Len Blyth
{{Short description|Welsh rugby union player}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Len Blyth
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Leonard Grist Blyth
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1920|11|20}}
| birth_place = Swansea, Wales
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1995|06|24|1920|11|20}}
| death_place = Johannesburg, South Africa
| height =
| weight =
| position = Flanker
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 = Gorseinon RFC
| amatteam2 = Swansea RFC
| ru_amclubcaps =
| ru_amclubpoints =
| ru_amupdate =
| repteam1 = Wales
| repyears1 = 1951-1952
| repcaps1 = 3
| reppoints1 = 0
| ru_ntupdate =
| coachteams1 =
| coachyears1 =
| ru_coachupdate =
| school = Dynevor School
}}
Leonard Grist Blyth (20 November 1920 – 24 June 1995){{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/player/5493.html|title=Len Blyth|work=ESPN Rugby|access-date=10 August 2021}} was a Welsh international rugby union flanker who played club rugby for Swansea.{{cite web|url=http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/player?id=101193&authtoken=NTdEQjExRTctNzI3Ri00RTFGLUI2NEItOUZGRkFFMkNFMjlB&teamid=MTA0NDA5|title=Len Blyth|work=Swansea RFC|access-date=10 August 2021}} 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{{cite web|url=https://cardiffrugbymuseum.org/sites/default/files/1403.pdf|title=Programme - Cardiff v Swansea 1951|work=Cardiff Rugby Museum|access-date=10 August 2021}} and led his team against the touring South Africans on 15 December 1951.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
=International matches played=
- {{ru|ENG}} 1952
- {{ru|SCO}} 1952
- {{ru|RSA}} 1951
Bibliography
- {{cite book |last=Smith |first=David |author2=Williams, Gareth |title=Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union |year=1980 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-7083-0766-3}}