Paul Rees says it was hard not to fall in love with rugby as a young boy, watching his hero play for Cardiff

RIP the Lion King. Barry John, an outside-half who slowed down time and had spectators disbelieving their own eyes, died last week 57 years to the day when he made his first appearance for Wales in the Five Nations. He was a player beyond compare, his rare natural talent blended with a fierce desire to win. Simply the best.
It was hard not to fall in love with rugby as a young boy when John joined Cardiff from Llanelli in the 1967-68 season. He formed what became the half-back pa...