And no sooner had that thought occurred than a copy of the picture serendipitously arrived from Coventry.
Barton, shoddily treated by England after a more than decent debut season in 1967, was one of those who pitched up in their England kit at Coundon Road at pre-season training and it’s an interesting picture to mull over nearly 50 years on.
Firstly, although we have become used in modern times to professional teams, with the ability to ‘buy-in’ anybody they want, fielding sides packed with internationals, it was extremely unusual – freakish even – for an amateur club to boast such a vast array of talent at the time.
Almost all of it would have been homegrown or garnered by well-established links with local schools, junior clubs, and Loughborough University up the road, while it should also be noted that a good relationship with the local education authorities was always advisable. Rugby-playing teachers was the richest seam of all to be mined by ambitious clubs in the 70s and 80s.
Another quirky observation, and perhaps the angle of the picture has something to do with it, but all eleven seem much of a muchness in terms of size and shape. This is like looking at a Rugby League line-up. No real extremes of width and height.
Denne historien er fra January 24, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 24, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
