ICONIC: The JPR Williams Collection

The word ‘iconic’ is overused especially in the memorabilia auction industry. But when describing John Peter Rhys Williams there should be no reluctance in its usage. JPR was iconic and we emphasise so in capital letters - it is the most appropriate title.

Not many famous people are universally known by just their three initials but then there is the physical image. Socks rolled down, flowing locks with occasional headband but ever present prominent lambchop sideburns. If Barry John had the film-star looks then JPR was the rock-star equivalent albeit contradictory to his ‘naturally shy’ character. 

Of JPR, Carwyn James was far more poetic in his description 

‘…long hair flying in the wind, may remind us of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, riding majestic and mysterious in the mists of the Mabinogi…’

The 1970s were full of iconic rugby moments, and JPR was often the centre of it all. We think of his 40-yard drop goal to secure the 1971 Lions series victory, the final try, in the ‘greatest match’ and the build-up play in the ‘greatest try’, his bloodied face after being trampled by an All-Black’s boot while playing for Bridgend, the life-saving intervention when playing for the Lions in New Zealand, the disallowed try for Wales against New Zealand in 1972, his tackle on Jean-Francois Gourdon and the infamous ’99 call’ in South Africa, the broken jaw against Scotland, and so much more indelible memories. Many of these iconic moments are told through this fabulous collection of match-worn rugby jerseys. 

JPR was the beating heart of 1970s Welsh rugby in the ‘golden era’ an era in which Welsh rugby was a cultural phenomenon. He was the creative and aggressive fullback who forever changed the game was played. Outstanding for Wales and the British Lions, the best fullback in world rugby when, for the first time, the sport was fully embraced by a world audience in glorious technicolour.

According to Bill Beaumont

 ‘JPR invented the modern full back. Rather than the traditional role of being a kicker and a defensive player, he was quick, he could be a decoy, he kept you guessing. He was as strong on the attack as in defence’.

I was fortunate to know JPR from Cardiff Squash Club where he played regularly until a few years ago. On occasions I would watch from the gallery, and I saw a fierce and focused competitor stretching urgently for each shot like his life depended on it, wearing his by now vintage well-worn and well-washed sportswear - his socks still rolled down, his hair still flowing albeit with a silver sheen. He remained to me a rock star and to me he still commanded that special aura.

That winning at all costs mentality was imprinted in JPR’s DNA, he could not shake it off even if he wanted to. He was the tough competitor with that will-to-win on the squash court just as he was on the rugby field back in the ‘60s and ‘70s and on the tennis court before. After pushing himself to the limits on the squash court for 45 minutes he would hobble to his car with a pair of knees that should have been fixed many years before, but which, according to wife Scilla, surgery would have meant he had to give up the squash which had been a constant ‘addiction’ since the Lions tour of 1971. Simply out of the question.

JPR played rugby into his 50s, as well as playing squash and tennis he ran London marathons, played cricket, climbed Kilimanjaro,    and even when competing in his local choir there was that winning mentality, with fellow singers recalling his rousing team-talks before Eisteddfodau. 

JPR was old school tough, a gutsy uncompromising warrior, fearless and an inspiration to teammates and many more. In the words of his great friend, the late great Phil Bennett 

‘…there was never a braver, fiercer, harder, or more determined player ever to wear No.15…’

JPR Williams - unapologetically iconic.