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The great Welsh back-row

Dai Morris, John Taylor and Mervyn Davies were part of a great spell of dominance for Welsh rugby © PA Photos

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What is the record for most starts for Wales as a back-row unit - and how close are the current trio of Warburton, Lydiate and Faletau to it? Alun Griffiths, Wales

Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton started together for the 17th time in the last match of the Six Nations, against Scotland at Cardiff. The trio made their first appearance as a unit for Wales in a cap match against the Barbarians at Cardiff in 2011. All told Wales have won seven and lost 10 of the cap matches in which they have started.

The Welsh record was set between 1969 and 1973 when Dai Morris, John Taylor and Mervyn Davies were the back-row unit on 18 occasions in cap Tests during Clive Rowlands' reign as Welsh coach. They were victorious 14 times together, drew with France in 1969 and suffered only three losses: to New Zealand (in 1969 and 1972) and against Scotland (1973).

John Taylor missed the Auckland Test in 1969 and withdrew for conscientious reasons from the squad (missing four Tests) in 1969-70 when the Sixth Springboks toured Britain and Ireland. Dai Morris missed the last match of the 1973 Championship against France in Paris.

John Griffiths is a widely respected rugby historian and is the author of several sports books, a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and co-author of the IRB International Rugby Yearbook. He has provided insight for Scrum.com since 1999.

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