Editing Cardiff RFC (section)

====1970s====
1971 however, was the year in which John, Edwards and Davies would write themselves into history. Davies by this time had left for London Welsh, although he would later return. In the spring, they were all ever-presents in Wales's first Grand Slam in 18 years, and in the summer, they were selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand, along with Cardiff teammate [[John Bevan (rugby)|John Bevan]]. The tour remains the only occasion where the Lions have returned victorious from New Zealand. All four Cardiff players started the first Test, and all except Bevan played in the other three Tests. Despite only playing in the first Test, John Bevan became the Lions' record try scorer (including matches against club teams) with 17. Barry John was given the title "King Barry" by the New Zealanders after scoring 30 of the Lions' 48 points, and in him and Edwards, Cardiff could justifiably be said to have the best two half-backs in the world.

1971–72 was the first season where the WRU Challenge Cup was introduced. Cardiff reached the semi-final, before being beaten 16–9 at the Brewery Field by Neath, who went on to beat Llanelli in the final.<ref name="rugbyarchive.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/PaginaCompetizioni.aspx?ID=74 |title=- the history of rugby through its competitions |access-date=2014-07-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011143655/http://www.rugbyarchive.net/pagine/PaginaCompetizioni.aspx?ID=74 |archive-date=11 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Unfortunately in 1972 Barry John announced his decision to retire at the age of 27, not liking the celebrity status shoved on him and his family after the Lions tour.

The next season was also disappointing for Cardiff, although fullback John Davies scored a club record of 209 points (in his first season for the club). They were soundly beaten by New Zealand 20–4, only a week after Llanelli had beaten them 9–3. In the Cup, they defeated South Wales Police, Mountain Ash, Ebbw Vale, Blaina and Swansea on their way to the final, but were again outclassed and lost 30–7 to Llanelli. In 1973–74 Cardiff reached the Cup semi-finals for the third year running, but were defeated 9–4 by Aberavon. Gareth Edwards however, led his country to a 24–0 win over Australia in November 1973. In 1974, Gerald Davies decided to return to Cardiff from London Welsh. Edwards and Davies were picked for the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa (although Davies refused to go in protest against apartheid) and Edwards started all four Tests, where the Lions went unbeaten through all 22 matches and would probably have won all their games, but in the final Test the South African referee blew the final whist four minutes early with the scores level and the Lions camped on the South African line.

In 1974–75 Cardiff failed to reach the WRU Challenge Cup semi-finals for the first time, losing 13–12 to Bridgend in the third round, despite not conceding a try in the entire Cup. However, on 1 November 1975, Cardiff met Australia for the fifth time in their history and, for the fifth time defeated them, 14–9, despite the absence of Edwards due to influenza. Both Edwards and Davies represented Wales in the 1976 Five Nations Grand Slam. During 1976–77, Cardiff defeated Pontypool and Aberavon on their way to the Challenge Cup final, where they were beaten 16–15 by Newport. Edwards decided not to go on the 1977 Lions tour, to show loyalty to his company who had let him go on three Lions tours previously. However, another Cardiff scrum-half, uncapped [[Brynmor Williams]] was picked, and played in the first three Tests before being injured in the third.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Teams/Player?personId=101142|title=Brynmor Williams - Cardiff RFC|website=Cardiffrfc.com|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729011222/http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Teams/Player?personId=101142|archive-date=29 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Both Davies and Edwards started for Wales in the 20–16 victory away to Ireland in the 1978 Five Nations that sealed a record three Triple Crowns in as many years, with Edwards also starting the next week and also dropping a goal in the 16–7 victory against France that sealed Wales their third Grand Slam in eight years. This was Gareth Edwards' final match for Wales – he had won 53 consecutive caps, never being dropped or injured, and scored 20 tries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_player_archive.php?player=25930&includeref=dynamic|title=Wales Players : Searchable|website=Wru.co.uk|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521151432/http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_player_archive.php?includeref=dynamic&player=25930|archive-date=21 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Gerald Davies also retired from Wales after a 19–17 defeat in Sydney – tied with Edwards on 20 tries, scored in 46 caps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_player_archive.php?player=25901&includeref=dynamic|title=Wales Players : Searchable|website=Wru.co.uk|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724214428/http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_player_archive.php?includeref=dynamic&player=25901|archive-date=24 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In the 1977–78 club season, Davies had a fantastic game against Pontypool where despite only touching the ball four times due to the dominance of the Pooler pack, he scored four tries, with those being Cardiff's only points in a 16–11 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Teams/Player?personId=100466|title=Gerald Davies - Cardiff RFC|website=Cardiffrfc.com|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415102622/http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Teams/Player?personId=100466|archive-date=15 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Cardiff's cup run continued to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Swansea 18–13.