As heartfelt tributes pour in for the late legendary Wales captain Brian Price, who passed away at the age of 86, reminiscences emerge of an incident involving the Welsh icon that made rugby history and captured the attention of even a young Prince Charles.

The unforgettable event took place in 1969 when the revered Wales captain, hailed as the Alun Wyn Jones of his era, unleashed what would go down in history as the most notorious punch in the annals of Five Nations rugby, striking Ireland’s Noel Murphy to the ground.

The incident unfolded in the presence of a youthful Prince Charles, who, just months away from his investiture as the Prince of Wales, witnessed the dramatic scene while seated in the stands at Cardiff Arms Park.

This episode unfolded in front of the royal box early in the game, as second-row Price delivered a decisive right hook that floored flanker Murphy. The Irishman, maintaining his composure with regal dignity, appeared to seek the sympathy of the young Prince of Wales before succumbing to the force of the blow, much to the uproar of the crowd.

Surprisingly, the referee chose not to dismiss Price, prompting questions from the BBC’s David Coleman about the standards for sending off a player in rugby. The Times expressed strong disapproval, denouncing the act as “ruffianism” and “bad manners,” illustrating the magnitude of the incident.

In later reflections, Price acknowledged a pre-match strategy to target Murphy, a renowned disruptor on the field. Pinned as the perpetrator of the planned focus for Welsh attention receiving a punch in front of royalty, Price admitted to retaliating after facing aggression from his opponent, ultimately escaping with a penalty following the referee’s leniency.

The event not only became a significant moment in rugby history but also marked a defining spectacle in the early life of the new King, although his personal stance on the controversy remains unrecorded.

The game, ultimately won 24-11 by Wales, denied Ireland a Triple Crown and left a lasting impression in the memories of many, with the South Wales Echo aptly titling its match report “A right royal punch-up.” The referee, Doug McMahon of Scotland, never officiated another international match after this noteworthy encounter.