Courtenay Meredith Explained

Courtenay Meredith
Birth Name:Courtenay Charles Meredith
Birth Date:23 September 1926
Birth Place:Pontypridd, Wales
Ru Position:Prop
Ru Amateurclubs:Crynant RFC[1]
Neath RFC
Ru Nationalteam:Wales[2]
British Lions[3]
Ru Nationalyears:1953–1957
1955
Ru Nationalcaps:14
4
Ru Nationalpoints:(3)
(0)
School:Neath Grammar School
University:University College, Cardiff

Courtenay Meredith (23 September 1926 – 30 May 2024) was a Welsh international rugby union prop who played club rugby for Neath. He won fourteen caps for Wales and also played for invitational club the Barbarians. Meredith was a powerful prop, and was much praised by second row players for his tight packing, which allowed them the opportunity to shove the opposition. He played both tight and loose head prop but preferred tight head.

On the 1955 British and Irish Lions Tour the all-Welsh front row of Billy Williams, Bryn Meredith and Courtenay Meredith was selected for a Lions test match. This did not occur again until June 2009 when Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees were selected as the British and Irish Lions front row for the 2nd Test against South Africa.[4]

Meredith celebrated his 95th birthday in 2021.[5] He was the last survivor from Wales’ last triumph over New Zealand, the 13–8 victory at Cardiff Arms Park on 19 December 1953.

Meredith died on 30 May 2024, at the age of 97.[6] [7]

International matches played
Wales[8]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. http://ospreys.sportstatdata.com/ST_OSP_1005.aspx?pr=113990 Ospreys player profiles
  2. http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=26151&includeref=dynamic Welsh Rugby Union player profile
  3. Web site: Courtney Meredith. ESPN.co.uk . 3 January 2016.
  4. Thomas (1979), pg 133.
  5. News: Happy 95th Birthday Courtenay Meredith . 27 November 2022 . WRU . 23 September 2021.
  6. Web site: 2024-06-13 . Courtenay Meredith: Wales and Lions rugby prop dies aged 97 . 2024-06-13 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  7. News: ‘Iron Man’ Courtenay’s death is end of an era . 14 June 2024 . Welsh Rugby . 13 June 2024.
  8. Smith (1980), pg 469.