A sea of people hailed Carling like a Messiah

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

- Brendan Gallagher delves

What’s happening here?

THE England supporters at Twickenham are being very un-English and going totally nuts minutes after England have beaten France 21-19 in the 1991 Grand Slam decider. Despite the stern voice of Peter Yarranton on the stadium PA telling them not to run onto the pitch they do exactly that and hoist England’s still youthful skipper Will Carling onto their shoulders.

A new breed of England fan is making known their approval of a team that has been copping flak in some quarters for its suspiciously ‘professional’ ways and aspirations. It’s only the second England Grand Slam since 1957 and the first to be clinched at home since Eric Evans’ team did the business that year. It’s both a time to celebrate and to perhaps dream of greater glories ahead.

What is the story behind the picture?

England had been under-performing seemingly forever. Many had hoped that the 1980 Grand Slam under Bill Beaumont would have finally kick-started a more consistent era but for various reasons – retirements, serious injury and a return to rank bad selection – it petered out and by midway, through the decade England were a shambles again. The 1987 World Cup was another low point. Something had to change.

Then in 1988 new coach Geoff Cooke appointed youthful Quins centre Will Carling – at Durham University on an Army scholarship – as captain. Carling, with just five caps under his belt, was as surprised as anybody.