Idwal Rees

John Idwal Rees (25 July 1910 – 31 August 1991) was a Welsh international rugby union centre who played club rugby for Swansea and Cambridge University. He was capped 14 times for Wales captaining the team on two occasions.

Idwal Rees

Birth name	John Idwal Rees[1]
Date of birth	(1910-07-25)25 July 1910
Place of birth	Swansea, Wales
Date of death	31 August 1991(1991-08-31) (aged 81)
Place of death	Cefn Coed, Wales
School	Swansea Grammar School
University	Swansea University
Occupation(s)	Headmaster
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Centre Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1928-1938 1931-1932 ? 1932-? 1934-36 Swansea RFC Cambridge University R.U.F.C. London Welsh RFC Edinburgh Wanderers Barbarian F.C. () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1934–1938 Wales[2] 14 (6)

Personal history

Rees was born in Swansea, south Wales in 1910. He was educated at Swansea Grammar School before matriculating to Swansea University at the age of 17.[3] In October 1931 he gained a place at Cambridge University, and from there obtained a job teaching at Fettes College. In 1938 he returned to Wales becoming headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School, a role he held until his retirement in 1971.[3] Rees also released a book, Rugger Practice and Tactics, co-authored with H. F. Macdonald.[4]

Rugby career

Rees first played rugby for Swansea Grammar School, but when he graduated to Swansea University at the age of 17, he gave up rugby as he believed he was too light to play. In 1928/29 season he joined Swansea University RFC, playing alongside future Welsh internationals, Watcyn Thomas and Claude Davey.[3] Rees played for Swansea in the 1929/30 season, moving from scrum-half to full-back to centre; but in October 1931 he went to Cambridge where he achieved his rugby 'blue' in 1931 and 1932.

When Rees obtained a job at Fettes College he played for Edinburgh Wanderers, but during the school holidays he returned to Wales, playing for Swansea.

International matches played

Wales[5]

•  England 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938
•  Ireland 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938
•  New Zealand 1935
•  Scotland 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938

Bibliography

• Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.
• Thomas, Wayne (1979). A Century of Welsh Rugby Players. Ansells Ltd.

References

1. Swansea RFC Player profiles
2. Welsh Rugby Union player profiles
3. Thomas (1979), pg 91.
4. Jenkins, John M.; et al. (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Rugby Players. Wrexham: Bridge Books. p. 136. ISBN 1-872424-10-4.
5. Smith (1980), pg 463.