Windsor
Nicknamed ‘The Duke’, Bobby Windsor is one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
Bobby Windsor Bio
Nicknamed ‘The Duke’, Bobby Windsor is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. A formidable hooker, he was a mainstay for Wales and the British and Irish Lions throughout the 1970s.
A steelworker by trade, Bobby Windsor began playing rugby as a back, featuring at either fullback or fly-half. However, a change of position to hooker transformed his fortunes and he became part of the famous ‘Viet Gwent’ front row at Pontypool alongside Graham Price and Charlie Faulkner. Prior to this, he’d also played rugby for Brynglas and Cross Keys.
However, although Bobby Windsor was a force in domestic rugby, he’s best known for his international career. Between 1973 and 1979, he was capped 28 times by Wales and he even scored a try on his debut for the team. He also captured the Five Nations (now the Six Nations Championship) Grand Slam twice.
For most of his career, Bobby Windsor was first-choice hooker for Wales, and he also played alongside Graham Price and Charlie Faulkner 19 times. Unsurprisingly, due to their prowess, Wales were only defeated four times when all three members of the ‘Viet Gwent’ played together on the international stage.
Due to his success for Wales over the years, Bobby Windsor was also capped five times by the British Lions between 1974 and 1977. On the 1974 tour of South Africa, he helped the Lions forwards dominate the Springboks and played in each test.
Since retiring from rugby, Bobby Windsor has released his autobiography. He’s also battled with depression and prostate cancer.
