About John Dawes
Sydney John Dawes was a Welsh rugby union player, playing at centre, and later coach. He captained London Welsh, Wales, the 1971 British Lions and the Barbarians. He is credited with being a major influence in these teams' success, and in the attractive, attacking, free-flowing rugby they played. Dawes also had considerable success as a coach with Wales, and coached the 1977 British Lions. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1972 New Year Honours List for services as Lions captain. Dawes won his first cap for Wales against Ireland in 1964, and scored an interpassing try at pace. This side, coached by Carwyn James, became the first and so far the only Lions team to win a series in New Zealand. After retiring as a player, Dawes became coach of the Welsh national side in 1974, a post he held until 1979.
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