Mervyn Davies pictured playing for London Welsh at Old Deer Park, Richmond.
Career Record: Played 38: Won 26, Drew 4, Lost 8
Test Points: 7
Tries: 2
1969 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 17-3 (FN)
1969 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 24-11 (FN)
1969 v France (Paris) D 8-8 (FN)
1969 v England (Cardiff) W 30-9 (FN)
1969 v New Zealand (Christchurch) L 19-0
1969 v New Zealand (Auckland) L 33-12
1969 v Australia (Sydney) W 19-16
1970 v South Africa (Cardiff) D 6-6
1970 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 18-9 (FN)
1970 v England (Twickenham) W 17-13 (FN)
1970 v Ireland (Dublin) L 14-0 (FN)
1970 v France (Cardiff) W 11-6 (FN)
1971 v England (Cardiff) W 22-6 (FN)
1971 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 19-18 (FN)
1971 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 23-9 (FN)
1971 v France (Paris) W 9-5 (FN)
1972 v England (Twickenham) W 12-3 (FN)
1972 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 35-12 (FN)
1972 v France (Cardiff) W 20-6 (FN)
1972 v New Zealand (Cardiff) L 19-16
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1973 v England (Cardiff) W 25-9 (FN)
1973 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 10-9 (FN)
1973 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 16-12 (FN)
1973 v France (Paris) L 12-3 (FN)
1973 v Australia (Cardiff) W 24-0
1974 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 6-0 (FN)
1974 v Ireland (Dublin) D 9-9 (FN)
1974 v France (Cardiff) D 16-16 (FN)
1974 v England (Twickenham) L 16-12 (FN)
1975 v France (Paris) W 25-10 (FN)
1975 v England (Cardiff) W 20-4 (FN)
1975 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 12-10 (FN)
1975 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 32-4 (FN)
1975 v Australia (Cardiff) W 28-3
1976 v England (Twickenham) W 21-9 (FN)
1976 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 28-6 (FN)
1976 v Ireland (Dublin) W 34-9 (FN)
1976 v France (Cardiff) W 19-13 (FN)
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'Merve the Swerve' won his 38 caps consecutively and stands out as one of Welsh rugby's great figures. Instantly recognisable with his trademark white headband, Davies was an intelligent reader of the game. He provided control at the back of lineout and scrum and was a consistently excellent performer. His skills in providing a focus point for his pack, were combined with wonderful ball-handling skills - those of a basketball player. He made his Wales debut in 1969 against Scotland and was a regular in the team from that point on. In 1971, his consistent performances earned him a place on the British Lions tour of New Zealand. Davies played thirteen games on tour and formed part of a mobile back row which the All Blacks could not contend with. An uncanny sense of anticipation allowed him to get to the breakdown first; his 'lanky' figure also belied his strength in the maul. His height at the back of the lineout ensured Lions supremacy in that area and ultimately paved the way for the 3-1 test series victory.
In 1974, he was also chosen for the Lions tour to South Africa. He had to fight off the considerable challenge of Andy Ripley for the test spot, but did so with superb displays in games against Orange Free State and Northern Transvaal, when he scored crucial tries. Powerful breaks characterised his play and he was a key figure in the series victory. In 1975, he was rewarded with the captaincy of Wales and looked set for more years at the top. However, in the semi-final of the Welsh Cup he suffered a brain haemorrhage which not only ended his playing days but also nearly ended his life. Following the second incident he was a patient in the University Hospital of Wales for several months, and received goodwill messages from all over the world.Since that time there has never been a player of Merve's stature or style. (John Lovell)
He was a smoker and was diagnosed with lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) in November 2011. He died on15th March 2012.
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