View source for Barry John

{{Short description|British Lions & Wales international rugby union player (1945–2024)}}
{{Hatnote group|
{{About||the artist|Barry John (artist)|the English-born Indian director|Barry John (theatre director)}}
{{distinguish|John Barry (disambiguation){{!}}John Barry}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name        = Barry John
| image       = Barry John.jpg
| caption     = John in 2011
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1945|1|6}}
| birth_place = [[Cefneithin]], Wales
| death_date  = {{death date and age|df=y|2024|2|4|1945|1|6}}
| death_place = [[Cardiff]], Wales
| height      = {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
| weight      = {{convert|11|st|11|lb|lb kg|abbr=on}}
| school      = [[Gwendraeth Grammar School]]
| university  = [[Trinity College, Carmarthen]]
| relatives   = {{ubl|[[Derek Quinnell]] (brother-in-law)<ref name=Quinnell>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/12964924 |title=Quinnell family's shock over sight loss ruling |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 April 2011 |access-date=6 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103211943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/12964924.stm |archive-date=3 November 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>|[[Scott Quinnell|Scott]], [[Craig Quinnell|Craig]] and [[Gavin Quinnell]] (nephews)<ref name=Quinnell />}}
| position    = [[Fly-half]]
| amatyears1  = 1962–1964
| amatyears2  = 1964–1967
| amatyears3  = 1967–1972
| amatyears4  = 1966–1970
| amatteam1   = [[Cefneithin RFC]]
| amatteam2   = [[Llanelli RFC]]
| amatapps2 = 87
| amatpoints2 = 210
| amatteam3   = [[Cardiff RFC]]
| amatapps3 = 93
| amatpoints3 = 359
| amatteam4   = [[Barbarian F.C.]]
| repyears1   = 1966–1972
| repyears2   = 1968–1971
| repteam1    = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]
| repteam2    = [[British & Irish Lions|British Lions]]
| repcaps1    = 25
| repcaps2    = 5
| reppoints1  = 90
| reppoints2  = 30
}}
'''Barry John''' (6 January 1945 – 4 February 2024) was a Welsh [[rugby union]] [[fly-half]] who played in the 1960s and early 1970s during the amateur era of the sport. John began his rugby career as a schoolboy playing for his local team [[Cefneithin RFC]] before switching to the first-class west Wales team [[Llanelli RFC]] in 1964. Whilst at Llanelli, John was selected for the [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales national team]]—as a replacement for [[David Watkins (rugby)|David Watkins]]—to face a touring Australian team.

In 1967, John left Llanelli RFC for [[Cardiff RFC]] where he formed a partnership with [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]: one of the most famous half-back pairings in world rugby. From 1967, John and Edwards made an inseparable partnership with rugby selectors, being chosen to play together at all levels of the sport, for Cardiff, Wales, [[Barbarian F.C.|the Barbarians]] and in 1968 for the [[British & Irish Lions|British Lions]]' tour of South Africa. The tour ended prematurely for John when he suffered a [[broken collarbone]] in the first Test match against the South African national team.

In 1971, the Wales national team entered what is considered their second 'Golden Age', with a team rich in experience and talent. John was part of the team that won the [[1971 Five Nations Championship]], the first time Wales had achieved a [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] win since 1952. He then cemented his reputation as one of the sport's greatest players with his pivotal role in the British and Irish Lions winning tour over [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|New Zealand in 1971]]. On the 1971 tour, John played in all four Tests, playing some of his finest rugby and finishing as the Lions' top Test scorer.

John won 25&nbsp;[[Cap (sport)|caps]] for the Wales national team and 5 for the British Lions. His excellent balance whilst running—along with precision kicking—made him one of the great players of the modern era. He retired from rugby at the age of 27, as Wales's highest points scorer, citing the pressure of fame and expectation for his decision.

==Rugby career==

===Early career with Llanelli===
Barry John was born in [[Cefneithin]], Carmarthenshire, in Wales on 6 January 1945.<ref name="Scrum">{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/player/7160.html |title=Barry John |work=ESPN Scrum |last=Baines |first=Huw |date=October 2008 |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824173331/http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/player/7160.html |archive-date=24 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He attended Cefneithin Primary, and there he was fortunate to receive skilled rugby teaching. The headmaster, William John Jones, and teacher [[Ray Williams (rugby union, born 1927)|Ray Williams]], were both former Wales international rugby players.<ref>John (1974) p. 46</ref> Despite his natural talents, he never played at schoolboy level for Wales, but represented both his school and his local village team, [[Cefneithin RFC]].<ref name="Thomas161">Thomas (1979) p. 161</ref> He once played a game for rival team [[Pontyberem RFC|Pontyberem]] while still a schoolboy, but John recalls in his autobiography that the local resentment at making such a sporting faux pas ensured he never did so again.<ref>John (1974) pp. 38–39</ref>

John was then educated at Gwendraeth Grammar School in the [[River Gwendraeth|Gwendraeth Valley]], north of [[Llanelli]] and while still a teenager he made his first top-flight rugby appearance for [[Llanelli RFC|Llanelli]], on 4 January 1964, in an encounter with [[Moseley RFC|Moseley]].<ref name="Thomas161"/><ref>Hughes (1986) p. 194; Note: Although Wayne Thomas states that John played in the 1962/63 Christmas encounter with Moseley, in that season Llanelli played and beat Moseley in September. In the 1963/64 Llanelli lost to Moseley on 4 January.</ref> Although Llanelli lost the encounter, John scored a try and converted it,<ref name="Thomas161"/> and played in four more matches for the Llanelli senior team towards the end of the season.<ref>Hughes (1986) p. 193</ref> He continued to represent Llanelli while at [[Trinity College, Carmarthen]], and gained a reputation as a kicking fly-half with a penchant for putting over dropped goals.<ref name="Thomas161"/> During the 1964/65 season, John began to make an impact on the Welsh club scene. His dropped goal against [[Aberavon RFC|Aberavon]] on 26 October 1964, only 17&nbsp;games in, was his 11th of the season.<ref>Hughes (1986) p. 195</ref>

John gained more attention the following season. A win over [[Swansea RFC|Swansea]], where he scored two dropped goals, was described by the ''Llanelli Star'' as being down to the "genius of one player, Barry John".<ref name="Hughes197">Hughes (1986) p. 197</ref> He almost missed the second away encounter of the season with Swansea when he was 'held to ransom' by his fellow students at Trinity College. He was only released when Llanelli's club chairman, [[Elvet Jones]], promised to make a donation to the college "[[Rag (student society)|rag]]".<ref name="Hughes197"/> Llanelli won all four fixtures against Swansea that season, John scoring in all of them. As well as his two dropped goals in the first away fixture, he scored another in the second away game and a [[Try (rugby)|try]] in both the home matches at [[Stradey Park]].<ref name="Hughes197"/> In the 1965/66 season John was chosen to play in trial matches for the [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales national team]]. Although he was not picked, he was chosen as reserve to regular fly-half [[David Watkins (rugby)|David Watkins]].<ref name="Thomas162">Thomas (1979) p. 162</ref>

During the 1966/67 season, John was again chosen to trial for Wales. One of the trials forced him to miss the second Swansea encounter of the season, played away on 12 November 1966; his place in the Llanelli team was given to a youth debutant from the [[Felinfoel RFC|Felinfoel]] club, [[Phil Bennett]].<ref name="Hughes199">Hughes (1986) p. 199</ref> Bennett became one of the greatest fly-halves produced by Wales, but he was kept from the Wales squad in his early career by the presence of John.<ref>Thomas (1979) p. 182</ref> In 1966, John was awarded his first international cap for Wales, taking Watkins' place at fly-half for the match against the [[1966–67 Australia rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland and France|touring Australia team]].<ref name="Thomas154">Thomas (1979) p. 154</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20281.html |title=Australia tour – Cardiff, 3 December 1966: Wales (6) 11 – 14 (9) Australia (FT) |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170444/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20281.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was seen as a surprise move by the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] selectors, as Watkins had recently returned from a [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]] tour where he was team captain.<ref name="Thomas162"/> Wales lost to Australia 11–4, the first time the Welsh had been beaten by the 'Wallabies', due to poor form in the midfield, with the criticism aimed at John, [[Gerald Davies]] and [[John Dawes]].<ref>Sports historian Wayne Thomas in his 1979 book ''A Century of Welsh Rugby Players'' (p. 162) places criticism for this loss on the midfield players. Stating "John himself escaped the worst criticism even though guilty of poor positioning to take Allan Lewis's long pass". Conversely, John's play during this game is praised by other sources. Watkins in his 1979 autobiography ''The David Watkins Story'' (p. 101) wrote: "He [John] played very well and I knew he would retain his place against Scotland". John himself, in his 1974 autobiography (pp. 69–70), wrote that he "... hadn't played a blinder ... but I hadn't made a lot of mistakes", and follows this up with an extract from [[Cliff Morgan]]'s after-match report which stated: "Barry John had a grand first international and looked as if he could beat the defence at any time."</ref> Although experiencing defeat in his first international, John managed to gain revenge over Australia just over a month later when the same team faced Llanelli at Stradey Park. Llanelli beat the Wallabies 11–0 after a bruising forward contest.<ref name="Hughes199"/> John himself scored a try, and then added to his tally with a dropped goal.<ref name="Hughes199"/>

Despite the Wales loss against Australia, the selectors kept faith with John, and he retained his place for the next Wales international. Played away from home, the opener of the [[1967 Five Nations Championship]] against [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] had him paired at half-back with Cardiff's [[Billy Hullin]]. John played badly while carrying a leg injury, and the next match he was dropped, replaced by the more experienced Watkins.<ref name="Thomas162"/>

===Joining Cardiff===
In the 1967/68 season, John left Llanelli and joined Cardiff, where he formed a partnership with [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]. Although John and Edwards later became the scourge of New Zealand, their first international pairing had an inauspicious start. On 11 November 1967, the pair played their first international together, facing [[Brian Lochore]]'s touring New Zealand team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20332.html |title=New Zealand tour – Cardiff, 11 November 1967: Wales (0) 6 – 13 (8) New Zealand |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170639/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20332.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Edwards, like John, had two international games to his name, paired with Watkins in the final two matches of the 1967 Five Nations Championship. John regained his international place after Watkins had switched to professional [[rugby league]] just the month before, joining [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]] for a club record fee of £16,000.<ref name="Thomas154"/> Wales had an error-strewn game, in a match played in a cutting, rain-laden wind which turned the pitch into a muddy field.<ref name="Billot196">Billot (1972) p. 196</ref> Wales captain [[Norman Gale (rugby union)|Norman Gale]] won the toss and chose to play the first half into the gale, and finished the half 8–0 down.<ref name="Billot196"/> John raised Welsh hopes with an early dropped goal, his first international points, but a panicked blind back pass from Wales' [[Number Eight (rugby union)|number&nbsp;8]], [[John Jeffery (rugby union)|John Jeffery]], gifted Bill Davies an easy try.<ref name="Billot197">Billot (1972) p. 197</ref> The game ended 13–6 to New Zealand, with Edwards looking uncomfortable throughout, and John's kicking inaccurate, there was little to suggest the pair would become one of the great half-back pairings in rugby history.<ref name="Billot197"/>

[[File:Gareth Edwards.jpg|thumb|Gareth Edwards, John's partner at half-back for Cardiff, Wales, the Barbarians and the British Lions (taken in 2009)]]
Just over a month after playing for Wales against New Zealand, John faced the tourists again, this time as part of an East Wales team, made up of players from Cardiff, [[London Welsh RFC|London Welsh]] and [[Bridgend RFC|Bridgend]].<ref name="Billot202">Billot (1972) p. 202</ref> The New Zealand 'All Blacks' were under pressure throughout the match, with John kicking from deep and away from the opposing forwards, allowing his team to make rushes on the 'All Black' defence.<ref name="Billot202"/> After 22&nbsp;minutes East Wales took the lead when a missed drop goal attempt from John was collected by Cardiff wing Frank Wilson for a try.<ref name="Billot202"/> A defensive lapse from the East Wales team allowed an equalising try, but with the score at 3–3, East Wales dominated the last ten minutes of the match.<ref name="Billot202"/> With the last kick of the match, John had space for one final dropped goal, but his kick sailed inches outside the post.<ref name="Billot201">Billot (1972) p. 201</ref> The New Zealanders were glad to escape with the draw and finished the tour without losing a single match.<ref name="Billot201"/> Three days after turning out for East Wales, John and Edwards were paired to face the same New Zealand team, this time played at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] for invitational touring side the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]].<ref name="Starmer Smith185">Starmer-Smith (1976) pp. 185–187</ref> The half-time result of 3–3 flattered the Barbarians, who were out-played in the [[Forwards (rugby union)|forward positions]], but the team took the lead early in the second half when a perfect diagonal kick to the corner by John resulted in a try by England's Bob Lloyd.<ref name="Starmer Smith185"/> The Barbarians defended strongly for twenty minutes, but lost to two very late tries.<ref name="Starmer Smith185"/>

Both John and Edwards were selected for all four matches of the [[1968 Five Nations Championship]]. The first match, away at Twickenham to England, recorded Wales coming from 11–3 down to draw 11&nbsp;all. Both half-backs were on the score sheet, Edwards with a try, John with one of his trademark dropped goals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20340.html |title=Five Nations – Twickenham, 20 January 1968: England (8) 11 – 11 (3) Wales |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022175701/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20340.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After a home win over Scotland, Wales lost to both Ireland and, eventual Championship winners, [[France national rugby union team|France]]. At club level, John finished the season with a total of nine tries and nine dropped goals for Cardiff.<ref>Davies (1976) p. 157</ref>

===1968 British Lions, the 1969 Triple Crown and Wales tour===
John was selected for the [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]] in their tour of [[1968 British Lions tour to South Africa|South Africa in 1968]], but played in just four games before an injury forced him to return home. He played in three matches against district teams, [[Western Province (rugby team)|Western Province]], [[SWD Eagles|South Western Districts]] and {{Rut|Natal}}, all wins for the tourists.<ref name="Lions Stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.lionsrugby.com/6012.php?player=16043&includeref=dynamic |title=Barry John: Lions statistics |work=Lionsrugby.com |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607023630/http://www.lionsrugby.com/6012.php?player=16043&includeref=dynamic |archive-date=7 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He was then selected for the First Test, played at Johannesburg, against the [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa national team]]. John's first Test for the British Lions lasted for only fifteen minutes, when after running for the line he was tackled by [[Jan Ellis]], and John broke his collarbone on landing on the hard ground.<ref name="Lions Rugby">{{cite web |url=http://www.lionsrugby.com/history/barryjohn.php |title=Barry John: Profile |work=Lionsrugby.com |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717165934/http://www.lionsrugby.com/history/barryjohn.php |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

John played infrequently for Cardiff during the 1968/69 season, making just 14 appearances.<ref>Davies (1976) p. 158</ref> Despite this he was available for all matches in the [[1969 Five Nations Championship]], again playing in each match paired with Edwards. The Welsh selectors had dropped five players from the previous Championship, and notable debutants in the team to face Scotland at [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]] on 1 February 1969 were [[J. P. R. Williams]] and [[Mervyn Davies (rugby union)|Mervyn Davies]]. John scored his first international try in the encounter after charging down a kick and dummying his way over.<ref name="Thomas162"/> Scotland, who were under enormous pressure from the kick-off, lost 17–3.<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 341</ref>

When Ireland came to [[Cardiff Arms Park]] in March the team was on a seven-match unbeaten run, and were looking at taking the [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] after defeating England, France and Scotland. It therefore came as a surprise at the ease with which the Welsh pack dominated.<ref name="Godwin 343">Godwin (1984) p. 343</ref> Wales won 24–11, with [[Dai Morris]] the stand-out Welsh player, though John also had one of his best matches, keeping pressure on the Irish with long touch kicks and scoring with a dropped goal.<ref name="Godwin 343"/>

Despite out-scoring France in tries scored, the match at [[Stade Yves-du-Manoir|Stade Colombes]] ended in an 8–8 draw, preventing a Welsh Grand Slam, though a win in the last match to England would give Wales the Championship. The England decider is best remembered for [[Maurice Richards]]' four tries, but John too was on the scoresheet with a dropped goal and a try of his own. The game finished 30–9 to Wales, giving John his first Championship title and making him a [[Triple Crown (rugby union)|Triple Crown]]–winning player, as Wales had beaten all three other Home Nation teams.<ref name="Godwin 344">Godwin (1984) p. 344</ref>

Before the end of the season, John took part in his one and only [[Rugby Sevens|seven-a-side]] tournament for Cardiff when he participated in the 1969 [[Snelling Sevens]] tournament.<ref>Davies (1975) p. 397</ref> Cardiff progressed to the final, where they succeeded in beating John's former club Llanelli. As well as the title, John won the "Bill Everson&nbsp;– Player of the Tournament" award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofnewport.co.uk/snelling7s/1969.php |title=The History of the Snelling Sevens – 1969 |work=Historyof newport.co.uk |publisher=Friends of Newport Rugby Trust |access-date=6 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928231438/http://www.historyofnewport.co.uk/snelling7s/1969.php |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

With the end of the 1968/69 season, the Welsh Rugby Union sent a team to [[1969 Wales rugby union tour|tour New Zealand and Australia]]. At half-back, Wales sent John, Edwards, Phil Bennett and [[Chico Hopkins]], but in all three Tests, two against the New Zealand "All Blacks" and one against Australia, Welsh coach [[Clive Rowlands]] kept faith with John and Edwards. The Welsh team were completely overwhelmed by the All Blacks, losing both Tests, 0–19 and 12–33.<ref>Griffiths (1987) p. 4:38</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20428.html |title=Wales tour – Christchurch, 31 May 1969: New Zealand (13) 19 – 0 (0) Wales |work=ESPN Scrum.com |access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20429.html |title=Wales tour – Auckland, 14 June 1969: New Zealand (14) 33 – 12 (6) Wales |work=ESPN Scrum.com |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022175943/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20429.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A change of tactics by Rowlands, by switching [[Gerald Davies]] to the right wing, gave Wales a victory over Australia, and a six-try victory over [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]] (in which John was replaced by Bennett), helped the team gain a warm reception on their return to Britain.<ref>Smith (1980) p. 399</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20432.html |title=Wales XV tour – Suva, 25 June 1969: Fiji (8) 11 – 31 (8) Wales XV |work=ESPN Scrum.com |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180002/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20432.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===South Africa, the 1970 Championship and the 1971 Grand Slam===
On 13 December 1969, Cardiff played host to the [[1969–70 South Africa rugby union tour|sixth touring South Africa team]]. The tour is remembered for the [[Internal resistance to apartheid|anti-apartheid]] protests that followed the team, and before the match 1,500 protesters had marched through the [[Cardiff|Welsh capital]].<ref name="Billot290">Billot (1974) p. 290</ref> John was unavailable for the encounter having fractured a rib while playing for the Barbarians against an Oxford University Past and Present team eleven days earlier. His place was taken by Beverley Davies and Cardiff lost 17–3.<ref name="Billot290"/> John recovered in time for the South Africa against Wales match on 24 January, and was selected alongside Edwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20475.html |title=South Africa tour – Cardiff, 24 January 1970: Wales (3) 6 – 6 (3) South Africa |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180101/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20475.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was played in atrocious muddy conditions, and a last minute try from Edwards snatched a 6–6 draw.<ref>Billot (1974) p. 299</ref> Both John and Edwards had a substandard game that day, but they combined well in the last move of the game to avoid defeat.<ref>Billot (1974) p. 276</ref> A week later on 31 January, John and Edwards faced the South Africans again, this time as part of the Barbarians. The South Africans produced their best play of the tour to come from behind to win 21–12.<ref>Starmer-Smith (1976) pp. 188–190</ref>

There was little rest for the two Cardiff half-backs when on 7 February 1970, they were called back into the Wales team for the first match of the [[1970 Five Nations Championship]], a home encounter at Cardiff Arms Park against Scotland. Despite Scotland being 9–0 ahead at one point, Wales took the initiative and scored four tries without reply, winning 18–9.<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 346</ref> The England game was John and Edwards' 15th Wales international together, in an away match which recorded the largest haul of tries for the Welsh team in England since 1908.<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 347</ref> John scored one of the tries along with a dropped goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20481.html |title=Five Nations – Twickenham, 28 February 1970: England (13) 13 – 17 (3) Wales |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180200/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20481.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to an injury to Edwards, John finished the game alongside Chico Hopkins. With only Ireland standing in front of a Welsh Triple Crown win, hopes were high, but Ireland, made John and Edwards look ordinary in a 14–0 defeat.<ref>Godwin (1984) pp. 348–349</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20483.html |title=Five Nations – Lansdowne Road, 14 March 1970: Ireland 14 – 0 Wales |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180307/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20483.html |url-status=live }}</ref> John was unavailable for the final game of the tournament to France, his place taken by Phil Bennett. Wales beat France and shared the Championship with the French.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/gallery/wales-rugby-1970s-6645430 |title=Wales rugby 1970s |first=Chris |last=Pyke |date=30 January 2014 |website=Wales Online |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207060018/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/gallery/wales-rugby-1970s-6645430 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[1971 Five Nations Championship]] was a new dawn for Welsh rugby. The new [[Cardiff Arms Park#National Stadium|National Stadium]] was completed, and the team now into their [[Rugby union in Wales#The second golden era 1969-1979|Second Golden era]] were both experienced and talented.<ref>Griffiths (1987) p. 4:39</ref> John and Edwards played in all four games, starting with an easy win over England. Wales won 22–6, with John scoring six points from two dropped goals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20536.html |title=Five Nations – Cardiff, 16 January 1971: Wales (16) 22 – 6 (3) England |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180557/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20536.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The second game of the Championship, played against Scotland, was a close encounter, won by Wales 19–18 thanks to a late Gerald Davies try converted by [[John Taylor (rugby union, born 1945)|John Taylor]].<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 353</ref> Barry John scored eight of Wales' points, with a try, penalty goal and a conversion; missing only his trademark drop goal to complete a ''full house'' of scores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20540.html |title=Five Nations – Murrayfield, 6 February 1971: Scotland (6) 18 – 19 (8) Wales |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=20 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220035322/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20540.html |url-status=live }}</ref> John surpassed his Scotland tally in the next match, a home game against Ireland, scoring 11&nbsp;points with a dropped goal, conversion and two penalty goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20546.html|title=Five Nations – Cardiff, 13 March 1971: Wales (9) 23 – 9 (6) Ireland|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=2 May 2011|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022181100/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20546.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Seen as one of Wales' more accomplished victories, the 23–0 win gave the team a Triple Crown title, and set up a Grand Slam encounter with France.<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 355</ref> Despite the low score, the 9–5 win over France at Stade Colombes on 27 March was a match of the highest quality.<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 356</ref> Edwards and John scored all the points in the encounter, Edwards with a try, John a try and a penalty goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20548.html|title=Five Nations – Colombes, 27 March 1971: France (5) 5 – 9 (3) Wales|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=2 May 2011|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022181118/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20548.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This was Wales' first Grand Slam since 1952 and the 1971 squad is seen as the greatest ever to be fielded by Wales.<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 352</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wru.co.uk/14148.php |title=A Brief History of the Welsh Rugby Union |work=[[Welsh Rugby Union]] |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814113115/http://www.wru.co.uk/14148.php |archive-date=14 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===1971 British Lions===
In 1971, on their [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|tour of New Zealand]], John was again selected for the British Lions. With the painful memories of the woeful 1969 Wales Tour to New Zealand, John was determined to succeed with the Lions.<ref name="Griffiths1990">Griffiths (1990) p. 105</ref> Under the management of [[Doug Smith (rugby union)|Doug Smith]] and the coaching of [[Carwyn James]] (also from Cefneithin), John rose to great individual heights with his match-winning performances.<ref name=Griffiths1990/> Of the 26&nbsp;tour matches, he played in 17, only bettered by captain [[John Dawes]] and "Mighty Mouse" prop [[Ian McLauchlan]].<ref name="Lions Rugby"/> By the time of the first Test in Carisbrook, John had faced six teams, including the [[New South Wales Waratahs]] and the [[Māori All Blacks|New Zealand Māori]]. All six games had been won by the Lions and John had recorded 88 points, including a ''full house'' against [[Waikato Rugby Union|Waikato]].<ref name="Lions Stats"/> In the First Test John terrorised New Zealand's [[Fullback (rugby union)|fullback]] [[Fergie McCormick]] with ruthless tactical kicking.<ref name="Scrum"/> The All Blacks were shunted all over the field by John, who was well protected by his forwards, something that he was not afforded with Wales in 1969.<ref name="Griffiths1990"/> The Lions won the Test 9–3, six of the Lions' points coming from two John penalties; McCormick never played for the All Blacks again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20548.html|title=British and Irish Lions tour – Dunedin, 26 June 1971: New Zealand (3) 3 – 9 (3) British and Irish Lions|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=4 May 2011|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022181118/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20548.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealand/rugby/story/137407.html |title=The House of Pain |work=ESPN Scrum |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510233024/http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealand/rugby/story/137407.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Before the second Test John played in two more tour matches; wins over [[Southland Rugby|Southland]] and New Zealand Universities, in which he scored 32&nbsp;points.<ref name="Lions Stats"/> In the game against the Universities John scored one of his most famous tries. John dummied a drop-goal before running through the Universities' defence, stepping inside the final tackler before touching the ball down under the posts, stunning the home crowd.<ref name="Lions Rugby"/> The second Test, played at Christchurch, finished with the series drawn after New Zealand won 22–12, John scoring half of the Lions points.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20560.html |title=British and Irish Lions tour – Christchurch, 10 July 1971: New Zealand (8) 22 – 12 (6) British and Irish Lions |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022185603/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20560.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In between the second and third Tests, John played in three of the four regional matches, scoring 37&nbsp;points including two tries in the game against [[Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union|Wairarapa]].<ref name="Lions Stats"/>

A win in the third Test was vital to keep the Lions hope of a series win alive. John scored ten points of the 13–3 win, the other three coming from Wales' team-mate Gerald Davies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20564.html |title=British and Irish Lions tour – Wellington, 31 July 1971: New Zealand (0) 3 – 13 (13) British and Irish Lions |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022185626/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20564.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The final Test ended in a 14–14 draw, giving the series to the tourists. John scored eight of the Lions points, having scored in every match, Test and regional, he had played in.<ref name="Lions Stats"/>

It was on this tour that John received the nickname "The King" from the [[List of print media in New Zealand|New Zealand press]],<ref name=Griffiths1990/> though as early as 1965, he remembered being dubbed "King John" by a newspaper sub-editor while still at Llanelli.<ref>John (1974) p. 61</ref> He scored 30 of the Lions 48&nbsp;points over the four Tests, scored a record 191&nbsp;points across the tour (6&nbsp;tries, 31&nbsp;conversions, 8&nbsp;dropped goals and 27&nbsp;penalties) and cemented his reputation as one of the game's greatest players.<ref name="Scrum"/><ref name="Lions Stats"/><ref name="Lions Rugby"/>

===1972 Championship and retirement===
John's final season with Wales ended disappointingly as both Scotland and Wales refused to travel to Ireland due to the increased violence in Northern Ireland and the events of [[Bloody Sunday (1972)|Bloody Sunday]].<ref>Godwin (1984) p. 357</ref> Despite this, John had a good Championship, scoring 35 points in the three games against England, Scotland and France.<ref name="Thomas163">Thomas (1979) p. 163</ref> The opener, away to England, was won 12–3, with John scoring two penalty goals and converting a [[J. P. R. Williams]] try.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20609.html |title=Five Nations – Twickenham, 15 January 1972: England (3) 3 – 12 (6) Wales |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022185724/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20609.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was followed by a win over Scotland, in which John played well,<ref name="Thomas163"/> converting three of the five Welsh tries and scoring three penalty goals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20612.html |title=Five Nations – Cardiff, 5 February 1972: Wales (10) 35 – 12 (6) Scotland |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022200020/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20612.html |url-status=live }}</ref> John's final international was at home to France. He successfully converted four penalty goals in a 20–6 victory to Wales, and in scoring his final penalty surpassed the Wales international points-scoring record of [[Jack Bancroft]] set nearly 60 years earlier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20617.html |title=Five Nations – Cardiff, 25 March 1972: Wales (9) 20 – 6 (6) France |work=ESPN Scrum |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022200039/http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/20617.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/Teams/Player?personid=101182|title=Jack Bancroft|access-date=21 February 2014|publisher=swansearfc.co.uk|archive-date=24 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224232105/http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/Teams/Player?personid=101182|url-status=live}}</ref> The Welsh Rugby Union's refusal to allow travel to Ireland stole the team's possibility of a consecutive Grand Slam title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60236293 |title=Five Nations 1972: A championship abandoned & an emotionally charged return in Dublin |first=Chris |last=Howells |date=10 February 2022 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202085929/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60236293 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1972, at the age of only 27, with 25 Wales caps and 5 British Lions caps, Barry John retired from the game. John cited the media attention and the unfair expectations of his country as reasons, believing he was "living in a goldfish bowl".<ref name="IRHoF"/> John recalled one incident that moved him to retire was while doing a promotion at a bank; "Inside I said a few words and as I was being introduced to someone she curtsied.{{nbsp}}... That convinced me this was not normal, I was becoming more and more detached from real people. I didn't want this any more."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/story-behind-biggest-bombshell-welsh-18282788 |title=The Barry John announcement that rocked Wales after curtsy became final straw |first=Paul |last=Abbandonato |date=6 January 2022 |website=Wales Online |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207055411/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/story-behind-biggest-bombshell-welsh-18282788 |url-status=live }}</ref>

His 25 caps for Wales resulted in 90&nbsp;points scored, 5&nbsp;tries, 9&nbsp;conversions, 13&nbsp;penalties and 8&nbsp;dropped goals. His British Lions career added a further 30&nbsp;international points, with a single try, 3&nbsp;conversions, 5&nbsp;penalties and 2&nbsp;dropped goals. For Cardiff he played 5&nbsp;seasons, playing 93&nbsp;matches,<ref>Davies (1975) p. 402</ref> during which he scored 24&nbsp;tries<ref>Davies (1975) p. 408</ref> and 30&nbsp;dropped goals.<ref name="Davies419">Davies (1975) p. 419</ref> His dropped goal total for Cardiff was the club's second highest total, drawn with [[Wilf Wooller]] but short of [[Percy Bush]]'s tally of 35.<ref name="Davies419"/>

===International games===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!width="120"|Date
!width="120"|Representing
!width="120"|Opposition
!width="60"|Result
!width="250"|Tournament
!width="110"|Scrum-half
!width="80"|Tries
!width="80"|Conversions
!width="80"|Penalties
!width="80"|Drop goals
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 3 December 1966
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|AUS}}
| 11–14
|style="text-align:left"| [[1966–67 Australia rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland and France|1966 Australia tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Allan Lewis (rugby union)|Allan Lewis]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 4 February 1967
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|SCO}}
| 5–11
|style="text-align:left"| [[1967 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Billy Hullin]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 11 November 1967
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 6–13
|style="text-align:left"| [[1967 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, France and Canada|1967 New Zealand tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 20 January 1968
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|ENG}}
| 11–11
|style="text-align:left"| [[1968 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 3 February 1968
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|SCO}}
| 5–0
|style="text-align:left"| [[1968 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 9 March 1968
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|IRE}}
| 6–9
|style="text-align:left"| [[1968 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 23 March 1968
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|FRA}}
| 9–14
|style="text-align:left"| [[1968 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 8 June 1968
|style="text-align:left"| [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]]
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|RSA|1928}}
| 20–25
|style="text-align:left"| [[1968 British Lions tour to South Africa|1968 British Lions tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 1 February 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|SCO}}
| 17–3
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 8 March 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|IRE}}
| 24–11
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 22 March 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|FRA}}
| 8–8
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 12 April 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|ENG}}
| 30–9
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 31 May 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 0–19
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Wales rugby union tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 14 June 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 12–33
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Wales rugby union tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 21 June 1969
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|AUS}}
| 19–16
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969 Wales rugby union tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 24 January 1970
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|RSA|1928}}
| 6–6
|style="text-align:left"| [[1969–70 South Africa rugby union tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 7 February 1970
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|SCO}}
| 18–9
|style="text-align:left"| [[1970 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 28 February 1970
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|ENG}}
| 17–13
|style="text-align:left"| [[1970 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 14 March 1970
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|IRE}}
| 0–14
|style="text-align:left"| [[1970 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 16 January 1971
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|ENG}}
| 22–6
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 6 February 1971
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|SCO}}
| 19–18
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 13 March 1971
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|IRE}}
| 23–9
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 27 March 1971
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|FRA}}
| 9–5
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 26 June 1971
|style="text-align:left"| [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]]
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 9-3
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1971 British Lions tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 2
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 10 July 1971
|style="text-align:left"| [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]]
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 12–22
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1971 British Lions tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 31 July 1971
|style="text-align:left"| [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]]
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 13–3
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1971 British Lions tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 14 August 1971
|style="text-align:left"| [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]]
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|NZL}}
| 14–14
|style="text-align:left"| [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1971 British Lions tour]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 15 January 1972
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|ENG}}
| 12–3
|style="text-align:left"| [[1972 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 5 February 1972
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|SCO}}
| 35–12
|style="text-align:left"| [[1972 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 3
| 3
| 0
|-
|style="text-align:left"| 25 March 1972
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|WAL}}
|style="text-align:left"| {{ru|FRA}}
| 20–6
|style="text-align:left"| [[1972 Five Nations Championship]]
|style="text-align:left"| [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]]
| 0
| 0
| 4
| 0
|-
|colspan="10" style="text-align:center"| '''Source:'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Player analysis - Barry John - Test matches |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/7160.html?class=1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dplayer%3Bview%3Dmatch |website=ESPN scrum |access-date=6 February 2024 |archive-date=22 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122154008/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/7160.html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

==Critical reception==
As the authors of the official history of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Smith and Gareth Williams wrote of John: <blockquote>The clue to an understanding of his achieved style lies in what he could make others do to themselves. The kicking, whether spinning trajectories that rolled away or precise chips or scudding grubbers, was a long-range control, but his running, deft, poised, a fragile illusion that one wrong instant could crack, yet rarely did, was the art of the fly-half at its most testing. He was the dragonfly on the anvil of destruction. John ran in another dimension of time and space. His opponents ran into the glass walls which covered his escape routes from their bewildered clutches. He left mouths, and back rows, agape.<ref>Smith (1980) pp. 420–421</ref></blockquote>

[[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]], in his 1978 autobiography, when describing John, wrote: <blockquote>He had this marvellous easiness in the mind, reducing problems to their simplest form, backing his own talent all the time. One success on the field bred another and soon he gave off a cool superiority which spread to others in the side. Physically he was perfectly made for the job, good and strong from the hips down and firm but slender from the waist to the shoulders.<ref>{{cite book |last=Edwards |first=Gareth |title=Gareth – An autobiography |year=1978 |publisher=Stanley Paul & Co. |location=London |page=46 |isbn=0-09-134800-5}}</ref></blockquote>

[[J. P. R. Williams]] regarded John as "Without doubt, the greatest player I played with."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/life-jpr-70-courageous-welsh-15920882|title=The life of JPR at 70, a Welsh rugby great who was different from the rest|first=Mark|last=Orders|date=4 March 2019|website=Wales Online|access-date=9 January 2024|archive-date=12 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112193759/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/life-jpr-70-courageous-welsh-15920882|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Gerald Davies]], who played with John for Wales and the British Lions, in his 1971 autobiography described Edwards as "fiery and impulsive", but John was "fairer, aloof and apart. Whilst the hustle and bustle went on around him he could divorce himself from it all; he kept his emotions in check and a careful rein on the surrounding action. The game would go according to his will and no-one else's ..."<ref>{{cite book |last=Davies |first=Gerald |title=Gerald Davies – An Autobiography |year=1979 |publisher=George Allen & Unwin|location=London|page=122 |isbn=0-04-796052-3}}</ref>

[[Rodney Webb]], who represented England between 1967 and 1972, is quoted as saying "Barry John's punting was phenomenal. He could drop the ball on a sixpence and he could do it every time".<ref name="Webb">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2360340/Barry-John-the-greatest-Lion-of-them-all.html |title=Barry John: the greatest Lion of them all |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Reason |first=Mark |date=29 May 2005 |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219143604/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2360340/Barry-John-the-greatest-Lion-of-them-all.html |archive-date=19 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Webb, who developed the modern rugby ball, believes that John cannot be compared to modern kickers because "the modern ball is coated in a laminate, has dimpled surfaces, unobtrusive lacing and multi panels. In the seventies the balls soaked up water, swerved all over the place and were placed in the mud and slime when kicking for goal".<ref name="Webb"/>

John came third in the 1971 [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award]], beaten by winner [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Anne]] and runner-up [[George Best]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty.shtml |title=Sports Personality of the Year |publisher=BBC press office |date=December 2009 |access-date=6 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111061538/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty.shtml |archive-date=11 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was one of the inaugural inductees of the [[International Rugby Hall of Fame]] in 1997<ref name="IRHoF">{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyhalloffame.com/pages/john1997.htm |title=Barry John |publisher=The International Rugby Hall of Fame |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719084805/http://www.rugbyhalloffame.com/pages/john1997.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 1999 was inducted into the [[Welsh Sports Hall of Fame]]. In 2015 he was inducted into the [[World Rugby Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/13708243/twenty-five-rugby-legends-named-world-rugby-hall-fame-inductee-list-new-zealand-argentina-rugby-world-cup-match |title=Australian duo inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame |work=espn.co.uk |date=21 September 2015 |access-date=13 March 2016 |archive-date=26 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926151450/http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/13708243/twenty-five-rugby-legends-named-world-rugby-hall-fame-inductee-list-new-zealand-argentina-rugby-world-cup-match |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Amateurism===
As an [[Amateur sports#Rugby football|amateur]] rugby union player, John was not paid to play rugby at club or international level. To receive money for playing would have been recognised as an act of professionalism and would have resulted in action from one of the governing unions, normally suspension or a ban.<ref name="OU">{{cite web |url=http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=402770&section=1.1.2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223053859/http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=402770&section=1.1.2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2012 |title=Contemporary Wales |work=Open University }}</ref> To prevent players switching to professional rugby league, players were given [[boot money]] by their clubs or sponsors, named after the early practice of placing money in the players' boots. In his 2011 book ''Appy'', businessman and football manager Meirion Appleton said that in the 1970s he made illegal payments to both John and Gareth Edwards. Appleton said that before an international match he gave both players envelopes containing money from sportswear manufacturer [[Adidas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/bangor/2011/07/10/adidas-used-me-to-pay-bungs-to-welsh-rugby-legends-barry-john-and-gareth-edwards-91466-29025413/ |title='Adidas used me to pay bungs to Welsh rugby legends Barry John and Gareth Edwards' |work=Wales on Sunday |last=Devine |first=Darren |publisher=Wales Online |date=10 July 2011 |access-date=6 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185940/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/bangor/2011/07/10/adidas-used-me-to-pay-bungs-to-welsh-rugby-legends-barry-john-and-gareth-edwards-91466-29025413/ |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> John was never charged with taking illegal payments during his career.

==Personal life==
John was born at Low-land, a [[smallholding]] at [[Cefneithin]] in [[Carmarthenshire]], Wales. He was the second child of William and Vimy John; his brother Delville was three years his senior.<ref name="John39">John (1974) p. 39</ref> John had a further four siblings, Alan, Clive, Madora and Diane.<ref name="John39"/> All three of his brothers played rugby. Delville played for Cefneithin, captaining them for two seasons; Alan progressed from the local club to Llanelli and also toured Argentina with Wales; while Clive was a Llanelli wing forward who was selected for Wales 'B'.<ref>John (1974) pp. 51–52</ref> The family went to live at [[Foelgastell]], staying with an uncle and aunt, shortly after John's birth but returned to Cefneithin when John was two.<ref name="John39"/> His early schooling was at Cefneithin Primary, and after failing his [[eleven-plus]] exam he spent a year at Cross Hands senior centre. He passed the entrance exam and was accepted into [[Gwendraeth]] Grammar School at [[Drefach, Ceredigion|Drefach]].<ref>John (1974) p. 48</ref>

At the age of 18, he left grammar school and was awarded a place at [[Trinity College, Carmarthen]], with ambitions of becoming a teacher. He studied physical education, junior science and horticulture.<ref>John (1974) p. 60</ref> He left Trinity in the summer of 1967, and took up a post as a physical education teacher at [[Kings Monkton School|Monkton House School]] in Cardiff, a private school for boys between the ages of eight and sixteen.<ref>John (1974) p. 78</ref> John moved to Cardiff and shared a house with several other rugby players, including former Llanelli team mate [[Gerald Davies]].<ref>John (1974) p. 79</ref> John quit his position at Monkton House when he toured South Africa in 1968 and never taught again.<ref>John (1974) p. 84</ref> On his return from Africa, John moved back to his family home at Cefneithin. He spent six weeks unemployed and during this period he considered turning to professional [[rugby league]], almost signing for [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]].<ref>John (1974) pp. 94–98</ref>

Following an interview with [[David Coleman]] for the BBC programme, ''[[Sportsnight]]'', in which his jobless situation was discussed, John was offered a job working for Forward Trust, a finance company in Cardiff.<ref>John (1974) p. 98</ref> When John quit playing rugby in 1972, he also left his job as a finance representative, signing a contract to write a weekly column and cover important matches for the ''[[Daily Express]]''.<ref name="John165">John (1974) p. 165</ref> He was also signed to take part in sport programmes presented by [[ITV Wales & West|HTV]], the Wales and West of England commercial television company.<ref name="John165"/>

In September 1969, John married Janet Talfan Davies, daughter of [[Alun Talfan Davies]] QC, a leading Welsh lawyer.<ref>John (1974) pp. 63, 109</ref> John and Jan had four children; they later separated.<ref name="Memorabilia">{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/90790.html |title=Barry John puts memorabilia up for auction |work=ESPN Scrum |date=2 February 2009 |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022181247/http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/90790.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2001, John ran a Chinese restaurant near Cardiff's [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 June 2001 |title=Rugby legend given driving ban |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1383819.stm |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204193352/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1383819.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, he decided to sell his rugby memorabilia, including his Wales [[cap (sport)|caps]], stating that he felt no nostalgia towards the items, and the honour of playing for Wales was all that mattered.<ref name="Memorabilia"/>

John died in Cardiff on 4 February 2024, at the age of 79.<ref name="BBC-obit"/><ref name="Guardian-Obit">{{cite news |last1=Malin |first1=Ian |title=Barry John obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/05/barry-john-obituary |access-date=7 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206234432/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/05/barry-john-obituary |url-status=live }}</ref> A family statement read: "Barry John died peacefully today at the [[University Hospital of Wales]] surrounded by his loving wife and four children. He was a loving Dadcu [grandfather] to 11 grandchildren and a much-loved brother."<ref name="BBC-obit">{{Cite news |title=Wales and Lions legend John dies aged 79 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68170605 |access-date=4 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204170043/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68170605 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Bevan |first=Alun Wyn |title=Stradey Stories |year=2005 |publisher=Gomer Press |location=Llandysul |isbn=978-1-84323-570-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Billot |first=John |title=All Blacks in Wales |year=1972 |publisher=Ron Jones Publications |location=Ferndale }}
* {{cite book |last=Billot |first=John |title=Springboks in Wales |year=1974 |publisher=Ron Jones Publications |location=Ferndale }}
* {{cite book |last=Davies |first=D. E. |title=Cardiff Rugby Club, History and Statistics 1876–1975 |year=1975 |publisher=The Starling Press |location=Risca |isbn=0-9504421-0-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Godwin |first=Terry |title=The International Rugby Championship 1883–1983 |year=1984 |publisher=Willow Books |location=London |isbn=0-00-218060-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Griffiths |first=John |title=British Lions |year=1990 |publisher=Crowood Press |location=Swindon |isbn=1-85223-541-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Griffiths |first=John |title=The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records |year=1987 |publisher=Phoenix House |location=London |isbn=0-460-07003-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Hughes |first=Gareth |title=The Scarlets: A History of Llanelli Rugby Club |year=1986 |publisher=Llanelli Borough Council |location=Llanelli|isbn=0-906821-05-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Jenkins |first=John M. |title=Who's Who of Welsh International Rugby Players |year=1991 |publisher=Bridge Books |location=Wrexham |isbn=1-872424-10-4|display-authors=etal}}
* {{cite book |last=John |first=Barry |title=The Barry John Story |year=1974 |publisher=Collins |location=London |isbn=0-00-216011-0}}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Owen |editor1-first=Arwyn |title=Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales 1971–72|year=1972|publisher=Welsh Brewers |location=Cardiff}}
* {{cite book |last=Parker |first=A. C. |title=The Springboks, 1891–1970 |publisher=Cassell & Company |year=1970 |location=London |isbn=0-304-93591-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Richards |first=Alun |title=A Touch of Glory: 100 Years of Welsh Rugby |year=1980 |publisher=Michael Joseph |location=London |isbn=0-7181-1938-X}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=David |last2=Williams |first2=Gareth |title=Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union |year=1980 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-7083-0766-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Starmer-Smith |first=Nigel |title=The Barbarians |year=1977 |publisher=Macdonald & Jane's Publishers|isbn=0-86007-552-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=Clem |last2=Nicholson |first2=Geoffrey|title=Welsh Rugby, The Crowning Years 1968–1980 |year=1980 |publisher=Collins |location=London |isbn=0-00-211641-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=J. B. G. |title=The Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby |year=1980 |publisher=Pelham Books |location=London |isbn=0-7207-1268-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=J. B. G. |title=Rugby in Wales |year=1970 |publisher=Christopher Davies (publishers)|location=Swansea }}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Wayne |title=A Century of Welsh Rugby Players |year=1979 |publisher=Ansells }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |first1=Barry |last1=John |first2=Paul |last2=Abbandonato |title=Barry John: The King |publisher=Mainstream Publishing Company, Limited |year=2001 |isbn=978-1840-1849-14}}

==External links==
* [https://www.wru.wales/player/?PlayGuid=BJ661772 Welsh Rugby Union profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719084805/http://www.rugbyhalloffame.com/pages/john1997.htm Profile at International Rugby Hall of Fame website]
* [http://www.david-griffiths.co.uk/gallery-1/4572298026 Portrait of Barry John by David Griffiths] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120132900/http://www.david-griffiths.co.uk/gallery-1/4572298026 |date=20 January 2017 }}
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=3970 Profile at sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=3970 Welsh caps at sporting-heroes.net]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717165934/http://www.lionsrugby.com/history/barryjohn.php Lions profile]
* {{IMDb name|2675681}}

{{British and Irish Lions 1968}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1971}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:John, Barry}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:Barbarian F.C. players]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Wales]]
[[Category:Cardiff RFC players]]
[[Category:Llanelli RFC players]]
[[Category:People associated with Trinity University College]]
[[Category:Rugby union fly-halves]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Carmarthenshire]]
[[Category:Wales international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Welsh rugby union players]]
[[Category:World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees]]