Welsh Rugby
JPR receives over-due peace offering
Scrum.com
December 11, 2008
JPR Williams (l) chats to Gareth Edwards as a host of former Welsh Internationals were invited to watch the current team train during Wales Rugby Union training at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on November 6, 2008.
JPR Williams has received a peace offering from ex-All Black John Ashworth © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: JPR Williams
Teams: Wales

The image of talismanic Wales full-back JPR Williams walking from the Brewery Field pitch in Bridgend in 1978 to receive 30 stitches in his cheek after a sickening stamp by All Blacks prop John Ashworth has become infamous.

Now, thirty years later, Ashworth has made a small peace offering to Williams, an orthopaedic surgeon, in the form of a bottle of wine from his Hawke's Bay vineyard. "There was no apology from anyone after the game and I have never spoken to Ashworth since," said Williams. "But recently a couple who live near me went on a cricket tour to New Zealand where Ashworth has a vineyard. He gave my friend a bottle of wine to bring back for me, which is something at least - even if it is 30 years too late!"

"I suppose I should be grateful for that but I won't be sending him a Christmas card!"

Williams' recollection of the incident is perfect, and gives a glimpse of why exactly the hatchet hasn't been buried after all these years. "I remember being nowhere near the ball and being stamped on twice. Luckily, I had previously broken my cheekbone and bones always grow back stronger.

"If I hadn't, then my cheekbone would have gone. My father stitched me up and I went back on to finish the game, which certainly wouldn't be allowed these days."

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