25 years on and the pain is fading...

Next week marks the 25th anniversary of the end of what became known as the “Tour of Hell”. Jon Newcombe talks to some of the players whose Test careers were over before they barely began as a result of the frightful hammerings at the hands of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

- Jon Newcombe

Socially it was phenomenal, on the pitch it was very sobering. Twenty five years ago this summer England travelled to the other side of the world but found the leading southern hemisphere teams to be on a different planet.

Having had New Zealand, Australia and South Africa over the previous autumn, it was England’s turn to repay the favour. But after virtually two years of non-stop rugby at the start of professionalism many of England’s top players were fatigued or broken, or both, and did not make themselves available for the now infamous trip.

Instead a squad of largely unknowns flew out to embark on a seven-match schedule the likes of which we will never see again. As a sop to the southern hemisphere, the RFU agreed to mirror the fixtures of the previous November, meaning England would face Australia, New Zealand twice and South Africa on consecutive weekends.

As well as the Tests, England also agreed to play three midweek matches, against New Zealand A, Academy and Maori – without being able to call on key men. Once captain Lawrence Dallaglio pulled out, it set the tone. The two other members of England’s back row trinity, Richard Hill and Neil Back and Lions leader Martin Johnson were among the clutch of notable absentees.

Matt Dawson, swayed by the offer of the captaincy, decided to drag his weary body on the plane and he was joined by 36 other players, including no less than 20 debutants and a handful of other rookies.