George Davies (25 December 1875–23 July 1959) was a

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

international

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

forward who played club rugby for

Llandeilo Llandeilo () is a town and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales, situated at the crossing of the River Towy by the A483 on a 19th-century stone bridge. Its population was 1,795 at the 2011 Census. It is adjacent to the westernmost point of the B ...

and

Swansea Swansea (; cy, Abertawe ) is a coastal city and the second-largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Swansea ( cy, links=no, Dinas a Sir Abertawe). The city is the twenty-fifth largest in ...

. A two time

Triple Crown Triple Crown may refer to: Sports Horse racing * Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing * Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States) ** Triple Crown Trophy ** Triple Crown Productions * Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing * Trip ...

winner, Davies would represent his country on nine occasions. A skillful player, Davies was unfortunate to be playing during the same period as

Rhys Gabe Rhys Thomas "Rusty" Gabe (22 June 1880 – 15 September 1967) born as Rees Thomas Gape,Jenkins (1991), pg 60. was a Welsh rugby union player who played club rugby for Llanelli, London Welsh and Cardiff and gained 24 caps for Wales, mainly as a c ...

, who was the selectors' first choice at his position.Smith (1980), pg 130. It was all the more unfortunate for Davies as it was a collision between himself and Gabe, during a Swansea match, that caused an injury that would allow Gabe to take his position for Wales.Smith (1980), pg 131.

Rugby career

Davies originally played rugby at the lower-level team Llandeilo, whom he captained for two seasons, but on moving to Swansea impressed enough to be capped for Wales. In 1905, he was part of the Swansea team that faced the

Original All Blacks The Original All Blacks (also known simply as "The Originals") were the first New Zealand national rugby union team to tour outside Australasia. They toured the British Isles, France and the United States of America during 1905–1906. Their op ...

on their first British tour.Swansea RFC player profiles
/ref> Davies was first capped for

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

on 6 January 1900 against England, partnered with his Swansea colleague, Dan Rees. He would play for Wales another eight times, scoring a try against Ireland in 1900, and converting four goals in the 1905 Triple Crown winning season. When he was recalled for the 1905 tournament he was switched from centre to fullback for all three matches.

International matches played

WalesSmith (1980), pg 464. * 1900, 1901, 1905 * 1900, 1901, 1905 * 1900, 1901, 1905

Bibliography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davies, George Welsh rugby union players Wales international rugby union players Rugby union centres Rugby union fullbacks 1875 births 1959 deaths Swansea RFC players Rugby union players from Carmarthenshire