Len Blyth

Len Blyth

Full name	Leonard Grist Blyth
Date of birth	20 November 1920
Place of birth	Swansea, Wales[1]
Date of death	24 June 1995 (aged 74)
Place of death	Johannesburg, South Africa
School	Dynevor School
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Flanker
Amateur clubs
Years	Club / team
	Gorseinon RFC Swansea RFC
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1951-1952	Wales[2]	3	(0)

Leonard Grist "Len" Blyth (20 November 1920 – 24 June 1995) was a Welsh international rugby union flanker who played club rugby for Swansea. He captained Swansea and played in three international games for Wales which saw him become a Grand Slam winner.

Rugby career

Blyth was captain of Swansea during the 1951/52 season^[3] and led his team against the touring South Africans on 15 December 1951. Seven days later, Blyth was awarded his first international cap when he was chosen as a flanker to face the South Africans for the Welsh national team. Wales were narrowly beaten and Blyth found himself selected for the opening game of the 1952 Five Nations Championship. Blyth played against England and Scotland before losing his position for the last two matches. Nevertheless, Wales won the tournament and Blyth became a Grand Slam winner. After the end of his international career, Blyth still played against international opposition, including Swansea's 6-6 draw against the 1953 touring New Zealand side.

International matches played

Wales^[4]

•  England 1952
•  Scotland 1952
•  South Africa 1951

Bibliography

• Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.

References

1. Ospreys player profiles
2. Wales Rugby Union player profiles
3. Swansea Rugby Club Club captains
4. Smith (1980), pg 463.