WOLFSCASTLE Country Hotel was packed on Wednesday night for an evening with Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies.

The dual code international turned broadcaster hosted an evening to raise money for two charities, alongside another Welsh sporting icon, Adrian Davies.

Jonathan recalled stories from his youth, the tragic loss of his father and wife to cancer, and winning his first cap for Wales.

“I have not been to Haverfordwest for many years,” he said. “The last time I was here I played in a trial match for Welsh schools. Gordon Thomas was playing too. He got in and I didn’t!”

Jonathan spoke of the tight-knit community in which he grew up, which made him the man he is today.

“I lived in a council house in Trimsaran. My grandmother was next door so we had a really big lawn. I pretended it was Cardiff Arms Park."

Jonathan played for Trimsaran and soon other clubs came knocking for the talented fly-half.

“I was offered a transfer to Tumble, the champions of west Wales at the time. They were prepared to give me £30 a week, which was more than what I was earning as a painter and decorator.”

But Jonathan decided to stay with the club which looked after his family during his father’s battle with cancer. In 1982 he joined Neath, and after thirty-odd games for the club, he realised his life-long dream of playing for Wales.

He said: “Nothing beats playing for Wales for the first time.

“I don’t miss playing, but I miss the feeling of getting the knock on the changing room door and running out onto the pitch. For me, that’s the best feeling you’ll ever have as a sportsman.”

Jonathan then spoke of his switch to rugby league before finally hanging up his boots in 1995. He was awarded the MBE in 1997.

An auction was held after dinner, raising more than £2,500. The money will be added to a 30% cut from the ticket sales and the proceeds of the raffle. Jonathan explained he was splitting the money between Velindre Cancer Care and The Dylan Rees Trust.

Dylan Rees is his first cousin who suffered a concussion while playing rugby. He had a brain haemorrhage shortly after and has been in a coma for the past 18 months.

The owner of the Wolfscastle Country Hotel, Andrew Stirling said: “It has been an amazing occasion for me as I personally have admired Jonathan Davies for years. I’m so glad we’ve managed to get him to come here tonight.”