Gwyn Francis

Gwyn Francis
Full name David Gwyn Francis
Date of birth 2 February 1896(1896-02-02)
Place of birth Gorseinon, Wales
Date of death 7 May 1987(1987-05-07) (aged 91)
Place of death Reading, England
University Jesus College, Oxford
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Lock
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
Oxford University RFC
Gorseinon RFC
Loughor RFC
Llanelli RFC
London Welsh F.C.
Leicester
London Counties
Surrey
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1919–1924 Wales 2 (0)

David Gwyn Francis (2 February 1896 – 7 May 1987) was a Welsh international rugby union player, who played for the Welsh national side twice (in 1919 and 1924).

Life

Francis was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, where he was part of the college rugby team that won the Oxford University inter-collegiate cup in 1920. Francis also played for the University rugby team, winning his "Blue" in 1919.[1][2] He won his first cap for Wales in 1919, playing at lock in a friendly against a New Zealand Services XV.[3] In 1921 he took charge of Rugby at Reading School, and in 1924 captained London Welsh RFC and Surrey RFC.[2] He won his second cap in 1924, playing against Scotland in the Home Nations Championship.[3] He was a rugby referee for 28 years, and helped to found the Berkshire Rugby Football Union, serving as chairman for 24 years.[1] A club room at Redingensians R.F.C. (a club that was formed for former pupils of Reading School) is named after Francis, as is a prize awarded by Berkshire rugby referees for club hospitality.[2][4]

References

  1. ^ a b Baker, J. N. L. (1971). Jesus College, Oxford 1571–1971. London: Oxonian Press Ltd. pp. 120. ISBN 0-9502164-0-2. 
  2. ^ a b c Jones, Gareth (2005-11-29). "Redingensians Rugby: Club History". Redingensians R.F.C.. http://www.redingensians.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=257&Itemid=40. Retrieved 2008-05-12. 
  3. ^ a b "Gwyn Francis". www.scrum.com. http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/player/2536.html. Retrieved 29 October 2010. 
  4. ^ "Gwyn Francis Award". Windsor RFC. http://www.windsorrugby.info/dyncat.cfm?catid=29215. Retrieved 2008-05-12.