JOHN CUMMINGS, 64

At 64, John Cummings has to be a strong contender for the title of the oldest rugby player in Wales. So what’s the secret of his longevity? Perhaps it’s down to his unique pre-match preparation. “I always like to have two or three pints before a game,” revealed the Old Illtydians prop.

“I do like a drink and it’s a bit of bravado as well. If you get punched, you don’t feel it until the Sunday morning when you wake up!”

Cummings has been with the Illts for a remarkable 43 years and has lost count of the number of games he has played for the Cardiff club. It’s a tally he is keen to add to this coming season.

“I would love to,” he said. “I’ve still got my boots. I run the line for the firsts and I look to help out with the Seconds whenever they have a game. I played in all the Second team matches we had last season and I normally have a go at any Vets games going.

“I still enjoy it and get a buzz out of it. I still get butterflies on a Friday before a game. It’s great being with the lads and I look forward to a few beers afterwards.”

A former docker and postman, who also worked at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for 21 years, Cummings has pretty much always been a tight-head prop.

“I had ideas above my station of being a back-row forward at one point,” he reveals. “But then realised that means a lot of running and tackling and that’s not my forté! So I headed back into the front row pretty quick.”

Reflecting on his rugby career, he says: “It has been a big part of my life. Training, playing and socialising afterwards, although training has gone out of the window now! I like to play and the social side is still there.”

Further proof of the unique social side of the game is provided by John’s recollections of one match from last season.

“We had a game against a French touring team from Bordeaux,” he said. “They were handing out bottles of wine on the field. I had a few nice bottles of