91Èȱ¬

A conversation between Dai Smith and Welsh rugby legend Barry John. They explore how he came to be known to all and sundry as ‘King John’, following the Lion’s conquest of New Zealand in 1971. Includes archive footage of the Cardiff v Llanelli game of 1970 when the King scored a majestic 4 drop goals, helping Cardiff defeat his former club Llanelli 12-9 at the Arms Park.

Barry John played 93 matches for Cardiff between 1967 and 1972, scoring 24 tries and 30 drop goals in a haul of 359 points. The King played in 25 Tests for Wales and in five for the Lions –one in South Africa in 1968 and four in New Zealand three years later. Able to use both feet, he dropped a total of 10 goals in international rugby. It was a surprise to many in the game when he announced his retirement at the early age of 27 though still in his prime. He had become the first rugby celebrity, but found the fame difficult to handle.