ENGLAND RUGBY FIVE NATIONS GRAND SLAM HERO. THE STORY BEHIND RONALD COVE-SMITH.

England Rugby Five Nations Grand Slams of 1923 and 1924. Were captained by Dave Davies and Wavell Wakefield. A core player is both these successes was Ronald Cove-Smith. He was an outstanding player. Also, he captained the England Rugby team to a further Grand Slam in 1928.

England Rugby Five Nations best Forwards following the First World War

Firstly, Cove-Smith was one of the great forwards produced by England. In the years following the First World War. He was born in 1899 in Edmonton, Middlesex. And was an excellent all-around sportsman. He excelled at swimming and water polo, winning half-blues in each at Cambridge University. But it was in the game of rugby he most thrived. He went to Merchant Taylors School and carried that talent through to university. He played in three Varsity Matches for Cambridge from 1919 to 1921.
Secondly, his England Rugby career included 29 tests from 1921 to 1929. Seven of these matches as captain. Finally, his record included 22 wins out of 29 England games. Described as a “rampaging Mephistopheles’ by British journalist Denzil Batchelor. Also, he combined pace, power, and skill and formed a powerful pack alongside Wavell Wakefield, Tom Voyce, and William Luddington.

British Lions Tour to South Africa 1924

1924 Tour to South Africa. This tour was the first to be taken after the great war. And was to South Africa. The team was skippered by Ronald Cove-Smith. And also, managed by Harry Packer. The tourists played 21 games. 17 of these were against the club or provincial teams. And also included were 4 test matches. They lost the test series 0-3, with 1 draw.
The tour had one major claim to fame. As it was the first occasion that the Lion’s nickname was used by their hosts. This came about as the full touring name was the British Isles Rugby Union Team and the tour tie included a heraldic Lion in the badge, this was picked up on and the tourists were called the Lions.
The four-match Test series was lost 3-7, 0-17. Then 3-3 in the third test. Although a missed penalty in front of the posts in the final minutes of the game stopped a Lions win. The final test was lost 9-16. Following this series, South Africa enjoyed a golden era of rugby during the 1930s. The results from the other 17 games. These included 1 in Salisbury Rhodesia. In South Africa 9 were won, 2 were drawn and 6 lost.

England Rugby Five Nations Grand Slam 1928

As captain, he led England to the 1928 Grand Slam. They defeated Wales in Swansea in the first game. They won 10 points to 8. Tries through winger William Kirwan-Taylor and Fly-Half Colin Laird. Centre James Richardson added two goals. Next, they took on Ireland at Lansdowne Road. And although the Irish outscored England by two tries to one. It was a drop goal from James Richardson that split the teams. Final score Ireland 6, England 7.
France were the visitors to Twickenham. And England Rugby comfortably won by 18 points to 8. Two tries each for Wing Godfrey Palmer and Joe Periton. Along with 3 conversions from the reliable boot of James Richardson. Again England were too strong for the Scots at home. They scored two tries through Flanker Jerry Hanley. Also, Colin Laird scored a try in the 6 points to nil victory. This gave England Rugby Five Nations a Grand Slam.

World Rugby Museum Wall of Fame Inductee

In his professional life, he had a distinguished medical career. And served as a vice-president of the British Medical Association.
Cove-Smith made two further appearances. Also, in 1929 8 points to 3 win against Wales. And he tasted defeat against Ireland at Twickenham by 6 points to 5 in his last game.  In addition, he was inducted onto the World Rugby Museum Wall of Fame in 2001.

The Ellis Rugby England Rugby Five Nations Grand Slam Retro Shirts

The England Rugby 1923 Shirt 1924 Grand Slam rugby shirt is inspired by these outstanding England teams. In addition, it is manufactured from satin touch 100% cotton. The England Rugby 1923 Shirt 1924 Grand Slam features a detailed applique rose crest. Also, includes herringbone detail on vents and tape on the neck opening. In addition, a commemorative embroider of Grand Slam 1923 – 1924 on the collar stand.

We also offer the England Rugby 1991 Shirt 1992 Grand Slam and an England 1995 Shirt Polo Grand Slam top.