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Terry Holmes was the man given the task of filling the Wales scrum-half position after the retirement of the legendary Gareth Edwards. No easy task but the Cardiff player proved a worthy and exceptional successor, and had injury not plagued his career, he could have matched the achievements of the great Edwards. As strong as an ox, his strength and power made him unstoppable from close range - he would often take defenders over the line with him, literally holding on to his shirt tail! Often playing behind beaten packs he would regularly take it on himself to take on the opposition. This commitment, epitomised by the way he often played as an extra flanker, was also his downfall, as the constant knocks took their toll on his shoulder in particular. However, he was not simply a battering ram. A long pass allowed his fly-half time and space.
He was a devastating runner in the loose with a hand-off like a piston. Supremely confident - he had to be succeeding Edwards - he was first capped in 1978 as a twenty one year old. The daunting task did not faze him. The Grand Slam was achieved in this year, but the following years would be barren ones for Welsh rugby. As the most dynamic scrum-half in the championship he was chosen for the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa. However, injury would end his tour as it did on the 1983 tour to New Zealand. Disillusioned with the declining Welsh game, Holmes last appearance for Wales was against the touring Fijians in Cardiff in 1985. He became one of the biggest names of the time to turn professional when he joined Bradford Northern for £80, 000. Unfortunately, injury would again hamper him - he played only 40 games as a professional. (John Lovell)
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Terry Holmes is pictured above playing for Wales on 6th. February 1982.
Photo George Herringshaw. ©
Career Record: Played 25, Won 15, Drew 1, Lost 9.
Test Points: 36
Tries: 9.
Welsh International Caps 1978-85
1978 v Australia (Sydney) L 19-17
1978 v New Zealand (Cardiff) L 13-12
1979 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 19-13 (FN)
1979 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 24-21 (FN)
1979 v France (Paris) W 14-13 (FN)
1979 v England (Cardiff) W 27-3 (FN)
1980 v France (Cardiff) W 18-9 (FN)
1980 v England (Twickenham) L 9-8 (FN)
1980 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 17-6 (FN)
1980 v Ireland (Dublin) L 21-7 (FN)
1980 v New Zealand (Cardiff) L 23-3
1981 v Australia (Cardiff) W 18-13
1982 v Ireland (Dublin) L 20-12 (FN)
1982 v France (Cardiff) W 22-12 (FN)
1982 v England (Twickenham) L 17-7 (FN)
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1983 v England (Cardiff) D 13-13 (FN)
1983 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 19-15 (FN)
1983 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 23-9 (FN)
1983 v France (Paris) L 16-9 (FN)
1984 v England (Twickenham) W 24-15 (FN)
1985 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 25-21 (FN)
1985 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 21-9 (FN)
1985 v France (Paris) L 14-3 (FN)
1985 v England (Cardiff) W 24-15 (FN)
1985 v Fiji (Cardiff) W 40-3
Terry Holmes went on the 1980 Lions tour to
South Africa, but didn't play in the Tests. In 1983
he joined the Lions tour to New Zealand, played
in 1st Test but was badly injured and missed the
remainder of the tour.
In December 85 Terry changed codes when he
signed for Bradford Northern RLFC, retiring
2 years later because of recurring shoulder
injuries.
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