David Llewelyn RIP

The Family and Friends of David Llewelyn would like to invite all of those London Welshman who wish, to join them at the celebration of Davids Life

David was born and raised in the Rhondda Valley. Whilst growing up there and attending Secondary School he was to be united in his same year group with one of his best friends Tommy David, They were taught and played their rugby under the great influence of PE teacher Glyn Williams. Glyn's PE regime was apparently quite demanding and 'brutal' and put the boys in good stead for their hard valleys rugby to follow.

Before moving on to Senior First XV rugby, David was Captain of the very successful and, possibly undefeated Pontypridd Youth XV and it was at this time that he persuaded his friend Tommy David, then playing soccer, to play rugby instead and join the Youth XV. Unfortunately, during a Wales Youth Trial at Army Apprentices College ground near Chepstow, David pulled a hamstring. He had been marking Phil Bennet in the trial and the injury prevented David's progress in further Wales Youth trials that year.

David moved up in the club to play his first senior and thereafter, regular 1st XV rugby at Pontypridd RFC, After working for a short time as a quantity surveyor, he entered Newland Park Teacher Training College and at some point during early '70s joined London Welsh RFC. There, he eventually became a regular 1st XV team member, playing with all the famous legendary Wales and British Lions players that have represented the club. He was an exceptionally gifted and versatile player, representing the club at either Outside Half, Centre or Full Back.

During the 1971/72 season, he was a member of the WRU National Squad and he was selected at Full Back for the 'Possibles' team against JPR Williams who was at Full Back in the 'Probables' team, both representing London Welsh in the Final Welsh Trial at Cardiff Arms Park on 1st January 1972.

Unfortunately, the honours of a full Welsh International cap were to escape him by 'a quirk of fate' and unfortunate event. Wales were due to play Ireland in Dublin at time of the Northern Ireland 'Troubles' and the IRA. Jeff Young of the RAF would have been in the team and there were worries of his personal safety. JPR was unfit at the time and so, David was approached and asked if he would be prepared to travel to Dublin if the match was to be played which of course, he accepted. However, the match was eventually cancelled by the WRU and JPR was fit again for the next international match. This meant David had lost the opportunity of at least one full Wales International Rugby cap. 

However, the one 'consolation' was him being selected at Full Back, representing London Welsh, to play for Wales 'B' against France 'B' at Cardiff Arms Park on 21st October 1972. His best friend Tommy David, captained the side from Wing Forward and representing Pontypridd.

Representing London Welsh and Buckinghamshire, David was also selected to play at Outside Half for Southern Counties versus Ian Kirkpatrick's All Blacks in 1972, losing by 6pts to 23pts. David kicked the conversion of the single Southern Counties try by P Cadle of Saracens and Herts. R Ellis Jones and John Vaughan also played representing London Welsh. (David, apparently sustained heavily bruised shoulders from having to tackle Kirkpatrick so many times during the course of the match).

David was always completely loyal and dedicated to the clubs that he had represented during his playing career. David made 92 appearances for London Welsh scoring 224 points. 

Thanks to David's brother Roger for this information.