be changed in rugby!

 
When I met Clive Rowlands, I expected an assertive former rugby player and top coach whose services had been recognised by the awarding of the OBE for his services to the game – but was treated to a fascinating conversation with someone who knew the game inside out, and was a revelation as a player and coach!
 
Clive, who sadly passed away in 2023 at the age of 85, was very proud of the fact that he had received this honour and often told the tale that The Queen asked him where he was from answered, ‘Cwmtwrch Ma’am’ and was almost floored when Her Majesty asked ‘Is that Upper or Lower Cwmtwrch?’, to show she had done her homework about the tiny village near Ystradgynlais!
 
Another, perhaps lesser honour, came in 1965, when he was chosen as Welsh Sports Personality of the Year!
 

Forced a rule change after ‘Kicking Scotland to death’!

 
Clive was a former Welsh international who could claim that he actually caused one of the game’s laws to be changed because of his tactics on the pitch, when he was accused of ‘Kicking Scotland to death’ as he used the power of the dominant Welsh pack to kick almost every ball they won into touch, anywhere on the pitch, because in those days they still received the ball at the next line out.
 
His nickname was ‘Top Cat’ and there’s no doubt he was the boss that day because his tactical approach was different, to say the least!
 
As a result, there were an amazing 111 throw-ins and outside half David Watkins actually touched the ball FIVE TIMES! In a real bore-fest, which Wales won 6-0, Watkins landed a penalty and Rowlands dropped a goal, ironically his only score in a Welsh jersey, and as a result the International Rugby Board eventually changed the rule so that only kicks to touch from the defensive 22 was allowed!
 

Another unusual claim to fame . . . and success as a coach

 
Clive started out playing for Cwmtwrch and nearby Abercrave, then Pontypool, so he was used to being behind a winning pack, then Llanelli and Swansea - and held an unusual record in the fact that he was chosen as captain of Wales on his debut and kept that role in his other 13 games as scrum half, leading them to the Triple Crown in 1965.
 
Then he coached Wales from 1968 to 1974, winning the Grand Slam in 1971 and then taking them to the World Cup in 1987 and The Lions to Australia in 1989 - so small wonder that he was elected as President of the WRU as well, in recognition of his contribution to the game in Wales.
 

And finally . . .

 
So, when I met Clive at The Victoria Book Shop in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, my expectations were of someone with a big ego and a naturally aggressive nature - but I found instead someone who was quiet and self-effacing; not wanting at all to be boastful about his book, which he was signing there that day.
 
But he did hold strong opinions about the changes in the game and wasn’t afraid to voice them after I had given him my word they would go no further since my interview wasn’t looking to be sensational or to cause trouble.
 
I enjoyed my coffee and biscuits (Marley always made guest signers welcome and I was treated the same, as usual,) and it was a real privilege to meet such an influential thinker on the oval-ball game, who hailed from UPPER Cwmtwrch but grew to be a famous name across the rugby world!