Former Wales and Swansea lock Wheel dies aged 73

Former Wales, Swansea and Barbarians lock Geoff Wheel has died at the age of 73.

Swansea RFC have confirmed the news stating Wheel had suffered from motor neurone disease for some years.

Wheel played 32 internationals for Wales between 1974 and 1982 and formed a formidable second-row partnership with Allan Martin.

Nicknamed "Gaffa", Wheel was an unsung hero of Wales' successful sides of the 1970s and was famous for his white headband.

Between January 1975 and March 1978, Wheel went 15 games unbeaten in a Wales jersey.

Fourteen of Wheel's wins came in Five Nations matches, the other being a 28-3 triumph over Australia in 1975.

During the span of his record, Wales won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams and a hat-trick of Triple Crowns.

In 1977, Wheel and Ireland lock Willie Duggan became the first players to be sent off in a Five Nations game when they were ordered off in Cardiff for fighting.

A misdiagnosed heart problem robbed Wheel of a place on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 1977.

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."