About John Dawes
Sydney John Dawes (29 June 1940 – 16 April 2021) 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. == Early life and education == Dawes was born in Chapel of Ease, part of Abercarn, near Newbridge, on 29 June 1940. His father was a colliery blacksmith. He was educated at Lewis School Pengam, and later at University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he earned a degree in chemistry. He later achieved a PGCE at Loughborough College whilst continuing to play rugby for Newbridge. By 1964 he had moved to London in support of his wife's ambitions as an opera singer.
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