RICHARD Moriarty will forever be remembered as the man who led Wales to third place in the inaugural World Cup.

But he was also a titan for Swansea for more than 20 years, banking 472 appearances from 1976-77 to 1997-98 — a club record.

The 6ft 6in forward, who could play at lock, No. 8 and blindside flanker, was also Whites skipper for three consecutive seasons.

He had a reputation for not taking a step back, and acquired pantomime villain status at Stradey Park where his duels with Phil May became the stuff of legend.

But there was more to Moriarty than dust-ups and niggle. He was also a mobile and loose forward whose ability around the field gave every side he played for an added dimension.

As his career wore on he partially came to terms with his disciplinary problems and was picked 22 times for his country, his sharp rugby brain helping them to six wins in the seven matches in which he wore the armband.

He is a player whose career spanned the amateur and professional eras, playing in the 1978 Welsh cup win over Newport and being part of the squad when Swansea next won the knockout trophy in 1995.

Gorseinon born, he went on to become team manager of Swansea, the club he was synonymous with, before leaving the scene when the game in Wales went regional in 2003.

He has since returned to the club.