A RARE piece of Welsh rugby history has been discovered by a Rogerstone family during a recent house move.

Debbie Randall, 47, of Afon Mead found a dusty old rugby ball in her attic - only to realise it was covered in the signatures of the Grand Slam winning-Welsh team of the 1976 Five Nations.

What has since gone on to become a family heirloom was actually the ball used during the final match of the championships.

Ms Randall said she had been aware that her mother, Jennifer Oliver, had won the ball in a work raffle, but only recently came across it again.

She said: “My mum passed it onto my son, Lloyd, and told him that one day he’d understand the significance of this ball.

“I’ve always known about the ball being in our family, ever since my mum won it in an employee’s raffle at her old job with Cwmcarn toy factory.”

“There are some big names on the ball – Gareth Edwards, the Pontypool front row, Merv the Swerve, and JPR Williams just to name a few,” Ms Randall added.

“We haven’t had it valued or authenticated at this moment in time but my son is getting married next year and I believe he has been thinking about finding out its worth just in case.”

Following Wales’ draw with Ireland last week, the Grand Slam is out of the team’s reach this go around - the 40th anniversary of the Grand Slam in 1976.

Mrs Randall said she remembered approaching the Welsh Rugby Union about introducing the Slazenger-made ball into their memorabilia, but never received a reply.

She said: “The ball just lives in a bag in our attic and I would much rather that people were able to see it and experience this piece of Welsh sporting history.

“But I’m happy to keep the ball with us for the moment and also to show it to anyone who is interested in seeing it. We just need somewhere to show it off really.”