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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Scarlets honour rugby hero 'Grav' | Scarlets honour rugby hero 'Grav' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Llanelli Scarlets players will have the word "Grav" in gold lettering on their shirts for their first game since the death of rugby legend Ray Gravell. | Llanelli Scarlets players will have the word "Grav" in gold lettering on their shirts for their first game since the death of rugby legend Ray Gravell. |
| The Wales and Lions centre widely known as Grav had a suspected heart attack on holiday near Malaga in Spain. | The Wales and Lions centre widely known as Grav had a suspected heart attack on holiday near Malaga in Spain. |
| Players will also wear black armbands and there will be a minute's applause before Friday's home match with Leeds. | |
| Carmarthenshire Council said a "steady stream of people" were signing a book of condolence at County Hall. | Carmarthenshire Council said a "steady stream of people" were signing a book of condolence at County Hall. |
| Another book of condolence has been set up in reception at BBC Wales in Cardiff, where Gravell was a popular presenter on Radio Cymru and Radio Wales. | Another book of condolence has been set up in reception at BBC Wales in Cardiff, where Gravell was a popular presenter on Radio Cymru and Radio Wales. |
| Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues players are to wear red armbands for their match against Leicester. | Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues players are to wear red armbands for their match against Leicester. |
| Gravell's family say they have been overwhelmed by the tributes after his death at the age of 56. | Gravell's family say they have been overwhelmed by the tributes after his death at the age of 56. |
| His wife and daughters said the "love and esteem in which Ray was held by everyone has been a great comfort". | His wife and daughters said the "love and esteem in which Ray was held by everyone has been a great comfort". |
| In a statement, his wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwenan, aged 11 and eight, described him as a "wonderful husband and father and was our best friend". | In a statement, his wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwenan, aged 11 and eight, described him as a "wonderful husband and father and was our best friend". |
| "We have been overwhelmed by the volume and content of the tributes and messages of sympathy we have received, not only from Wales, but across the world," they said. | "We have been overwhelmed by the volume and content of the tributes and messages of sympathy we have received, not only from Wales, but across the world," they said. |
| Ray Gravell with his daughters in his street, which was named after him | Ray Gravell with his daughters in his street, which was named after him |
| "We are extremely grateful, and the love and esteem in which Ray was held by everyone has been a great comfort to us. | "We are extremely grateful, and the love and esteem in which Ray was held by everyone has been a great comfort to us. |
| "He idolised Manon and Gwenan and this tragic loss so sudden and early in his life is going to be a huge loss for the three of us. | "He idolised Manon and Gwenan and this tragic loss so sudden and early in his life is going to be a huge loss for the three of us. |
| "Family was everything for Ray. We are extremely grateful for the messages and as a family we now need time to grieve and to come to terms with what has happened." | "Family was everything for Ray. We are extremely grateful for the messages and as a family we now need time to grieve and to come to terms with what has happened." |
| Gravell, from Mynyddygarreg, near Llanelli, was in the 1972 Scarlets side which beat the All Blacks. | Gravell, from Mynyddygarreg, near Llanelli, was in the 1972 Scarlets side which beat the All Blacks. |
| His Llanelli career spanned 15 years between 1970 and 1985, with a post-war record of 485 appearances. | His Llanelli career spanned 15 years between 1970 and 1985, with a post-war record of 485 appearances. |
| When his beloved side run out against Leeds Carnegie in the EDF Cup competition on Friday evening, players will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to the Stradey Park legend, and a minute's tribute will be held. | When his beloved side run out against Leeds Carnegie in the EDF Cup competition on Friday evening, players will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to the Stradey Park legend, and a minute's tribute will be held. |
| The word "Grav" will also feature on shirts underneath the Scarlets crest on the chest of every Llanelli player. | The word "Grav" will also feature on shirts underneath the Scarlets crest on the chest of every Llanelli player. |
| The day also coincides with a gathering of former Llanelli players, who are being brought together to be photographed outside the stadium, which has been earmarked for a housing development. | The day also coincides with a gathering of former Llanelli players, who are being brought together to be photographed outside the stadium, which has been earmarked for a housing development. |
| Secretary of the former players association, Doug Williams, said one important face would be missing: "Ray was the president of the association and he was really keen that we got together to do this. It will be a very sad occasion. | Secretary of the former players association, Doug Williams, said one important face would be missing: "Ray was the president of the association and he was really keen that we got together to do this. It will be a very sad occasion. |
| "He was such a dynamic person, he was a family man and represented Wales in every sphere. He was the true prince of Wales and we all miss him." | "He was such a dynamic person, he was a family man and represented Wales in every sphere. He was the true prince of Wales and we all miss him." |
| Tributes | Tributes |
| Wales great Gareth Edwards said: "When I look back and think of Ray Gravell I'll remember the joy and immense pleasure he gave us." | Wales great Gareth Edwards said: "When I look back and think of Ray Gravell I'll remember the joy and immense pleasure he gave us." |
| The Welsh Rugby Union paid tribute to him "as a man who epitomised the passion, flair and dignity of his beloved Welsh nation". | The Welsh Rugby Union paid tribute to him "as a man who epitomised the passion, flair and dignity of his beloved Welsh nation". |
| Tributes flooded in following his death on Wednesday, with many highlighting his patriotism and passion for all things Welsh. | Tributes flooded in following his death on Wednesday, with many highlighting his patriotism and passion for all things Welsh. |
| Following his rugby career, he became a successful broadcaster and actor who appeared in Louis Malle's Damage alongside Juliette Binoche and Jeremy Irons. | Following his rugby career, he became a successful broadcaster and actor who appeared in Louis Malle's Damage alongside Juliette Binoche and Jeremy Irons. |
| Earlier this year, Gravell underwent surgery to have his right leg amputated below the knee following complications linked with his diabetes. | Earlier this year, Gravell underwent surgery to have his right leg amputated below the knee following complications linked with his diabetes. |
| The Cardiff Blues players are to wear a red armband to show their respect to Gravell when they face Leicester on Saturday. | The Cardiff Blues players are to wear a red armband to show their respect to Gravell when they face Leicester on Saturday. |