Gwyn Francis
David Gwyn Francis (2 February 1896 – 7 May 1987) was a Welsh international rugby union player, who played for the Welsh national side twice (in 1919 and 1924).
Birth name | David Gwyn Francis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 2 February 1896 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Gorseinon, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of death | 7 May 1987 91) | (aged||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of death | Reading, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
University | Jesus College, Oxford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Life
Francis was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, where he was part of the college rugby team that won the Oxford University inter-collegiate cup in 1920. Francis also played for the University rugby team, winning his "Blue" in 1919.[1][2] He won his first cap for Wales in 1919, playing at lock in a friendly against a New Zealand Services XV.[3] In 1921 he took charge of Rugby at Reading School, and in 1924 captained London Welsh RFC and Surrey RFC.[2] He won his second cap in 1924, playing against Scotland in the Home Nations Championship.[3] He was a rugby referee for 28 years, and helped to found the Berkshire Rugby Football Union, serving as chairman for 24 years.[1] A club room at Redingensians R.F.C. (a club that was formed for former pupils of Reading School) is named after Francis, as is a prize awarded by Berkshire rugby referees for club hospitality.[2][4]
References
- Baker, J. N. L. (1971). Jesus College, Oxford 1571–1971. London: Oxonian Press Ltd. p. 120. ISBN 0-9502164-0-2.
- Jones, Gareth (29 November 2005). "Redingensians Rugby: Club History". Redingensians R.F.C. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- "Gwyn Francis". www.scrum.com. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- "Gwyn Francis Award". Windsor RFC. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2008.