Carwyn Rees James

Carwyn Rees James

Carwyn Rees James was born in Cefneithin on 2 November 1929 and educated at Gwendraeth Grammar School and Aberystwyth University. He qualified as a teacher and worked at Llandovery College and in Carmarthen at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and Trinity College. In later years he was a successful broadcaster and writer. He played at fly-half and captain for the Welsh Secondary Schools in 1948, by which time he had already made his senior debut as a 17-year-old for Llanelli. During National Service he played for Devonport Services and the Royal Navy and also for London Welsh before returning to Llanelli. He won two caps for Wales in 1958. He coached Llanelli to four Welsh Cup victories in the 1970s and to a famous win over New Zealand in 1972. A year earlier he coached the British Isles on their triumphant tour of Australasia, highlighted by the test series' victory against New Zealand. He played for the Barbarians against Ulster in 1957 and is credited with an unofficial role as coach to the Barbarians' team that beat the All Balcks in 1973. Carwyn James died in Amsterdam on 10 January 1983, aged 53.