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If Welsh rugby is all about passion and pride then Ray Gravell is the very epitome of that spirit. Fiercely patriotic, he was a block-busting centre who specialised in, and indeed thrived on, the crash ball. Hitting the ball at pace he would give many an opponent a bruising afternoon; displaying a philosophy that can perhaps be summed up in the words, 'if you can't go round them, go through them'. However, to focus too much on this undeniable strength does not do him justice. His aggression and energy was matched by the ability to link skilfully with wings. Nevertheless, an over-reliance on his 'battering' talent perhaps prevented him from becoming the all round playmaker he should have been. The Llanelli stalwart made his Wales debut in 1975, playing in the side that beat the French in Paris - an incredible game in which Wales scored five tries to one. Gravell, made an instant impact, with yet another thunderous tackle, allowing the prop, Graham Price, to hack and run 70 yards to score a try. It was the beginning of an incredible era of Welsh dominance. In the course of the next five years, with Gravell a permanent fixture, Wales would take two Grand Slams, four titles and four Triple Crowns. He would have gone on the 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand had a shoulder injury not prevented him. However, he would make the 1980 Lions tour to South Africa and played in all four tests. A substitute in the first test, he claimed the centre spot for the second and scored a try. He would also star in the 17-13 victory in Pretoria against the 'Boks. Having played his last international in 1982, Gravell was a popular broadcaster, who has even starred in a film. (John Lovell)
Ray Gravell died on 31st October 2007 aged 56.
In 2000 he was diagnosed with diabetes and ill-health plagued his later years.
On 18 April 2007 he was readmitted to hospital following an operation to amputate two toes as a result of a diabetes-related infection and his right leg was amputated below the knee.
Six months after the operation Gravell died of a heart attack. A public funeral was held at Stradey Park (the rugby ground of Llanelli RFC ) on 15 November 2007, attended by up to ten thousand people from all over Wales. Tony Edenden's superb photo of Ray was one of his favourites and was used in his funeral service. ©
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