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Wales Online

Sport

Ian Mitchelmore

The sporting legends who died in 2022 including Shane Warne, Phil Bennett and Eddie Butler

Eddie Butler Shane Warne Phil Bennett Football Wales (Organization) Rugby Billy Bingham Rob Burrow Cricket Andrew Symonds

2022 has produced its fair share of magnificent sporting moments.

From Argentina's World Cup win in Qatar to France's emphatic Grand Slam success in the Six Nations, there have been a host of highlights that will resonate for many years to come.

But the year has also seen a number of sporting figures tragically pass away. Here, we remember those who contributed so much to the world of sport:

Rugby (union and league)

Phil Bennett (age 73) - The former fly-half won 29 caps for Wales and made eight appearances for the British & Irish Lions during a glittering career in which he won two Five Nations Championship Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns. A true icon of the Barbarians and a legendary figure at Llanelli.

Eddie Butler (age 65) - Ex-Pontypool and Wales back-row Butler became well known as the voice of Welsh rugby on the BBC after hanging up his boots due to his stirring commentaries and voiceovers.

Va'aiga Tuigamala (age 52) - The Faleasiu-born back was a star in both codes, representing Samoa and New Zealand at international level.

Des Drummond (age 63) - Born in Jamaica, diminutive winger Drummond made more than 500 career appearances at club level and represented both England and Great Britain.

Tom Kiernan (age 83) - Irishman Kiernan won 59 caps for his country and captained the British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa in 1986.

Mel James (age 74) - Well known at both Swansea and Resolven, the front rower spent more than a decade with St Helens in the league code and made 11 appearances for Wales.

Tom Smith (age 50) - Best known for his time with Northampton Saints, Smith amassed 61 caps for Scotland and twice toured with the Lions. Tragically died of cancer in April.

Glyn Shaw (age 71) - Rhigos-born Shaw spent seven years at Neath before spells with Widnes, Wigan, Warrington and Rochdale Hornets in the league format. The prop represented Wales in both codes of the game.

Ken Kennedy (age 81) - Kennedy played at hooker for Ireland and the British & Irish Lions while he also worked as an orthopaedic physician.

Ken Jones (age 81) - The former centre/wing represented Wales and the Lions in the 1960s and turned out for the likes of Penygroes, Cardiff and Llanelli during his club career.

Doddie Weir (age 52) - The former Scotland lock raised millions after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Won 61 caps for his country between 1990 and 2000.

Bobby Wanbon (age 78) - Famously starred for Wales in the side that beat England in the 'Battle of Brisbane' in the 1975 World Cup. The former bricklayer played for sides including Aberavon, Warrington and St Helens.

Football

Mino Raiola (age 51) - The Italian football agent took an array of talents under his wing, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba.

Billy Bingham (age 90) - Ex-striker Bingham enjoyed an illustrious career as a player with Glentoran, Sunderland, Luton Town, Everton and Port Vale. Bingham played for and managed Northern Ireland.

Andy Goram (age 58) - Goram played for 11 different clubs during his career, the most notable of which saw him enjoy several seasons at Rangers, Hibernian and Oldham Athletic. The Scotland international also played cricket for his country, the only man to do so in both sports.

David Moores (age 76) - Former Liverpool chairman Moores made his fortune by creating retail and football betting company Littlewoods.

Cricket

Shane Warne (age 52) - Australian cricket legend Warne took an astonishing 708 wickets across a Test career that spanned 15 years. Among the greatest ever to play the sport.

Andrew Symonds (age 46) - A man of many talents, all-rounder Symonds, nicknamed 'Roy', was named in Australia's greatest ever ODI team and even enjoyed a brief stint in rugby league. He also featured in Bollywood movie Patiala House and reality TV show Bigg Boss.

Tennis

Nick Bollettieri (age 91) - Bollettieri was a pioneer in tennis coaching and was a key figure in the careers of players including Monica Seles, Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova and Boris Becker.

Racing

Lester Piggott (age 86) - Regarded as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys of all-time following almost 4,500 wins, with a record nine coming in the Epsom Derby.