Cardiff Rugby have renamed the North Stand at Cardiff Arms Park the Sir Gareth Edwards Stand in honour of the legendary scrum-half. The change comes ahead of the club's 150th season.
The 79-year-old, who played 195 times for the club, was arguably the greatest player to ever wear the Welsh jersey. During his playing career in the halcyon days of the 1970s, he played 53 times for Wales and a further 10 times for the British and Irish Lions.
Greatest player of all time
In 2003, a poll of international rugby players by Rugby World magazine declared him the greatest player of all time. As well as the renaming of the stand, a portrait of Edwards, by acclaimed artist Nicholas J Smith, was also unveiled at the launch of a new book and exhibition of the club's history.
This is the second time in recent years that Cardiff have renamed a stand, having named the south stand the Peter Thomas Stand in 2023 in honour of the club's Life President. Thomas' contribution was vast, having also been a player, patron, major benefactor and chair.
Club tribute
Speaking about naming the stand after Edwards, Cardiff Rugby managing director, Jamie Muir, said: “We have been talking of renaming the north stand for some time and it made perfect sense to do so in our sesquicentennial season. We are very grateful to RSK for supporting us with this project.
“To have Sir Gareth and his good friend, the late Peter Thomas, opposite each other in our stands and next to each other in the trophy room is incredibly poignant. This is a brilliant way to continue the celebrations of our 150th season and to recognise the contribution and legacy of one of our greatest ever players.
“Sir Gareth is an inspiration to everyone at Cardiff Rugby and remains a regular at the Arms Park. He is a true gentleman and someone we all look up to as an example of what it means to represent this great club both on and off the pitch.”
One-club man
Edwards — along with several appearances for Wales, the Lions and the Barbarians — was a one-club man. Across 12 seasons for Cardiff, he made nearly 200 appearances and scored 67 tries. The Sir Gareth Edwards Stand will be sponsored by one of Cardiff's long-standing supporters, RSK.
“It is an absolute honour and privilege for us at RSK to support the renaming of the stand at Cardiff Arms Park,” said RSK's director of sport and leisure, Wayne Mumford. “Not only is Gareth one of the greats of the game but he is someone who is incredibly passionate about the environment and whose values align closely with our own.
“To honour such an iconic player at his home ground, alongside the RSK brand is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved. We are proud to sponsor Cardiff as principal partners and wish them the very best for their sesquicentennial season, while we continue to support them for the next generation.”
