Llandovery RFC has been named a Lions Origin Club, recognising its role in nurturing talent and inspiring generations of rugby players, writes Huw S Thomas.

A wooden plaque which bears the names of those former Llandovery players who have represented the British and Irish Lions was received from Lions sponsors Howden and now hangs proudly in the Church Bank clubhouse.

The Howden Insurance Group is the official front of jersey sponsor for The Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Tour to Australia this summer.

“The plaque arrived right out of the blue,” said Llandovery Chairman Peter Rees.

“We are hugely honoured to receive the nomination as a Lions Origin Club.

“It will serve as an inspiration to all our junior Drovers, to know that they, too, can aspire to go on play for the Lions.”

The award recognises Llandovery’s contribution to rugby in nurturing the talent that went on to tour with the Lions and covers the club’s commitment in developing players of international class over the last 137 years.

W H (Willie) Thomas who was capped by Wales when a schoolboy at Llandovery College was the first Welshman to tour New Zealand and Australia in 1888 with a British team.

Since then five former Llandovery players have gone on to play for the Lions.

Hooker Barry Williams toured South Africa in 1997, while flanker Andy Powell was part of the 2009 squad.

Three-quarter George North featured in the 2013 squad to Australia and toured New Zealand in 2017.

Both Powell and North attended Llandovery College

Tadhg Beirne, who played for Llandovery before joining the Scarlets, toured South Africa with the Lions in 2021, alongside local prop Wyn Jones.

Jones, who played 90 times for Llandovery between 2010 and 2016, went on to play for the Scarlets, Wales, and the Lions.