Etched in black, it could have passed for distribution at a requiem mass to those mourning the loss of their national sport.
As a sequel to finishing rock bottom of that year’s Five Nations, a losing team took wing on a shambolic tour of Australia made all the more shameful by the fact that they wound up fighting among themselves at the official post-Test banquet. All that remained was for someone to administer the last rites.
That someone turned out to be the sober-minded editor of what used to be the bible of Welsh rugby, the late Arwyn Owen. “The unique black border around the cover says it all,” he wrote in the annual, black cap on his head. “Welsh Rugby at senior international level is dead.
“It had been in extremely poor health for several seasons. However, the recent tour of Australia proved to be fatal. Never in the previous 22 editions of the annual have we had to record such disastrous episodes of failure by our senior national team.”
The beatings by England, Scotland and France earlier that year were nothing compared to those inflicted in Australia. On three successive Saturdays in July, Wales conceded 29 tries: 12 to New South Wales in Sydney, 12 more to the Wallabies in Brisbane and another five to Queensland.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 08, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 08, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
