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.
Denne historien er fra May 31, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 31, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
