Rhys Webb paid tribute to the late chairman of his first rugby club during the Barbarians’ clash with England at Twickenham.
It’s a tradition of the world famous invitation club that they can wear socks of their own choosing, and so it was that Toulon scrum-half Webb opted for the green and gold of Bridgend Athletic in memory of Andrew Tellem, who has passed away after a lengthy illness.
The Wales and Lions scrum started his career with the Newbridge Fields club, winning trophies and age-grade caps with them.
He also has retained close links with them.
The decision to sport their colours in front of a live TV audience and an attendance of 40,230 came after the loss of Tellem, with Webb also wearing a black armband.
"It has been a sad moment because we lost our chairman," he told the BBC.
"He has battled hard with his illness and was a real warrior. The socks and black armband were for him.
"It really hurt us as a whole in the community and he has done a lot for the club. So this week was also for him."
England defeated the Barbarians 51-43 in a game that saw the former Wales scrum-half retire from the fray with a leg knock after 56 minutes.
But the 30-year-old Baa-Baas debut-maker said he’d relished being part of the set-up.
"It’s been an honour and a privilege to wear this jersey,” he said.
“It's a pity we did not get the result.
"But we have come together and it will be a week I will cherish for the rest of my life.
"It was everything I expected. We lived up to the tradition of the Barbarians and played with great style against an England side full of energy.
"It was nice to be back on the international stage running out at Twickenham wearing this famous jersey with my family watching.”
Webb is off limits to Wales under the rule that prevents exiled players who have fewer than 60 caps from pulling on the red jersey.
He will spend the next month at home before returning to Toulon on July 2 for the start of pre-season training.
