Welsh rugby loses two great PLAYERS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 5

Welsh rugby loses two great PLAYERS

VIVIAN JENKINS RETIRES AND I. DAVIES JOINS LEAGUE

The decision of Vivian Jenkins to retire from international Rugby, and the capture by Leeds Rugby League Club, of Idwal Davies, the Swansea centre, who won his first “cap” only a week previously, are grievous blows at Welsh Rugby prestige this season. Davies is one of half a dozen star players who have been attracted North—and more may follow as Rugby League club agents are still very active in the South. Sid Williams has turned down six or seven offers within the past few days, states the Daily Mail of January 26. Unemployment is given as the reason for Davis’ acceptance of an offer of £7OO from Leeds for his signature, with the promise of a job in Yorkshire. A fully-qualified teacher, he failed to gain a permanency in Wales, tried London, where he obtained a temporary post, but, since Christmas has been out of work. * His form in the trials undoubtedly carried his wing man. Ford, into the Welsh XV at Twickenham, and, though he was outstanding in that game, Leeds agents followed him back to Wales to secure his signature, and

he will play against Halifax on Saturday. Is it any wonder (asks our Welsh correspondent) that Welsh Rugby is not the live force it was 20 years aga? i Just think of the losses to the professional body alone. This season’s include Alban Davies, Arthur Bassett, 1 J. Regan, G. Williams, W. J. Hopkin ; and A. Hickman. Welshmen will also recall among • other stars to go “over,” Arthur i Lemon, J. C. Morley, J. R. Ralph, D. , R. James, D. Madden, Tommy Stone and the Prossers, of Neath. The retirement of Vivian Jenkins marks a distinct period in Welsh , Rugby. He was converted from centre—where he got a “blue” in 1930 —by the Welsh selectors in 1933, and 1 has been first choice ever since, winning in all 14 caps. Noted for his kicking and tackling, i Jenkins had an uncanny sense of positioning like Jack Bassett, whom he succeeded; and while he used to have' his shaky moments at the start of a game, he will be remembered as a full-back on whom a team could rely for covering all angles of the last line of defence.