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A great rugby player and outstanding broadcaster, Cliff Morgan is often mentioned in the same breath as Barry John and Phil Bennett, his successors in the Wales No.10 jersey, in terms of his playing ability and influence on the game.
The slightly-built Morgan joined Cardiff RFC in 1949, straight from school, and went on to win 29 caps for Wales, four of them as captain. He was a member of the 1952 Grand Slam-winning team and the following year helped to steer Wales to their last victory against the All Blacks.
A beautifully balanced runner, ‘Morgan the Magnificent’ was an ever-present for the Lions in the 2-2 drawn series against South Africa in 1955, captaining the side in the third test.
As a commentator and sports presenter, Morgan enjoyed a four-decade association with the BBC. His description of Gareth Edwards’ wonder try for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham in 1973 is part of rugby folklore.
He is a man apart because of his gaiety, his grandeur, eloquence, because of his skills as a football player, and his generosity to other players, which was enormous. He is not a selfish man in life or on the field. To me he is simply the greatest of them all. - Tony O'Reilly
Cliff was a great rugby player, an outstanding broadcaster, but possibly more important than anything, he is a great man. - Gareth Edwards