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.
Denne historien er fra July 02, 2023-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 July 02, 2023-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.