International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) aims to stage the largest business lunch ever held in Wales when it hosts a golden anniversary celebration for one of rugby’s greatest moments.
Sir Gareth Edwards will be joined by many more legends of rugby at a special anniversary lunch to celebrate 50 years since the Welshman scored that try.
Widely acclaimed as the greatest try ever scored, Sir Gareth rounded off an unforgettable length-of-the-pitch move in the Barbarians’ famous victory over New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973.
The incredible moment will be celebrated at Newport’s ICC Wales for what organisers believe will be the largest lunch ever held in Wales on 27th January 2023, exactly 50 years to the day since the match was played.
The try scorer will be joined at The Greatest Try 50th Anniversary Lunch by team-mates including Willie John McBride, JPR Williams, Tommy David, Derek Quinnell and David Duckham to relive memories over a sumptuous three-course meal with fantastic entertainment.
Sir Gareth said: “I can’t believe it’s been 50 years since I was fortunate enough to be on the end of what was a scintillating piece of running rugby. You don’t realise at the time how it is going to be remembered, but I could sense right away from the crowd that we had done something very special.
“I won three Grand Slams with Wales and enjoyed some truly unforgettable winning tours with the British and Irish Lions, but that try is the rugby moment I’m asked about most often. It’s a lovely warm feeling whenever you are asked to relive it and I cannot wait to see so many of my team-mates from that incredible game to celebrate this golden anniversary.”
As well as the greatest try, the rugby legends will rekindle other fond memories from their illustrious careers with host Sean Holley and further entertainment will be provided by award-winning comedian Rod Woodward.
Up to 1,300 people are expected to join the celebrations and attend the lunch which will raise funds for sponsored charities, Working Options in Education and the Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity.
The Greatest Try 50th Anniversary Lunch event organiser Adrian Davies said: “We’ve already got more than 1,000 people attending and I was keen to bring this event to ICC Wales because I knew it was the only place that could accommodate the numbers we are expecting.
“I can’t think of a larger lunch that’s ever been held in Wales and this is a unique opportunity to celebrate one of our greatest ever sporting moments with not only the man who scored the try but many more of the players involved too. The 1970s was a golden era for rugby in Wales and this will be a fantastic celebration for one of its defining moments.”
A limited number of tables of 10 guests are available with various packages on offer, including the chance to secure limited edition prints of a special portrait of the try by artist Elin Sian Blake that was commissioned to mark the anniversary.
To book or for further information, visit the event website.
Picture caption: Sir Gareth Edwards with the specially commissioned portrait of The Greatest Try and his match-worn Barbarians jersey from the celebrated game.
Picture credit: Huw Evans Agency