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ICONIC: The JPR Williams Collection
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JPR WILLIAMS | BARBARIANS | 1973
Jersey match-worn by JPR in the famous Barbarians RFC v New Zealand All Blacks ‘match of the century', played in Cardiff on 27 th January 1973. Jersey in traditional black and white hoops bearing Barbarians cypher embroidered on to patch, printed number 15 to white square stitched to reverse, Umbro ‘two globes’ label to interior. In excellent complete condition. To accompany:
Barbarians FC dinner card in honour of the New Zealand Rugby Touring Team 1972-73, in good condition.
Match programme.
Black and white reproduced photo with signatures over the tops in black ink of JPR Williams, Phil Bennett, Gareth Edwards, Tommy David, and John Dawes.
Booklet with match-by-match reports and pictures of New Zealand’s rugby tour of the British Isles 1972-73 entitled ‘All Blacks in the Lion’s Den’, colour cover and with colour photographs, 72 pages.
The Barbarians vs New Zealand match was played at Cardiff Arms Park to a capacity crowd. It remains one of the most famous rugby matches of all time, in which certainly the most famous try of all time was scored. ‘That try’—commonly described as ‘the greatest try’—was scored by Sir Gareth Edwards, but started off by Phil Bennett, who then passed to JPR Williams, who shrugged off a high tackle from Bryan Williams—one of several high tackles JPR endured over the course of the match.
"We really had no right to beat them, we hadn’t played together for eighteen months, and they were right at the end of a tour". JPR in ‘Slammed’ (BBC Wales)
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Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JPR WILLIAMS | BRITISH LIONS | 1971
Jersey match-worn by JPR Williams, bears crest of the four unions with the English rose in indigo rather than red (1974) and with two labels to the interior for Umbro and Lillywhites as was the case in the 1971 tour. Stitched white number 15 to reverse. Red dye has run to white areas.
The 1971 Lions were the first British team to win a major series abroad in the 20th Century and the only time the Lions have won a series in New Zealand. The tour was a huge success for British rugby and as a public relations exercise for the sport in the UK.
In the 1991 Souvenir Programme for the 20 th Anniversary of the tour, captain John Dawes wrote:
“ Throughout history certain events in sport achieve an everlasting place by virtue of the magnitude of the performance. In team sports in the UK such teams as the England World Cup Soccer Team in 1966, Britain’s Ryder Cup Team that regained the famous trophy, Ray Illingworth’s Team that regained the Ashes in Australia in 1971 are such fine examples. There are those who feel the achievements of the 1971 British Lions, in becoming the first UK Team to win a rugby series against the mighty All Blacks in New Zealand, deserves to rank alongside those achievements ”.
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Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JPR WILLIAMS | WALES | 1979 | 50 TH CAP
Traditional Wales International Rugby Union match-worn jersey in red with white collar, embroidered ‘Ich Dien’ Prince of Wales feathers, white number 15 stitched to reverse. Umbro ‘The Choice of Champions’ label to inside collar. In good order without colour run or damage. Handwritten label to the interior specifying ‘50 th Cap’.
Believed to have been worn by JPR Williams for his 50 th Welsh cap against Ireland on February 3rd, 1979. JPR was the newly appointed captain for the 1979 championship.
The Five Nations Championship match, played at Cardiff Arms Park, was a close won 24-21 victory to Wales with tries for Allan Martin and Paul Ringer.
The Welsh side for this championship was considered experimental on the back of the retirement of Gerald Davies, Phil Bennett, Terry Cobner and Gareth Edwards. Yet the Championship and Triple Crown was won again by Wales, with only a defeat by a single point away at France preventing Wales winning the Grand Slam. They were the champions for the second consecutive season and won a record twenty-first outright title. They won the Triple Crown for a record fourth successive season and extended their record number of Triple Crown wins to sixteen.
This would be the last time that Wales won back-to-back championships until 2013.
JPR was awarded a further five caps for Wales, he bowed out at 55 caps which was a new Welsh record at the time.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JPR WILLIAMS | WALES | 1979
Traditional Wales International Rugby Union match-worn jersey in red with white collar, embroidered ‘Ich Dien’ Prince of Wales feathers, white number 15 stitched to reverse. Umbro International ‘The Choice of Champions’ label to inside collar. In good structural condition.
Jersey believed to have been worn by JPR in 1979 for his 53 rd cap in the Five Nations Championship, in which Wales were the champions for the second consecutive season. In beating Scotland, Ireland, and England they also won the Triple Crown for a record fourth successive season and extended their record number of Triple Crown wins to sixteen. This would be the last time that Wales won back-to-back championships until 2013. Wales secured the Championship by securing a victory against England on March 17 th in Cardiff. JPR was awarded a record 53 rd cap and he intended the England game to be his final cap. Sadly his intended final match ended prematurely as he limped off with a laceration to his calf. He was replaced by Clive Griffiths. But JPR returned to help out Wales when injury ravaged the squad in 1981 and when he won his final Welsh cap.
JPR’s 55 caps were a record for Wales, five as captain, in a Welsh side that won Grand Slams in 1971, 1976 and 1978. His record against the ‘old enemy’ was impeccable, in ten tests between Wales and England JPR scored five tries (exceptional for a full-back position) and incredibly he was never on the losing side! It is telling that in 1980 when he chose not to play, Wales lost to England, but on his return for two matches in 1981, Wales beat England again!
Of his first cap, JPR wrote “ No one ever forgets his first cap, and I am no exception. I was treated like royalty by the lads at St Mary’s for the first few days after the news of my selection, and fortunately I was out of reach of the media in Wales. It is perhaps as well that I did not see some of the reactions of the Welsh sports writers to my selection, because there was a fair amount of scepticism !”
“… I eventually achieved this (my full cap) at Murrayfield in February 1969. The newly adopted Welsh squad system had enabled me to train with and gain experience from the established Welsh players and this helped greatly in making my first full game for Wales a marvellous occasion. After the initial worry that I might let everyone down I was not at all nervous once the game started and in fact I ran the ball the first time I touched it .”
JPR was typically generous in summarising his experiences in a Welsh jersey:
“I also feel privileged that I played for Wales at a time when we had so many outstanding players in their particular positions. I could not help by be influenced by such people as Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies and Barry John, nor help develop playing under the astute captaincy of John Dawes”. (The Autobiography of JPR Williams)
After a lacklustre 15-6 defeat at Murrayfield in 1981, the selectors axed seven players, including captain Steve Fenwick and in what was described as "the day of the long knives". JPR would never play for Wales again. His departure signalled the end of the golden era for Welsh rugby union.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JPR WILLIAMS | ST MARY’S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL | 1968-1973
Jersey match-worn by JPR Williams, navy blue with white collar, embroidered fleur-de-lys to circular navy-blue patch sewn to chest, white canvas number 15 to reverse, Bukta label to inside collar. In Catholic symbology, the lily represents the Virgin Mary. The three petals in the fleur-de-lys point to Mary’s radiance , royalty and purity .
JPR (family notes, 2023):
“Looking back, being accepted by St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in ‘67 was pivotal for me. If I had not been a student in London, I would never have joined London Welsh, nor played with such brilliant players around me. After all, seven people were selected for the ‘71 Lions tour, of which five played in the Tests.
I was pleased to be accepted for1st MB to re-take Physics as I didn’t really want to stay on at school another year. St Mary’s had a good rugby reputation which went back years. I managed a few games for the 1st’s that term when other players were unavailable. It was quite an experience playing in the company of older players, some of whom were six or seven years older than me and seemed “real men of the world”. It happened as the medical training was so long and some went on to work in the hospital afterwards. But during the student vacations and some weekends I had a few games for Bridgend, sometimes travelling down by train on Saturday mornings.
I found it difficult to juggle until, after being picked to tour Argentina with Wales in ‘68, I was asked to play for London Welsh. After much deliberation, I accepted in Oct ‘68 and I never looked back, as their attacking style of rugby matched my own. I still played for St Mary’s in the Hospital Cup matches for another 5-6 years. And we won the Cup quite a few times - great occasions! I needed special permission from the Dean to take three months off in ‘71 for the Lions tour to New Zealand. So I joined the next set and I had to delay my clinical placements and my final exams. But I wouldn’t have missed the Lions for the world! My fellow medics told me how they got up at 2am to watch the Test matches … just think, some of the matches were in black and white!
After qualifying I was offered a Surgical House job at St Mary’s and luckily it finished just in time to go to South Africa with the ‘74 Lions tour. Again, it effectively set me back six months, but how lucky was I to fit it in!
I couldn’t seem to leave Mary’s (or London) as I really wanted to become a surgeon, and needed to pass some very stiff exams. So, I became an Anatomy Demonstrator (teacher) at the Medical School. It was strange being on the other side of the table, but much easier for me to fit in all the squad training and playing without on-call duties. By the end of the year, I managed to pass Part 1 FRCS and in ‘76 we moved to Wales so I could take up a surgical rotation job for 3 yrs. That wasn’t the end of my St Mary’s connection as in 1982 I was offered a three-year Senior Registrar job there. It took me to Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading as well St Mary’s - a great orthopaedic experience.
I was privileged to be connected to St Mary’s for almost 10 years, not only did I get good medical teaching, I made great friends, and played exciting rugby for the hospital, London Welsh, Middlesex and London Counties. I even managed to get my London University Purple playing tennis for a few summers. The Medical school was amalgamated with Imperial College in the 1990’s, along with Charing Cross and Westminster Medical Schools. They no longer play in the navy jersey nor the Fleur-de-Lys - so this is a special jersey .”
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JPR WILLIAMS | LONDON WELSH | 1968-1976
Match-worn jersey in red with white collar, bears felt shield with red dragon embroidered crest to white shield shaped badge, canvas number 15 stitched to reverse, Umbro International label to the interior.
JPR’s first season for London Welsh was 1968-69 whilst he commenced studying for medicine at St Mary’s. In his autobiography of 1979, JPR devotes a chapter to ‘The Golden Days of London Welsh’ when the club " ... made a name for themselves with their exciting fifteen-man ball-handling game" . He reflected on his amazement at the fitness of the players – even in the forwards, and, seeing that he was just out of school, had "great difficulty in keeping up with some of these old men" .
An Evening News report after JPR’s debut on October 5 th , 1968, tells of resentment in Wales on JPR’s decision to play for the club. JPR expressed his incredulity "…a round trip of 350 miles to appear for Bridgend is not the best preparation for a game and the problem was further complicated as David Griffiths, the Bridgend vice-captain, is also a full-back" . The report tells of JPR’s ‘sensational debut’ for London Welsh.
Only a few games into JPR’s first season in 1968, they played his local club Bridgend. JPR admitted that this would be a difficult fixture for him emotionally, particularly as he had already played some matches for the Welsh club. The great Tony Lewis reported on the fixture with the headline 'Williams too good for his ex-colleagues' going on to say that "…whichever side John Williams had played they would have won…his Argentine experiences have clearly injected timing and assurance into his running from full-back" .
The London Welsh club of the 1960s and 1970s was the go-to for Welsh boys who were either teaching or learning to teach in London. The home matches would bring in big crowds, always confident of a win and some exciting running rugby. At Old Deer Park, JPR was able to bond with fellow Welsh internationals, Mervyn Davies, Tony Gray, John Dawes and John Taylor – who was to be JPR’s best-man. An impressive six of the London Welsh team were selected to tour New Zealand in 1971 with the British Lions. A huge tribute to the club. Together, the London Welsh international players would travel west for their Wales Sunday squad sessions at Aberavon Beach and for Wales matches and so a strong bond was forged between the London Welsh contingent, which was important for the success of the Welsh international side.
The entertaining play of London Welsh had its critics, especially from back over the Severn Bridge. Probably from a position of jealousy and snobbery, London Welsh were accused of " being airy-fairy and not tough enough to play proper rugby" . But those who watched them play regularly in the early to mid-1970s were enthralled by rugby being played with freedom and expression.
JPR reflected that "I will always look back on my days there (London Welsh) as being the most formative in my process of learning to adapt my game to full-back play. This had become my trademark by this time. So, my memories of both the club and people connected with it are fond and grateful ones" .
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JPR WILLIAMS | WALES UNDER 25 | 1970
Red jersey with white collar, Umbro International Sportswear manufacturing label, printed Umbro motif to back, felt patch number 15 stitched to rear with felt patch rampant dragon and embroidered 'FIJI' over.
JPR played full-back wearing the number 15 jersey for Wales (Under 25) XV v Fiji at National Ground Cardiff on 21 st November 1970. The Wales (Under 25) XV won 8-6. Please see Welsh Brewers Annual 1971/72 page 20 photo of Welsh players in the match wearing this jersey.
The Wales line-up was an impressive one, with full-cap players included such as John Bevan, Derek Quinnell, Terry Cobner and was captained by Phil Bennett. The senior Welsh side had earlier in the year shared the Five Nations Championship with France. The match against Fiji would have formed preparation for the 1971 Championship, with the opportunity for selectors to observe a number of ‘possibles’ whilst playing with more experienced ‘probables’ such as JPR. Four months later Wales would win their 6 th Grand Slam.
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JPR WILLIAMS | YR URDD JUBILEE MATCH | 1972
Match-worn by JPR Williams, the jersey in green with white collar, Urdd logo to chest with ‘50’, number 15 stitched to reverse, Umbro ‘Choice of Champions’ label. The match comprised a Barry John XV against a Carwyn James XV, played as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Urdd Gobaith Cymru on April 26 th 1972.
Most spectators were expecting just another entertaining afternoon, a commemorative match, the sort of which were popular in the amateur period. The game itself was originally scheduled for Cardiff Arms Park, but moved next door when it became clear the demand was huge to see what was, in effect, a game between a Wales XV and a quasi-Lions XV. In the end, 35,000 fans saw the John XV beat the James XV, 32-28. JPR was to play against his English rival and friend Bob Hiller.
However, the match will be forever remembered for altogether different reasons.
Just a few days after the game, Barry John ‘The King’ announced that he would walk away from rugby at the age of only 27. The news creating shockwaves through the sporting world.
Phil Bennett was the opposing number to Barry John in the Urdd match and being four years John’s junior, was very much the heir to Barry John’s throne.
Bennett recalled “ For the public back then, Barry’s decision was a huge sensation – but I have to admit that it was less of a shock to me. He was a huge star, there would be pictures of him and George Best in the newspapers of the day because that was the level of fame he’d had since coming back from New Zealand with the Lions in 1971. But Barry wasn’t a film star. He was young guy from a West Wales village, and it was already being talked about that he found that side of things quite difficult.
He’d go for a pint and there would be six blokes queueing up to get an autograph and ask him questions. He would go to some function and no-one would give him a minute’s peace. So, there were rumours among the boys that he wasn’t happy. You have to remember this was an amateur game. Barry played for fun, for the enjoyment. Yes, he wanted to win every game he played, but it wasn’t life and death to him and it wasn’t his job.”
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JPR WILLIAMS | BRIDGEND | c.1980s
JPR’s match-worn Bridgend RFC jersey in blue with narrow white stripe, white collar, embroidered crest and embroidered Umbro diamonds to chest, black number 15 to white square, Umbro International label to collar. To accompany, blazer patch pocket with Bridgend RFC braided crest.
During his years at London Welsh JPR had felt that he was sheltered from the criticism and pressures that were felt by a Welsh player playing for local clubs. He was able to mature at London Welsh, which put him in good stead to return to Wales and accept the new challenge of playing in front of more critical eyes.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
"It was by no means a foregone conclusion that I would be moving out of London in ‘76 to take up a 3-year rotating surgical post in Cardiff. I needed to pass part 1 FRCS first then I was in my way to a career in surgery. I joined the squad at Bridgend in the September and played underMeredydd James, a stalwart of the club for a few years. The big differences with London Welsh were the muddy pitches and mid -week evening matches: it gets very cold by 8.45 pm!
I was Captain for the ‘78-9 year of Bridgend’s Centenary and we had plenty of extra fixtures, sometimes playing three times a week. But the big event was to be the visit of the All Blacks on their’78 tour in the December. As Captain of Wales, I was still smarting at the injustice of losing the Wales match against them three weeks earlier. Their line out tricks fooled the referee and won the game for them at the end.
But I wasn’t prepared for the vicious play against us; three of us at least received bad lacerations, but mine was the most severe. Much has been written about my returning to the field (against the advice of my father and three brothers: all medics) but I simply felt I couldn’t let the team down as Captain. The photo with Graham Mourie shows his concern as the trainer led me off and he made apologies at a later date. Not so the prop who stamped a second time when he realised who I was.
This jersey is the replacement Bridgend one as my original playing jersey was washed as best as possible but there were still blood stains."
The incident was the lead to writer Ed Smith’s story in GQ Magazine, entitled ‘Who Dares Wins’. Smith opening with "When does courage become madness? Perhaps we should ask JPR Williams…"
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JPR WILLIAMS | ENGLAND & WALES | 1981 WRU CENTENARY YEAR MATCH
A red and white quartered jersey, match-worn by JPR, with embroidered Prince of Wales feathers and ‘Welsh Rugby Union, 1881-1981’, stitched brown number 15 to reverse, Umbro International label to inside collar. To accompany:
Black and white photo of JPR in the jersey.
Welsh Rugby Union Centenary Year programme 1980.
Player’s itinerary card.
The special commemorative match was played against an Ireland and Scotland combined XV at Cardiff Arms Park on 29 th November, 1980. JPR’s opposite number was Andy Irvine.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
"This was one of the last jerseys I saved. I cherished it and I didn’t wish to swap it. I had only just been persuaded to come out of retirement the previous month to play against the All Blacks for the WRU Centenary in 1980-81. I couldn’t hide the fact that I had been training and playing a bit for Bridgend as I couldn’t seem to keep away from the game. But this was different and I was proud that I was the only person to have been selected first, then played in all four matches marking the Centenaries of RFU, Scottish RU, Irish RU and finally WRU in 1981. It was lucky that my career at international level landed at the right time and spanned 11 years... at grassroots level it was rather different and spanned nearly 20. I played alongside, Bill Beaumont, Peter Wheeler and Clive Woodward in that game and got to know them as friends."
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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GARRICK FAY | AUSTRALIA | 1969
Replacement jersey issued to Garrick Fay (b.1952) in traditional ‘gold’ with white collars, embroidered crest to shield badge bearing ‘Australia Rugby 1969’, green vinyl No.19 stitched to reverse, bears collar label for Westmont.
Garrick Fay was a giant lock and a massive presence in scrum and lineout while his technical contribution was much underrated.
In 1970, Fay moved to London to study hotel management and play rugby for Wasps, where he would have faced London Welsh with JPR in a domestic capacity. He was back with Sydney in 1971 and played against the touring Springboks. When the locking pair of Stu Gregory and Reg Smith were not retained for the second Test in Brisbane, Fay was called in to make his international debut. That debut proved to be a baptism of fire; Fay and his second-row partner Owen Butler were given a serious lesson by the experienced South African pair of Frik du Preez and John Williams, who won the lineouts 30 to 8.
The following year he was chosen on his first Wallaby tour to New Zealand, and despite the one-sided nature of the Test series, Fay and his fellow locking partners Reg Smith and Barry Stumbles toiled tirelessly in the tight. Surprisingly, Fay is often remembered for his drop-kicking prowess, which came to the fore in the first Test against Tonga in 1973 when, trapped in traffic, he casually knocked over a fine left-foot drop goal.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
"The large jersey I think belonged to Garrick Fay. He was also on that '73 tour and he was huge! Over 17 stone and 6’5” and a fearsome lock. I already knew him from when we had both played for Middlesex in the early '70’s. I was at St Mary’s medical school and playing for them and London Welsh so was eligible. As was Garrick who was over in the UK playing for Wasps for a couple of years. It was great to be on the same team. Our paths crossed quite a lot".
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SAMU NAQELEVUKI | FIJI | 1969
All white jersey, match worn by Samu Naqelevuki (1944-2002). Embroidered palm tree crest with the Fiji RU to square stitched to chest. Quilted number 15 stitched to reverse, label for Canterbury to the interior. To accompany a black and white photographic print of JPR with the ball, surrounded by four Fijian players seemingly attempting to tackle high. A photograph of a tribal dance within a crowded stadium and the cover of the programme from this match. Swapped with JPR after Fiji’s match with Wales XV played in Suva, June 25 th 1969.
The late Samu Naqelevuki, who was labelled as one of the country’s most stylish and ruthless fullbacks, passed away in November 2002, just a few days after his son Sireli Naqelevuki was named to be part of the national sevens team for Fiji.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
"The tour to NZ, Australia and Fiji was an exciting one for me, but we were well beaten by the All Blacks. It was wonderful to spend the last few days enjoying the wonderful Fijian hospitality, and sunshine after the grim attrition of the games in NZ. I had missed the last month of term at the Medical school and friends had copied up the lectures for me. Some came to Heathrow to meet us.. and were surprised to see a lot of the team coming through Arrivals wearing skirts (or Sulas) with their black shoes and Welsh blazers! We had all got soaked on a boat trip and were kitted out to return home. Not quite the ceremonial dress we had seen them wearing. I loved the Fijian style of play."
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PIERRE VILLEPREUX | FRANCE | 1969
Jersey match-worn for Pierre Villepreux (b.1943) in all-white with shield shaped blue crest applied to chest featuring braided standing cockerel and ‘FFR’, black vinyl number fifteen to reverse, label for Allen Sports, Paris.
Pierre Villepreux was an elegant, goal-kicking full-back who played for Toulouse and, between 1967 and 1972, for France, scoring 166 points in his 34 tests, most memorably helping Les Bleus overwhelm England 35-13 at Colombes in 1970.
However, it was as an innovative, free-thinking coach that Villepreux was revered throughout the rugby world. He took as his coaching creed "flexibility and adaptability, not organisation” and espoused the traditional open French style of play.
In 1985 he coached Toulouse to their first national championship in 38 years, and added two more titles in his time with the club while working alongside Jean-Claude Skrela. That partnership was renewed when, after a disappointing showing at Rugby World Cup 1995, Skrela replaced Pierre Berbizier as France head coach. Adopting Villepreux’s brand of ‘total rugby’, a revitalised France won back-to-back Five Nations titles in 1997 and 1998 and then reached the final of RWC 1999, having seen off New Zealand in one of the competition’s all-time classic semi-finals.
At the end of the tournament, Villepreux was appointed as the FFR's technical director. He later went on to work for the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby) as the regional development manager for Europe.
JPR and Villepreux faced each other in each of the 5 Nations tests between 1969 and 1972.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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JEAN-MICHEL AGUIRRE | FRANCE | 1977 / 1978 / 1979
Blue jersey with blue collars with braided cockerel to red felt shield-shaped crest, white fabric stitched to reverse, centred printed Adidas logo to chest (1977 and after), Adidas label to interior. Match-worn by Jean-Michel Aguirre (b. 1951) and then swapped with JPR Williams in the player’s tunnel at Cardiff Arms Park on 18 th March 1978. Clear TV footage of a swap can be seen on ‘Slammed’ (BBC Wales) while there is also a still photograph of the two players swapping in 1979.
In 1977, France beat Wales at Parc de Princes 16-9 and they won the championship for the sixth time outright. Including shared titles this was France's tenth championship overall. France won the Grand Slam for the second time and did so with the same fifteen players in all four matches (a unique feat for a Grand Slam winner) and without conceding a single try!
In 1978, Wales won the match 16-7 to secure the Grand Slam for a record eighth time - Wales had formerly shared the record of seven with England. Victories over England, Ireland and Scotland (the Home Nations), also meant Wales won the Triple Crown for the third consecutive time, a record, given no other team had ever won the Triple Crown more than twice in a row. It was Wales' fifteenth in total, also a record, surpassing the fourteen won by England.
In 1979, France beat Wales by one point in Paris, but Wales were the champions for the second consecutive season, winning a record twenty-first outright title. In beating Scotland, Ireland and England they also won the Triple Crown for a record fourth successive season and extended their record number of Triple Crown wins to sixteen. This would be the last time that Wales won back-to-back championships until 2013.
Aguirre played his entire club career for Stade Bagnérais, a team that reached the French championship final twice (1979 and 1981) but lost both times. He began his career as a scrum-half but his usual position became fullback. He earned his first national cap on 27 November 1971 against the Australia at Colombes.
Aguirre was a versatile and skilful player, known for his kicking ability and tactical awareness. He earned 39 caps for France between 1971 and 1980, scoring over 200 points. He was part of the French team that won the Grand Slam in the 1977 Five Nations Championship, playing a crucial role in the campaign. Despite strong performances, his international career ended in 1980, when he was replaced by Serge Blanco. After retiring, Aguirre remained involved in rugby and sports in France, contributing to the game at the regional level.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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3,000 - 5,000 GBP
HO de VILLIERS | SOUTH AFRICA | 1970
Springbok jersey match-worn believed to be by Henry Oswald de Villiers (1945- 2022). Traditional green with yellow collar, embroidered leaping Springbok, yellow canvas number 15 stitched to reverse, label for Maxmore and small label for Markhams. As this jersey is a size 40 it is believed to have been worn by de Villiers against Wales on 24 th January 1970. De Villiers had a larger frame (13.5 stone) than the other South African fullbacks whom JPR faced.
HO de Villiers was regarded as a ground-breaking full-back, one who loved to get into the back line, attacking and running with ball in hand. He played 14 Tests for South Africa between 1967 and 1970, and 29 matches in all for the Springboks, retiring in 1970 after getting injured on the Springboks' 1969/70 tour of Britain and Ireland. He tore ligaments during a practice session and needed a total knee re-construction. The damage and subsequent experimental surgery prevented him from playing any more test rugby. At the height of his career HO de Villiers was one of the strongest physical players of his time, and he only weighed 85kg.
Schooled at Dale College in King Williams' Town in the Eastern Cape, he later did his military service after which he enrolled at the University of Cape Town and played left wing for a while. He represented Western Province in the Currie Cup for all of ten years, between 1965 and 1975.
It was as a wing in Cape Town that HO de Villiers first made an impression but was soon switched to fullback to stand in for Lionel Wilson, who was on duty in New Zealand with the 1965 Springbok team. His attacking rugby and fearlessness made him extremely popular with the crowds. HO de Villiers was that all-too-rare phenomenon, the sporting genius with the ability to achieve the seemingly impossible; the magician who could mesmerize the opposition and enthral the crowds with his inexhaustible penchant for doing the wrong things at the right time and succeeding magnificently.
HO de Villiers had 14 caps for the Springboks in a time that there weren't a lot of international matches to go around. He made his debut for the Boks at Kings Park in 1967 against France, scoring 11 points. His last test was in 1970 against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. He also played in 15 tour matches and scored 54 points, which includes two tries, 15 conversions and six penalties.
Dawie de Villiers, who captained him in his first test against France in 1967, had this to say about HO de Villiers: " He seemed to thrive on the pressure, and the greater it became, the stronger he grew. He played his rugby with tremendous determination and concentration, yet off the field he was one of the most relaxed and friendly people in the team."
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I S G SMITH | SCOTLAND | c.1970
The jersey in navy blue with white collar, stitched Scottish thistle crest, vinyl number 15 to reverse, label for Umbro and for R W Forsyth dating the jersey to late 1969-70 printed Umbro label to hem.
Believed to have been worn by Ian Smith (b.1944) against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on February, 1970. A match Wales won 18-9.
Born in Dundee, Smith was raised in Morningside, Edinburgh, and attended George Heriot's School. He would practise his kicking as a schoolboy with George Watson's College pupil Ian Robertson, later a Scotland teammate. A University of Edinburgh dentistry graduate, Smith competed in the varsity first XV and played rugby in the services. He was a captain in the Royal Army Dental Corps, at one point stationed in Germany.
Smith, normally a fullback but sometime winger, played 15 against Wales in 1970. He gained his first Scotland call up out of the London Scottish thirds, having come to the attention of selectors playing for Combined Services. On debut at Murrayfield in 1969, Smith scored all his team's points in a 6–3 win over the Springboks, including the match-winning try with five minutes remaining, set up by childhood friend Robertson. He played in Scotland's 1970 Calcutta Cup win over England and finished his two years in the team with eight caps. In 1972, Smith turned out at the Asian Championships with Hong Kong, where he had been posted. He was selected for the 1966 Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand, though he did not play in the Test matches. Smith, by his own admission, was not the fastest back, as highlighted by the title of his autobiography ‘A Full Back Slower than your Average Prop’ . But Smith had finishing ability and earned a reputation as a reliable and hard-working player.
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BOB HILLER | ENGLAND | 1969 / 1970 / 1972
Jersey match worn by Robert Hiller (b.1942), traditional all-white, embroidered three colour rose on stem with toned leaves, black felt number 15 to reverse, Umbro International label to the interior (size 42ins). To accompany:
Programme Wales vs. England 12 th April 1969, both JPR and Hiller’s names therein.
Programme Wales vs. England at Twickenham, dated 1970.
Hiller and JPR became good friends on the Lions tour of New Zealand in 1971 when Hiller was appointed captain for one of the mid-week matches. JPR commented that "…Bob was one of the great characters of the tour. He really kept us above water with his remarkable humour" it was said that Hilller was always able to raise the spirits of the tour party,
Hiller scored a fabulous 102 points from ten games for the Lions in New Zealand and had scored 108 points in South Africa in 1968.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
“I had played against Bob a number of times before ‘71 : either for London Welsh against Harlequins or for Wales v England. I respected him and liked him. I liked him even more in ‘71 when we finally arrived in NZ via many airport stops and two poor games in Australia. Early on, he took me aside and said to me he thought I would be the Test team Full back and that he would mostly be in the T’s and W ‘s and that we would support each other.. He was an experienced Lion and knew about the midweek games. He was a wonderful tourist and scored around 100 points for us in the three months. After team training, Bob and Barry (John) would stay behind to practise goal kicking. I stayed as well to gather the balls and punt them back to them. The rest of the team were surprised that I could drop a goal from near the halfway line…. but not Bob! I learned a lot from him. And also from Barry, but he had such flair, was such a natural that no-one could copy him... a magical player. In later years, I would meet up with Bob Hiller after Twickenham matches. He would instruct the doorman (to the Ex players room) to expect me and we would have great catch ups.”
Hiller earned 19 caps for England between 1968 and 1972 as a fullback, known for his reliable goal-kicking and strong defensive skills. He captained England seven times and represented Harlequins at club level. Hiller was particularly known for his accurate kicking, both for goal and tactical play. Although he did not play in any British Lions test matches, he was part of two British Lions tours.
In the Radio Times, 26 th February 1970, John Hopkins interviewed both JPR and Hiller before their Five Nations match at Twickenham, with Hiller as captain.
"Hiller is the sort of kicker who will put one over from the touchline when his side is one point down with a couple of minutes to go".
JPR in the same article said "On his day, Bob is one of the best kickers in the world. And he has an uncanny knack of intercepting. He’s a good bloke off the field too. I once saw him with his fiancée in a pub around the corner from here and we had a drink or two together".
JPR and Hiller remained life-time friends.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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Estimate
2,000 - 4,000 GBP
JOE F KARAM | NEW ZEALAND | 1972
Traditional All Blacks International Rugby Union jersey match-worn, in black with white collar, embroidered ‘silver fern’ and stitched number 15 to reverse, Canterbury label to inside collar. In good condition. To accompany, the player’s programme and dinner menu for Wales v New Zealand, 2 nd December 1972, which is in excellent condition.
Believed match-worn by Joseph Francis Karam (b.1951) against Wales in the 1972 match at Cardiff Arms Park. Swapped with JPR, Karam’s opposite number in this game. The match proved to be controversial, with New Zealand the narrow victors by three points – Wales 16, New Zealand 19, but with JPR going over the line for a disallowed try that may well have won Wales the match. JPR: "I was tackled a yard from the line but I went over under my own momentum with the ball under my right arm. It was a try, all right".
Karam’s performance in this jersey enabled New Zealand to clinch the match as he scored five penalty goals, prop forward Keith Murdoch contributed with the All Blacks’ only try. Wales’ try was scored by wing, John Bevan after a 40 yard sprint.
Keith Murdoch was later that night in an incident with a security guard at a Cardiff hotel, and the New Zealand team management sent him home in disgrace, though he was to get off the plane in Australia and disappear for several years.
It was that unawarded try by JPR for which the match is most remembered, Referee ‘Johnnie’ Johnson had given Murdoch’s try, yet in almost similar circumstances he denied a score for JPR Williams, who he decided had not used momentum to cross the line. Memories were stirred of the famous ‘non-try’ not given by John Dallas and not scored by Bob Deans of the Original All Blacks, during that famous 1905 Wales v New Zealand match.
On the second match of this New Zealand tour, Llanelli famously beat the tourists by 9-3 at Stradey Park on a day when ‘all the pubs ran dry’ and all Wales rejoiced.
Joe Karam, of Lebanese descent, was born at Taumarunui on November 21, 1951. He played for Waikato and later Wellington and earned 10 test caps and played 16 matches for the All Blacks between 1972 and 1975. A reliable fullback, known for his strong kicking game, accurate goal kicking and tactical awareness. So methodical was Karam’s goal-kicking and touch-finding ability he was nicknamed 'Clock’.
Karam transitioned to professional rugby league, playing for the Glenora Bears in Auckland before retiring from sports altogether. After sport, Karam is known for his many years of unqualified support for David Bain, who was convicted in 1995 of murdering all five members of his family. Karam's research and sustained pressure on the justice system culminated in an appeal to the Privy Council in Britain in May 2007, at which Bain's conviction was overturned. The Privy Council found there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice, quashed his convictions and ordered a retrial.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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RUSSELL FAIRFAX | AUSTRALIA | 1973
Jersey match-worn by Russell Lance Fairfax (b.1952) in traditional ‘gold’ with white collars, embroidered crest to shield badge bearing ‘Australia Rugby 1972’, green vinyl No.15 stitched to reverse, bears collar label for Westmont.
Russell Fairfax was a wonderfully precocious talent who played his first representative rugby while still at school but transferred to rugby league when at his height. A tall, athletic, long blond-haired fullback / fly half, Fairfax exuded brilliance as a silken runner with good pace and a classic swerve. He was safe under the highball, tackled well above his weight, and had the ability to create both time and space for his outside supports. Fairfax won eight caps for the Wallabies between 1971 and 1973.
JPR did not face Australia in 1972, but it was thought by his family that the jersey was swapped when the players faced each other in the East Wales v Australia clash in October 1973. In this match the Australians used squad numbers (Fairfax was No.26) it is assumed that Fairfax brought the jersey with him to swap with JPR.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
" I think the no 15 jersey could be from Russell Fairfax. He had burst onto the scene with gusto, and you couldn’t miss him with his long (longer than mine!) fair hair, great pace and style. I had played against him in the East Wales match".
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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MARTIN SANSOT | ARGENTINA | 1976
Jersey match-worn by Martin Sansot (b.1955) in blue and white hoops, printed Puma crest, felt number 15, stitched to reverse, label for Noceto Sports. The jersey from the famous tie of 16 th October 1976 in Cardiff when a major upset was looking likely.
In 1976, Argentina toured Wales and England for a series of six matches culminating with a Wales XV in Cardiff Arms Park on 16th October. Sansot, considered the best full-back to have played for Argentina, was an ever-present for the tourists. The Pumas were then to travel back to home — soil for two tests against the All Blacks.
Wales were not awarding caps for matches against the Pumas at this stage, but the current Grand Slam winners fielded a team laden with experienced all-time greats, including JPR Williams, Gerald Davies, Phil Bennett, Derek Quinnell, captain Terry Cobner and Sir Gareth Edwards.
There was no doubting who were the favourites, the expectation was one of an inevitable comfortable victory for the star-studded men in red. However, Argentina gave Wales the greatest scare of the golden era. The Pumas put on a special performance that would stay in memories for a long time. At half-time the match was drawing, and at injury time at the end of the game, the underdogs led 19-17. But in the dying seconds, to save Welsh blushes, Phil Bennett converted a penalty for a high tackle. Relieved Wales won the match by a single point. The match is still hugely revered in Argentina, indeed in 2016 the Argentina Rugby Federation arranged a massive ‘gala de rugby’ to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the match. Perhaps Argentina’s performance should not have been such a shock for Welsh rugby. At fly-half, the Pumas had one of the most complete rugby union footballers in Hugo Porta, who put in a typically composed performance opposite Phil Bennett.
Martín Sansot represented the Pumas from 1975 to 1983, he was also a veterinarian and broadcaster.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
“I played against Argentina for Wales, twice in ‘68. The tour was exciting for me as it was my first and contained a mixture of newcomers like me, and older established players. Some of our stars (Gareth, Gerald and John Taylor) had just been on the ‘68 Lions tour so we’re not involved. It was a shame that we were not awarded caps for the Internationals: we were beaten in the first test and drew the second … so the standard they played was high even then. We experienced all sorts of differences over there; the crowd threw coins, a football referee had been shot the week before and we were invited to be gauchos for a day - riding bareback, hanging onto the mane! The crowd kept calling me “Canasta”..and I didn’t know why . I thought it was a swear word till someone afterwards told me it meant “basket” which was a compliment. I did not swap my jersey, as how could I know if I did not have any other Welsh ones? ….not sure if anyone was given one to swap anyway.
For years I had wanted an Argentinian jersey to complete my international collection, but I had to wait till ‘76 when they toured Wales. Luckily, Phil Bennett put over a (bit of a disputed) penalty right at the end. I hardly ever asked to swap jerseys, it was always the other way round, but I approached Martin Sansot after the game. He was delighted to swap and so was I!"
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BARRY LEGH | CANADA | 1973
The jersey match-worn by full-back Barry Legh in red and white hoops, bearing embroidered maple crest to chest with ‘CANADA’, black number 15 stitched to reverse, Umbro label.
This jersey was worn by Legh against a selected Wales XV at the Varsity Stadium, Toronto on June 9th, 1973. Welsh matches against Canada were not at this time categorized as Tests — Welsh players did not receive a cap against Canadian opposition until the 1987 inaugural World Cup. Nevertheless, the team to take on Canada in ’73 was full of star names and prodigious Welsh talent, including JPR, Phil Bennett, Mervyn Davies and Sir Gareth Edwards. JPR had been married for only ten days when he left for the tour.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
“ This jersey is from the Welsh Tour to Canada in 1973. I had played tennis there and travelled with Middlesex and had some good friends in the team. I was lucky as having passed 2nd MB, I had the summer free. Rugby was becoming very popular in the Seventies, particularly in British Colombia (where there were many ex-pats) and we faced the stiffest opposition there. We won all our games, but I thought that 10 years ahead, improving all the time, they would be even tougher. As it happens, it’s quite sad to see the decline of Canada from rugby’s top tier.”
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JEAN-MICHEL AGUIRRE | FRANCE | 1973
Jersey match-worn for Jean-Michel Aguirre (b.1943) in all-white with shield shaped blue crest applied to chest featuring braided standing cockerel and ‘FFR’ below, narrow and squarish blue canvas number fifteen to reverse, label for Pure Cotton only. Believed from 1973 bearing in mind the number. France alternated between blue and white in this period, playing their home matches in white.
Match played on 24 th March at Parc de Princes was won by France 12-3. Please see Lot 14 for more details on Aguirre. The 1973 Five Nations Championship was shared between all five teams; This was the only time that the Five Nations championship finished in a five-way tie.
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FERGUS SLATTERY | IRELAND & SCOTLAND | 1974 IRISH RUGBY CENTENARY YEAR MATCH
A rare green and blue hooped jersey, match worn by (John) Fergus Slattery (b.1949). Embroidered circular badge with the four crests of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Vinyl number 6 stitched to reverse, label for maker Umbro International and supplier S S Moore of Belfast.
The match was played to commemorate the Irish Rugby Union Centenary on April 19th at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. The Ireland and Scotland combined side won the tie 17-10. JPR swapped with back-row forward Slattery, a good friend of his. Slattery’s tenacity and tireless work-rate combined with the ball-handling skills and pace of a back combined to make him one of the best flankers of his and JPR’s generation.
JPR:
“ he was a great back row forward and our International careers spanned the same 11 years. We had great admiration for each other and were both honoured to be in our respective Combined Squads for the matches to mark the Centenary years of each of the Home Unions. They started with England in 1970, ending with Wales in 1981. I was proud to have been picked for and played in each match. Fergus played 2 or 3 of them as well, so we had previous jerseys making it easier to think of swapping. He was a great mate on tour, and in the last test in South Africa it seemed as if we were the only two in the team intent on winning, not being content to leave on a draw”.
Slattery’s international career spanned a remarkable 14 years – from 1970-84 – and made him at the time of his retirement the game’s most-capped flanker with 61 appearances for Ireland.
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2,000 - 4,000 GBP
TONIE ROUX | SOUTH AFRICA | 1974
Springbok jersey match-worn traditional green with yellow collar, embroidered leaping Springbok, yellow canvas number 15 stitched to reverse, label for Maxmore. Size 38. To accompany:
Programme Barbarians vs. South Africa, 31 st January 1970, every member of the Barbarians and South African sides have signed it in red ink (good condition).
Wales vs. South Africa dinner card, 24 th January 1970, internally lists the Welsh team then the menu, toasts, etc. (good condition).
A smaller Springbok jersey so would have fitted Ian McCallum or OA Roux (b.1947) during the British Lions series of 1974 but JPR’s family believe the jersey to have been worn by Roux and swapped after the Final Test as would have been the custom. Roux had a 12 stone frame for a size 38, as opposed to de Villiers’ much larger frame.
The fourth and final test was a match of high drama which proved to be the best of the series. The match ended in a draw 13-13.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
"We had played to our strengths in the first two tests on the ‘74 Lions tour. The first test was in Cape town in the mud and we won narrowly through our forwards and Gareth. The second test was up in Pretoria, with higher altitude and hard burnt grass, which was why I bandaged my knees to prevent grass burns. There was always a bit of bandage left over to keep my hair out of my eyes. It was expected by the SA press that we wouldn’t do well on the high veldt… how wrong they were. Benny and JJ did us proud with their side stepping and skill. I had played with both of them for Wales at junior level (u15, u18) and I knew what they could do. At the end of that match the crowd walked silently away So there was much expectation for us in the 3rd. Test, and much change for the Springboks. It seemed like panic to us. We had heard that they were holed up in their training centre for a week and denied access to newspapers. When the team came running out after a delay in the tunnel, their eyes were popping with adrenaline like raging bulls. So we knew what to expect.
Much has been made of the 99 call but most people don’t know it started as 999 .. help! But it was too long. And most people don’t know we only used it twice. Willie-John was a marvellous captain. I would have followed him off a cliff if he had asked me to. He had simply said the ref can’t send the whole team off and do your best. I met the SA second row, van Heerden some 30 years later who told me the punch had made him famous in SA and we shook hands. He was on his way to hand out jerseys to the SA team due to play Wales.
After all the rumpus, we went on to play some champagne rugby, with JJ running in a couple of great tries, one of them with me passing the ball back and forth to him. I wasn’t surprised that he could grubber kick ahead so accurately as he was fly-half as a junior. We were elated at the end, arms up in the air, jerseys coming off, and Willie John being lifted up. We went over to the area where our extra supporters were standing to salute them. They were Africans, Indians, Cape Coloureds and had supported us throughout the tour, wanting us to rock the establishment, the apartheid way of life.
Much later on we heard from JJ that he had received a letter from Nelson Mandela himself: imprisoned but his importance unknown to us at the time. It was so emotional seeing Pienaar receive the World Cup, 20 years later from Nelson Mandela with all the integrated crowd cheering. I like to think we made a bit of difference."
With regards to the final test, JPR did not think the preparation was as good as usual, and Fergus Slattery thought the Lions had taken their eye off the ball;
“We had mentally packed our bags “. In fact half of the squad had already left, with only the Test team and reserves left. They were exhausted after three months, mentally and physically. After 21 games unbeaten they needed motivating by Willie-John “ please don’t let it slip now”
The Lions faced a determined Springbok side, with Tonie Roux retaining his full back slot wearing this jersey.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
...the ‘Boks were more together and it was close. The match was played at fast pace on the hard ground at Ellis Park, with a couple of controversial tries. It was hard for Max Baise the referee .He was an honest ref and we liked him but there was no video ref then and has said later that it haunted him that he awarded Roger Uttley’s try early on. But near the end , he disallowed a probable try by Fergus Slattery, fed by me near the line. So that was that - a draw at 13-13. As Fergus said 'the referee is always right'. It was a fitting ending to a memorable tour. Quite a few of that Test side had played 4 tests against NZ in ‘71 and were delighted then to draw the last test, winning the series. But for those same players , who were in the test team drawing the 4 th Test was a bit of a let down. They were unbeaten however : a magnificent team'
Tonie Roux played full back and fly-half, known for his kicking ability and great tactical awareness. He played for Transvaal and earned his Springbok debut in 1969.
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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A H ENSOR | IRELAND | 1975
Traditional Ireland International Rugby Union match-worn jersey in green with white collar, embroidered shamrock to shield badge stitched to chest, stitched number 15 to reverse, O’Neills label to inside collar. In good condition.
Believed to have been worn by Tony Ensor (b.1949) against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, on March 15 th , 1975, in the 1975 Five Nations Series. A match that was won by Wales 32-4.
Ensor was born in Dublin, the second of five children. He is the nephew of the 7th Chief Justice of Ireland Thomas Finlay and Supreme Court judge John Blayney. Educated at Gonzaga College and UCD, he played for UCD and Wanderers. He made his international debut for Ireland on 10 March 1973 against Wales. He was capped 22 times for Ireland, winning his last cap against England on 18 March 1978.
A fullback, Ensor's only try for Ireland came in 1975 against France. He was also a goal kicker and scored a total of 31 points for his country. In 1973, against France, he famously kicked a mammoth penalty from inside his own half to help complete a narrow 6-4 point victory.
In 1976, he was also a member of the Ireland squad that toured New Zealand and Fiji.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
“ Tony Ensor was the same age as me and was developing as an attacking full back towards the end of Tom Kiernan’s reign. We played against each other for a number of years in the '70’s and were both from large sporting families. He played for Wanderers in Dublin: they played similar rugby to London Welsh and were an exciting side. I also played opposite him in the Combined Wales/Irish side against team from Scotland/England for the Irish RU Centenary. He like me continued to play International Rugby after qualifying, Tony as a solicitor and me as a doctor .’’
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NOBUYUKI UEYAMA | JAPAN | 1975
Red and white hooped jersey, match worn by Ueyama (b.1939). Embroidered and silk crest of green stem with three pink and yellow cherry blossoms, to black badge outline and then applied to chest. Black cotton No. 15 to white square panel on reverse, interior label for Sceptre. To accompany, extracts from a Japanese magazine covering the tour, a black and white photograph of JPR with ball in hand being tackled, extracted Wales XV team line-up.
JPR (family notes, 2023):
“He had been a young exciting full back understudy in 73 when they played v Wales XV in Cardiff. By ‘75 he was the main full back and played for the University side (Waseda).
We were made very welcome and Princess Chichibu greeted us all with a small gift: it wasn’t just a handshake line-up The tour was made as a sign of progressive friendship within the wider game. We in the Welsh team were on top of our own game in ‘75 and their team were so thrilled to have played against us that I think all Japanese players asked to exchange jerseys at the end of the 2nd Test!
They attacked with style and tackled ferociously so we admired them. The tour was not so easy for our manager as he had been a POW at the end of the war. I was pleased they started to improve on rankings and even host the World Cup in 2019… but it had taken 40 years since our tour.”
Additional playing days images courtesy of Colorsport (Copyright)
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ALASTAIR HIGNELL | ENGLAND | 1975 / 1976 / 1977 / 1978
Jersey believed match-worn by Alastair James Hignell CBE (b.1955) in one of his several test matches against JPR. Traditional all-white, embroidered three-colour rose on stem with toned leaves, black felt number 15 to reverse, Umbro International label to the interior. Hignell faced JPR in each of the suggested seasons – he was never on the winning side!
Hignell was a talented dual-sport athlete who represented England in rugby while also playing first-class cricket. He earned 14 rugby caps for England between 1975 and 1979, playing primarily as a full back, known for his strong kicking, tactical awareness, and composure under pressure. He made his debut against Australia in 1975 and played in multiple Five Nations Championships. Also played for Cambridge University and Bristol. In cricket, he represented Gloucestershire and Cambridge University as a batsman.
In 2008, Hignell was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is now an active fundraiser using his profile and skills to help alleviate some of the fear surrounding the disease and help the MS community in whatever way he can.
In an interview with the Sporting Memories Foundation, Alastair Hignell reflected on wearing the white for England:
“... my rugby debut for England was the infamous battle of Brisbane in Australia in 1975. I was 19 years old and to be selected to go on the tour at all was one thing but then to get the chance of playing for my country. Nobody will ever replicate that moment when you are standing in front of the crowd listening to God Save the Queen knowing that you are about to play for England. It is the culmination of why you play rugby in the first place, of dreams for the people that coached you and the people who have helped you along the way. They get an awful lot out of it as well. Just the feeling that you were there as the anthem played - it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. It was just the most amazing experience.”
JPR (family notes, 2023):
‘’Alastair played for England against me for a number of years in the mid to late 70’s. He grew better every year and made the full back position his own. In fact, he was playing in March ‘79 when I retired”. I was impressed that he was also a county cricketer as it is such an advantage to play another sport to a high level. It’s much better than just being in a gym lifting weights as the challenges will be 3D unexpected. It’s not just the physical part, with enhanced co -ordination, balance and special awareness. But perhaps more importantly, the mental part. If you can stand up and be counted with tennis or cricket balls being rained down on you, it’s bound to help if you are on the rugby pitch ready for a high ball. There is no hiding place: only you.
I supported Alastair at one of his early fundraising dinners for MS research as at the time it was such a shock that an all-round athlete and friend could be affected. His fund-raising has been legendary’’.
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1,500 - 2,500 GBP
DOUG ROLLERSON | NEW ZEALAND | 1980
Traditional All Blacks International Rugby Union match-worn jersey in black with white collar, embroidered ‘silver fern’ and printed number 15 to reverse, Canterbury label to inside collar. In good condition, some inevitable wear to printed number.
Believed to have been worn by full-back D L Rollerson (1953-2017) in their emphatic victory against Wales, November 1 st , 1980.
Rollerson played 24 games for the All Blacks, including eight tests, between 1976 and 1981. Rollerson won the Ranfurly Shield with Manawatu in 1976, kicking the match-winning drop goal as the province won the 'Log of Wood' for the first time. He played 91 games for Manawatu. Rollerson played against South Africa in the controversial 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand. In the third and deciding test he alternated the goal kicking with fullback Allan Hewson. Rollerson being a right footed kicker took the penalties and conversions from the left-hand side of the field and Hewson, being left footed kicked from the right-hand side. The All Black narrowly won the series 2-1.
In 1982, aged 28, he signed to play two seasons of rugby league with North Sydney, where he was a clubmate of Kiwis great Mark Graham.
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