The Williams family became synonymous with Cardiff RFC as eight brothers played for Cardiff and at one time four of the siblings played in the same Cardiff team together.

Speaking of the sad news Cardiff Blues CEO, Robert Norster said,

'Bleddyn will be remembered by us all as a true gentleman of our national sport who was rightly celebrated as a genuine 'class act' both on and off the field of play."

"His outstanding abilities both as a player and an individual saw him respected and admired throughout the rugby playing world and his sad passing is mourned by his many friends and acquaintances here at the Arms Park and far beyond."

"He will always remain a legendary figure of our national sport who will be sorely missed and our condolences and thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

The 'Prince of Centres' made his Wales debut against England in 1947 and won 22 caps, including five as captain, in a Test career that ended in 1955.

Williams famously led Wales to a 13-8 win over New Zealand in 1953, having also skippered Cardiff RFC to a 8- 3 win over the tourists a month before. That remains the last victory secured by Wales against the All Blacks.

Williams was also vice-captain of the 1950 Lions on their tour of New Zealand and Australia, captaining them in the third and fourth Tests in New Zealand.

Although the tourists could only manage a draw and three defeats against the All Blacks, the Lions beat Australia in both internationals that followed on the other side of the Tasman.

In total Williams played in 20 of the Lions' 29 matches and scored 13 tries, including one in the first Test win over Australia in Brisbane.

Despite going on to become a rugby great in midfield, Williams started his senior club career as a fly-half with Cardiff Athletic in 1938-39.

The start of the Second World War soon after saw Williams join the Royal Air Force as a pilot, where he flew gliders with distinction.

His fledgling rugby career continued throughout the conflict, turning out for both the RAF and a combined Great Britain team.

Williams returned home and began to make his name with Cardiff RFC, creating a club record by scoring 41 tries in a single season in a total that eventually topped 185.

Many of those tries were claimed in tandem with his great centre partner and friend Dr Jack Matthews, a combination that would be transferred into both Wales and Lions shirts.

First capped as a fly-half against England at Cardiff Arms Park in 1947, Williams helped Wales to a share of the Five Nations title that season.

His career's crowning glory was to come in 1953, when Bob Stuart led New Zealand into British waters.

First, on 21 November, before a crowd of 58,000 at the Arms Park, Cardiff triumphed 8-3 against the touring Kiwis, with tries from Sid Judd and Gwyn Rowlands.

Then, on 19 December, the All Blacks suffered another defeat, going down 13-8 to the Wales national team.

Williams retired at the age of 32 in 1955, ending against the same opponents he had started his Test career against eight years before, having won 22 Wales caps and scored seven tries.

After hanging up his boots, Williams began a career in the media and quickly established himself as a respected and authoritative commentator on the game.

Williams was honoured with an MBE in the 2005 New Year Honours List at the age of 81.

He had suffered from ill health for some time and died at the Holme Tower medical centre in Cardiff on Monday.

Williams is survived by a son, two daughters and four grandchildren.