Rugby legend Gareth Edwards to receive knighthood

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Former Wales and British and Irish Lions international Gareth Edwards is to receive a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Edwards won 53 caps for Wales between 1967 and 1978, 13 as captain along with 10 caps for the British and Irish Lions while taking part in victorious tours of New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974.

In 2003 a Rugby World magazine poll named him as the greatest player of all time and in 2007 he was awarded a CBE.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people right across the UK.

Leading figures in the WRU say he epitomises the values of rugby on and off the field and fully deserves the honour bestowed on him.

Also included in the honour's list is 73-year-old Hazel Davies.

She has kept children safe for 40 years as a lollipop lady, serving at Maes-y-Coed Primary School and Pentyrch Primary School in Cardiff. Her excellent service has meant that there have been no serious accidents or fatalities at the school crossings during the time she has worked there.

There are a number of well­ known names being honoured in this list, including knighthoods for actor, comedian and co­founder of Comic Relief Lenny Henry and singer and songwriter Van Morrison.

There are CBEs for England rugby world cup winner Jonny Wilkinson; actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch, and for the creator of Paddington, Michael Bond.