Graham Price

Early life

Graham Price was born in Moascar, Egypt, on 24 November 1951. He was brought up in Pontypool, where he was educated at West Monmouth School. He studied civil engineering at UWIST, part of the University of Wales in Cardiff.

Pontypool

He joined Pontypool after leaving school, and played at tight-head prop. With Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner he became part of the legendary front row, also known as the "Viet Gwent" (a play on Viet Cong) and immortalised in song by Max Boyce.

Wales caps

He made his debut for Wales national rugby union team in the 1975 Five Nations Championship against France at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The game featured six players earning their first cap, and the entire Pontypool front line. When the ball was hacked forward some 3 metres (9.8 ft) from the French line following a Welsh counter attack, Price caught the ball as it bounced and ran it in for a try. Wales won by 25-10, their biggest victory over the French since 1909, and the try was subsequently voted the fourth best try ever by a Welsh player. Grand Slams followed for the Wales team in 1976 and 1978.

British Lion

Price played as a prop in a record 12 successive tests for the British and Irish Lions, touring New Zealand in 1977. The front line in that tour was dominated by the "Viet Gwent" players, including Price. During a test match against Australia, he suffered a broken jaw after a punch by Steve Finanne. Price had to eat liquidized food for six weeks, and wore dentures for the following 40 years until replaced by implants in 2015. He returned for the South Africa in 1980 and made his final international appearances in the New Zealand in 1983 at the age of 31. He had played in every match of all three tours. His record of 12 appearances for a prop for the British and Irish Lions is not expected to be broken.

Outside rugby

In 2012 Price made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the UK comedy drama Stella.