OWEN, RICHARD MORGAN (1877-1932), Wales and Swansea Rugby scrummage halfback;
b. 1877. Of small physique and looking prematurely old, Owen was extremely tough and on the Rugby field he had acquired a technique in passing the ball and a craft in his play around the scrummage never, perhaps, excelled. He was generally acclaimed a master of tactics, and with his club partner, Richard Jones, helped to make Swansea the outstanding club side in the season 1904-5. Owen, as partner of such players as Richard Jones, Percy Bush, and W. J. Trew (q.v.), gained thirty-five ‘caps’ for Wales, and it was he who helped to engineer the winning try against the New Zealanders in that famous match played on the Cardiff Arms Park in 1905. Owen's outstanding career extended from 1901 to 1910. He d. 27 Feb. 1932 in tragic circumstances, by taking his own life, at the Nag's Head Inn, Landore, Swansea, of which he had been licensee since June 1931.
Bibliography:
- W. J. T. Collins, Rugby Recollections, 96;
- Rugby Football Annual, 1932-3, 14;
- The Times, 29 Feb. and 1 March 1932;
- West. Mail, 29 Feb. 1932.
Author:
Dr Moelwyn Idwal Williams, M.A., Aberystwyth
