Leslie Manfield

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Leslie Manfield (November 10, 1915November 2, 2006), was a Welsh rugby union international. He was the second oldest Welsh international of all time, and at the time of his death, aged 91, the oldest living man to have played as a forward for Wales.

Manfield was born in Mountain Ash, the son of a railway worker, and went to school there. He played for the Welsh under-15 side on March 1, 1930, and played for Cardiff RFC. After studying chemistry at Cardiff University, he won his first senior international cap in 1939 against Scotland. In 1940 he joined the Royal Air Force, and spent three years in the Middle East, rising to the rank of squadron leader.

He played several internationals after World War II, one of only four men to have played for Wales both before and after the war. He retired from the international game at the age of 34, and taught at Mountain Ash Grammar School until forced to retire through ill-health. He died at Aberdare Hospital of complications after a fall.

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