Former Wales, Swansea and Barbarians lock Geoff Wheel has died at the age of 73.

Swansea RFC have confirmed the news stating Wheel had suffered from motor neurone disease for some years.

Wheel played 32 internationals for Wales between 1974 and 1982 and formed a formidable second-row partnership with Allan Martin.

Nicknamed ‘Gaffa’, Wheel was an unsung hero of Wales’ successful sides of the 1970s and was famous for his white headband.

Between January 1975 and March 1978, Wheel went 15 games unbeaten in a Wales jersey.

Fourteen of Wheel’s wins came in Five Nations matches, the other being a 28-3 triumph over Australia in 1975.

During the span of his record, Wales won three Five Nations titles, including two Grand Slams and a hat-trick of Triple Crowns.

In 1977, Wheel and Ireland lock Willie Duggan became the first players to be sent off in a Five Nations game when they were ordered off in Cardiff for fighting.

Wheel also became officially the first Welshman to be sent off in an international.

A misdiagnosed heart problem robbed Wheel of a place on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 1977.