A LEADING rugby pioneer from the Towy Valley has died in Canada at the age of 90.

George Jones, founder of the Brantford Harlequins in Ontario, never forgot his early days in Llandeilo.

He was instrumental in arranging exchange trips with Brynaman RFC and Llandeilo RFC in the early 1970s and some of the friendships formed on those tours continue to this day.

He retained his fitness well into old age and was still playing veteran rugby at the age of 78.

A fervent Welshman, raised in Llandeilo, Mr Jones and his family emigrated to Brantford in 1947.

He and his brothers set up a Welsh Society and gathered around them many rugby-loving ex-pats before launching the Harlequins, who went on to become one of the leading teams in eastern Canada.

In the 1970s, strong ties were formed between Brantford Collegiate Institute and Cwmtawe Comprehensive School in the Swansea Valley. On three occasions Cwmtawe sent out - and received back in return - parties of more than 100 rugby players, musicians and friends.

This continued with Amman Valley Comprehensive School in the 1980s and 1990s.

Apart from his commitment to rugby - he was manager of the Canadian national rugby XV in 1976 - Mr Jones found time to be a champion of the arts.

He found many concert platforms for touring Welsh choirs, including the Llandeilo-based Telyn Teilo.

Described by friends as a most generous host and "wonderful raconteur", he is survived by his widow Glen, son Wynne and three devoted grandchildren.