Edward Thomas Butler was born in Newport on 8 May 1957 and educated at at Monmouth School and Cambridge University where he gained three Blues between 1976 and 1978. He played for 14 seasons at number 8 for Pontypool and was club captain between 1982 and 1985. He twice represented the club against Australia - in 1981 and as captain in 1984. He also captained Monmouthshire against the New Zealand Maori in 1982. He played in 16 internationals for Wales between 1980 and 1984 and was captain in six matches. He also led Wales in non-cap matches against the Maori in 1982 and Japan in 1983 and on a summer tour of Spain in 1983. In the WRU's centenary year of 1980 he toured North America, played against the USA, and later against an Overseas XV in Cardiff. In 1983 he joined the British Iales' tour of New Zealand as a replacement and played in one match. Originally a schoolteacher, Eddie Butler later became a rugby correspondent and commentator.