The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) confirmed on Sunday that Clive Rowlands, a former Wales captain and coach, had passed away at the age of 85.
Rowlands, a scrum-half known by the moniker “Top Cat,” led Wales as they shared the 1964 Five Nations championship with Scotland while playing in all 14 of his international matches between 1963 and 1965.
He stopped playing when he was 29 years old, and in 1971, as a coach, he led the team to its first Grand Slam in 19 years.
When the first Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand in 1987, Rowlands was in charge of Wales. He also led the British and Irish Lions on their successful tour of Australia in 1989.
In the same year, he was elected president of the Welsh Rugby Union. In the 1990s, Rowlands, a teacher in his early years, fought intestinal cancer and childhood TB.
A statement from the WRU said: “The Welsh Rugby Union sends the most sincere condolences from everyone connected with the game in Wales to Clive’s family and friends and thanks him for his immense contribution to our game.”
