BRIDGWATER Rugby Club has supplied one of its own for the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to New Zealand.

Welshman Ron Phillips, aged 79, is part of the official 55-strong Lions Male Voice Choir for the Test matches against the All Blacks.

And following a sold-out performance in Auckland on Friday, June 23, the choir is giving seven concerts around the country, following the British and Irish Lions for all three Test matches.

“Its going to be an amazing experience with so many fans travelling, and such a major tour for the British Lions,” said Mr Phillips, of Kingsland, Watchet.

“As a Welshman, I am passionate about two things – rugby and singing. So to have both to enjoy on a trip like this is going to be tremendous. 
“I really can’t wait, and here’s hoping the Lions can win, just as they did in 1971.”

Mr Phillips, a second tenor with Minehead Male Voice Choir since 2012, played rugby for Bridgwater and Albion between 1960 and 1968, making more than 100 appearances for the first team at hooker. 

Among his opponents during that time were both Jeff Young and John Pullin, hookers on the 1968 and 1971 Lions tours to South Africa and New Zealand respectively.

As a singer with Minehead, Mr Phillips was able to apply for the official tour choir after attending rehearsals in Cardiff. 

The choir, with members from London Welsh Male Voice Choir, has already appeared in London at a pre-tour past-Lions dinner in May.

And it is not the first time he has toured overseas. In 2015, Mr Phillips joined the 150th Welsh anniversary celebrations to Patagonia, Argentina, singing with a Male Voice Choir in the British Embassy in Buenos Aires.

Minehead Male Voice Choir was formed in 2000, and later this year it will be making a tour visit to South Wales to join Cwm Rhondda Male Voice Choir at a special concert in Aberdare.

For more information visit mineheadmalevoicechoir.org.uk.