FORMER Pontypool and Wales rugby legend Graham Price has got new front teeth in time for his Christmas dinner.

Abergavenny dentist Dr Nigel Jones helped kick Mr Price's dentures into touch for the first time in almost 40 years.

Doctor Nigel Jones, 57, one of the UK’s leading implantologists, treated the British and Irish Lions prop to some dental implants at his Smiles Better dental practice in Baker Street.

He said: “Graham needed help with a filling, but I saw that he was missing multiple teeth as a result of his glorious sporting career so I discussed dental implants as an option for him.”

Mr Price,64, suffered many broken teeth during his illustrious career, in which he won 41 caps for Wales between 1975 and 1983, winning two Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978. The tight-head was also part of the famous Pontypool front row during the 1970s and 80s, which also became the Wales front three, and played in 12 successive Tests for the British Lions.

In 1978 while playing in the second Test against Australia in Sydney his jaw was broken following a punch from Wallabies loose-head Steve Finanne. The injury left him having to eat liquidized food for six weeks and wearing dentures for the past 40 years.

Having had dentures fitted Mr Price said he is looking forward to tucking into his turkey dinner care free.

“For the first time in nearly 40 years I don’t have to take my dentures out to brush my teeth. I can enjoy meals without gum pain and I’m able to chew all types of food including hard foods such as carrots and apples. I also don’t have to worry about getting food stuck in my dentures.”