Jonathan Davies (rugby, born 1962)

{{Short description|Sports broadcaster, former GB & Wales dual-code international rugby player}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

| name = Jonathan Davies
{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}}}

| fullname = Jonathan Davies

| image =

| image_size =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1962|10|24}}

| birth_place = Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, Wales

| height = {{convert|5|ft|9|in|cm|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Statistics (RU) at en.espn.co.uk|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/player/9856.html|website=en.espn.co.uk|publisher=ESPN|access-date=27 August 2014|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110095253/http://en.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/player/9856.html|url-status=dead}}

| weight = {{convert|12|st|4|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

| retired = yes

| updated = 24 May 2013

| source = {{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jonathan-davies/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

| first = RU

| ru_position = Fly-half

| ru_club1 = Neath

| ru_year1start = 1982

| ru_year1end = 88

| ru_appearances1 =88

| ru_tries1 =37

| ru_cons =18

| ru_dropgoals1 =35

| ru pens. =8

| ru_points1 =313

| ru_club2 = Llanelli{{cite web |title=Player: Jonathan Davies - Flyhalf |url=http://www.llanellirfc.co.uk/player?authtoken=NEYyMDg1QTEtMTFENi00NUJFLUJENDUtQjhGN0MxMEREMzEx&teamid=MTA0MTcw&id=100472&tab=statistics |publisher=Llanelli RFC |access-date=2019-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108210134/http://www.llanellirfc.co.uk/player?id=100472&authtoken=NEYyMDg1QTEtMTFENi00NUJFLUJENDUtQjhGN0MxMEREMzEx&teamid=MTA0MTcw |archive-date=2019-01-08 |url-status=live}}

| ru_year2start = 1988

| ru_year2end = 89

| ru_appearances2 = 33

| ru_tries2 = 23

| ru_cons2 = 77

| ru_pens2 = 28

| ru_fieldgoals2 = 11

| ru_points2 = 363

| ru_appearances3 = 37

| ru_tries3 = 14

| ru_cons3 = 52

| ru_pens3 = 20

| ru_fieldgoals3 = 3

| ru_points3 = 243

| ru_club3 = Cardiff{{cite web |url=http://cardiffrfc.com/player?id=100472&authtoken=N0MwRjlEMjYtMTU5Ni00RjdCLTk4Q0YtMzAxQUIyQTdEQkVG&teamid=MTAzOTY5 |access-date=2019-01-08 |title=Player: Jonathan Davies - Flyhalf |publisher=Cardiff RFC}}

| ru_year3start = 1995

| ru_year3end = 97

| ru_appearances4 =

| ru_tries4 =

| ru_goals4 =

| ru_fieldgoals4 =

| ru_points4 =

| ru_teamA = Wales

| ru_yearAstart = 1985

| ru_yearAend = 97

| ru_appearancesA = 37

| ru_triesA = 5

| ru_goalsA = 8

| ru_fieldgoalsA = 13

| ru_pointsA = 81

| position = {{rlp|FB|WG|CE|FE}}

| club1 = Widnes

| year1start = 1989

| year1end = 93

| appearances1 = 126

| tries1 = 78

| goals1 = 224

| fieldgoals1 = 4

| points1 = 1180

| club2 = {{nowrap|Canterbury Bulldogs}}

| year2start = 1991

| year2end =

| appearances2 = 14

| tries2 = 7

| goals2 = 36

| fieldgoals2 = 0

| points2 = 100

| club3 = Warrington

| year3start = 1993

| year3end = 95

| appearances3 = 66

| tries3 = 43

| goals3 = 232

| fieldgoals3 = 26

| points3 = 662

| club4 = North Qld Cowboys

| year4start = 1995

| year4end =

| appearances4 = 9

| tries4 = 1

| goals4 = 19

| fieldgoals4 = 1

| points4 = 43

| teamA = Great Britain

| yearAstart = 1989

| yearAend = 94

| appearancesA = 10

| triesA = 3

| goalsA = 31

| fieldgoalsA = 2

| pointsA = 76

| teamB = Wales

| yearBstart = 1993

| yearBend = 95

| appearancesB = 9

| triesB = 3

| goalsB = 39

| fieldgoalsB = 5

| pointsB = 75

}}

Jonathan Davies, OBE (born 24 October 1962) is a Welsh former rugby player who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and who represented Wales in both rugby union and rugby league.{{cite news

| title = Gareth Thomas completes switch from union to Wales rugby league side Crusaders

| work = telegraph.co.uk

| publisher = Telegraph Media Group Limited

| date = 5 March 2010

| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/7376424/Gareth-Thomas-completes-switch-from-union-to-Wales-rugby-league-side-Crusaders.html

| access-date = 2 May 2010

| location=London}} A goal-kicking backline player, he played his club rugby in Wales, England and Australia. Nicknamed 'Jiffy', Davies has since become a television commentator for both codes and a media personality, in both the Welsh and English languages.{{cite web|url=http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/heroes/13948713.HALL_OF_HEROES__Welsh_wizard_Jonathan_Davies|title=HALL OF HEROES: Warrington Wolves' Welsh wizard Jonathan Davies|publisher=warringtonguardian.co.uk|date=31 December 2015|access-date=1 January 2016}}

Biography

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.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/fame-fortune/jonathan-davies-worked-mine-six-days-week-playing-rugby-work/ | title=Jonathan Davies: 'I worked in a mine six days a week, playing rugby after work' | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=15 March 2020 | last1=Gray | first1=Susan }} 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. He attended Gwendraeth Grammar School, where he met his first wife Karen Hopkins, whom he married ten years later.

=Rugby union=

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.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} The two tests were lost by fifty point margins, although Davies did score a {{cvt|90|metre}} try in the second.

Davies was blamed in the media for the surprising Welsh defeat by Romania.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46736372 |title=Jonathan Davies: 30 years on from the day he switched to Rugby League |last=Williams |first=Richard |date=2019-01-07 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2019-01-08 |language=en-GB}} 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.{{cite news|title=Jonathan Davies 'didn't want to play for Wales' after league return|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/22955489|access-date=5 January 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2013}}

Davies was recruited into rugby league by Jim Mills and Doug Laughton. He would later return to rugby union.

= Rugby league =

==Widnes==

Davies started his professional rugby league career during the 1989–90 Rugby Football League season with defending champions Widnes. He played for them as a {{rlp|ce}} 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-{{rlp|ce}} 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.

==Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs==

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 {{rlp|fb}} 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. 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.

==Widnes==

Davies played {{rlp|so}}, 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.

==Warrington==

After Widnes got into financial difficulties, in 1993 he transferred to their local rivals Warrington. He was 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 {{rlp|fb}}, 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.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2931|title=28th January 1995: Warrington 10 Wigan 40 (Regal Trophy Final)|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151036/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2931|url-status=dead}}

==North Queensland Cowboys==

Davies again played in Australia when he signed with the newly-formed North Queensland Cowboys in 1995. He was unable to get to Australia until midway through the 1995 Winfield Cup Premiership. He scored a full field try against the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle. Davies finished the season as the club's top scorer with 43 points.

==International==

Davies captained Great Britain in the 30–12 win over France on 16 Feb 1992 in Perpignan.

During his time in rugby league he represented both Great Britain and Wales, scoring a solo try in Great Britain's last victory over the Kangaroos at the old Wembley in 1994 where he sprinted 50 metres to score in the corner out-pacing Australian {{rlp|fb}} Brett Mullins. Although he left the field with a dislocated shoulder during the second half, his efforts in both attack and defence (which saw him pull off two try-saving tackles) saw him named as man of the match.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/ashes-series-1994/game-1/great-britain-vs-australia/summary.html|title=1994 Ashes series Game 1 at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}} The shoulder injury kept him out of the rest of The Ashes series (eventually won 2-1 by Australia) as well as prevented him from playing for Wales in a friendly against the Kangaroos in Cardiff. With the Rugby Football League splitting the Great Britain team into individual nations (Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland) from 1995, the test at Wembley was the last time Davies represented Great Britain in rugby league.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NDgtLS0tLS0tLTE3OTYtLS0tLXktLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Jonathan Davies - Great Britain at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

Davies' last rugby league match was as captain of Wales against England in the 1995 World Cup Semi-final at Old Trafford, which Wales lost 25–10. Playing as a {{rlp|so}}, Davies kicked 3 goals for Wales taking his total score for Wales to 21 points (10 goals, 1 field goal), all scored in the 1995 World Cup.{{cite news

| last = Davies

| first = Jonathan

| title = Roll up and glory in the best

| work = The Independent

| publisher = Independent News and Media Limited

| date = 22 October 2000

| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/roll-up-and-glory-in-the-best-636039.html

| access-date = 24 December 2009

| location=London}}

= Return to rugby union =

After the birth of daughter Geena in 1995, Davies' wife Karen was diagnosed with cancer. In need of family support, and as rugby union had turned professional, Davies went back to South Wales and signed to play for Cardiff RFC. On a guest appearance on A Question of Sport in 1995 he was asked what the biggest change was after returning to rugby union. Davies replied: "It's the first time I've been cold for seven years. I was never cold playing rugby league."{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/195468-interesting-rugby-quotes|title=Interesting Rugby Quotes at Bleacher Report|publisher=bleacherreport.com|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

= After rugby =

Since retiring from rugby, Davies has worked in the media as a commentator and pundit in both codes, mainly for the BBC in both the English and Welsh languages. He is known for his spirited support of Wales during commentary and regularly faces accusations of bias from viewers. Since 2004 Davies has hosted his own rugby themed chatshow, Jonathan, on S4C, usually before Welsh international matches. Davies was also the President of Super League side Crusaders, until 2009, when he was replaced by David Watkins.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/solpda/ifs_sport/hi/newsid_8145000/8145967.stm| work=BBC News| title=Crusader Watkins replaces Davies| date=11 July 2009| access-date=7 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

As of 2024, Davies is the brand ambassador for energy efficiency company, Consumer Energy Solutions, based in Swansea.{{cite web|url=https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/97914/welsh-rugby-legend-jonathan-davies-joins-energy-firm-as-ambassador|title=Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies joins energy firm as ambassador|publisher=pembrokeshire-herald.com|date=27 August 2024|access-date=18 February 2025}}

He is a supporter of the Wooden Spoon charity.{{cite web|url=https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/97914/welsh-rugby-legend-jonathan-davies-joins-energy-firm-as-ambassador/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819225126/http://www.noahs-ark-appeal.org/document/151|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2006|title=Jonathan Gives Children's Hospital a Helping Hand|publisher=noahs-ark-appeal.org|date=19 August 2006|access-date=1 January 2007}}

=Recognition=

Davies was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1995 New Year Honours for services to rugby league football.United Kingdom list: {{London Gazette |date=30 December 1994 |supp=1 |issue=53893 |pages=17}} In the 2015 Birthday Honours, he was promoted to Officer of the same order (OBE), "for voluntary and charitable services to People with Cancer," in recognition of his work as President of Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre.United Kingdom: {{London Gazette |issue=61256 | date=12 June 2015 |pages=B12| supp=y}}

Playing records

style="background:beige"\|Career Totals ! style="background:beige;"\| ! style="background:beige"\| ! style="background:beige"\| ! style="background:beige"\| ! style="background:beige"\| ! style="background:beige"\| ! style="background:beige"\|
border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="2" style="margin:auto; background:ivory; font-size:95%; border:1px #aaa solid; border-collapse:collapse; clear:center;" \|+ All-Time Club Performance
style="background:beige; text-align:center;"	Clubs	Season	Games	Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points	Comment
style="text-align:center;" \| rowspan="2"\|Cardiff	1996-7 \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\|	Retired at end of season
style="text-align:center;"	1995-6 \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\| \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="background:lemonchiffon" ! Total !! !! 9 !! 1 !! 19 !! 1 !! 43 !!
style="text-align:center;"	North Queensland Cowboys	1995	9	1	19	1	43 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="background:lemonchiffon" ! Total !! !! 9 !! 1 !! 19 !! 1 !! 43 !!
style="text-align:center;" \| rowspan="3"\|Warrington	1995-6	8	4	29	3	77 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"	1994-5	29	18	104	12	292 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"	1993-4	30	21	99	11	293 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="background:lemonchiffon" ! Total !! !! 67 !! 43 !! 232 !! 26 !! 662 !!
style="text-align:center;"	Canterbury Bulldogs	1991	14	7	36 \|
\|100 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="background:lemonchiffon" ! Total !! !! 14 !! 7 !! 36 !! – !! 100 !!
style="text-align:center;" \| rowspan="5"\|Widnes	1988–89	12(4)	7	47	1	123 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"	1989–90	29(1)	14	98	0	252 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"	1990–91	32(2)	30	110	2	342 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"	1991–92	24	13	73	1	199 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="text-align:center;"	1992–93	29(1)	14	106	0	268 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
style="background:lemonchiffon" ! Total !! !!126(8) !! 78 !! 434 !! 4 !! 1184 !!

References

External links

{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117075026/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/halloffame/sport/jonathandavies.shtml |date=dmy |title=Jonathan Davies at BBC Wales}}
{{ESPNscrum}}

Category:1962 births

Category:Living people

Category:1987 Rugby World Cup players

Category:20th-century Welsh sportsmen

Category:BBC sports presenters and reporters

Category:British rugby league administrators

Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players

Category:Cardiff RFC players

Category:Crawshays RFC players

Category:Dual-code rugby internationals

Category:Great Britain national rugby league team captains

Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players