Brian Butler (rugby)

Brian Leslie Butler (born 16 February 1948)[3] is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for a 'Wales XV', and at club level for Felinfoel RFC and Llanelli RFC, as a prop, i.e. number 1 or 3,[1] and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Bradford Northern, Swinton and Warrington (Heritage № 767), as a prop.[2][4]

For other people named Brian Butler, see Brian Butler (disambiguation).

Brian Butler
Personal information
Full nameBrian Leslie Butler
Born (1948-02-16) 16 February 1948
Llanelli, Wales
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Felinfoel RFC
≤1968–70 Llanelli RFC
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Wales
Rugby league
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1970–≥72 Bradford Northern
≤1974–75 Swinton
1975–77 Warrington 50+5 4 0 0 12
Total 55 4 0 0 12
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1975–77 Wales 4
Source: [1][2]

Background

Brian Butler was born in Llanelli, Wales.

Rugby union career

Butler first came to prominence as a rugby union player when he represented Felinfoel. Like many other players before him, he moved from Feloinfoel to neighbouring Llanelli where he played as prop. In the 1967–68 season he was a regular in the first team, opposite Byron Gale with club captain Norman Gale completing the front row.[5] Although never capped for the Wales national team he was selected to tour Argentina in 1968 as part of a select 'Wales XV'.[1] Butler played against Argentina on 14 September at Buenos Aires; the Wales XV lost 9–5,[6] no caps were awarded at the time, but he was later awarded a Welsh Rugby Union President's cap.[7]

In June 1970 Butler, along with club-mate Stuart Gallacher switched to professional rugby league, joining Bradford Northern.[5] This act severed his ties with rugby union and he never played the sport again.

Rugby league career

International honours

Brian Butler won caps for Wales (RL) while at Swinton in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against France, New Zealand, and France, and while at Warrington in 1977 against France.[2]

Club career

Brian Butler was transferred from Swinton to Warrington in exchange for David Chisnall, he made his début for Warrington on Sunday 12 October 1975, and he played his last match for Warrington on Sunday 20 March 1977.

References
  1. "Statistics at en.espn.co.uk (RU)". espn.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (RL)". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  5. Hughes, Gareth (1986). The Scarlets: A History of Llanelli Rugby Club. Llanelli: Llanelli Borough Council. pp. 201–205. ISBN 0906821053.
  6. "Wales XV tour – Buenos Aires, 14 September 1968: Argentina 9 – 5 Wales XV". en.espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  7. "The definitive list of the unluckiest Welsh rugby players who never played for Wales". walesonline.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
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