Another new year has arrived and with it a new list of people who have been honored by the king for extraordinary achievements.

As always, this year’s list featured a host of famous faces from the world of sport, including cricketer Stuart Broad and English goalkeepers Mary Earps and Peter Shilton. Rugby heroes Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow were awarded CBEs for their inspiring work in raising funds for motor neurone disease charities, while former Scotland captain Rob Wainwright was also honored for his work in the fight against the disease that took his life. friend and teammate Doddy Weir.

There were also tributes to former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg, who becomes MBE, and World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, who was awarded the Knight’s Grand Cross for services to rugby and charity.

The merits of such honors and those who receive them will always be debated, but few would dispute that a great figure in Welsh rugby deserves to be knighted sooner rather than later.

Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies is not only one of the greatest rugby players, if not athletes, this country has ever seen, but he is also not just a familiar voice to BBC viewers when the Six Nations is on air. He is an extraordinary man whose remarkable achievements helped him turn a tragic situation into one that has changed countless lives for the better.

He was awarded an MBE and an OBE in 1995 and 2015 respectively for his immense playing career and philanthropy, but fans, colleagues and his good friend Nigel Owens called for him to be knighted for everything he achieved.

Davies has raised more than £40 million for cancer charity Velindre, leading the cause after losing his father and first wife Karen.

Owens told WalesOnline: “If you look at what he went through, losing his father when he was a child and then his wife when he had three young children, it put him in a situation where he knew what it was like to need that kind of help.” of care and support. .

“He was truly supportive and inspiring. He’s 61 now and to be the driving force behind all these challenges, the cycling and stuff, and the person who brings everyone together to do it, is just amazing.

“He raised a lot of money and caught Velindra’s attention, and he certainly deserves a knighthood, there’s no doubt about that. “I don’t know how it all works, but if anyone deserves it, it’s Jiffy.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Excellent in two sports

Jiffy is part of a very exclusive group of athletes who have been truly world class in more than one sport, moving from rugby union to rugby league at the age of 26.

He excelled in both codes, starting out in the union playing for Neath before a brief spell at Llanelli. A charming defender, he was soon compared to the great Barry John and was chosen to play for Wales in 1985, scoring a try and a drop goal on his debut against England to be named man of the match.

Having helped Wales win the Triple Crown in 1988 and even captained the team on their tour of New Zealand that year, Jiffy was expected to be a top 10 pick on the Lions’ next tour, but for the for the good of his family, this caused a great surprise. to change. He entered rugby league in 1989 and signed for Widnes for a record £230,000.

Despite the code-switching, Davies looked as comfortable in the league as in the union, controlling games and turning them around with a moment of magic from his deep box of tricks. After representing Widnes, he played for Warrington and had two spells in Australia, as well as captaining Wales and Great Britain, scoring some memorable tries on the international stage.

A good career on television.

After retiring from rugby in 1997, Davies pursued a successful new career in the media, working primarily for the BBC as a pundit and pundit in both codes.

He is a popular member of the BBC commentary team during competitions such as the Six Nations, offering in-depth analysis, never shying away from calling things out by name and criticizing players for poor performances. For many, he, along with the late great Eddie Butler, shed light on rugby matches in Wales for the BBC and became one of the game’s most respected experts.

Of course, his on-camera talent doesn’t end there, as he has hosted a rugby-themed talk show. Jonathan at S4C for almost 20 years, now with Sarah Elgan and Nigel Owens.

He also never misses a chance to show off his sense of humor, having caught Owens hook, line and sinker with a live radio giveaway last year.

A Remarkable Achievement Through Tragedy

Despite everything he has achieved as a player and in his new career as a broadcaster, Davies is most proud of his work at Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Centre, where he has helped raise more than £40 million for the charity.

He began supporting Velindre as a patron in 2007, before serving as president for over 10 years. From the start, he has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the cause, organizing annual golf days and major bike tours across the United States, as well as Mallorca in 2021.

That same year, she organized an event in support of the Velindre Cancer Center and the Swansea Bay Health Charity to help raise funds for cancer treatment at both hospitals. Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge has raised almost £170,000 in its first two years, and other events will raise even more.




Velindr is a cause close to his heart and his father, Len, and his first wife, Karen, died of cancer in tragic circumstances, and it was the contrasting nature of their treatments that convinced him to step up his role at the centre. when they approached him.

“I was 12 when I found out my dad had it,” he previously told WalesOnline. “Dad was treated at Addenbrooke’s [in Cambridge]so my mother Diana had to come and stay with him, and my sister Caroline and I lived with my grandmother.

“My father was captain of Trimsaran RFC and the club raised money for my mother to stay in Cambridge. So she lived there while he was being treated and we traveled there every now and then, when we could, with our uncles. Going up there, walking away and wondering if you would ever see your father alive again, it was scary.”

Jiffy’s father died when he was just 14 years old. Then, about 20 years later, tragedy struck again: Davis’ wife, Karen, was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

“I knew she would be dead within 18 months unless a miracle happened,” he said. “It was very difficult. But when he was undergoing chemotherapy he stayed in Velindre and I could see that it was much easier compared to my father’s situation. He could take the children to school, come back in the morning, go train with Cardiff in the morning, afternoon and sort things out while she was in care. “Then I realized how important it is to have an institution like Velindre on my doorstep.”

Having seen first-hand what he described as the “vital” work carried out by Velindro, Davies did not hesitate to help when asked.

“People underestimate the value of having a facility of this scale here in Wales. I’m just raising their profile and keeping the public informed. We are very lucky to have a wonderful fundraising team, sponsors, ambassadors and members of the public who have dedicated their time and effort to raise money for us. I can’t thank you enough.

“I think that, together with my family, this is what I am most proud of in my life. I was unfortunate enough to have loved ones with cancer, but I was fortunate enough to be able to give back. I hope that with the money raised we have helped many people.”

Modesty and kindness

Despite everything he has achieved, Davis remains as humble as ever. In fact, when this year’s awards list was announced without his name, he was quick to congratulate his friends and colleagues who had been recognized.

“Congratulations to everyone on the New Year Honors list,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Especially Rob Wainwright, [Rob Burrow]Kevin Sinfield, Hazel Irvine and [Bill Beaumont]. Fantastic job, keep up the good work.”

As expected, his responses were filled with fans calling for him to be knighted for his charity work.

Nobody deserves more.