Gareth Edwards awarded CBE in New Year's Honours list

LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) Gareth Edwards, voted the greatest player of all time in a Rugby World magazine poll, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours list.

The former Wales captain, 59, played scrumhalf for the 1971 British and Irish Lions team who remain the only Lions side to win a series in New Zealand.

''Gareth Edwards has achieved iconic status as a rugby player and is universally respected as a sporting role model,'' the Government said in a statement today.

Edwards was also a member of the unbeaten 1974 Lions in South Africa.

Welshman Ian Woosnam, captain of the European team who beat the United States in the Ryder Cup for the third time in a row this year, was given an OBE (Officer of the Order).

Zara Phillips, the individual three-day event world champion, and England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard were awarded MBEs (Member of the Order).

Phillips is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth.

Reuters SBA VP0612