Ad. He later played for his local Northumberland side and went on to captain them. Not many know that he started out in a circus troupe as a bareback horse rider, before being abandoned at eleven after breaking an arm. Or Glenn Webbe, the Welsh international who has just released an acclaimed autobiography about his experience in the 80s. He was crowned the fastest sprinter in the Army in 1942 and turned out as a Dewsbury guest player on 57 occasions, winning two Championship medals in the process. We see many more years from this man. . with Kate arriving in a black England rugby . Francis developed rapidly, but his progress was curtailed when the Australian Harry Sunderland took over as coach and played the youngster in only seven of 86 games. He would be higher up this list if he had a chance to impress for England. Their semi-final victory over New Zealand in Yokohama was the greatest single performance by an England team in history, however. He was never selected again. Website. Francis scored two tries. Billy Vunipola joins his brother, Mako, on the England squad and the list of players to watch at the Rugby World Cup this year. The Exeter Chiefs centre is always involved when Exeter of England score a sensational solo try. He notably played for the Western Force in the international Super Rugby competition. His clubs included Coventry R.F.C. The gainline-busting Cardiff Rugby loosehead has been one of the form players in the URC and he wants his opportunity with Wales. Matera was behind almost all of this. The hulking Springbok has started the 2020-2021 rugby season in crusading form and he will undoubtedly be key to everything the South Africans do next year. Black players are often subconsciously stereotyped as athletes rather than decision-makers perhaps if more people knew Jimmy Peters and Errol Tobias ran their backlines, or how Andrew Harriman and Clive Sullivan inspired their teams to victory, that would be different. The 24-year-old shouldered the burden of the Ireland captaincy this year for the Autumn Nations Cup. The All Black, cast out by Steve Hansen in the 2019 World Cup has made a sensational comeback for New Zealand in 2020. He earned 58 caps in the All Black New . Even under pressure, Schmidt never flinched and went on to win 10 out of 17 professional matches. The softly spoken Frenchman has carried his form for Toulon onto the national team. Following this, they went into the 2003 edition of the World Cup on a high and won the tournament in dramatic fashion when a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal sealed victory against Australia in extra time of the final.Although the England Rugby team have never won the Rugby World Cup again, they have finished as the tournaments runners-up twice more (2007 and 2019). "The Rugby World Cup was a sea change for rugby in New Zealand, but also for women and . Errol TobiasErrol Tobias played for South Africa at a time when he wasnt allowed to vote in his country. One of the few real, natural opensides England have produced. Despite no international rugby for South Africa this year, he has still wowed fans in England for Sale Sharks. A 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, and British & Irish Lion in 1997, 2001 and 2005. What a year for the gigantic Fijian. Despite this, it is clear to see the massive impact he has had for Bristol Bears since the massive signing was announced at the start of the year. Black players have made a significant contribution to the sport in this country since Lucius Banks became the first black professional rugby league player in 1912. A relentless work-rate and insatiable appetite to disrupt and win, he went on two Lions tours a decade apart in 1983 and 1993. During this time, he was recognized as a fearsome front-row forward. There arent too many years left in the star, but he undoubtedly will be key for any side he plays for. Could very much be higher in this list if we got to see him more in action for Fiji this year. Francis and his wife Irene, a sociable and embracing woman who everybody called Rene, also successfully ran three pubs and a coffee shop during their time at Hull. The Cape Town-born speedster qualified for England through his English mother and quickly established himself as a regular in the sevens team. He also represented the Lions on two tours (2001, 2005) and, like Johnson, has been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame - Wilkinson in 2016. Callum Sheedy The box office fly half has had a quiet 2020 by his own standards, and he was more in the media for his high profile moves to the Blues and Japan than his actual rugby skill. The Connacht man has been sensational for club and ok for country this year. Northern England's working classes sought payment for their on-pitch efforts, while the union men wanted to keep rugby amateur for 'gentlemen'. Know about all the England Rugby Players. Despite success on the field, a rising rugby star senses the emerging emptiness of his life as his inner angst begins to materialize through aggression and brutality, so he attempts to woo his landlady in hopes of finding reason to live. In 1906, Jimmy Peters became the first black player in England's international rugby union history. But it is not the accolades and silverware that Francis is chiefly remembered for, it is the manner in which he sought them out. A sure-starter for England in 2021. A stunning start to 2020 had this young Welshman in the focus for the whole of January in the rugby world. He was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, and there is a new campaignexternal-link to have a statue of him erected in Cardiff. . The first female chair of NZ Rugby, Dame Patsy Reddy, is thrilled with the growth in the women's game, too. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. His barnstorming runs and unrivalled aggression have helped to make him the starting number 8 after Kieran Read retired. A position in parentheses indicates that the player debuted as a substitute. The England national rugby team are one of the sports most successful sides. Hugely powerful and athletic with and without the ball, the No 8 was often England's emotional beat on some of their greatest days. If not for the injuries he suffered through his career, Wilkinson would likely be more widely regarded as up there with the very best ever to have played. Arguably, there has not been a player with the turn of speed and agility that Robinson possessed either before him, or since. If he could break into the England side in 2021, could a Lions spot really be out of the equation? . Join free and tell us what you really think! Despite struggling for form in recent years, the Welshman is certainly deserving of a spot in the top 10 this year. Heineken Rugby Club - where rugby meets the world. Many have tippeded the Scotland player to start for the Lions after he put in multiple sensational performances for Racing 92 this year. Despite not featuring regularly for France this year, his form for his club has been that good that he certainly deserves a spot in this list. The Rugby Onslaught editorial team based around the globe spent hours debating whether this Frenchman should have been Number 1 in this pick. All these stories deserve to be known in their own right but they also matter right now. Francis became a sergeant and was called upon by the Army rugby union teams to represent both England and Wales. He also played for the Lions on two other tours in 1989 and 1993, and is another World Rugby Hall of Famer. Five years after his arrival, he became the team's head coach. After a stint in the army, where he continued to play union, he switched codes and went on to have a hugely successful career. The France and Racing 92 hooker is the definition of power in the front row. Indeed, Winterbottom is regarded by many as England's greatest ever flanker. 100 days. VS All.rugby SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP - R3 Saturday, February 25, 2023 KO 05:45PM Millennium Stadium | FRANCE 2 WALES ENGLAND 1. The list only includes players who have played in a ", Only recently has Francis' impressive legacy begun to be recognised properly. Kate Middleton grins as rugby team lifts her in the air at training Kate Middleton joined the English rugby team's practice session as she made her debut as their new patron - in Prince Harry's former role. No mean feat for a rugby player who is just 21-year-old. Future icons of the XVs game Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson were members of the squad but Harriman is the leader the players acknowledge as making the difference and not just because of his tries. Theres Georges Jrme, the lock forward from French Guiana who won the Championnat de France with Stade Franais in 1903 and scored a try against the 1906 New Zealands Originals in Frances first capped international game. List of notable or famous rugby players from England, with bios and photos, including the top rugby players born in England and even some popular rugby players who immigrated to England. "Lads were regularly physically sick," Smith says of the early Leeds sessions. He went to Rotorua Boys' High School where he began playing rugby alongside with former All Black loosie Liam Messam. His performances for Wasps in England have been way ahead of his years. Fastest rugby players of all-time. "Roy was the first person to come and see me after I had my daughter," says Anne Francis. He was suspended from rugby union for accepting a retirement gift from his club but played a further two years in rugby league before finally retiring from the game completely. Stevens parents are English-born and his heritage meant he qualified for England U21s. After two years, Francis had had enough. Since, he has gone on to become England captain and led his nation to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Japan, only to suffer defeat at the hands of South Africa. I could see him looking at her in the cot, and he went home and told his wife Rene he was so relieved she was white. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps) 14. View all England Red Roses Women's Rugby Team news. Very much a breakthrough player for New Zealand this year after some incredible performances for the Crusaders late in 2019. Theyve also been the number-one ranked team in the world on a number of occasions. Durban-born Labuschagne played for the men in white on five occasions in the 1950s, beating Wales and Scotland and losing out to France and the Welsh, as well drawing with Ireland. Heineken Rugby Club where rugby meets the world. Francis was a brilliant rugby league player, becoming the first black man to play for Great Britain in 1947, and one of the country's greatest coaches. Scoring two tries in his five Tests, although he was undoubtedly a pioneer, it would be 80 years before another black player represented England. Surely Wales will want to keep him in their plans under Wayne Pivac next year. People on this list include Nic Stirzaker and Rodney Williams. Those are some big shoes to fill and he certainly did that. He appeared at three World Cups two for Great Britain, in 1968 and 1972, and again for Wales in 1975. 2023 Six Nations favourites and predictions. There were clearly not four better wings in the game and yet he was left out for political reasons, Australia still operated a colour bar.". Less caps than the rest on this list he may have, but that is only because Robinson converted from rugby league midway through his professional career. Horak was born in Johannesburg before signing for Leicester Tigers in 1997. A few more strong years and he could be one of the greats of French rugby. List of rugby players by country and by club for the current season . He hasnt dominated for Gloucester, but his incredible solo try has earnt him that spot at number 3 in this list. Official Guinness Six Nations Championship section for the England Rugby Team, including Fixtures, Results, Live Scores, Features and Latest News . Another Welsh player who switched codes, despite a period playing union in the army during World War II, Francis scored 229 tries in 356 league games. Roy FrancisOf all the players on this list, Roy Francis is becoming increasingly well-known, with his incredible career having been highlighted by both the BBC in The Rugby Codebreakers and a SquidgeRugby special. In 2003, the side conquered all who came before them in the Six Nations Championship and won every game in the competition, claiming the Grand Slam in the process. The history of the England national rugby team dates all the way back to 1871. The holistic view of Clive Woodward's England rugby union successes or Sir Dave Brailsford's 'marginal gains' at British Cycling were decades away. A strong year for the Wallabies would help to raise his stock. In many ways, his story is similar to Alfred Clunies-Ross, the first non-white test player who was selected for the very first international rugby match between Scotland and England in 1871. Numbers of interest Youngest player : Henry ARUNDELL - 20 years old Oldest player : Dan COLE - 35 years old Average : 27 years old Lightest player : Alex MITCHELL - 83 kg Although ignored by Martin Johnson throughout his time in charge, the Saracens centre was a favourite of the Stuart Lancaster era and has so far won 26 caps. The Springboks are reportedly keen on adding former Test referee Nigel Owens to their coaching team ahead of the World Cup. "He loved us and we loved him. Not many hookers are found near the top of the try-scoring table - but Davies has just done that in the Premier 15s, England's women's premiership, having scored nine tries . James G RobertsonFrom 1871-75, James Robertson played 46 games as a try-scoring forward for Royal High School Former Players, one of the founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union, alongside Scotland test players like Angus Buchanan and Alexander Petrie. The African Leopards: . Supporters took him to their hearts. The only player from the current set-up to make it onto our list at this juncture, there can be no denying that Farrell has forged an outstanding England career, and is still only 28-years-old. His performances have almost been as monumental as his sizable neck. He is notable as the first black man to play rugby union for England. Though not as famed or outspoken as some of his team-mates, the Saracen had everything and gelled within a back-row unit alongside Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio to genuinely world class effect. However, he did let himself down on multiple occasions for Scotland when he captained them this season. After their loss to New Zealand in the Tri Nations, he helped turn results around for the men in green and gold. His transformative play style in the front row has helped carve his name out in that position for years to come. Every player there - if Roy had said 'run all night' we would've done. It is a travesty that he is not being considered to play for the roses. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Sinckler is undoubtedly one of the best props in World Rugby. those who have played for the Scotland national rugby union team. You may not have heard of him much if you dont play Super Rugby, but rest assured, he is a future star for the Wallabies. For example, Jonny Wilkinson made his Test debut off the bench as a wing, but is more famous as a fly-half. List of England Rugby Players Know about all the England Rugby Players. He was like a pied piper.". Having led the Black Ferns to three successive World Cup wins, in 1998, 2002 and 2006, Palmer was one of the first names selected in this all-star XV. Unfortunately for Leeds, their coach's reputation had grown further still, and his story would cross paths with Australia once again, with the North Sydney Bears attracting him in time for the 1969 season. "He was really the first person in British sport to use modern coaching methods," says sports historian Tony Collins. It is he who, with a choice remark or slight action, can rapidly dispel the tension of a critical moment.". A superb attacking presence and tactically astute too. Searingly quick, fast-footed, a fabulous runner and capable of near inexplicable acceleration too. He also, however, scored a lot of tries: memorably stunning an Australia team containing Michael Lynagh and David Campese in the opening moments of the final. Read about our approach to external linking. Next he would do the same at Leeds, becoming their head coach in 1963. The first of our Rugby Union Top 10 series, as we begin by looking at 10 of England's greatest performers. The 21-year-old French fly-half has been sensational this year for France. The story Anne recalls of her father-in-law Roy Francis is far removed from his public profile and great sporting successes, but it gives a poignant insight into the mind of a loving and private man who achieved plenty in the public sphere. Up there with Johnson as one of the most talismanic England players to have worn the shirt, and one of the principal leaders on their road to 2003 Rugby World Cup success. Not for Francis. Nadolo managed to bag a hat trick of tries for Fiji having just played one game in the Autumn Nations Cup. After retiring, he remained in rugby administration and founded a clothing company. Richie Gray (207cm, 6ft 8in) The only British & Irish Lion to feature on this list, Gray has been one of the tallest locks in northern hemisphere rugby this decade after breaking through at Glasgow Warriors. A 2016 Grand Slam winner, 2017 Six Nations winner and three-time Triple Crown winner (2014, 2016, 2017), Farrell was also part of 2016's three-Test whitewash of the Wallabies in Australia. Anglo-French rivalry has lacked a little rancour since a certain English superstar seduced the heart of French rugby. Pearse Rooney (2015) . England squad - in full Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 19 caps) Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Ben Earl (Saracens, uncapped) Charlie Ewels (Bath. Looking at Francis' proteges, his influence stretches far and wide. "He pushed and he pushed and he pushed and he always had his stopwatch out, I'm not sure he ever recorded the times, I think it might've been a trick. List of England national rugby union players, "List of England national rugby union players", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "RFU pays tribute to Charles 'Peter' Garfield Woodruff", "Charles 'Peter' Garfield Woodruff MBE - a tribute", "Newport RFC: 1954/55 Season Summary | Newport RFC", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_England_national_rugby_union_players&oldid=1136323946, v United States of America at San Francisco, This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 20:26. Yet 65 years on from Francis' trailblazing start at Hull, there remains a galling lack of black head coaches or administrators in British sport - something footballer Raheem Sterling highlighted in June. 15 October 1971. The Rugby Onslaught investigation unit has gathered a crack team of the best analysts, codebreakers and pundits in the universe to pick the 50 best rugby players in the world in 2020. An embarrassing moment that almost overshadowed his. Her family were unimpressed when baby Roy was born, and she gave him away. He won the 1960 Rugby League World Cup, and scored 24 tries in 31 appearances for Great Britain. At Hull FC in 1955, he became the first. His kicking was poor in the final game against France, however, most fans would admit you would die to have someone of Farrells calibre in their team. Cotton made his England debut. sides of the scrum and played in three World Cups. In the past three years, 16 black players have played for England's senior men's football team. That remains true, even when those stories are forgotten or overlooked, or even cast aside for easier or more local narratives. She recently announced her ambition to be President of the RFU and address visibility both in terms of gender and race. Read More About: brad barritt, eddie jones, eddie jones news, england rugby, england rugby news, geoff appleford, london irish, matt stevens, michael horak, mike catt, mourtiz botha, nic groom, northampton saints, saracens, south africa, springboks, stuart abbott, This article was written by a member of The PA Team. Growing up in south Wales in the 1920s and 30s, Francis fell in love with rugby union. He had been born in 1919 in Brynmawr. Another New Zealand emerger on the scene in 2020. Pain was a common thread in Francis' training. England team to play South Africa: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Courtney. Wigan wanted to sign him so badly that they tripled their original offer of a 1,000 signing bonus, itself a fortune at the time. Surely one of the best rugby players on the planet right now.