Dai Morris

William David "Dai" Morris MBE (born 11 November 1941 in Rhigos, Cynon Valley)[1] is a Welsh former rugby union footballer.

Dai Morris

Birth name	William David Morris
Date of birth	(1941-11-11) 11 November 1941
Place of birth	Rhigos, Wales
School	Gadlys Secondary Modern
Rugby union career
Position(s) flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Glynneath RFC Rhigos RFC Penarth RFC Neath RFC Ebbw Vale RFC Hirwaun RFC () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1967–1974 Wales 34 (19)

Rugby playing career

Morris' usual position was as a back-row forward, either at blind-side flanker or at Number 8.

At club level he played for Rhigos RFC and then Neath RFC.[2]

He won 34 caps for Wales in the years between 1967 and 1974, scoring six tries.[1] During his time in the Wales team, Morris won three Five Nations Championships (one shared with France), including two Triple Crowns and one Grand Slam. He was not selected for the British & Irish Lions, perhaps not helped by Wales being strongly represented in the Lions at that time, including in the back row.

One of his strengths was support play,[3] and he was sometimes called the 'Shadow'.[4]

His career was ended by a leg injury.[5]

Recognition

In 2002, Morris was voted into an all-time greatest Welsh XV at the blindside flanker position.[6]

He has been listed as one of the best blind-side flankers ever to play the game.[7]

In 2018 Morris was given an MBE.[8]

Personal life

Morris is married with a daughter. He loves animal life.[9]

References

1. "Dai Morris". Welsh Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
2. https://neathrfc.com/dai-morris-m-b-e/
3. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/dai-morris-how-todays-rugby-2020934
4. https://neathrfc.com/dai-morris-m-b-e/
5. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/dai-morris-how-todays-rugby-2020934
6. Clive Rowlands (presenter), Rob Howley (presenter), Steve Gammond (producer), Tim Exell (executive producer) (2006). All Time Greatest Ever Welsh XV (DVD). Green Umbrella Distribution. Event occurs at 1:15:43.
7. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/indomitable-all-blacks-french-hitmen-and-springbok-power-the-most-loved-blind-sides-jg00dc35z
8. https://neathrfc.com/dai-morris-m-b-e/
9. https://neathrfc.com/dai-morris-m-b-e/

Further reading

• Morris, Dai; Williams, Martyn (2012). Shadow: the Dai Morris story (1 ed.). Talybont, Ceredigion, Wales: Y Lolfa. ISBN 978-1-84771-486-2. OCLC 800652961.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)