Another off the golden production line of the Welsh fly-half factory, Jonathan Davies remains one of the few to have gained worldwide respect in both the union and league codes.A dazzling runner with an array of skills, his slight frame belied a gritty determination which saw him flourish amid the flying elbows and no-nonsense challenges of the 13-man code when he left the Welsh game in such controversial circumstances in 1989.

Davies is still regarded as one of the leading fly-halves in world rugby.

Compile a list of the all-time great No. 10s and alongside the likes of Barry John, Benny, Lynagh, Ella and Fox you will find the man from Trimsaran.

The difference between Davies and many of those on that list is that the Welsh side of the 1980s that Davies was part of were by no means world-beaters.

Yet Davies had ways and means of breaking down defences, a magical artistry that few others possessed.

He was a superstar of the Welsh club scene with first Neath and then Llanelli and made a winning Wales debut in 1985 against England at Cardiff.

Davies's partnership with Robert Jones was an integral factor in Wales reaching the semi-finals of the 1987 World Cup and he starred in the thrilling last-gasp win over the Wallabies to earn Wales a third-place finish in Rotorua.

The following year his star shone bright in the northern hemisphere with his sublime running and cheeky invention inspiring Wales to the Triple Crown.

After an ill-fated tour to New Zealand and a disastrous home defeat to Romania, Davies signed for Widnes and went on to become a Great Britain international, scoring one of the all-time great tries against the Kangaroos at Wembley.

Davies returned to Cardiff in 1995 and went on to win the last of his 32 caps against England at the Arms Park before calling time on a glittering career 10 years ago.