What’s happening here?
It’s February 5, 1977, half an hour before kick off at a packed Parc des Prince and Les Blues have assembled for their traditional pre-match team photograph. But this isn’t any ordinary French team, it is possibly their strongest ever side, certainly the meanest and most intimidating team they have ever fielded. They are about to play Wales and although this is their opening game of the Five Nations – and Wales’ second – everybody in the rugby world knows this is the Grand Slam decider.
What is the story behind the picture?
The rivalry with Wales in the 70s was acute, as was to be expected among two of the greatest sides the game has ever seen. In terms of the Five Nations, Wales held sway with three Grand Slams to France’s one though this France team of 1977 was essentially the side that also won the 1981 Grand Slam. The French also point to three victories over the All Blacks during the Seventies while the great Wales team of that era didn’t manage one. However you score it their constant tussle for bragging rights was the main narrative of European rugby.
The season before, 1976, Wales had gloriously marched to possibly their best Grand Slam under the captaincy of Mervyn Davies with their 19-13 win over France in Cardiff the key clash. Twelve months on the two combatants girded their loins again although, alas, Davies was absent, having been forced to retire with a brain haemorrhage.
Esta historia es de la edición December 20, 2020 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 20, 2020 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
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.
