The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to former Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back JPR Williams.

William, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, posted a personal post – denoted with a W at the end of his message – in honour of Williams, who has died at the age of 74.

The prince said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “There was no one quite like him on the rugby field. A true @WelshRugbyUnion great, my thoughts are with JPR Williams’ family and friends. W.”

Williams, a fearless player known for his aggressive and attacking style, won 55 Wales caps and started all eight Tests on victorious Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa three years later.

He was revered among fellow Wales greats like Sir Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Phil Bennett and Gerald Davies and regarded as one of rugby union’s finest players.

A star performer during Welsh rugby’s 1970s golden era, he also captained his country on five occasions.

And Williams shone for the Barbarians in their unforgettable 23-11 victory over New Zealand in 1973, touching down in a game chiefly remembered for Edwards’ spectacular touchdown that completed a breathtaking length-of-the-field move.

Welsh Rugby Union president Terry Cobner, who played alongside Williams for Wales during two Five Nations Grand Slam-winning campaigns, saluted his contribution to the sport.

“Welsh rugby will remember him as one of our greatest players of all-time – those 55 caps, three Grand Slams and six Triple Crowns prove that,” Cobner said, on the WRU’s official website.

“He also played in all eight Tests in New Zealand and South Africa on arguably the two greatest tours undertaken by the Lions in 1971 and 1974.

“It was his drop-goal from near halfway that enabled the 1971 Lions to draw the fourth Test and win the series 2-1 against the mighty All Blacks – the only series victory by the Lions on New Zealand soil.

“A star in the making from his early school days at Bridgend Grammar, then at Millfield, he went on to thrill crowds at both London Welsh and Bridgend on the club scene. He was ‘box office’ wherever he went.

“This is a terrible loss for our game, but obviously an even worse loss for his wife, Scilla, and their three four children.

“The thoughts of the whole Welsh rugby family are with them at this difficult time.”

There were also tributes on social media from Wales’ Six Nations rivals Scotland and Ireland.

“JPR, the three most famous letters in sport if you lived in the 1970s,” Scottish Rugby said on X.

“Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to family and friends of JPR Williams – and the rugby community in Wales – after the death of the former Wales and Lions full-back was announced yesterday.”

And Irish Rugby said on X: “A joy to watch on the field and a gentleman off it. Rest in peace JPR Williams.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.”

Such was Williams’ natural fitness that he continued playing into his early 50s for village club Tondu, often in the back-row, before finally hanging up his boots in 2003.

“We are devastated to share the news our club patron JPR Williams has passed away,” Tondu Rugby Club said on X.

“John was one of our game’s greatest players and will be missed by all at Tondu RFC. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family and close friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Kevin Sinfield was greeted by Welsh rugby union great Sir Gareth Edwards as he completed the latest of seven back-to-back ultra marathons in aid of research and support for those living with Motor Neurone Disease in Cardiff.

Sinfield was greeted by Edwards on the pitch at Cardiff Arms Park during half-time in the United Rugby Championship match against Scarlets, which the visitors won 29-23.

Afterwards Sinfield, whose latest fund-raising feat ticked over the quarter of a million pound mark in the course of its second day, hailed his welcome in the Welsh capital as one of the best he has experienced.

Speaking to members of the Cardiff squad, Sinfield said: “Over the last few years we’ve been to some pretty special places and we’ve run in some pretty amazing cities, but the welcome the team has had today in Cardiff has been as good as anywhere.

“Don’t under-estimate the friends you have in here, the bonds that you get playing rugby of either code is something that not many sports give you.

“Win or lose, there will come a point where you can’t play any more for whatever reason. You look after each other when you cross the line, and for the rest of your lives you need to look after each other as well.”

Sinfield’s fourth fundraising challenge takes him on to Birmingham on Sunday, beginning at Alexander Stadium and calling at St Andrews, Villa Park and Edgbaston before concluding in Centenary Square on Sunday afternoon.

He will then move on to undertake routes around Edinburgh, Dublin and Brighton, before concluding with a route that takes him up The Mall in London next week.

Since starting his ultra-marathon quest in 2020, the 43-year-old has raised over £8million to help fund research and help those with the disease, and he has vowed he will continue to undertake his marathon quest until a cure can be found.

:: To donate to Kevin Sinfield’s 7 in 7 in 7 quest, see https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield