Vale John Patrick O’Shea (2 June 1940 – 24 April 2024)

It is with great sadness that we inform our members that Welsh international and British & Irish Lions prop John O’Shea has passed away at the age of 83 after a long battle with illness.

John played his club rugby for Cardiff between 1963 to 1970, making 213 club appearances and scoring 19 tries. He was the Cardiff club captain during the 1969-1970 season.

John won five caps for Wales between 1967 and 1968, earning selection for the 1968 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa. He played eight matches on that tour, including starting the first international against the Springboks.

In later life, John emigrated to Australia where he married one of Australia’s greatest athletes, Marlene Matthews AO.

John was a highly regarded Rugby Life Member of The Rugby Club and subsequently The Rugby Club Foundation. More particularly, John was a wonderful friend and supporter of The Rugby Club and the ideals upon which it had been established. He generously gave of his time in entertaining Club members and guests at numerous Club sportsman’s lunches and events.

An accomplished public speaker, John possessed a unique turn of phrase and sense of humour which he applied to expressing astute observations and recalling delightful anecdotes regarding both Rugby and life in general.

The Foundation conveys its deepest sympathy to Marlene and all members of John’s family. John will be sorely missed by not only the Rugby fraternity but by the broader community within which he had made an indelible impact.