Jonathan Davies

Jonathan Davies, OBE (born 24 October 1962) is a Welsh former rugby footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and who represented his nation in both rugby union and rugby league.

A goal-kicking backline player, he played his club rugby in Wales, England and Australia.

Davies has since become a television commentator for both codes and a media personality, in both the Welsh and English languages.

Jonathan Davies was born in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire on 24 October 1962, the son of Diana and Len Davies.

Davies' father worked in Trostre, Llanelli and his mother was a home-maker.

Davies started school at Trimsaran Primary School, where he was part of the Welsh medium class.

His teacher Meirion Davies introduced him to rugby, and he started playing Sevens.

Although he did not have the strong physique for the contact sport, his talent and flair for the game was recognised by many, including local great Carwyn James.

He attended Gwendraeth Grammar School, where he met his first wife Karen Hopkins, whom he married ten years later.

In 1974 Davies played for the very first time at Cardiff Arms Park, when he was chosen for the West Wales Under 12s.

He started his career at amateur level with Trimsaran RFC.

His father Len had also played for and captained Trimsaran Rugby Club.

Age 17, Davies left school and became an apprentice painter and decorator.

After developing at Trimsaran, he was given a trial with Llanelli but was rejected.

Neath gave him another chance and he signed with them in 1982, selected to play at fly-half.

After 35 games for Neath, Davies was selected to play for Wales, against England at the Cardiff Arms Park.

After scoring a try and a drop goal, Davies was named Man of the Match in the Welsh victory.

He was made captain at Neath before being transferred to Llanelli.

In 1988 Davies played a part in the Triple Crown success for Wales and between 1985 and 1997 he won 37 rugby union caps.

Injuries during the 1988 New Zealand tour meant Davies captained the side in four games.

The two tests were lost by fifty point margins, although Davies did score a 90 metre try in the second.

Davies was blamed in the media for the surprising Welsh defeat by Romania.

As Llanelli placed pressure on him from the WRU to commit himself wholeheartedly to them, and despite being widely touted as the first choice fly-half for the upcoming British Lions tour to Australia, he decided for the best interests of his family to move to the rugby league team Widnes, who signed him for a record fee of £230,000.

Davies was recruited into rugby league by Jim Mills and Doug Laughton.

He would later return to rugby union.

Davies commenced his professional rugby league career during the 1989–90 Rugby Football League season with defending champions Widnes.

He played for them as a in their 1989 World Club Challenge victory against the visiting Canberra Raiders.

He was selected to play for Great Britain during the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup tournament.

During the 1990–91 season Davies played left- and scored 4 conversions in Widnes' 24–18 victory over Salford in the 1990 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 September 1990.

In 1991, Davies took on a further challenge when he spent the summer in Sydney playing in the 1991 NSWRL season for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Davies played mostly as a for the Canterbury side who were struggling to make the Semi-finals.

He made an impact with the 'Dogs, scoring 100 points in his 14 games for the club (7 tries, 36 goals), including a personal haul of 18 points (2 tries, 5 goals) in the last round of the season against Cronulla at Canterbury's home ground, Belmore Sports Ground.

Davies played, and scored a try, 3 conversions, and a drop goal in Widnes 24–0 victory over Leeds in the 1991–92 Regal Trophy Final during the 1991–92 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 January 1992.

After Widnes got into financial difficulties, in 1993 he transferred to their local rivals Warrington.

He was also named player of the 1993–94 season, winning the RFL's Man of Steel Award.

During the 1994–95 Rugby Football League season Davies played, and scored a conversion in Warrington's 10–40 defeat by Wigan in the 1994–95 League Cup Final at Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday 28 January 1995.

Davies again played in Australia when he signed with the newly formed North Queensland Cowboys in 1995.

Needing a win to force a 5th place playoff with Western Suburbs, Canterbury-Bankstown got off to a slow start and Cronulla took a 16–0 half time lead.

Canterbury scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to win 26–16.

In the playoff with Wests, Davies first stint in Australia came to an end with Wests winning 19–14.