When Wales legends Barry John and JPR Williams tormented England

Wales legends Barry John and JPR Williams were so often the scourge of England.

Following the death of full-back Williams in January, fly-half John passed away last Sunday. There will be a minute’s applause for the duo along with former England captain Mike Weston ahead of kick-off.

John and Williams often came into their own against England, as they repeatedly tormented the Red Rose opposition during their glittering careers in the then Five Nations.

They were different players in so many respects. John was a shimmering, an ethereal presence who could beat opponents with a mere flick of the hips, while his warrior-like teammate Williams sported long sideburns, often wore a headband, played with his socks rolled down and relished the physical side of the game.

Wales’ recent record in Twickenham is poor having lost the last seven matches since the memorable World Cup win in 2015, with no Six Nations victory in south-west London since 2012 and only two in the tournament this century.

So the class of 2024 could take inspiration from the records of Williams and John against England at both Twickenham and in Cardiff.

The pair played 16 internationals between them against Wales’ closest rivals and never lost. Williams had 11 victories in 11 games in his career between 1969 and 1981, scoring five tries.

Wales only lost to England once in the 1970s and Williams missed that game in 1974 because of injury.

John was part of four wins and a draw between 1968 and 1972, scoring 29 points, including two tries and five drop-goals.

BBC Sport Wales looks at games where John and Williams dominated matches against England, sometimes together and sometimes individually.

12 April, 1969: Wales 30-9 England, Cardiff

Williams made his international debut in this tournament as Wales hammered England to clinch the Triple Crown and the Five Nations championship.

This was completed by an emphatic victory in a Cardiff game that will be remembered for four tries from wing Maurice Richards, while Keith Jarrett kicked 12 points.

But there was the brilliant individual try from John that people will often recall, as he glided his way through the England defence with the ball in two hands and the opposition defenders unable to lay a hand on him.

Has there ever been a more graceful solo score in the long history of the championship? It’s a debate worth having.

For good measure, John also slotted over a customary drop-goal.

28 February, 1970: England 13-17 Wales, Twickenham

Both Williams and John were on the scoresheet in this match that will always be remembered for the impact of replacement scrum-half Ray “Chico” Hopkins.

With Gareth Edwards forced off injured, Hopkins came on with England winning 13-6 following tries from David Duckham and John Novak and Bob Hiller’s boot, while Wales responded with tries from John and Mervyn Davies.

Hopkins set up a try for JPR before the scrum-half scored himself in injury time.

JPR, a reluctant kicker, converted for a 14-13 lead and there was still time for John to land a 40-metre remarkable drop-goal to seal the success.

16 January, 1971: Wales 22-6 England, Cardiff

John again starred with two drop-goals and collected his own deft chip kick to create a try for wing John Bevan.

Williams also kicked a penalty, one of only three in his 12-year international career, with England managing a Charlie Hannaford try and Peter Rossborough penalty.

Wales completed the Grand Slam for the first time since 1952, a sixth time overall, while also claiming the Triple Crown for the second occasion in three seasons.

Both John and Williams would go on to star on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand where the tourists won the series 2-1.

15 January 1972: England 3-12 Wales, Twickenham

With Wales and Scotland refusing to travel to Ireland because of the political situation and increased violence in Northern Ireland, the 1972 Five Nations was left incomplete.

Wales had won three matches and started the campaign at Twickenham where Williams and John scored all the points in the victory.

JPR gained the only try which John converted while also slotting over two penalties. England managed a solitary Hiller kick.

Wales were denied another Grand Slam after not playing against Ireland and their closing 20-6 victory against France proved to be John’s final international match before his retirement aged 27.

17 January, 1976: England 9-21 Wales, Twickenham

With Phil Bennett the long-term successor to John in the number 10 jersey, JPR Williams was once again the scourge of England at Twickenham with two tries in the tournament opener.

Williams powered over in the first half finishing a fine set-piece move involving Mervyn Davies, Gareth Edwards, Bennett, Fenwick and JJ Williams, that was perfectly tracked by the legendary BBC commentator Bill McLaren.

Alastair Hignell kicked three England penalties but Williams finished the hosts off in the second-half gloom after a silky scissors move with Bennett. The 12-point margin of victory remains Wales’ biggest at Twickenham.

Wales went on to win their 19th title, including a Grand Slam and Triple Crown.

5 March, 1977: Wales 14-9 England, Cardiff

An away victory against Cardiff would have given England the Triple Crown but they again fell foul of their nemesis JPR.

England were in the game with three Hignell penalties, while Wales held a one-point lead with a Gareth Edwards try and Steve Fenwick’s boot.

Up steps JPR to scythe through the visiting defence for his fifth and final try against England. “Is he going to do it again?” asked McLaren. He did.

Wales went on to win the Triple Crown for a second successive year with a Murrayfield victory against Scotland, but France won the Five Nations with a second Grand Slam.