What happening here?
It’s May 11,1996 and Wigan RL, a supremely talented squad of professional rugby players, have just won the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham and the RFU president Bill Bishop has presented them with the Russell Cargill trophy after they defeated a game but outgunned Wasps side 38-16.
Rarely can there been a more concentrated gathering of rugby talent in one small squad.
From left to right we have Jason Robinson, Henry Paul, Gary Connolly, Scott Quinnell, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell (just a glimpse of his head), Rob Smyth, Kris Radlinksi, Martin Offiah and Inga Tuigamala.
The story behind the picture
Less than nine months previously Rugby Union had been declared Open by the IRB which had caught the sporting world by surprise despite an obvious move in that direction. The RFU immediately called a moratorium for the following season to allow clubs to prepare for the official start of professionalism on September 1, 1996.
In the meantime the RFU, under the enlightened Bishop, were determined to get on the front foot and end 100 years of enmity with Rugby League after the historic split of 1895 and Wigan were invited down to Twickenham for the day and given the VIP treatment.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 31, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 31, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.