Geoff Wheel: Former Wales and Swansea lock dies aged 73

Wheel played 323 times for Swansea between 1970 and 1983.

He was part of the team that won the Schweppes Cup in 1978 and played for Swansea against Australia in 1975 and captained the ‘All Whites’ against New Zealand in 1981.

His seasons as captain of Swansea marked a successful period for the club.

In 1979-80 they won the Western Mail Championship, Sunday Telegraph Anglo-Welsh Championship, Daily Mail Anglo-Welsh Championship, Sunday Telegraph Team of the Season and were WRU National Sevens winners.

In the following season, Swansea retained the Sunday Telegraph title and were also winners of the Whitbread Merit Table.

“Geoff was respected and much loved by all at Swansea Rugby Club,” said president Stan Addicott.

“I had the privilege to be his club coach for seven years

“His wholehearted, fiery, yet engaging and humorous nature endeared him to his players, while he often shared his musical talent on the accordion and ukulele post matches with club supporters.

“He was certainly one of the great characters of his time in Welsh rugby and will be greatly missed as a family man, player and friend to many people.”